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Karen Ernst

Edinboro, PA 16412  

(814)-282-1549

karen_ernst@hotmail.com

www.karenernstdesign.com

 

Education 

 

2002                MFA, Furniture Design 

                        Rhode Island School of Design,Providence, RI

                        Courses in woodworking, welding, jewelry and light metals, bronze and aluminum casting, upholstery, ceramics, and CAD for furniture

 

1998                BA, Studio Art with German Minor

                        State University of New York at Geneseo, Geneseo, NY

                        Major concentration in furniture, minor concentration in textiles

 

 

Teaching Experience

 

2016-present   Professor, Art Department, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA, Woodworking and Furniture Design Program

 

2010-16           Associate Professor, Woodworking and Furniture Design

                        Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA

 

2005-10           Assistant Professor, Woodworking and Furniture Design

                        Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA

 

2004-05           Full-Time Instructor, Woodworking and Furniture Design

                        Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA

 

2003-04           Summer Workshop Teaching Assistant

                        Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO

                        Performed studio and machine maintenance and assisted classes on basic woodworking, hand tools, woodturning, bent lamination, veneering, finishing, upholstery,                           and marquetry.

 

2003                Adjunct Instructor, ARTS 240, Art Appreciation

                        Limestone College, Gaffney, SC

                        Overview of the major movements in art from pre-historic times to the present, as well as a survey of artists’ methods and materials.

 

2000-02           Graduate Teaching Assistant

                        Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI

                        Assisted undergraduate level classes in the Furniture Department

 

2000-02           Wood Studio Monitor

                        Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI 

                        Assisted undergraduate Furniture students with their projects.

 

 

Special Programs

 
2023                Frogwood Artist Collaborative, Camp Colton, OR
2022                Emma Lake Artist Collaborative, Saskatchewan, Canada
2021                A Workshop of Our Own (WOO), Baltimore, MD

                        Upcoming: Invited to teach an online workshop on woodcarving at WOO, a community wood studio for women and gender non-conforming people

2019                Shopbot Tools Headquarters, Durham, NC

                        Two-day training course on CNC technology and machining

                        Arrowmont School of Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

                        Pentaculum Artist’s Residency

 

2018                Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

                        Woodturning workshop with Trent Bosch

 

2006                Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO

                        Table design workshop with Andy Buck and Wendell Castle

 

                        Marc Adams School of Woodworking, Indianapolis, IN

                        One-day workshop on woodturning, steam bending, inlay, and design

 
2003                Anderson Ranch Arts Center,Snowmass Village, CO

                        Three month Artist in Residence Program

 

2002                Maine Center for Furniture Craftsmanship,Rockport, ME

                        Lighting design workshop with designer Rod Wales

 

                        Brown University,Providence, RI 

                        Sheridan Center Teaching Certificate Program

                        Brown and RISD faculty lectures and discussion groups on pedagogy.

 

1996                State University of NY at Geneseo, Geneseo, NY

                        Workshop to learn techniques for constructing nesting Shaker boxes.

 

1993-94           American Field Service,Foreign Exchange Student, Germany

                        Lived with host family and attended classes at Regino Gymnasium, Pruem                                                                                               

 

 

Professional Experience

 

2018-present   The Furniture Society Board of Trustees Member, Vice President June 2020-22, Board President 2022-24 

 

2018                Panelist, “Hidden Agenda: Conceptual Elements in Furniture Design”, The Furniture Society Conference, San Francisco, CA

                        

                        Presenter, “Made in Erie Design Lab”, Blasco Library, Erie, PA

 

2016                Panelist, “The Future of Furniture From an Educator’s Perspective”, The Furniture Society Conference, Philadelphia, PA

 

2014-2016       Juror, Edinboro University Design Excellence Award, Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA

                        Award given to two finalists in the Innovation Erie Design Competition.

