CV 2026
Artist Bio
I have a portfolio of large-scale public sculptures and installations currently on display at sculpture parks in the Midwest, and my smaller sculptures are on display at major science museum maker spaces around the nation. I have a background working with science museums as an education and exhibit project manager, most recently with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History about the Anthropocene and Climate Change. I have participated in several Artist Residencies around the US, and have received grants from the Minnesota State Arts board, Northern Lights, Public Art Saint Paul, Institute on the Environment, and the Knight Foundation.
Education
MFA 3 year program. University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts, Minneapolis, MN 2019
Interdisciplinary Art and Social Practice. Studied rapid prototyping tools, architecture design, 3D modeling, microcontrollers, coding, advanced sculpture, art theory
o College of Liberal Arts Graduate Fellowship, $25K for first year, plus tuition remission, no teaching assistantship duties, by faculty nomination, 2017
o College of Liberal Arts MFA, tuition remission, with 50% teaching assistantship stipend year 2 and 3, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2018, 2019
o Katherine E. Nash Graduate Gallery Assistant, College of Liberal Arts, Minnesota, 2017
o Two month travel scholarship and participation in the MFA Thesis Exhibition at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Scotland, 2018
o MFA Thesis Exhibition, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Scotland, 2018
o MFA Thesis Exhibition, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts, 2019
o MFA Thesis publication: Imagine Plastic by Asia Ward,. ETD Administrator, University of Minnesota, 2019
BFA Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 2000
Triple Concentration in Drawing, Painting, Sculpture. Studied bookmaking, printmaking, drawing, painting, jewelry, installation, sculpture, critical thinking, psychology
o Solo Show at the Museum of Contemporary Art for my BFA graduating show, 1999
o BFA Graduate Show, Glass Box Gallery, College of Art, Colorado State University, 2000
Associate in Liberal Art, Elgin Community College, Elgin IL, 1997
Focus on Fine Art. Studied painting, speech, drawing, life drawing, environmental biology, international religious studies
o Liberal Arts Fellowship, full tuition scholarship, Dean’s List, by faculty nomination, 1996, 1997
o Safety Kleen Gallery Assistant to the Curator, 1996, 1997
Certifications
· North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) training and award 2017
o Hands on training in PV site assessment, PV design, PV installation
Training
· Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Training, 2 days, Hoyt Arts Center, New Castle, PA 2024
o Building accessibility, marketing, diversity, equity and inclusion training, conflict resolution and de-escalation
· Mural Making Intensive with muralist Christina Wolfe, Erie Art Museum, 3 days, Certificate of Completion, Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA, 2025
o Site prep, mural paint and materials, symbolism, mural design, community input, collaborative design, interactive 3D mural, color palette, mural painting
· (CASE) Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy Academy, 5 days, Certificate of Completion 30 PD hours, James Madison University, VA, 2024
o NEED Energy RoundUp, energy efficiency, wind and solar education, the power grid and renewables, TinkerCAD, KidWind Challege
· Erie Arts and Culture Teaching Artist Training, 5 trainings, Certificate of Completion, Erie Arts and Culture, Erie, PA 2023
o PA State Standards, lesson plans, arts integration framework
· Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Training, 2 separate online trainings, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA 2020, 2021
o Accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion training
· Mandated Reporter Training, Certificate of Completion, PA Family Support Alliance, Pittsburgh, PA, 2020
o Virtual Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse
· Sparkfun Educator Training, 5 days, Certificate of Completion 30 PD hours, Sparkfun Headquarters, Boulder, CO 2014
o Arduino Basics and Advanced, Intro to Micro:bit, Intro to Raspberry Pi in the classroom, Robot Dance Party: Intro to Robotics , Exploring E-Textiles Part 1 and 2. Programming with Lilypad Arduino
· Constructing Modern Knowledge Institute, 5 days, Certificate of Completion 30 PD hours, hosted by Gary Stager and Sylvia Martinez, 2014
o Creativity and learning, constructivism and constructionism, project-based learning, 1:1 computing, problem solving across the curriculum, student leadership and empowerment, computer programming as a liberal art, storytelling, tinkering
Teaching Experience
Student Teaching
· College of Visual Arts,University of Minnesota, 2 years, Teaching Assistant, Minneapolis, MN, 2018-2019
o Intro to Sculpture, Sculpture and Installation, Advanced Sculpture and Installation
Arts Education Teaching/Instruction
· U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office in partnership with KidWind, Project Lead, facilitator, curator, juror, National Wind Energy Art Challenge K-12, 2024, 2025
· Hoyt Art Center metal work, plastic work teaching artist, New Castle, PA 2024 - current
· Erie Arts and Culture Registered Teaching Artist, Erie, PA. 2023 - current
· Hennepin County Library System, Teaching Artist for teen technology programs, also adult art and renewable energy education, also art and technology education, Minneapolis, MN. 2009-2019
· St. Paul Public Library System, Teaching Artist for teen technology programs, also adult art and renewable energy education, also art and technology education, St. Paul, MN. 2009-2019
· Silverwood Park, Three Rivers District, Teaching Artist for teen art and nature programming, St. Anthony, MN. 2018
· District Energy St. Paul, Plume Coloring Contest project lead, curator, facilitator, juror, St. Paul, MN, 2016
· City Art Collaboratory, Mississippi Draw community workshops, project lead, facilitator, St. Paul, MN 2014
· Science Museum of Minnesota, Instructor for Learning Technologies camps and classes, also teen art and science educator, St. Paul, MN. 2006-2013
· Bell Museum, Teaching Artist for 2nd-5th grade art and nature workshop, St. Paul, MN. 2014
· Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Teaching Artist for STEAM diorama workshop, Minneapolis, MN. 2010
· Franconia Sculpture Park, Teaching Artist for K-12 sculpture workshops, Kids Make Sculpture, Taylors Falls, MN. 2003, 2005
Artist In Residence Educator
· Imagination Station, Artist in Residence animatronics professional development for all staff, Toledo, OH 2025
· Assemble, Artist in Residence STEAM education, teen program, Pittsburgh, PA. 2020
· Franconia Sculpture Park, Teaching Artist in Residence for high school STEAM art and renewable energy workshops, Taylors Falls, MN. 2013 – 2019.
