University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art — Ceramic Sculpture Emphasis
Minor in Psychology | May 2026

Interdisciplinary studio study emphasizing ceramic sculpture, painting, material exploration, design, and contemporary art practice.

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY THEATRE ARTS | Seward, Nebraska | 2024–Present
Scene Shop Supervisor, Set Designer & Instructor

Provide hands-on instruction in scenic construction, painting, fabrication, tool use, and theatrical makeup/SFX while supervising student production crews. My teaching emphasizes practical skill development, safety, creative problem-solving, and giving students enough technical understanding to make confident artistic decisions.

COLLECTIVE 101 | Louisville, Nebraska | 2022–2025
Founder, Director & Teaching Artist

Founded and operated a community-based arts studio offering ceramics, painting, digital art, woodworking, exhibitions, workshops, and educational programming. Developed and taught homeschool arts programming and classes for children and adults, adapting instruction for a wide range of ages, abilities, and previous experience.

INDEPENDENT TEACHING ARTIST | 2009–Present

Teach ceramics, painting, composition, color, and other hands-on creative processes through workshops, demonstrations, individual instruction, and community programming.

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY THEATRE ARTS | 2024–Present
Scene Shop Supervisor & Set Designer

Design and build scenery for university theatrical productions while supervising student crews through construction, painting, installation, and problem-solving. Work includes dimensional-lumber and sheet-good construction, scenic painting and faux finishes, foam fabrication, props, repair, construction planning, material sourcing, and shop organization.

Selected productions include Alice in Wonderland, Whodunnit?, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Wit, and King Lear.

MADNESS HAUNTED FARM | 2018–2024
Co-Owner & Artistic Director

Designed and fabricated large-scale indoor and outdoor immersive environments using theatrical construction, scenic painting, foam, props, practical effects, prosthetics, makeup/SFX, and mixed materials. Supervised creative and production crews and coordinated work across scenic, props, makeup, costuming, performance, and live operations.

INDEPENDENT CREATIVE PRACTICE | 2009–Present
Artist, Teaching Artist & Tattoo Artist

Maintain a multidisciplinary professional practice encompassing painting, murals, ceramics, sculpture, tattooing, commissions, and fabrication. Projects range from individual studio works to large-scale public-facing pieces and collaborative installations.

My professional practice includes developing projects from initial concept through design, material selection, production, installation, documentation, and client delivery.

JESS BENJAMIN STUDIO | Omaha, Nebraska | 2017–2018
Studio Assistant

Supported ceramic production, glaze testing, workshops and demonstrations, exhibition preparation, installation, studio logistics, and gallery operations.

ASHLAND TATTOO SHOP / NATASHA THE CREATOR

Professional tattoo and body-art practice encompassing custom design, illustrative work, blackwork, painterly approaches, scar-related work, and collaborative client-centered design.

Selected work spans studio art, public art, theatre, immersive environments, and community-based projects.

SELECTED WORK

Signal Fire — Oil on canvas, 30 × 40 in.

Saint Michael — Oil on canvas, 36 × 48 in.

Large-scale commissioned and community murals

Scenic design and fabrication for Concordia University Theatre Arts

Immersive scenic environments and practical effects for Madness Haunted Farm

Ceramic sculpture and functional ceramics

Community exhibitions and arts programming through Collective 101

RECOGNITION

First Place, Professional Division: Ashland Community Art Showcase, 2025 & 2026

ASHLAND ARTS COUNCIL | Board Member | 2022–Present

Support community arts programming, exhibitions, public-art initiatives, events, artist engagement, and organizational planning.

COLLECTIVE 101 | Founder & Director | 2022–2025

Developed a community-focused creative space designed to make hands-on arts education accessible to children, homeschool families, adults, and emerging artists. Responsibilities included program development, instruction, exhibitions, community outreach, studio operations, and event coordination.

Across my professional practice, I have consistently worked at the intersection of art and community—creating opportunities for people to participate in making rather than simply encounter finished artwork.

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES / TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 2002–2008; 2019–2020

Officer, Corporal & Caseworker

Served in officer, supervisory, and case-management roles within structured institutional environments. Experience included staff and resident supervision, case management, documentation, policy compliance, conflict management, communication, and coordination across multidisciplinary teams.

This earlier professional experience continues to inform my approach to leadership, safety, documentation, boundaries, and working effectively with people from widely different backgrounds.

Item descriptionLicensed Professional Tattoo Artist, Nebraska DHHS (Exp. 2027)

Founder and President, The Collective 101 (2022)

Board Member, Ashland Nebraska Arts Council (2024)

Association of Professional Tattooers (2024)