 

2010-present   Juror, Innovation ErieDesign Competition, Erie, PA

                        Regional product design competition in partnership with Erie Art Museum

 

2014                Speaker, Mercyhurst University, Interior Design Program

                        Invited to lecture to Interior Design students about furniture design processes

 

2012                Juror, October Evenings, Meadville Council on the Arts, Meadville, PA

 

2011                Panelist,Thinking Through Crafts With Mark Newport, Edinboro University of PA

 

2008                Juror, “100 American Craftsmen”, The Kenan Center, Lockport, NY

 

2007                Symposium Participant, Woodturning Center, Philadelphia, PA

                        Discussion between wood educators and professionals in connection with “Roll Call” exhibition of student and faculty work.

 

2006                Lecture, “Alternative Materials in Furniture”, American Society of Metallurgists Student Night at Penn State Behrend, Erie, PA

                        

                        Juror, Eclectic Etceteras Scholarship Exhibition, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA

 

                        Juror, Annual High School Art Show, Bruce Gallery, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA

 

2004                Visiting artist and demonstrator, Ravenel Elementary School, Seneca, SC

                        Annual “Artists on the Green” Event

 

2002                Visiting artist and exhibitor, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

 

1997 - 2002     Employee, G.J.W. Spykman Cabinetmakers, Keene, NH

                        Assisted in the construction, finishing, and installation of contemporary furniture and architectural interiors.

 

2001                Furniture design consultant and builder, Smith Hill Community Development Corporation, Providence, RI

                        Worked with small non-profit housing and urban development organization.

 

1996                The Schoolhouse Gallery, East Aurora, NY

                        Completed an internship with two Roycroft Mastercraftsmen. Assisted in the construction and finishing of Shaker and Arts and Crafts style furniture.

 

 

Awards, Grants, and Honors

 

2023              Pennsylvania West Faculty Professional Development Grant, Edinboro, PA

                      Funding to support travel to attend the Furniture Society Conference in New Orleans, LA

2022                Edinboro Foundation Faculty Grant to Support Scholarly Activity, Pennsylvania West University, Edinboro, PA

                        Grant to support participation in the Frogwood Artist Collaborative at Camp Colton, OR

2020               Sabbatical Leave, Spring 2022, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA

                        "Chair Design and Construction"

2018                Women's Philanthropy Council Grant, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

 

                        Center for Faculty Excellence Professional Development Grant, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

 

2016                APSCUF Professional Development Grant, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania 

 

2014                Nominee, Faculty Member of the Year, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA

 

                        The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA, “Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2014”

                        Juror’s Award: Second Place in Craft Category

 

                        Edinboro Excellence, Edinboro University of PA

                        Recognition by Edinboro University for receipt of Windgate Charitable Foundation Grant – featured in weekly campus-wide email.

                        

                        University Faculty Senate Research Grant, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA

                        Received funding for travel and materials to continue new body of artwork inspired by Olympic National Park.

 

2013                Windgate Charitable Foundation Grant

                        Received $50,000 to purchase tools and equipment for the Furniture Design Program at Edinboro University of PA. 

                        Received $30,000 in scholarship funding to be awarded to undergraduate students in the Wood, Metals, and Ceramics programs at Edinboro University.

 

                        University Faculty Senate Research Grant, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA

                        Received funding for travel and materials to produce new body of artwork inspired by Olympic National Park.