· Scott Family Amazeum, Artist in Residence, Professional Development for all staff in artistic mediums, Bentonville, 2018
· College of Fine Arts, Artist in Residence for STEAM workshop, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. 2009
· Walker Art Center, Artist in Residence, teen program, also art education for public event, Minneapolis, MN. 2007
· Kulture Klub Collaborative, Artist in Residence for homeless and at-risk youth art education, Minneapolis, MN 2005
Mentorship
· Slippery Rock University School of Engineering Civil Engineering Capstone Project mentorship, PA. 2025-current
o Working with Robabeh Jazaei, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Civil Engineering & Construction Management Program Lead
o Providing mentorship of five civil engineering students in the form of presentations, site visits, professional advice, and site documentation
· Misty Hollow Artist Residency Artist Residency Manager. My property is an artist residency for emerging artists to practice art and science collaborations while creating eco-centric art projects, Ellwood City, PA, 2024-current
o Five artists have participated since 2024, four more are expected for 2026
o My role is to mentor artists and their collaborators in land stewardship methods as well as creative use of natural resources
· Carnegie Museum of Natural History We Are Nature: A New Natural History program management, Pittsburgh, PA, 2020-2022
o Carnegie Melon University, Museum Studies, worked with Marti Louw, Director of Learning Media Design Center
Provided students in Museum Studies presentations, tours, and project support
Mentored student intern to develop Anthropocene Section video content and press media
o Anthropocene Studies Exhibit Evaluation Interns
Trained and mentored five Exhibit Evaluation interns for We Are Nature: A New Natural History exhibit and throughout the museum
o PennWest Edinboro Anthropocene Section Motion Graphic, Media Intern
Mentored student intern to develop Anthropocene Section video content and press media
· Rosalux Gallery Internship Manager, Minneapolis, MN, 2020-2012
o Trained four Gallery Interns. They helped with media, documentation, gallery admin, gallery openings and upkeep.
o Prepared four Rosalux interns for their Rosalux Internship show
Teaching Professional Development
· Recharge Labs 2014-2019
o Facilitated 80 teacher workshops in STEAM based hands on renewable energy activities and curriculum, training over 2,000 K-12 educators, traveling to 24 states, Canada, and the Caribbean
o Facilitated teacher workshops in 18 national education and renewable energy conferences, engaging over 60,000 participants
o Led the yearly REcharge Academy, a weeklong intensive professional development program, and trained 125 educators from 34 states
· KidWind Project 2012-2014
o Facilitated 40 Teacher workshops, training over 1,000 K-12 educators, spanning 10 states
o Facilitated teacher workshops in 20 national education and renewable energy conferences, engaging over 80, 000 participants
o Supervised the KidWind Challenge, a large scale science fair-like event, culminating from national challenges, with a yearly average of 320 middle and high school youth all sponsored by the wind industry
· Learning Technologies Center, Science Museum of Minnesota
o Coordinated, managed, trained, evaluated 18 LTC Instructors and 8 teen Instructor aids for camps and classes
o Developed a low cost professional development program to maintain Instructor enthusiasm
o Playful Invention and Exploration (PIE) Institute STEAM Activity developer and Maker Professional Development trainer for an NSF grant which organized learning institutes with partners such as the MIT Media Lab, Exploratorium and Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
o Science Math Informal Learning Educator (SMILE) Pathway, howtosmile.org partner in an NSF grant through the New York Hall of Science, which developed a digital activity database for informal educators
o Making After Hours adult continuing education. Initiated and managed a monthly adult workshop series led by artists; partnered with local businesses, libraries, and universities
o Social Science adult museum activities. Collaborated with the Marketing, Education, and Exhibit department to develop interactive exhibits and activities for the monthly after hours Social Science event. Trained staff and volunteers.
