Artist. Educator. Advocate.
Lisa Lenarz (formerly Lisa Ulik)
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I grew up first generation off the farm on both sides of my family in Minnesota. My father's forty-year career as a Minneapolis-based commercial/graphic artist with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design and Photography minor had an enormous impact on my exposure to imagery, visual culture, art materials, art-making practices, and production skills.
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My mother's vivacious spirit, interest in social issues, and dedicated career in County Health and Human services propagated an interest in social and human concerns in me at an early age. Growing up with a mom who was a strong female role model taught me the value and potential of one's sense of self.
Close contact to my maternal grandparents and their rural homestead fueled a curiosity of my immigrant ancestors' cultural and generational roots, stories, connections, and identities. This further generated an interest in the gender roles and narratives often posited in society, stories, and visual representations.
I studied art at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design (93/94), the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (B.S. Art Education, 2007), and received my MFA in Visual Art from Vermont College of Fine Arts (2010). I have ten years of experience teaching art in k-12 public schools (School District of La Crosse) as well as several years serving on state and local arts boards in various capacities (Wisconsin Art Education Association, Wisconsin Arts Board, The Pump House Regional Arts Center). I also have ten years of experience teaching in higher education (Viterbo University and the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse).
My artwork explores identity and its implied narratives. The impetus in my artwork is a kind of social commentary derived from interactions with printed and digital media as well as one another as human beings. My imagery is continually influenced by the visual language of popular media conventions and their impact. Through my research practices applied in studio, my influences are often focused on exploring: the digital landscape, visual culture, and histories of representation.
"Moxiedheart," (the name of my studio/web address) as an acknowledgement of perseverance.
Close contact to my maternal grandparents and their rural homestead fueled a curiosity of my immigrant ancestors' cultural and generational roots, stories, connections, and identities. This further generated an interest in the gender roles and narratives often posited in society, stories, and visual representations.
I studied art at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design (93/94), the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (B.S. Art Education, 2007), and received my MFA in Visual Art from Vermont College of Fine Arts (2010). I have ten years of experience teaching art in k-12 public schools (School District of La Crosse) as well as several years serving on state and local arts boards in various capacities (Wisconsin Art Education Association, Wisconsin Arts Board, The Pump House Regional Arts Center). I also have ten years of experience teaching in higher education (Viterbo University and the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse).
My artwork explores identity and its implied narratives. The impetus in my artwork is a kind of social commentary derived from interactions with printed and digital media as well as one another as human beings. My imagery is continually influenced by the visual language of popular media conventions and their impact. Through my research practices applied in studio, my influences are often focused on exploring: the digital landscape, visual culture, and histories of representation.
"Moxiedheart," (the name of my studio/web address) as an acknowledgement of perseverance.