 

2012                Sabbatical Leave, Spring 2015, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA

                        “Furniture Inspired by Olympic National Park”

 

2009                University Faculty Senate Research Grant, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA

                        Received funding for research on carved vessel forms

 

2007                University Faculty Senate Research Grant, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA

                        Received funding for research on vacuum-forming and laminating

 

2006                Meadville Council on the Arts, Meadville, PA, “October Evenings” Exhibition Juror’s Award, “Bloom” wall cabinet

 

                        University Faculty Senate Research Grant, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA

                        Received funding for research on containers: cabinets and boxes

 

2005                Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA

                        Commission to build podium for Louis C. Cole Auditorium

 

                        Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA, 82ndAnnual Spring Show

                        Juror’s Choice Award, “Quandary Mountain” Chair

 

1999                Lederer Gallery,SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, Juried Student Art Show

                        Honorable Mention, 3D category, “George” four-posted bed

 

1998                SUNY Geneseo Foundation Student Grant Award

                        Funding for materials, “George” four-posted bed

            

                        Lederer Gallery, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, Juried Student Art Show

                        First Prize, 3D category, “Beauty Crutch” Mirror

 

 

Publications

 

2015                Merkle, Karen Rene. “ Nature Informs Furniture Design at Museum Exhibit.” Erie Times News, October 1st, 2015.

 

                        Greenstein, Naomi. “Ernst’s new exhibit, ‘Land, Sea and Sky,’ on display at EAM.” The Merciad, September 16th, 2015. 

 

2014                Hudson, Abbey. “Art Professor Creates Award-winning Work.” Edinboro News-Journal, August 1st, 2014.

 

2012                Mind & Hand: Contemporary Studio Furniture. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd 2012.

 

2010                Lark Studio Series: Chairs.New York, NY: Lark Books, 2010.

 

                        500 Cabinets: A Showcase of Design and Craftsmanship. New York, NY: Lark Books, 2010.

 

2009                500 Tables: Inspiring Interpretations of Function and Style. New York, NY: Lark Books, 2009.

 

2008                500 Chairs: Celebrating Traditional and Innovative Designs. New York, NY: Lark Books, 2008.

 

2007                Vesery, Jacques. “Roll Call Bridges Gap.”American Woodturner: The Journal of the American Association of Woodturners,Fall 2007, Vol. 22, Number 3.

 

2004                Day, Chris. “Exhibit of Wooden Pieces Helps Open Downtown Celebration.” Seneca Daily Tribune, March 13th, 2004.

 

 

Exhibitions

 

2023              Cole Arts Center, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX, “Refined” Exhibition. Second prize Juror’s Award.

                      

                        Sweetwater Center for the Arts, Sewickly, PA, “Against the Grain” Exhibition

 

                        Messler Gallery, The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME, “Turning it All Around” invitational collaborative exhibition

                        Created work with PennWest Metalsmithing Professor Cappy Counard

 

2022                Virginia Beach Arts Center, Virginia Beach, VA, “H2O Exhibition”, Honorable Mention Award

                       

                      Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Workshop Instructor Exhibit”

 

                        Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA, “Made by the Lake: Woodworking by Regional Artists”

                        Co-curator and Exhibitor in show of work by eight woodworkers, including four Edinboro Wood Area alumni.

2021                American Association of Woodturners, Annual Symposium in Omaha, NB, "Professional Outreach Program (POP) Invitational Exhibition"

2020                Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX, "Materials Hard and Soft" 

                        The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, OH, “Art of Our Appalachian Woods” 

2019                American Association of Woodturners, Annual AAW Symposium in Raleigh, NC, "Continuum" 

                        Community Arts Phoenixville, Phoenixville, PA, "Vessels" 

                        The Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, PA, "Essence of Art - Pattern and Color" 

                        

2018                The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, OH, “Art of Our Appalachian Woods”

 

                        The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, OH, “OH+5: Biennial Ohio Border Exhibition”

 

2017                Waterloo Arts,Cleveland, OH, “Juried Exhibition”

                        

                        Annual Conference of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). Kansas City, MO, “Members Gallery”

 

                        The Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, PA, “Cabin Fever”

 

2016                The Wharton Esherick Museum, Malvern, PA, “Frames”

 

                        The Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, PA, “Art of Nature”

 

                        The Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Sebastopol, CA, “Abstract: Art From Nature” 

 

2015                The Ronald E. Holstein Gallery, Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA, “Land, Sea, and Sky: Details From Nature” 

