Janie Darovskikh Curriculum Vitae
If I had been born a scientist, I would be busy contemplating the why of life in a scientific way. But fate has given me art, and in the tradition of my mother, grandmother and grandfather, I respond to the mystery rather than the why of life. In my work, I try to catch a glimpse of the mystery that is within us and everything around us. Children, culture, dance, mythology, the human spirit and the quiet heroic souls of everyday life—these are my inspirations. I use the figure as the vehicle to explore their human visual manifestations. The process involves a constantly evolving search to learn, grow, exchange, feel and create. May the work tell a story of an adventure, a feeling, a dream or a journey. Interpret and enjoy! —Jane Darovskikh
Education
- 1992 MFA in Sculpture, Fine Arts University of Tallinn, Estonia. Mentor, Matti Varik
- 1990-1991 Fulbright Scholar, Helsinki, Finland. Studied figurative sculpture and painting under Kain Tapper and Radoslaw Gryta at the Fine Arts Academy of Helsinki, Finland. Studied gold gilding with master Raimo Heikkinen of the National Museum of Finland.
- 1989 Work/study program at Vermont Marble Carving Studio, Proctor, Vermont. Director Bernadette D'amore
- 1989 Studied drawing, sculpture and mold making with Joseph Query, figurative sculptor; Camden, Maine.
- 1988 Apprenticeship in watercolor and sculpture processes at the John Curry Studio; Sonoma, California
- 1988 BS with honors in Visuals Arts, State University of NY at New Paltz
- 1984-1985 State University of NY at Purchase. Mentor, Philip Listengart
- 1983-1984 Rotary Exchange student, Hedemora, Dalarna, Sweden
- 1982 Scholarship to the NY State Summer School of the Visual Arts, Fredonia, NY
Independent Projects
- Founder of the nonprofit American Nordic Artists Association. Purpose: To promote International understanding through artistic exchanges between Americans and artists from Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia. GRANTS/AWARDS
- 1998 SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES STIPEND, NY State Foundation for the Arts
- 1996 FINLANDIA FOUNDATION GRANT; sculpture project, Karelia, Finland
- 1995 FULBRIGHT GRANT; Independent sculpture project; Akureyri, Iceland
- 1994 SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES STIPEND, NY State Foundation for the Arts
- 1990-1991 FULBRIGHT GRANT; sculpture, Fine Arts Academy of Helsinki, Finland
- 1991 SUOMALAINEN PERUSTUS GRANT/Finnish Foundation Grant; Helsinki, Finland
Solo Exhibitions
- 2004 Recent Works, Wessex Bristol Fina Arts Gallery, Ithaca, NY
- 2000 Journeys With My Muse, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
- 1999-2000 Patriarchs, Gallery 34, Finger Lakes Community College, Canandaigua, NY
- 1998 J. Darovskikh, Nordic Heritage Museum, Seattle, Washington
- 1995-1996 Myths and Images, The Lightner Gallery, Keuka College, Keuka Park, NY
- 1995 Aesir, Grofargil Art Center, Deiglan Art Gallery, Akureyri, Iceland
- 1995 Art of the Figure, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
- 1992 The Larissa Sculptures, Fine Arts University of Tallinn, Estonia
- 1991 J. Curry Haux – Works, American Center, Helsinki, Finland
- 1988 Curry Works, ABC Gallery, Ithaca, NY
Works on Permanent Display
- Satu, Finlandia Foundation Memorial to Gertrude Kujala, Sherman Oaks, California
- The Pearl, Icelandic-American Fulbright Commission, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Odin, Pollurinn, Akureyri, Iceland
- Larissa, Old Town, Tallinn, Estonia
- Sisu/Perseverance, Kuvataideakatemia, Helsinki, Finland
- Young Finlander, Association of Fulbright Alumni, Helsinki, Finland
- Sweet Pain, Ministry of Education, Helsinki, Finland
- She is Loved, League of Finnish American Societies, Helsinki, Finland
- Gaia, Peace Union of Finland, an Association of the United Nations; Helsinki, Finland
Group Exhibitions/Awards
- 2001-2005 Art in the Heart of the City, Outdoor Public Sculpture Exhibition, Ithaca, NY
- 2001-2005 Celebration of Women in Art, Association of American University Women, Skaneateles, NY
- 2001 Inaugural Exhibition, FLAGS Gallery, Geneva, NY
- 1998 Dexter Benedict/Jane Darovskikh, Lightner Gallery, Keuka College, NY
- 1998 International and American Women Art Exhibit, Celebrate '98, Seneca Falls, NY
- 1998 Fine Arts Exhibition, FinnFest '98, University of Gorham, Portland, Maine
- 1997 Jane Darovskikh/Sandra Cohen, Upstairs Gallery, Ithaca, NY
- 1996 Winter Exhibition, International Institute of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
- 1996 Persona/Variations, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
- 1995 Fall Exhibition, Wilhelmina Gallery, Seneca Falls, NY
- 1994 Fine Arts Exhibition, NY State Fair, Syracuse, NY. Honorable Mention