o Playdates at the museum. Created learning objects and activities for a weekly program for 5 and under; worked with the volunteer and floor managers and trained/coordinated 15 volunteers
o Teen Tech Squad. Provided training for Hennepin County Library teens, focusing on integrating programming, art and music with technology
Published Lessons
· KidWind is the host of the listed STEAM lessons, developed by the sister company REcharge Labs, of which I was co-director. I was the Artistic Director, activity and product developer and lead writer for the lessons listed. These lessons are free and used internationally. Energy, Solar and Wind industries around the world, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, museums, and other learning environments use these lessons and kits
o Solar Town 6th-12th grade, five 45 – 60 minute class periods, NGSS standards based activity where students build their own solar powered house, then work collaboratively to tie them together on a grid
o Firefly 3rd-8th grade, one 45 minute class period, NGSS standards based, activity where students use a small wind turbine called a firefly and pinwheel designs to understand how to build a pinwheel that can power a light
o Sail Cars K-12th grade, one 45 minute class period, NGSS standards based, activity where students build sails to catch the wind in order to move the sail car as far as possible
o Solar Fountains 2nd- 12 grade, one 45 minute class period, NGSS standards based activity where students make a sculpture from modeling clay, then use solar panels to pump water to make a solar water fountain
o Solar Scavenger Hunt 4th-12th grade, one 45 minute class period, NGSS standards based activity where students determine what can be powered by a solar panel by going on a hunt for the best light
o Mini Windmills 1st – 8th grade, one 45 minute class period, NGSS standards based activity where students use basic household materials to build a weight lifting windmill
o Solar Boats 4th – 12th grade, two 45 minute class periods, NGSS standards based activity where students design a paddle boat powered by solar
· KidWind Solar Home Challenge is an online challenge hosted by KidWind
o The Solar Home Challenge is open to international submissions grades 4th-12th, NGSS ISTE, and NCAS standards based. Students create a solar powered project on the theme solar home. Challenge came with detailed instructions, rules, judging rubric, and runs monthly
· KidWind Art Challenge is an online challenge hosted by KidWind
o The Art Challenge runs once a year, with a changing theme. KidWind and I created this challenge in 2023 with the help of the Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office until 2025
· Power Grid Kit is a sister company of KidWind. I developed the Power Grid Kit components, basic activities, and product development.
o Power Grid Kit 8th-12th grade, NGSS standards based curriculum where students build a functioning power grid with power sources, loads, transmission, distribution, and use control hubs to manage the power
· Instructables is an online platform for educators, makers, artists, and DIYers to learn how to do something
o Solar Rover 4th-12th grade, two 45 minute class periods, students build a solar powered rover with a battery that can handle difficult terrain
Speaker/Curator/Juror
Speaker
· SculptureX 2026, Pecha Kucha by emerging artists organized by Asia Ward, artist talk. Slippery Rock University Art Department, Slippery Rock, PA, 2/13/2026
· School of Engineering, capstone design projects, guest speaker Asia Ward spoke about Misty Hollow and the opportunity to make it a capstone project, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa, 9/4/2025
· 2nd National Wind Energy Art Challenge, CLEANPOWER 2025 conference, audience of 400 from around the nation and the world in the renewable energy industry. Topic was about the quality of the student artwork submitted and the continuation of the successful art challenge to include solar next year, Phoenix conference center, Phoenix, AZ, 5/18/2025
· The Macoskey Environmental Center, guest instructor and guest speaker Asia Ward talked with camp instructors and demonstrated how to make solar fountains, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA, 5/1/2025
· SRU Art Seminar, guest speaker topic about interdisciplinary and cross disciplinary work, as well as the artist residency Misty Hollow. Slippery Rock University Art Department, Slippery Rock, PA, 4/15/2025
· Imagination Station, Guest artist speaker, topic about professional practice to a handful of staff, Toledo, Ohio, 4/7/2025
· Imagination Station, Museum All Staff Speaker and Demo, topic about animatronic creatures and the museum to the entire staff, Toledo, Ohio, 4/7/2025
· Imagination Station, Lunch and Learn open to the public, artistic practice talk, Toledo, Ohio, 4/10/2025
· Bidwell Training Center, Guest speaker, topic about Misty Hollow and land lab research using a microscope and samples gathered from property, Pittsburgh, PA, 3/11.2025
