Wendy Olson
Art Instructor
Department: Art
Office: F183
Phone: 651-450-3893
E-mail: WOlson@inverhills.edu
Bio
Wendy Olson began teaching ceramics at Inver Hills in 2001. She earned an M.F.A. in Ceramics from Kent State University in 2000 and a B.F.A. in Painting from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1996.
Wendy's previous teaching experience includes serving as an adjunct instructor of Advanced Figure Drawing at UWRF, an adjunct instructor of Three-Dimensional Design and Introduction to Art at North Hennepin Community College, and a teacher of record of Beginning Ceramics at Kent State.
She has showed her work at UWRF, a permanent collection (1996), and the Weisman Art Museum, "Snake Charmer" (2004). Her published work includes a plate image in "500 Plates Platters, and Chargers" (2008), plate images in "Ceramics For Beginners: Surfaces and Firings" (2010), and a feature article in Madison Originals Magazine (2012).
"I'm passionate about teaching ceramics," Wendy said, regarding her teaching philosophy. "I introduce students to a broad view of ceramics from utilitarian pottery to contemporary sculpture. I try to learn more about my students' interests to help them make connections that they can use in their studio work."
During Wendy's 15 years of teaching at Inver Hills, she has had many rewarding experiences. She considers her students and colleagues the best part of teaching at the college.
"The diversity of age and backgrounds in my classes creates a dynamic teaching environment where students share ideas," she said, adding that she appreciates how Inver Hills is surrounded by nature and also has an active community garden.
When she's not teaching or creating works of art, Wendy loves to read. She likes that the Inver Hills Library does a great job of supplying her with quality books every semester. Her other hobbies include beekeeping, gardening and knitting.
Education Credentials:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) -
Majors: Fine/Studio Arts -
Kent State University-Main Campus
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) -
Majors: Fine/Studio Arts -
University Of Wisconsin-River Falls
Jennifer Joffee
Art Instructor
Department: Art
Office: FA-153
Phone: 651-450-3769
E-mail: jjoffee@inverhills.edu
Education Credentials:
Doctor of Arts (DA) -
Majors: Art History, Criticism and Conservation -
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Master of Arts (MA) -
Majors: Art History -
Minors: Related Fields -
University of MN - Twin Cities
Bachelor of Arts (BA) -
Majors: Art History -
University of MN - Twin Cities
Paul Wegner
Art Instructor
Department: Art
Office: FA-182
Phone: 651-450-3563
E-mail: PWegner@inverhills.edu
Education Credentials:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) -
Majors: Photography -
San Francisco Art Institute
Rob Kolomyski
Art Instructor-Summer
Department: Art
Office: F146
Phone: 651-450-3256
E-mail: RKolomyski@inverhills.edu
Bio
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Rob Kolomyski has an M.F.A. from Michigan State University, a B.F.A. from Eastern Michigan University, and an A.A. in CAD and Styling from Macomb Community College in Warren, Mich. The latter degree led him to a 10-year career as an auto body designer. He worked as an associate engineer at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., for six years before opting for a career change that allowed him to pursue his love for art, painting in particular, at a professional level.
Before becoming full-time faculty at Inver Hills, Rob served as a visiting instructor and visiting assistant professor at MSU. He also taught painting, drawing and art appreciation at South Texas College in McAllen, Texas. Rob teaches beginning and advanced drawing and painting at Inver Hills.
What Rob likes best about teaching is guiding students and getting them excited about art. He enjoys watching students develop their talent as they advance toward a goal. His teaching philosophy is succinct: "Be accessible, honest and fair."
Rob's intention is to create an educational environment that is instructive, stimulating and critical. Students will be challenged to think both creatively and critically to develop a vital decision-making process while enhancing their skills in visualization and spatial organization applicable to all types of media.
His advice to students thinking about the A.F.A. in Art stresses adaptability. "As an artist, you need to develop a lot of skills and be entrepreneurial," he said. "You can make your own job and make your own career. Teaching is an option to support your art—but you have to be willing to work hard. People in the arts work really hard to get where they are."
Rob's favorite artistic medium is painting, especially abstract landscapes. Over the last several years, he has shown at several national and international galleries and museums, including:
- Manifest in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Soo Visual Arts Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts in Brownsville, Texas
- Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts in Taipei, Taiwan
- Da Xiang Art Space in Taichung City, Taiwan
- Ever Gold Gallery in San Francisco, California
- The Lexington Art League in Lexington, Kentucky
- The Foundry Art Center in St. Louis, Missouri
- Max Fish Gallery in New York City, New York
Rob's work has also been selected for inclusion in several art publications, including:
- International Painting Annual
- Manifest Press, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Weak Painting (exhibition catalog)
- Garden City Publishing, Taipei, Taiwan
- "What is Weak Painting?"
- Review by Jian Tzu-Chieh
- Garden City Publishing, Taipei, Taiwan
- Studio Visit
- Volume 8
- Open Studio Press, Boston, Massachusetts
Education Credentials:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) -
Mich State Univ All Campuses
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) -
Majors: Fine Arts, General -
Eastern Michigan University
Jay Jensen
Art Instructor
Department: Art
Office: L-315
Phone: 651-450-3485
E-mail: jjensen@inverhills.edu
Education Credentials:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) -
Majors: Ceramic Arts and Ceramics -
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Bachelor of Science (BS) -
Majors: Art -
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Joel Froehle
Art Instructor
Department: Art
Office: FA-149
Phone: 651-450-3939
E-mail: jfroehle@inverhills.edu
Bio
Joel Froehle began teaching art at Inver Hills in 2009. Joel teaches Sculpture I and II, Drawing, 2D Design and 3D Design. He earned an M.F.A. in Artisanry/Ceramics from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a B.A. in Studio Art and Biology from St. Olaf College.
"One of my goals as an instructor is to teach students how to skillfully manipulate materials while at the same time developing strong concepts for their work," Joel said, regarding his teaching philosophy. "The process of making art teaches us to be better at critical thinking, communication and empathy."
Joel considers his students the best part of teaching at Inver Hills, especially the creative solutions they come up with every semester.
To learn more about Joel and his ceramic sculptures and pottery, visit Joel Froehle.
Education Credentials:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) -
University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Charlotte Roth
Art Instructor
Department: Art
E-mail: croth@inverhills.edu
Education Credentials:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) -
Majors: Art -
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Bachelor of Science (BS) -
Majors: Art, Biology, General -
University Of Wisconsin-River Falls
Erika Ritzel
Art Instructor
Department: Art
Phone: 651-450-3438
E-mail: eritzel@inverhills.edu
Education Credentials:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) -
Majors: Fine/Studio Arts, General -
Minneapolis College Of Art and Design
Megan Jorgenson
Art Instructor
Department: Art
Phone: 651-450-3509
E-mail: megan.jorgenson@inverhills.edu
Education Credentials:
Master of Arts (MA) -
Utah State University
Bachelor of Arts (BA) -
Carleton College
Joel Starkey
Art Instructor
Department: Art
E-mail: jstarkey@inverhills.edu
Education Credentials:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) -
Majors: Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other -
Kansas State University
Bachelor of Science (BS) -
Majors: Art -
University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) -
Majors: Graphic Design: Print Media -
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Janell Hammer
2D Art CLA and Gallery Coordinator
Department: Art
E-mail: janell.hammer@inverhills.edu
Education Credentials:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) -
Majors: Fine/Studio Arts, General -
Hamline University
Associate of Arts (AA) -
Majors: Liberal Arts and Sciences -
Inver Hills Community College