Artist Statement
Greetings!
I am a licensed K-12 art educator in Minnesota and Illinois. I have a BA in Art Education with an emphasis in Ceramics from the University of Northern Iowa and served the board of Art Educators of Iowa (AEI) as All-State Chair for 3 years. I started my career at Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, IA, then moved to Chicago, IL and taught on the Southwest side of the city through Chicago Public Schools. I have also taught adjunct courses at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA and wheel throwing classes at The Evanston Art Center in Evanston, IL. In my third year of teaching, I was awarded “Outstanding Secondary Art Educator of the Year” by Art Educators of Iowa and was honored at the 2016 state conference. In addition to teaching, I am a working ceramic artist who has been featured in exhibitions and shows all over the country. Over the course of my career, I have led students to win over 30 awards at the local and state level and have many students who have pursued futures in the arts. My family and I currently reside in Minneapolis, MN and I'm teaching ceramics and art with Lakeville Area Schools in Lakeville, MN.
"In my personal artwork, I enjoy texture and visual decay. Holding a piece of crafted artwork should feel much different than a machine-made work, which is why I expose my “perfection-based” wheel-thrown pottery to complete transformation. I embrace the raw clay, using unglazed surfaces to expose the earthy qualities it represents. Finding street art, antiques, and urban decay as inspiration, I utilize found imagery, antique style, and tacky humor to compose highly contrasted works, typically through form, color, and texture. Art isn't meant to be in a museum, it should reflect the world around you; after all, art is life."
"In my teaching career, I explain to students that art isn't about making "pretty things," but rather taking a unique idea and creating something physical. History has been told through art for ages, which can still be possible today. I want my teaching about art to resonate with students in such a way that it can do the same. Speaking through art is very important to me, and the creative processes and interpretive thinking that comes from particular exercises will help students to develop as well-rounded professionals. I always say that I don't teach art, I teach creativity. I am passionate about student success through creative, hands-on learning experiences, and make this clear in every lesson and student expectation I set."
Devin T. Hanson
Pronouns: He, Him, His
I am a licensed K-12 art educator in Minnesota and Illinois. I have a BA in Art Education with an emphasis in Ceramics from the University of Northern Iowa and served the board of Art Educators of Iowa (AEI) as All-State Chair for 3 years. I started my career at Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, IA, then moved to Chicago, IL and taught on the Southwest side of the city through Chicago Public Schools. I have also taught adjunct courses at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA and wheel throwing classes at The Evanston Art Center in Evanston, IL. In my third year of teaching, I was awarded “Outstanding Secondary Art Educator of the Year” by Art Educators of Iowa and was honored at the 2016 state conference. In addition to teaching, I am a working ceramic artist who has been featured in exhibitions and shows all over the country. Over the course of my career, I have led students to win over 30 awards at the local and state level and have many students who have pursued futures in the arts. My family and I currently reside in Minneapolis, MN and I'm teaching ceramics and art with Lakeville Area Schools in Lakeville, MN.
"In my personal artwork, I enjoy texture and visual decay. Holding a piece of crafted artwork should feel much different than a machine-made work, which is why I expose my “perfection-based” wheel-thrown pottery to complete transformation. I embrace the raw clay, using unglazed surfaces to expose the earthy qualities it represents. Finding street art, antiques, and urban decay as inspiration, I utilize found imagery, antique style, and tacky humor to compose highly contrasted works, typically through form, color, and texture. Art isn't meant to be in a museum, it should reflect the world around you; after all, art is life."
"In my teaching career, I explain to students that art isn't about making "pretty things," but rather taking a unique idea and creating something physical. History has been told through art for ages, which can still be possible today. I want my teaching about art to resonate with students in such a way that it can do the same. Speaking through art is very important to me, and the creative processes and interpretive thinking that comes from particular exercises will help students to develop as well-rounded professionals. I always say that I don't teach art, I teach creativity. I am passionate about student success through creative, hands-on learning experiences, and make this clear in every lesson and student expectation I set."
Devin T. Hanson
Pronouns: He, Him, His