· Hoyt Art Center, Guest Artist, topic about plastic as a medium and work, New Castle, PA, 3/20/2025
· 1st National Wind Energy Art Challenge, CLEANPOWER 2024 conference, audience of 800 from around the nation and the world in the renewable energy industry. Topic was about the success of the first National Wind Energy Challenge supported by the Wind Energy Technologies Office and the continuation of the project. Minneapolis Conference Center, Minneapolis, MN, 5/5/2024
· Rotary Club of New Castle, Guest speaker, topic about my newly installed public sculpture in New Castle, New Castle, PA, 4/22/2024
· New Castle, Ribbon cutting for public sculpture and speech, New Castle, PA, 4/20/2024
· SRU Professional Practice, guest speaker topic about artistic practice. Slippery Rock University Art Department, Slippery Rock, PA, 3/4/2022
· Merwin Gallery, Ames School of Art, Artist Talk, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, 2016
· Mississippi Draw, Life drawing of macro and micro invertebrates of the Mississippi, artist Asia Ward and guest speaker from the Minnesota Department of Health, Bedlam Theater and Bar, 9/17/2014
· Mississippi Draw, Life drawing of macro and micro invertebrates of the Mississippi with artist Asia Ward and guest speaker from the Mississippi River National Park Service, St. Paul Riverboat, 9/10/2014
· 801 Lofts, Artist Talk, topic about my work in the show, Minneapolis, MN, 4/20/2014
· SOAP Factory, Artist Talk for Artists on the Verge show, topic about my work in the show, Minneapolis, MN, 9/29/2013
· Beaker and Brush, Panelist, Amsterdam Bar in collaboration with Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN. 2012
· Allied Media Conference, Guest Presenter, Detroit, MI. 2012
· Minnesota Museum of American Art, Artist Talk, St. Paul, MN, 2008
· Blacklock Nature Sanctuary, Artist Talk, Moose Lake, MN, 2008
· University of Minnesota, Magnet School, Artist Talk, Minneapolis, MN, 2007
· St. Catherine’s College, Artist Talk, Minneapolis, MN, 2006
· St. Cloud State University, Artist Talk, St. Cloud, MN, 2006
· Franconia Sculpture Park, Artist Talk, Shafer, MN, 2005
Curator
· 2nd National Wind Energy Art Challenge, curated the online gallery on the KidWind website, and the show for CLEANPOWER 2025 conference, Phoenix conference center, Phoenix, AZ, 5/18/2025
· 1st National Wind Energy Art Challenge, curated the online gallery on the KidWind website, and the show for CLEANPOWER 2024 conference, Minneapolis Conference Center, Minneapolis, MN, 5/5/2024
· Marth Gault Art Gallery, Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, Curator, Slippery Rock University Art Department, 4/6/2023
· Public Functionary, Naked Space Party #2: BRIGHT LIGHTS, Curated the interactive art programming and artists, 8/2/2013
Juror
· KidWind World Challenge, CLEANPOWER 2025 conference, 3 day judging. Juror of 30 teams of 5th-12th graders from around the world on their solar house design and function, Phoenix conference center, Phoenix, AZ, 5/17/2025 - 5/19/2025
· KidWind World Challenge, CLEANPOWER 2024 conference, 2 day judging. Jurist of 18 teams of 5th-12th graders from around the world on their solar house design and function, Minneapolis Conference Center, Minneapolis, MN, 5/4/2024 - 5/5/2024
· Marth Gault Art Gallery, Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, Juror, Slippery Rock University Art Department, 4/6/2023
· Minnesota State Arts Board, Artist Initiative Grant, jurist, 3 day judging, St. Paul, MN. 2012
· Minnesota State Arts Board, Cultural Community Partnership Grant, jurist, 2 day judging, St. Paul, MN, 2012
· University of Minnesota Robot Show, jurist, 1 day judging, graduating final projects, Minneapolis, MN, 2012
· University of Minnesota Robot Show, jurist, 1 day judging, graduating final projects, Minneapolis, MN, 2011
· University of Minnesota Robot Show, jurist, 1 day judging, graduating final projects, Minneapolis, MN, 2010
· Blacklock Nature Sanctuary, jurist for Blacklock Artist Residency, Moose Lake, MN. 2010
· University of Minnesota Robot Show, jurist, 1 day judging, graduating final projects, Minneapolis, MN, 2009
· Blacklock Nature Sanctuary, jurist for Blacklock Artist Residency, Moose Lake, MN.2009
Artist Grants/Commissions/Fellowships
Grants
· Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Tough Artist residency and stipend, Pittsburgh, PA, 2023
· Assemble Artist Residency, Artist Stipend, Pittsburgh, PA, 2020
· Scotland MFA Research Grant, Duncan Jordanstone College of Art & Design UK/University of Minnesota CLA, 2018
· University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts Graduate Fellowship, $25K for first year, plus tuition remission, no teaching assistantship duties, by faculty nomination, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2017
· University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts MFA, tuition remission, with 50% teaching assistantship stipend year 2 and 3, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2017
