Professor of art metals/jewelry
kdchilde@aol.com
Fax: (940)566-0122
 
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My approach to teaching any class starts with presenting a strong foundation of technical knowledge. I strive to deliver a process which the students comprehend. The knowledge gained through this foundation is essential for the later execution of any design or concept. While concept becomes more important than technique, the importance of it=s role is realized only after mastering certain skills.

Students are taught good work habits and are expected to demonstrate the quality of work which excellent training and skills demand. A student may, at a mature educational level, view craftsmanship as secondary or even insignificant to his/her personal needs as an artist. However, such an approach should be a choice rather than a learned behavior.

While lectures are an essential part of any studio class, I make a deliberate effort to keep lecture time brief and use slides whenever possible to reinforce the process. Short research assignments are directed toward publications that give on overview of leading artist in the field; they coincide with the technique and process being explored.

Each course is structured around studio problems or finished projects. Sketches are expected and allow students to work through a design. Sample work, required but not graded, is given as exploratory exercises for each project. With the fear of grades removed, students freely experiment with technique, process, and color. During this time, students are able to correct technical problems and develop necessary skills. The end result usually proves to be a successful completion of the graded project in sophistication of design, color, and concept.

 
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MFA, Metals, East Tennessee State University; Johnson City, Tennessee, 2003

MFA, Fibers, University of North Texas; Denton, Texas, 1988

BFA, Fibers, East Tennessee State University; Johnson City, Tennessee, 1983

Certification: Machine Tool Technology - Computer Numerical Control,
Chattanooga State Technical Community College, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1991

RELATED STUDIES
Penland School of Crafts; Penland, North Carolina, Metals w/ Marilyn and Jack da Silva, 2001

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts; Deer Isle, Maine, Metals w/ Sandra Zilker, 1991

Penland School of Crafts; Penland, North Carolina, Fibers concentration w/ Ann Matlock, 1984

Art at the Prado Museum, University of Madrid; Madrid, Spain, summer 1981

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts; Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Fibers w/ Fred Gerber, 1977

Penland School of Crafts; Penland, North Carolina, Fibers spring concentration 1977

Lily Bohlin School of Weaving; Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, fall concentration 1976

 
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The creative process for me has always been an evolution of the representation of personal relationships and the interaction and reactions of people with each other and with life. Through the aging, protracted illness, and then death of both of my parents, my thoughts are predominated by this deterioration of the human condition. The experiences have greatly affected my life and in turn my present approach to metalsmithing.

I have learned that I really do not control what happens in my world but more often than not only my reactions to those things. I have learned that a phone call can change one=s life and it is inevitable that the phone will ring.

My present work as an artist in metalsmithing is reflective of the imperfection of people and life and the lack of control we have over both. The pepper imagery, vessel forms, surface treatments and color reflect so many ideas: the pepper imagery is used to define the people in my life; the vessel form can often only hold a thought or a story; the crunched vessels represent the physical wrinkling of skin or dehydration; and the cracked electroform layer implies an imperfect world in which we live as well as the shedding of emotional layers as one approaches the reality of death.

Yet, there is something quite unique and beautiful in this raw and honest reality. The wrinkling of skin shows age but with that age comes great wisdom. Emotional layers that we have spent a life time building because we believed they would keep us strong and secure are shed to expose the vulnerability of life=s experiences hidden beneath the shell. Color, applied in many layers, sometimes becomes muted, yet still reveals the underlying clear hues that make up this raw and honest reality and in that, there is a silver lining.

 
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2004-Present
Adjunct Professor in art metals/jewelry; School of Business and Fine Arts;
Eastfield College; Mesquite, Texas

2001/2002 yr
Adjunct Faculty in metals and fibers; School of Visual Arts;
University of North Texas; Denton, Texas

2000/2001 yr
Visiting Assistant Professor/Coordinator: fibers department; School of Visual Arts;
University of North Texas; Denton, Texas

1988 - 1999
Small Business Owner, Jill of all Trades; Denton, Texas
Residential and Commercial Painting and Aesthetic Restoration

1988 - 2000
Adjunct Faculty, Periodic Appointments:
University of North Texas; Denton, Texas
Brookhaven Community College; Farmers Branch, Texas
Collin County Community College; Plano, Texas
Chattanooga State Technical Community College; Chattanooga, Tennessee
Resident Artist, Association for the Visual Arts; Chattanooga, Tennessee

 
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NATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
American Craft Council Wholesale Market, Eastern States Exposition,
West Springfield, Massachusetts, Metals 1994

The Greater Midwest International Exhibition III,@ Juror Roy Slade, Central
Missouri State University; Warrensburg, Missouri, Fibers, 1988

ArtQuest >88," One year traveling exhibition: Long Island University, Brookville,
New York; Beaver College, Glenside, Pennsylvania; University of California,
Irvine, California, Craft Category Third Place Award, Metals, 1988

Beyond Tradition,@ University of Houston; Houston, Texas, Fibers, 1988

Creative Arts Guild 25th Anniversary Fiber Arts Competition,@ Creative Arts Guild;
Dalton, Georgia, 1988

Fiber Celebrated 1987," Juror Charlotte Funk, Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff, 1987

Cotton Daze / Summer Haze,@ Juror Shereen Laplantz, Louisiana State University;
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, First Place Award, 1987

REGIONAL EXHIBITIONS
Resident Artist, H. E. Butt Foundation, Laity Lodge Programs; Kerrville, Texas, 2004

Don R. Schol, Pam Burnley-Schol, Kaki D. Crowell-Hilde, Three Person Invitational,
Laity Lodge Gallery; Kerrville, Texas, Metals, 2004

