earth imprints earth walkers hyperlandscapes land/sea/sky/humxn
fieldnotes of a transitioning earth This Sacred Withering
illustrative photography and design wavelines and keepers of time
ephemeral and organic sculpture, material, and performance investigations
systems design and science communication
CV
R E N N ◯ SIMMONS 1+616.843.3657 ◊ rsimmonst@gmail.com
Beginning Career Ecological Artist
Experiential Phography
Critical Ecology Researcher
Educator
E D U C A T I O N
Burren College of Art, Global Ecology Studios, Ballyvaughn, Ireland, June-July 2022
Art and Ecology research and creative practice
Pacific Northwest College of Art-Willamette University, Portland, OR 2019-2022 — 3.9 GPA
BFA in Intermedia, Minor in Art and Ecology. Graduation 2022.
Masters level classes through MA Critical Studies, MA/MFA Visual Studies, MFA Art and Applied Craft, and MA Systems Design programs including Critical Race Theory, Applied Systems Design Thinking, and Ecological Philosophy.
A W A R D S
Best Thesis Research Paper, PNCA, 2022
GLAAD Scholarship for International Studies, PNCA/Willamette University, 2022
Gilman Scholarship, 2022
PNCA Leadership Award, 2021-2022
Argyle Winery The Art of Sparkling Scholarship, Argyle Winery joint scholarship Spring 2021
Rachel Griffin Memorial Scholarship for Academic Excellence Across Disciplines, PNCA, 2020
G R A N T S
BKN Lens Based Artist Studio Grant, 2022
S H O W S
LENS BASED ARTIST OPEN HOUSE BKN Björkö Konstnod, Sweden, October 2022
CLASS EXHIBITION The Burren College of Art, 2022
BFA THESIS EXHIBITION Pacific Northwest College of Art, May-June 2022
FUTURE EPHEMERA Pacific Northwest College of Art, December 2021
CLASS EXHIBITION Jewish History Museum of Oregon, December 2020
OUTSIDE INSIDE Pacific Northwest College of Art, March 2020
R E S I D E N C I E S
La Source, Saint Thegonnec, France October-December 2023
BKN Residency Bjorko, Sweden September-November 2022
ARTFarm Residency Galway, Ireland, July-August 2022
F R E E L A N C E and C R E A T I V E W O R K
Interfaith Calendar Contributor, December 2021/22, April 2022
Featured Artist and Speaker for Bryn Mawr and Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders, The Art of Recovery, February 2021, Online
Album Art Designer for Lorka Shear, Original work, Portland, OR 2018
Graphic Designer and Community Organizer, Defund Muskegon Police, Muskegon, MI 2020
V O L U N T E E R
Portland, Oregon volunteer community mental health worker and medic 2024-Present
M U T U A L A I D A N D O R G A N I Z I N G
FOR GAZA PROJECT, Program Coordinator, 2024 to Present
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Working to Connect Palestinian led Projects and initiatives in Gaza with advocacy, funding, and support
- Over $110,000 sent to Palestinian families and projects in 2024/beginning of 2025
E X P E R I E N C E
LAWRENCE BERKELEY LAB, Berkeley, CA, 2022
UC Berkeley and the US Department of Energy
Communication Design Intern
- Assisting Communications Design Team with maintaining grant funding through the design and implementation of new graphics, text, imagery
- Designing Communication Graphics for PhD. Scientists for $10 Million Dollar government grant proposal
- Designing and writing graphic design guide for Berkeley Lab scientists
- Designing new K-4th Grade Bioengineering education activity book, including designing and drawing children friendly graphics and comics
CALDERA ARTS, Portland, OR, 2021
Teaching Artist
- Designing curriculum and teaching engaging Art and Ecology class over Zoom to Middle School students from diverse backgrounds, many of whom are from BIPOC communities
- Creating a warm, encouraging, and welcoming environment for students for the duration of camp, and guiding creative work and projects centered around students’ interests