· Minnesota State Arts Board, Artist Initiative Grant, St. Paul, MN, 2018
· Hennepin Theatre Trust, Made Here, Artist Stipend, Minneapolis, MN, 2017
· Institute on the Environment Mini Grant, University of Minnesota, MN, 2016
· Knight Arts Foundation, Knight Arts Challenge, matching art grant, District Energy, St. Paul, MN, 2014
· Public Art St. Paul, City Art Collaboratory Artist Grant, St. Paul, MN, 2014
· Northern Lights, Northern Spark Grant, St. Paul, MN, 2014
· Minnesota State Arts Board, Artist Initiative Grant, St. Paul, MN, 2012
· Northern Lights, Artists on the Verge, Artist Stipend, Minneapolis, MN, 2012
· Public Art St. Paul, City Art Collaboratory Artist Grant, St. Paul, MN, 2012
· Northern Lights, Northern Spark Grant, St. Paul, MN, 2011
· Minnesota State Arts Board, Artist Initiative Grant, St. Paul, MN, 2008
Commissions
· KidWind and Department of Energy, Wind Energy Technologies Office, Artist Lead for National Wind Energy Coloring Contest, project commission, Washington, DC, 2025
· KidWind and Department of Energy, Wind Energy Technologies Office, Artist Lead for National Wind Energy Coloring Contest, project commission, Washington, DC, 2024,
· New Visions, New Castle Public Sculpture, sculpture commission, New Castle, PA, 2023
· Osage Park, Walton Family Foundation, sculpture commission, Bentonville, AR, 2020
· Scott Family Amazeum, sculpture commission, Bentonville, 2018
· Nobel Peace Prize Forum, sculpture commission, Augsburg University, MN, 2017
Fellowships
· Jerome Fellowship, Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN, 2015
· Anderson Center at Tower View Fellowship, Red Wing, MN 2011
· Jerome Fellowship, Blacklock Nature Sanctuary, Moose Lake, MN, 2008
· Elgin Community College, Liberal Arts Fellowship, full tuition scholarship, 1997
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
· Gould Library, Uncanny Creatures: Asia Ward Animatronic Sculptures, Carleton College, Northfield, MN, 2016
· Merwin Gallery, Den, Ames School of Art, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, 2015
· Phipps Center for the Arts, Gallery One, Perspective, Hudson, WI, 2014
· Rosalux Gallery, Scene from Above, Minneapolis, MN, 2010
· Paired, Artist Asia Ward and Chef Chris Olson, NE Pop Up Gallery, MN, 2009
· Rosalux Gallery, The Pocket Gallery, Solar Creatures, Minneapolis, MN, 2009
· Kiehle Visual Arts Center, Kiehle Gallery, Creatures, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, 2006
· Museum of Art, Emerging Artist Gallery, Growing Up, Fort Collins, CO, 2000
Group Exhibitions
· SculptureX 2026, THE FAKE: authenticity in the 21st century, Slippery Rock University Art Department, Slippery Rock, PA, 2/13/2026
· NEMO Science Museum of Amsterdam, Artists at Work, Animatronic Creatures, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2024-2026
· Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Tough Art 2023. Lily, Pittsburgh, PA 2023
· Carnegie Museum of Natural History, We Are Nature: A New Natural History, Messengers, Pittsburgh, PA 2022-2024
· Osage Park, Wetland Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2021
· NRW-Forum, Cute Cute, Düsseldorf, DE, 2020
· Scott Family Amazeum, Sammy the Sea Monkey, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2019
· Regis Center for Art, Katherine Nash Gallery, House/Yard, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 2019
· Textile Center, Artists in the Kitchen, Minneapolis, MN, 2018
· School of Life Sciences, Fiddleheads, University of Dundee, Collection, Dundee, UK, 2018
· Silverwood Park, Three Rivers Park District, Wetland Grass, St. Anthony, MN, 2018
· Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Fiddleheads, Dundee, UK, 2018
· Nobel Peace Prize Forum, Grasp, Augsburg University, MN, 2017
· Hennepin Theater Trust, Made Here: Future, Skyworms, Minneapolis, MN, 2017
· District Energy steam plume, Coloring Contest, Plume Project, St. Paul, MN, 2016
· Franconia Sculpture Park, Solar Tree, Shafer, MN, 2016
· Gould Library, Engineering and Art, Carleton College, Northfield, MN, 2016
· Hennepin Theater Trust, Artists in Storefronts, Made Here: Reflections, Bloom, Minneapolis, MN, 2014
· Public Functionary, Antarctica, Minneapolis, MN, 2014
· Northern Spark, Electric Hopscotch, Minneapolis, MN, 2014
· Soap Factory, Artists on the Verge (AOV4), Subterranean, Minneapolis, MN, 2013
· Public Functionary, Bright Lights, Minneapolis, MN, 2013
· Ad Hoc Art, End of Summer: Black, Minneapolis, MN, 2012
· Rosalux Gallery, Silverfish: Asia Ward and Amy Toscani, NE Minneapolis, MN, 2012
· Northern Spark, Body Pong, by Asia Ward and Aaron Heidgerken Minneapolis, MN, 2012
· Sculpture Grotto, Cave Time Machine, Minneapolis, MN, 2012
· Fulton Street Collective, Exquisite Corpse, Chicago, IL, 2011
· Altered Esthetics, Home, N.E. Minneapolis, MN, 2011
· Burnsville Performing Arts Center, XXL, Burnsville, MN, 2011
· Anderson Center, Main Gallery, Holiday Celebration Art Show, Red Wing, MN, 2011
· Create, The Dining Studio, N.E. Minneapolis, MN, 2011