                        Solo Exhibition of Sabbatical Work

 

                        Blair Walkway Gallery, The Hoyt Center for the Arts, Newcastle, PA, “Crafts Faculty of Edinboro University”

 

2014                The Harlan Gallery, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA, “Residents and Residence: An Exhibition of Somewhat Regional Makers”

 

                        The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA, “Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2014”

                        Juror’s Award, Second Place in Crafts Category

                        

                        The Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, PA, “Cats and Dogs” Invitational Exhibition

                        Fundraiser for The Humane Society 

 

2013                The Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, PA, “Drinking Vessel Invitational”

 

                        Fifth Floor Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, “Craft + Design” 

                        Exhibition of furniture and wood objects designed for production in conjunction with the Annual Furniture Society Conference. 

 

2012                The Lockhart Gallery, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, “Alumniexh12”

 

                        The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA, “Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2012”

 

                        The Kenan Center, Lockport, NY, “Extraordinary Forms III”

                        Invitational exhibition of college educators working in wood and fiber

 

                        The Portland Public Library, Portland ME, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Exhibition in conjunction with the Annual Furniture Society Conference

 

2011                Grovewood Gallery, Asheville, NC, “A Wood Collector’s Home” Exhibition

 

                        The Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, PA, “For the Birds” Invitational Exhibition

                        Fundraiser for Tamarack Wildlife Center

 

                        The Edinboro University Highlands Buildings, Edinboro, PA

                        Commissioned by architect David Thal to create carved panels for permanent installation in newly constructed Highlands buildings

 

                        The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA, “Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2011”

 

                        Fancy Gallery, Seattle, WA, “Co:Operation Tableware”

                        Collaborative work with metalsmith Sue Amendolara, in conjunction with SNAG conference

                        

2010                Meadville Council on the Arts, Meadville, PA, “October Evenings” Exhibit

 

                        The Annual Furniture Society Conference, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, “Member’s Gallery”

 

                        Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA, 87ththAnnual Spring Show

 

                        The Kipp Gallery, Indiana University of PA, Indiana, PA

                        “The Far Side of Function: Contemporary Works in Wood”

 

                        TheSociety For Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA

                        Exhibitor in Retail Store

 

2009                The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, OH

                        “The Far Side of Function: Contemporary Works in Wood”

 

                        Meadville Council on the Arts, Meadville, PA, “October Evenings” Exhibit

 

                        The Society For Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA

                        Exhibitor in Retail Store

 

2008                The Neuberger Museum, SUNY Purchase, Purchase, NY

                        “Multiplicity: Art of the Furniture Prototype”

                        International juried exhibition featured at the Furniture Society Conference

                        

                        The Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, PA, “Shelter” Invitational Exhibition

                        Fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity

 

                        Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO

                        Contributor since 2003, Annual Art Auction Exhibition/Fundraiser

 

                        The Society For Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA

                        Exhibitor in Annual Fundraising Auction, Retail Store

                        

2007                Meadville Council on the Arts, Meadville, PA, “October Evenings” Exhibit

 

                        Wood Turning Center, Philadelphia, PA, “Roll Call” Exhibition

                        Faculty and student work from college woodworking programs

 

                        Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA, 84thAnnual Spring Show

 

2006                Meadville Council on the Arts, Meadville, PA “October Evenings” Exhibit

 

                        Garnerville Center for the Arts, Garnerville, NY 

                        GAGA Arts Festival, “Once A Tree” Group Show

 

2005                Roycroft Arts Festival, East Aurora, NY

                        Participated in annual Juried Art Show / Sale

                        

                        Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA, 82ndAnnual Spring Show

 

2004                Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO

                        Annual Program Director and Workshop Assistant Exhibition

            

                        The Arts Company, Seneca, SC, Solo Exhibition, “Askew” 

 

2003                Belton Center for the Arts, Belton, SC, “Form and Function” Exhibition

 