- 1993 Arts Expo, Skaneateles, NY. Award of Merit
- 1992 Spring Exhibition, Fine Arts University of Tallinn, Estonia
- 1992 First Biennial Exhibition Arts in Our Town, Skaneateles, NY. Second Place: Larissa, Pensive
- 1992 Fall Exhibition, Wilhelmina Gallery, Seneca Falls, NY
- 1989 Fine Arts Exhibition Art Struck, Skaneateles, NY. Award of Merit: Something about Paris
- 1988 Third Annual Exhibition of Collaborative Works, Sonoma Arts Guild, Sonoma, California
- 1983-1984 First Place in the Congressional Art Competition An Artistic Discovery. Harvey's Woods exhibited in the Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
- 1983 Eleventh Annual Selected Exhibition of NY State, Rockefeller Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY
- 1983 National Scholastics Art Exhibition, Everson Museum, Syracuse, NY Blue Ribbon Portfolio Nominee; Gold Key awards for Dominance and Laundry Basket, honorable mentions for Night birds and Sunflower Sunburst”
Galleries
- 1996-2007 www.artfigures.com
- 1995-1998 Lotus Seed Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- 1995-1998 Epic Artwork, Phoenix Building, Auburn, NY
- 1995-1996 Wilhelmina Gallery I, Seneca Falls, NY
- 1995-1996 Wilhelmina Gallery II, International Institute of Buffalo, NY
- 1991-1992 Vanha Kerttu Gallery, Sysma, Finland
- 1990 -1991 Aesthetics Art Gallery, Jupiter, Florida
- 1989 Gallery on the Lake I, Skaneateles, NY 1989 Gallery on the Lake II, Otisco, NY
Lectures
- Mythic Images: The Kalevala, Finlandia Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts
- Aesir of the North, Akureyri Iceland; Kulusuk Greenland
- A View of the New Countries through the Eyes of an Artist, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
- Life Modeling, Arts Expo 1991, Skaneateles, NY
- From Helsinki to China—Traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railroad 1991, Skaneateles Library
- Perseverance in Art and Life, National Honor Society, Skaneateles, NY
- Russia,” Skaneateles Rotary Club, Skaneateles, NY
Affiliations
- Finlandia Foundation, Boston Chapter
- Board Member, Central NY Fulbright Chapter
- Fulbright Alumni Association, Washington D.C.
- Cayuga County Arts Council, Auburn, NY
- Association of American University Women
Teaching Experience
- State University of NY Empire College, Saratoga, NY
- Introduction to Basic Sculpture and Intermediate Sculpture, Cayuga Community College, Auburn, NY
- Sculpture teacher, Auburn Community College, Talented and Gifted program
- Adult Education Art Instructor, Center For Learning, Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Auburn, NY. Sculpture principles and techniques, watercolor painting and drawing the figure
- Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY Responsible for devising and teaching art classes for children and adults. Classes include Basic Drawing, Drawing the figure, Introduction to Sculpture, Casting Principles and Techniques, Pen and Ink Technique
- Skaneateles Elementary School, Skaneateles, NY Artist in residence, supported by an Arts and Education Grant funded by NY State Council on the Arts (NYSCA); Laker Project: children created five panels in bar relief permanently on display at Skaneateles Elementary School. Students learned about relief sculpture through hands-on examination of artifacts and a slide show presenting Iceland, Greenland, Russia, Finland, China and Lithuania.
- Auburn High School, Auburn, NY Arts in Education Grant Lecture on the Harriet Tubman Memorial Sculpture Project, the historical and artistic relevance and function of public art
- Dundee Youth Center, Dundee, NY Artist in Residence through Arts in Education grant funded by NYSCA. Watercolor workshop
- Cayuga County Art Center, Auburn, NY Artist in Residence. Sculpture workshop in figure modeling
- Morgan Road Elementary School, Liverpool, NY Artist in Residence. "Russia: An Introduction to the Russian Culture" through slide, lecture and artifacts presentation. Featured an introduction to Cyrillic alphabet, music and hands-on examination of folk art objects including birch bark artifacts, Matreshkas, and lacquer woodworks. Funded by Arts in Education through Oswego County BOCES.
- Oswego High School, Oswego, NY Career Day in the Arts. Lecture on my career as a sculptor working in Nordic countries. Focus on inspiration.
- Auburn High School, Auburn, NY Slide presentation and lecture, Overview of the Nordic Countries
- Skaneateles High School, Skaneateles, NY Long term art substitute teacher
- Montessori School, Auburn, NY Art Teacher K-7
Art Juror
- Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY Quilt Vs Art Vs Quilt show 1999-2000
- The 6th Annual Seneca County Arts Council Art Exhibition, Seneca Falls, NY