· Rosalux Gallery, Platinum Black, N.E. Minneapolis, MN, 2011
· Lexington Art League, Creatures Great and Small, Lexington, KY, 2010
· Yeiser Art Center, Creatures Great and Small, Paducah, KY, 2010
· No Assumption Arts, N.E. Minneapolis, MN, 2010
· The Exploratorium, The Tinkering Studio, Motion, San Francisco, CA, 2010
· Rosalux Gallery, Peepshow, Minneapolis, MN, 2009
· Murray State University, Eagle Art Gallery, Creatures Great and Small, Murray, KY, 2009
· Science Museum of Minnesota, Make:Day, St. Paul, MN, 2009
· The Exploratorium, Second Skin, San Francisco, CA, 2008
· Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minnesota Biennial: 3D 11, St. Paul, MN, 2008
· The Soap Factory, Festival of Appropriation, Minneapolis, MN, 2007
· Carmichael Lynch, First Contact, Minneapolis, MN, 2007
· Minneapolis Central Library, Exhibition Case, Creature Corner, Minneapolis, MN, 2007
· Viridian Artists Gallery, Seventeenth National Juried Exhibition, New York, NY, 2006
· Galesburg Center for the Arts, Small Works, Galesburg, IL, 2006
· Stevens Square Center for the Arts, Stevens Square 3D Show, Minneapolis, MN, 2006
· SOO Visual Arts Center, Bunny, Minneapolis, MN, 2005
· Rocky Mount Arts Center, 48th Annual National Juried Art Exhibition, NC, 2005
· Rosalux, Open Door Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN, 2005
· Andenken Gallery of Art and Design, Kinetic Show, Denver, CO, 2005
· Western Sculpture Park, Flying Horse, St. Paul, MN, 2005
· Franconia Sculpture Park, Flying Horse, Taylors Falls, MN, 2004
Film Showing
· Film Score Fest 2021, Theme: “Adapt” Things are different now, produced by Asia Ward (MN), Joe Grigar (MN), score by Mike von der Nahmer, live orchestra, Mears Park, St. Paul, MN, 9/4/2021
· Film Score Fest 2018, Theme: “Unreal.” Skyworms, produced by Asia Ward (MN), Joe Grigar (MN), score by Dylan Curzon, live orchestra, Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 7/28/2018
· Film Score Fest 2015, Theme: “Home.” Monster Behind the Bathtub, produced by Asia Ward (MN), Joe Grigar (MN), score by Daniel Bailey (Kimberley, BC, Canada), live orchestra ,Landmark Center, St. Paul, MN, 8/13/2015
Gallery Representation
Rosalux Gallery, 2005-2013
Collections
· Walton Family Foundation, OZ Art, Bentonville, AR. Tall Grass
· Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Anthropology Collection, Anthropocene Art, Pittsburgh, PA. Messengers 2027, 2035, 2075 and visitor comments
· Imagination Station, Toledo, OH. Quid
· Silverwood Park, St. Anthony, MN. Wetland Grass
· Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN. Solar Tree
· City of New Castle, New Castle, PA. Wind Mural
· Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Lily
· School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, UK. Fiddleheads
· Public Art St. Paul, St. Paul, MN. St. Croix 1
· Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA. Knob, Mittens
· Scott Family Amazeum, Bentonville, AR. Narwhal
· Scott Family Amazeum, Bentonville, AR, Sammy the Sea Monkey
· SOO Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN. Buffalo Lion
Interviews (selected)
· Tough Artist 2023, Tough Artist Interview Asia Ward video interview, by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 8/31/2023
· Carnegie Magazine, Choosing Science Four researchers at Carnegie Museum of Natural History recount what ignited their fervor for the natural world, by Christina Rouvalis, Pittsburgh, PA, Summer 2021 issue
· KARE 11, Artists turn a plume of steam into art in St. Paul, by Jeff Edmondson, St. Paul, MN, 1/28/2016
· MINNPOST, Artist/educator Asia Ward creates the unexpected through a singular blend of art and science, by Ann Klefstad, 6/20/2014
· Twin Cities Public Television, MN Original Asia Ward, video interview, 5/5/2012
· 3 minute egg, Asia Ward Interview: From creatures to landscapes, video interview by Matt Peiken, Minneapolis, MN 9/14/2010
Artist Residencies
· Imagination Station, Toledo, OH, 4/6/25 – 4/19/25
· Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Tough Art 2023, Pittsburgh, PA, 6/1/23 – 9/1/23
· Franconia Sculpture Park, Taylors Falls, MN, 7/01/15 – 10/1/15
· The Anderson Center, Red Wind, MN, 9/01/11 – 10/1/11
· The Blacklock Nature Sanctuary, Moose Lake, MN, 7/01/08 – 8/01/08
· The Weir Farm Art Center, Wilton, CT, 3/01/07 – 4/01/07
· Kimmel-Harding-Nelson Center for the Arts, Nebraska City, NE, 5/01/07 – 6/15/07
· The Hall Farm Center for Arts and Education, Townshend, VT, 9/01/05 – 9/30/05
· The Neuwirth Institute for the Arts at Wormfarm, Reedsburg, WI, 8/01/05 – 8/31/05
Resident Internships
· Resident Intern Artist of Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN, 8/01/03 – 6/01/04
· Resident Intern, teaching assistant, Vermont Carving Studio and Sculpture Center, West Rutland, VT, 6/01/04 – 6/30/04
Employment
Founder and Curator, Misty Hollow Residency, Ellwood City, PA. 2022 – current
Misty Hollow is a host to national and local artists and individuals interested in creating eco-centric sculpture and community engagements.