                        Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO

                        AnnualProgram Director and Assistant Exhibition

 

2002                RISD Museum, Providence, RI, Graduate Thesis Exhibition

                        

                        RISD Sol Koffler Graduate Gallery, Providence, RI

                        Solo Exhibition, “Mindscapes”

 

2000, ‘01         Providence Fine Furnishings Show, Providence, RI

                        RISD Furniture Department Booth

 

2001                RISD Woods Gerry Gallery, Providence, RI, “Recent Graduate Work”

 

                        RISD Market House Gallery, Providence, RI 

                        “Unclamped”, Graduate Furniture Design Show

 

1999                Lederer GallerySUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, Juried Student Art Show

 

1998                Sundance Gallery, Geneseo, NY, Senior Solo Exhibition

 

                        Lederer Gallery, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, Juried Student Art Show

                                    

 

Professional Travel

 

2018                The Furniture Society Conference, San Francisco, CA

 

2017                Joint Symposium of The Furniture Society and the American Association of Woodturners, Kansas City, MO

                        

                        Wendell Castle/RIT Studio Tour, Rochester, NY

 

2016                Asheville, NC

                        Travel with Wood Club students to tour The Old Wood Company, Penland School of Crafts, Brian Boggs Chairmakers, Brent Skidmore Studio, Grove Park Inn

 

                        International Woodworking Fair (IWF), Atlanta, GA

 

                        The Furniture Society Conference, Philadelphia, PA

 

2015                Sculptural Objects and Functional Art(SOFA) Exposition,Chicago, IL

 

                        Wendell Castle/RIT Studio Tour, Rochester, NY

 

                        The Furniture Society Symposium, Durham, NC

 

2013                Olympic National Park, WA

                        Gathered literature, photographs and sketches in preparation for the creation of sabbatical body of work. Met with traditional Native American totem carvers of the                               Jamestown S’Klallam tribe to investigate tools, wood carving methods

 

2012                Wendell Castle/RIT Studio Tour, Rochester, NY

 

                        The Furniture Society Conference, Maine College of Art and Design, Portland, Maine

 

2010                Sculptural Objects and Functional Art(SOFA) Exposition,Chicago, IL

 

                        The Furniture Society Conference, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

2008                The Furniture Society Conference, SUNY Purchase, Purchase, NY

 

2007                The Woodturning Center, Philadelphia, PA

                        Participated In ”Roll Call” symposium with college wood educators

 

                        Wendell Castle Studio Tour, Rochester, NY

 

                        Sculptural Objects and Functional Art(SOFA) Exposition,Chicago, IL

 

                        David Ellsworth Woodturning Workshop, Indiana University of PA

                        

                        New Zealand and Australia Traveled extensively for four weeks, viewed and photographed modern and traditional Maori and Aboriginal artwork

 

                        Tucson, AZ and Mexico Viewed and photographed local artwork

 

                        Philadelphia Furniture and Furnishings Show, Philadelphia, PA

 

                        New York, NY Student Art League Trip

 

2006                Tucson, AZ and Mexico Viewed and photographed local artwork, researched alternative/environmentally friendly building materials

                        

                        New York, NY Student Art League Trip

 

                        The Furniture Society Conference, Indianapolis, IN

 

                        Providence Fine Furnishings Show, Providence, RI

 

2005                Nicaragua Traveled extensively through rural countryside and cities, viewed and photographed traditional artwork and architecture

 

                        Providence Fine Furnishings Show, Providence, RI

 

2004                Providence Fine Furnishings Show, Providence, RI

 

2002                Providence Fine Furnishings Show, Providence, RI

                        

                        International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), New York, NY

 

2001                Sculptural Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) Exposition, New York, NY

 

 

Professional Organizations

 

2016-present    Member of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW)

 

2006-present    Member of the Erie Art Museum

 

2002-present    Member of the Furniture Society 

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