"Evolution at Work" One Person Invitational, Eastfield College, Performance Hall,
Mesquite, Texas, 2004

There is a Silver Lining,@ One person MFA Exhibition, Carroll Reece Museum, East
Tennessee State University; Johnson City, Tennessee, Metals, 2003

GPS Alumni Invitational,@ Girl=s Preparatory School Gallery; Chattanooga, Tennessee
Juror=s Commendation Award, Metals, 1992

Lookout for Artist,@ Lookout Mountain School; Chattanooga, Tennessee, Metals, 1991

Kaki D. Crowell,@ One person exhibition, Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza;
Chattanooga, Tennessee, Metals, 1991

Association for Visual Artists Third Annual Exhibition, Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller
Plaza; Chattanooga, Tennessee, Metals, 1990

Consignment, BYH Surfaces - Interior Fabrics, Galleria Saguaro; Denton, Texas, 1990

Five UNT Select MFA Graduates,@ Telephone Pioneer Museum of Texas, Bell Plaza
Gallery; Dallas, Texas, Fibers and Metals, 1990

Faculty Exhibition, Collin County Community College; Plano, Texas, Metals, 1989

Kaki D. Crowell,@ One person MFA Exhibition, Galleria Saguaro; Denton, Texas, 1988

Honors Convocation Exhibit, University of North Texas; Denton Texas, 1988

Extremes: Lauri Collins / Kaki Crowell,@ University of North Texas; Denton, Texas, 1988

Consignment, Omni Art Gallery, Dallas, Texas, Fibers, 1987

DWCA on Exhibit,@ D=Visual Art Center; Dallas, Texas, 1987

Artwear 1987,@ Apparel Mart; Dallas, Texas, Metals, 1987

First Annual Women=s Fortnight,@ University of North Texas; Denton, Texas, 1987

Contemporary Handweavers of Texas Conference, Trinity Valley Community College;
Athens, Texas, First Place Award, 1987

 
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS/HIGHLIGHTS
As Visiting Assistant Professor in fibers, School of Visual Arts, University of North Texas:
Recognized for stabilizing the Fibers Department, increasing enrollment by 20%
Re-organized all physical studio space for optimum use of facilities
adding fifteen linear feet of print table space in advanced fabric design studio
Analyzed fibers departmental student fees expenditures
making necessary adjustments in classes to accurately reflect lab fees
eliminating supply waste in fabric design areas by as much as 65%

As consultant to Rex Reece, Art Department Chair, Collin County Community College, Plano, Texas:
Developed a two-year Jewelry/Metalsmithing program for classes of ten students
Designed physical space with complete inventory of equipment, tools and supplies Designated course work for beginning and intermediate level classes
(Startup program was not realized)

GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS
The Karl Augenstein Memorial Grant: The Rhode Island Community Fund;
Providence, Rhode Island, 1991

The American National Bank and Trust Company Grant for the Arts;
Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1991

Association for Visual Artist Scholarship; Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1991

Mary B. Bishop-Francis S. Merritt Work/Study Scholarship; Haystack Mountain School
of Crafts; Deer Isle, Maine, 1991

CLASSES TAUGHT
Art Metals/Jewelry 1 & 11:
Surface textures, treatments and coloring of metal
All level processes of cold connections and advanced fabrication
Lapidary and Stone setting techniques
Moving Metal techniques including forging, forming and raising
Lost Wax Casting methods including centrifugal and vacuum assist

Jewelry/Metalsmithing 11 & 111: Required for Metals majors
Fabrication, Bezel Settings, Hollow Ware
Textured, Etched Surfaces
Dye Forming, Forging and Raising Techniques

Fabric Design Studio and Graduate: Required for Fibers majors
Emphasis on advanced screen printing processes
Photo emulsion, stencil films

Fabric Design 11: Required for Fibers majors
Polychromatic screen printing, limited edition prints
Paper Stencil screen printing, repeat patterns, color registration

Fabric Design 1: Required for Fibers, Fashion Design and Interior Design majors
Immersion dyeing with bound resists and color removing agents
Silk painting applications with water soluble and dextrin resist
Batik with traditional hot wax resist
Linoleum block printing with fabric pigments

Weaving Studio and Graduate: Required for Fibers majors
AVL compu-dobby multi-harness loom and complex weave structures
Ikat: dyed, painted and printed warp and weft applications

Weaving 11: Required for Fibers majors
Double weave structures, supplemental warp and weft exploration
Tapestry and decorative brocade techniques

Weaving 1: Required for Fibers, Fashion Design and Interior Design Majors
Properties of natural and synthetic fibers, construction of fabrics
Finger manipulated weaves and finishing techniques
Emphasis on loom controlled weave structures

Presentations 1: Required senior class for commercial art majors exit review
Professional portfolio preparation for job interview presentation
Basics of photographing art work explored and applied

Design 11: Required core class for visual art majors
Materials and concepts of three dimensional design problem solving

Design 1, Required core class for visual and commercial art majors
Elements and principles of two dimensional design and color theory

WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES PRESENTED
Quest Speaker / Lecture and Slide presentation, The University of Tennessee
at Chattanooga; Chattanooga, Tennessee

Introductory History of Brocade and Various Techniques,@ NTSU Craft Guild;
Denton, Texas

The Science of Color,@ Overmountain Weavers Guild, Kingsport Fine Art Center;
Kingsport, Tennessee

Spinning, Dyeing and Off-loom Weaving Mini-Course, University of North Texas
Continuing Education; Denton, Texas

Chemical Dyeing Workshop, ETSU Weavers Guild, East Tennessee State University;
Johnson City, Tennessee

 
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