Website: Misty Hollow Residency.org
o Working with The Hoyt Center for Arts and Education, New Castle Public Library, PennOhio Clay Guild, Restoreth Roots, Slippery Rock University Art and Engineering Departments, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Macoskey Center for Education and Sustainable Research
o Host site to environmental projects and leading engagements in the local community
Science Communicator and Social Practice Artist, Self Employed Arts Consultant, Ellwood City, PA. 1996– current
Social Practice Artist. Science Communicator. I use metal, plastic, paper, textiles, and technology to build installations, public sculpture or events that invite community engagement around topics of renewable energy and environmental sustainability. My work is often futurist in perspective, and involves collaboration with artists, scientists, engineers and industrial organizations
Website: asiaward.com
o Worked with organizations such as the Macoskey Environmental Center, Slippery Rock University Engineering and Art Departments, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Kamin Science Center, Department of Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office, KidWind, Public Art St. Paul, District Energy St. Paul, Ann Arbor Hands on Museum, Science Museum of Minnesota, Oz Art, Franconia Sculpture Park, Silverwood Park, Scott Family Amazeum, Exploratorium, to name a few
Anthropocene Project Manager, Science Communicator, Anthropocene Studies, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA. 2020-2022 (2.5 years)
o Project managed and worked with Associate Curator Nicole Heller to develop Anthropocene vision and focused themes for the exhibit We Are Nature: A New Natural History
o Created a cross-departmental team which included directors or curators and assistants in Marketing, Exhibitions, Science and Research, Education and Lifelong Learning.
o Organized in person and online meetings, agendas, notes, tasks, and general communication between departments, stakeholders, artists, and consultants
o Managed contracts with consultants and content experts
o Produced exhibit components Messengers, three tardigrade shaped time capsules
o Consulted with Carnegie Science Center on wind power mobile exhibit
o Bi-yearly reporting to Colcom Foundation, the exhibit grant sponsor
o Lead of evaluation team, created evaluation plan, built visitor interviews in Qualtrics
o Initiated Anthropocene internship and volunteer program. Managed interns from Pitt University and Edinboro University to develop science communication videos and blogs. Managed interns to conduct evaluation, documentation. Trained interns, provided them with access to museum experts to guide their work
o Coordinated with CMU Museum Studies Professor Marti Louw, developing Anthropocene themed student projects
o Worked with Special Events and Gallery Experience to develop Anthropocene activities for Super Science Saturday and Adult Night events
o Supported Natural History Interpreter program development and professional development to build capacity within staff to talk about sticky Anthropocene topics, and to develop new Anthropocene Spotlight
o Supported Gallery Experience and Special Events in their prototyping of a new self- guided Anthropocene tour
Co-founder, Managing Director, REcharge Labs, Minneapolis, MN. 2014-2019 (5 years)
o Facilitated 80 teacher workshops, training over 2,000 K-12 educators, traveling to 24 states, Canada and the Caribbean
o Collectively raised over $230,000 through grants, contracts and sponsorships to support outreach programs
o Developed 9 nationally sold products connected to standards based, hands-on curriculum around STEAM wind and solar energy. Managed custom molds, national manufactures, shipping, warehouse and light manufacturing contracts
o Director of marketing materials, promotional videos, newsletters, guidebooks, documentation, social media, website and annual reports
o Presented in 18 national education and renewable energy conferences, engaging over 60,000 participants
o Led the yearly REcharge Academy, a weeklong intensive professional development program, and trained 125 educators from 34 states
o Brought in new partnerships, collaborations and contracts with Xcel Energy, WPPI Energy, IPS Solar, Just B Solar, YOXO, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, St. Paul Public Libraries, Children’s Museum of Denver, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Museum of Discovery in Arkansas, Sparkfun Electronics, Hummingbird Robotics, Midwest Renewable Energy Association, CREATE Lab at Carnegie Melon and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Outreach Director, KidWind Project, St. Paul, MN. 2012 – 2014 (2 years)
o Facilitated 40 teacher workshops, training over 1,000 K-12 educators, spanning 10 states
o Collectively raised over $150,000 through the Iowa STEM Scale Up Grant
o Presented in 20 national education and renewable energy conferences, engaging over 80, 000 participants
