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ELIZABETH ERNST
Born Buffalo, NY, 1950
Education
1979
MS in Photography, Illinois Institute of Technology, The Institute of Design, Chicago, IL. Studied with Arthur Siegel.
1973
BFA in Photography, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA 1971 AA in Fine Arts, Garland Junior College, Boston, MA
Grants/Awards
2014
‘Top 5 Shows of the Year,” New City, Chicago, IL
2013
Faculty Development Grant from Columbia College, Chicago, IL
2002
Illinois Arts Council Fellowship in Photography
1999
Illinois Arts Council Fellowship in Photography
International Faculty Development Grant, Columbia College, Chicago, IL
1998
CAAPS Grant, Chicago, IL
Faculty Development Award, Columbia College, Chicago, IL
1998-97
Illinois Art Council Fellowship in Photography, Finalist
1996-95
Illinois Art Council Fellowship in Photography, Finalist
Exhibitions
2018
“Shady Grove Nursing Home,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
2017
“Contemporary Photography: The Visual Narrative,” School of Creative Arts, University of St. Francis, Ft. Wayne, IN
2014
"Mirror Mirror," Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
2012
"What I Was Thinking: 25 Year Anniversary," Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Installed,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
2011
“Under the Big Top: The Fine Art of the Circus in America,” The Fleming Museum at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
2010
“Smoke & Mirrors,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
2009
“Well Told Tales,” Etherton Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2007
“Circus Acts: Suspending Disbelief,” H.F. Johnson Art Gallery, Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
2006
“Human Being: Disability in Contemporary Art,” Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL (with accompanying catalog)
2005
“Elizabeth Ernst: The G.E. Circus,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
2002
“The Camera Obscured IV: Mixed Media Photography,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Gaggles, flocks & covies; further exaltations and murders,” Ricco/Maresca Gallery, New York, NY
“Exposure,” Rockford College Art Gallery, Rockford, IL “Natural History,” Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001
“The Alchemy of Light,”Cumberland Gallery, Nashville, TN
2000
“Cross References,” Bassetti Fine Art Photographs, New Orleans, LA
“The Camera Obscured III: Mixed Media Photography,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
“On View,” Cumberland Gallery, Nashville, TN
“2000 Clowns,” University Galleries, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
1999
“Small Packages,” Cumberland Gallery, Nashville, TN
“2nd Annual EAM Competition: Photography,” Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL [Best of Show Award]
“Petits Formats Bis,” Galerie Kiron, Paris, France
1998
“The Camera Obscured II: Mixed Media Photography,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Selections from the Midwest Photographer Project,” Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, IL
“Chicago Artists 1998,” Gallery 312, Chicago, IL
“Celebrating 10 Years: A Chronological History of Exhibitions,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago 1997
Etherton Gallery, Tucson, AZ
“Re/Collections,” Northern Illinois University Art Museum, DeKalb, IL “Progeny,” Carlson Tower Gallery, Northpark University, Chicago, IL “Animal Instincts,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
1996
“Illinois Photographers in the 90s: The Midwest Photographers Project,” The Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, IL
“Experimental Photography,” Gibson Gallery, State University of New York, College at Potsdam, NY
“The Camera Obscured: Mixed Media Photographs,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
Cleveland Center for the Arts, Cleveland, OH “To Each Her Own,” Gallery A, Chicago, IL
1995
“2 Person Exhibition,” Mahler Gallery, Washington, DC. “Gallery Artists: Part II,” Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL
1994
“Elizabeth Ernst: Photographic Worlds,” Schneider Gallery Chicago, IL “Vertical Axis: Photographs from Central States,” The Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, IL [exhibition and museum lecture]
Publications
Hair Trigger Magazine (8 images), Graphis Fine Art Photography 2, Architectural Record, The Art of Interior Architecture: Interiors 1979 - 1989, Chicago Chapter American Institute of Architects, CCAIA, 1989, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Herald Tribune, House and Garden, Interior Design, Metropolitan Home, New York Times, Progressive Architecture
Art Fairs
Expo Chicago, Art Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, May 1996 - 2002 ; The Photography Show sponsored by The Association of International Photography Art Dealers, New York, NY., February 1995 - 2003. Photo LA, Los Angeles, CA., January 1999 - 2002. San Francisco International Art Exposition, San Francisco, September 1999, 2000.
Teaching / Work Experience
2016 to present
Professor Emeritus Columbia College Chicago, IL
1997 to 2015
Columbia College Chicago, IL
Full time photography instructor. Courses include Photo I, Photo II, Photo III, View Camera and From Layout to Finish [commercial photography course], graduate student advisor.
1990 to 1997
Columbia College Chicago, IL
Teacher in photography department. Courses include Photo I, Photo II, Photo III, View Camera and From Layout to Finish [commercial photography course], graduate student advisor. All classes include in depth lectures on contemporary as well as historical photography.
1995
Chicago Historical Society; photography workshop photographing St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in association with the “Bricks and Mortar” exhibition.
1992 to 1994
Jean Moss Photography, Chicago, IL
Studio Manager/Production Coordinator for print and film production. Responsibilities include budget proposals, hiring of crew, casting, portfolio and promotional designs and general management. Numerous clients including Sony, Jockey, Merit, Tylenol and Allstate Insurance.
1983 to Present
Ernst Photography, Chicago, IL
Large format architectural photography, including interiors, exteriors, room set and table top. Clients: Domore Furniture, LaSalle National Bank, McDonald's, Optimus, Opus, Professional Builders Association, Kobacker Co, among others.
1988 to 1992
Christopher Hawker Photography, Chicago, IL
Studio Manager/Production Coordinator for print and film. Responsibilities included budget proposals, hiring of crew, casting and general management.
1982 to 1983
Karant & Associates, Chicago, IL
Staff photographer. Company specialized in architectural work.
1980 to 1982
Sadin/Karant, Chicago, IL
First Assistant and staff photographer. Company specialized in architectural work.