Alexandra Butterfield
Graduate Student & Professional Artist
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
352.359.7325
arvoss17@gmail.com
abu1017@ufl.edu
http://artbyaliofficial.squarespace.com
About Me
Degrees:
University of Florida (2016-2018)
M.A. Art Education (Summa Cum Laude)
University of Florida (2007-2011)
B.A. History
Key Professional Appointments:
Oak Hall School
Gainesville, FL
Assistant Teacher/ Substitute Pre-K-12 (2011-2012)
Afterschool Counselor (2011-2012)
In this position, I worked to aid full time teachers and implement their lesson plans for grades Pre-K through 12. I also was an ECLC (Early Childhood Learning Center) after school counselor full time. I helped students with their homework as well as aided with after school clubs.
Oak Hall School
Gainesville, FL
Early Childhood Summer Camp Counselor (2012)
After-camp Activity Director (2012)
In this position, I was in charge of all art and summer camp activities for the Pre-K (3 year old) Oak Hall School Summer Program. This is an elite, eight week long camp that educates in coming 3 year olds while providing a wide variety of fun filled, educational activities.
Children’s Montessori School
Naples, FL
Co-Primary Teacher (2012-2013)
At Children's Montessori School, I worked as a co-primary teacher for the kindergarten age group. Students learned different disciplines like math, science, social studies as well as sensory activities and introduction to reading and writing. I aided my fellow primary teacher with all curriculum planning as well as independently running the arts and creativity section. I also rotated on after school duties.
Gainesville Association for the Creative Arts (GACA)
Art Director (2014-2015)
Art Instructor (2013-2015)
I was in charge of all visual and fine art studies for this association. On Thursdays I taught art to all elementary school children at Caring and Sharing School, a Title 1 school in Gainesville, FL. I ran all art instructional classes after school for ages 3-12. Classes included introduction to drawing and painting, nature inspired art classes, advanced elementary art classes, beginning ceramics, etc. In the summer I hired assistants to help me with our intensive creative summer camps which combined fine arts with dance and theatre.
Oak Hall School
Gainesville, FL
Substitute Teacher (Dec. 2017-Present)
I aided teachers when they were absent from class by taking role, implementing lesson plans when asked and maintaining order in the classroom. I did this for grades 6-12.
Professional Associates:
AnArtists Association (2016-current)
Active Member
Selected Works:
Please see "Beyond Boundaries" Art Show and Youtube: Ali Butterfield Pro Artist Tabs on main page
Recognition:
Shands Art In Medicine
"Beyond Boundaries" Art Show
March 9th, 2018-April 6th, 2018
Oak Hall School: Cofrin Art Gallery
Junior League of Ft. Myers (J.L.F.M.)
Co-President of the Spring 2013 Provisional Class
Induced as Active Member of chapter in May 2013
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2010)
Gainesville, FL
“Wagstaff Family” Episode 2010
Invited artist to do a mural sponsored by Marvel Comics
Research Interests:
Arts In Medicine: Art Therapy
Art Outside the Classroom; Creative Expression/ Fostering creative thinking; Advanced Art Education; Art Education for middle school through BFA students; Art Museum Education; Cross-curriculum art education; Relationship between collaborative art making and social structures (especially in conjunction with social inclusion and self-awareness).
Research Biography:
As a former art educator and having experience with people with special needs, I have researched the beneficial relationship that occurs when art education meets special education. I plan to continue with this research and possibly specializing into specific disorders. I’ve done research on art outside the classroom in respects to connecting a community closer to public arts projects as well as showing how artists use visuals in everyday life to express powerful and sometimes provocative messages. Looking closely at the dynamics within international groups who come to America and use art as both homage to their homeland and a means for identity and belonging in a foreign place.
My IDENTITY/ Pro Bio:
My artwork takes a unique view on ordinary images by making them rich with color and energy. My work is reflective of the relationship between vivid color, unique line work and emotional content. I strive to transform images that are typically seen as ugly, mundane or uncomfortable into vibrant, attractive and alluring visuals. My work shows influences from Andy Warhol and Gaugin, while exerting a modern art feel. From murals, shoe and clothing design, formal 2D art and even abstract art; I believe in always expanding one’s artistic reach.
My artwork takes a unique view on ordinary images by making them rich with color and energy. My work is reflective of the relationship between vivid color, unique line work and emotional content. I strive to transform images that are typically seen as ugly, mundane or uncomfortable into vibrant, attractive and alluring visuals. My work shows influences from Andy Warhol and Gaugin, while exerting a modern art feel. From murals, shoe and clothing design, and formal 2D art; I believe in always expanding one’s artistic reach. As a former art instructor and art director for a non profit art association, it was essential to be able to work with a plethora of materials and techniques. I had the motto, “Make It Work”, to encourage creativity and diligence. My students in extreme poverty learned to make art with anything necessary or available. Their passion to create made me decide to further my education, so I am currently studying for my masters in Art Education at the University of Florida and am expected to graduate in December 2018. I plan on working with either art outside of the classroom (museum studies or art in medicine), art education for middle school, high school or early college art education. Either way I plan to bring more awareness and appreciation to the arts at all levels of society.
As I am finishing my Master in Art Education, my Capstone study focuses on how participating in collaborative art making fosters social inclusion and self-awareness, especially among middle school aged art students; but the study can easily cross over to different populations that desire to gain social skills, learn design techniques with group communication activities and explore a deeper sense of self-awareness and empathy for others. arts fosters social inclusion among high school students. I conducted my research at Oak Hall School by teaching a seventh-grade art class the importance of the above noted social skills by using the creation of their own collaborative comic strip as the foundation for the study. To see the behind scenes of the capstone project, please click the link in the main menu of this site.
I strongly believe art brings all different types of people together and bolsters social awareness and inclusion. By utilizing creative collaboration among populations who struggle with inclusion issues, self-awareness and overall design thinking; I highly recommend this project to other art educators. The benefits were very rewarding and successful.
Please feel free to email me about this capstone study, my professional art and any other questions or comments at artbyali17@gmail.com.
Identity Artwork:
For my self portrait as seen below, I decided to create a vibrant image of myself using my signature artistic style that incorporates a highly pigmented palette with unique line work. I wanted my portrait to radiate with energy because as both a professional artist and art educator, I feel having a high energy level to create is essential. I also sought to expose my artistic influences, most notably in this image, Andy Warhol, to illustrate who sparked my creative energy. His pop art coloration in portraits was highly influential to me when brainstorming what to create as my identity piece. Many of my profession pieces look very similar to this image except for content as I have never depicted my own portrait artistically until now.