o Supervised the KidWind Challenge, a large scale science fair-like event, culminating from national challenges, with a yearly average of 320 middle and high school youth all sponsored by the wind industry
o Saved the organization an average of $15,000 annually by streamlining the warehouse production of kits, outsourcing labor to local artists and craftspeople
o Developed the KidWind Sound and Light Board and the KidWind Wind Tunnel, sold internationally through a licensing agreement with Vernier Software and Technology
Project Specialist, Program Coordinator, Learning Technologies Center, Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN. 2006 – 2013 (7 years)
o Learning Technologies Center
Coordinated, managed, trained, evaluated 18 LTC Instructors and 8 teen Instructor aids for camps and classes
Developed a low cost professional development program to maintain Instructor enthusiasm and curb burnout, then initiated the teen instructor aids to sub for instructors, saving the department 25–45K a year
Improved attendance for technology and science camps and increased female attendance from 30% to 48% by altering descriptions, focusing on cultural trends and providing a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere
o Science Museum of Minnesota Projects
Playful Invention and Exploration (PIE) Institute
Artist and activity developer for an NSF grant which organized learning institutes with partners such as the MIT Media Lab, Exploratorium and Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Science Math Informal Learning Educator (SMILE) Pathway
Partner in an NSF grant through the New York Hall of Science, which developed a digital activity database for informal educators
Making After Hours
Initiated and managed a monthly adult workshop series led by artists; partnered with local businesses, libraries, and universities
Engineering Studio Project
Worked with a team of exhibit engineers to prototype activities and exhibits about the engineering aspects of fluid power and motion
Adult Learning
Collaborated with the Marketing, Education, and Exhibit department to develop interactive exhibits and activities for the monthly after hours Social Science event
Playdates
Created learning objects and activities for a weekly program for 5 and under; worked with the volunteer and floor managers and trained/coordinated 15 volunteers
Teen Tech Squad
Provided training for Hennepin County Library teens, focusing on integrating programming, art and music with technology
Co-owner and Lead Artist, AAA&E, LLC, Minneapolis, MN. 2014 – 2016 (2 years)
o Garnered local and national attention through radio, news, print and social media for the Plume Project
o Raised $35,000 for the Knight Challenge match grant for the Plume Project, totaling $70,000
o Gained fiscal sponsorship through Public Art St. Paul and The Miami Foundation
o Partners and sponsors included District Energy St. Paul, Ever-Green Energy, Science Museum of Minnesota, The Landmark Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, Saint Paul College and 85 individual contributions through Indiegogo
Volunteer Work
· Macoskey Environmental Center, board member, Slippery Rock PA, 2024 – current
· Slippery Rock University School of Engineering, Capstone Project Location mentorship, Misty Hollow, PA. 2025-current
· Hoyt Art Center, board member, New Castle PA, 2023 - current
· Creatives for Climate, website designer and artist member, 2 years, Pittsburgh PA, 2019-2021
· Industrial Arts Workshop, board member, community education, 1.5 years, Hazelwood, PA, 2019-2021
· Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Industry consultant, presenter, 4 years, MN, 2012-2016
· MNKINO community film showing, Event Coordinator, 1 year, Minneapolis, MN 2012
· Rosalux Gallery, artist, member, intern manager 6 years, Minneapolis, MN, 2006-2012
· L.O.F.I. Gallery, artist and member 3 years, Fort Collins, CO, 1998-2000
Skills
3D
MIG welding, stick welding, Oxy-Acetylene welding, torch cutting, plasma cutting, blacksmithing, grinding, metal jewelry making, cold welding, riveting, soldering, lost wax bronze casting, stained glass, plaster, modeling clay, ceramics, plastic welding, plastic shaping and molding, heat shrinking, carpentry, wood cutting with miter saw, band saw, scroll saw, wood sanding, hand sewing, basic circuitry, basic mechanical and electrical engineering, 3D printer, laser cutter, CNC router, embroidery machine, paper cutting machine, Arduino and microcontrollers, fork lift, wood mill, skid steer, gantry
3D software
Rhino 3D CAD modeling, SketchUp 3D design, Adobe Illustrator, Arduino
2D
Mural making, pen and ink, oil pastel, pastel, colored pencil, watercolor crayons, watercolor, oil painting, wood cut, linoleum, lithography, intaglio, collage
Media
Arduino Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Zoom, Arduino C/C++, Final Cut, iMovie, Stop Motion Studio, Scratch, Qualtrics, SketchUp, Squarespace, Wordpress
Learning Management System Experience
Canvas