Curriculum Vitae
Draper Matthews
dmatth4@ilstu.edu
https://www.drapermatthews.com
Education
2026 Masters of Fine Arts (Glass), Illinois State University, Normal, IL (Anticipated May)
2023 Glass flame-working intensive workshop, Eunsuh Choi, Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA
2023 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2019 Associate of Arts, Heartland Community College, Normal, IL
Teaching Experience
2023 Instructor of Record, Glass I, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Art, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2022 Teaching Assistant, Glass I, Wonsook Kim School of Art, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Assisting Associate Professor John Miller included responsibilities such as providing hands-on, one-on-one instruction, demonstrating hot and cold glass- working techniques, guiding in-class critiques, leading discussions on technical and conceptual approaches to using glass as an expressive art medium, troubleshooting student projects, and maintaining a supportive and inclusive studio environment.
Instructor, Make your own: Glass Alumni Event, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
This is an event hosted for Alumni that offers them an opportunity to work closely with a staff member to create a unique hot glass work of art.
Instructor, Make your own: Glass Alumni Event, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Teaching Assistant, Glass I, Wonsook Kim School of Art, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2021 Teaching Assistant, Glass I, Wonsook Kim School of Art, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Other Professional Experience
2023 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2022-23 Hot-shop assistant, Ring of Fire Hot Glass, Normal, IL
Glass Studio Technician & Monitor, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
A position including responsibilities such as adjusting, repairing, and maintaining furnaces, kilns, reheating chambers, glass coldworking machinery, woodworking equipment, and metalworking equipment. Upkeep of a small formal gallery space was included, as well as monitoring the studio during lab hours to assist students with technical issues, and to ensure all studio rules and safety practices were followed.
Other Professional Development
2023 Demonstration team member, Spring Glass Sale, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2022-3 Undergraduate Student Representative, College Council, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
The College Council is the primary committee for shared governance in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts. The Council is charged with providing counsel to the dean of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts on a variety of policy related issues.
2022-3 Student Member, Search Committee, Wonsook Kim School of Art Director, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
The search committee is comprised of an undergraduate student representative, graduate student representative, and several faculty and administrative representatives. The committee is charged with presenting the most qualified candidates to the Dean of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts.
2022 Sales and demonstration team member, Winter Glass Sale, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Production glassblower, Glass Pumpkin Production workshop(s), Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal IL
This workshop is an event designed to bring together the most promising glassblowers in the program and curate an experience of commercial production glassblowing.
Demonstration team member, Glass Pumpkin Sale, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Led and assisted glassblowing demonstrations during the event.
Glass Studio Technician & Monitor, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Sales and demonstration team member, Mother’s Day Glass Sale, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Introduction to Stained Glass workshop hosted by Cutting Edge of Normal, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
The 3-hour long workshop focused on stained glass basics including design basics, construction techniques, and structural considerations. Cutting Edge of Normal is a family-owned metalsmithing company located in Normal, IL.
2021 Assistant, Make your own: Glass Alumni Event, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Glass Studio Monitor, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
This position includes opening and closing the facility during lab hours, supervising students, enforcing safety procedures, troubleshooting equipment, and answering technical questions from students.
Sales team member, Mother’s Day Sale, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
This position includes the preparation of a gallery space, answering general questions from the public, and managing transactions between patrons and the institution.
Hot-shop Assistant, Glass Pumpkin Production workshop(s), Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Sales team member, Winter Glass Sale, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Sales team member, Glass Pumpkin Sale, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2016- Present Ramp Transport Driver (Class A CDL), FedEx Express, Central Illinois Regional Airport, Bloomington, IL
This is a full-time corporate position. It includes responsibilities such as, operating tractor-trailers safely on public roadways, continuing education concerning state and federal transportation regulations, training of peers, and leading workplace safety discussions.
Solo Exhibitions
2023 Meditations on Fabrications, Julian Hall Student Gallery, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Marshall Dulaney Pitcher Award Recipient Exhibition, University Galleries, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Group and Invitational Exhibitions
2022 BFA Collaborative Exhibition: Gather 'Round: Giving Form to Folklore, Julian Hall Student Gallery, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2021 BFA Collaborative Exhibition: What Remains, Transpace Gallery, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
BFA Seminar Exhibition: Everything AND the Kitchen Sink, Student Gallery, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2019 Community College Student and Faculty Invitational Exhibition, School of Art and Design Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Juried Exhibitions
2022 2022 Student Annual, University Galleries, Illinois State University, Normal, IL Juror: Tempestt Hazel, Co-founder of Sixty Inches from Center.
2021 MCAC Amateur Exhibition 2021, McClean County Arts Center, Bloomington, IL. Juror: Doug DeWitt, Artist and Ecologist, Chicago, IL
(Cash Prize)
2021 Student Annual, University Galleries, Illinois State University, Normal, IL Juror: Cecil McDonald, Jr, Columbia College Chicago
2020 MCAC Amateur Exhibition 2020, McClean County Arts Center, Bloomington, IL. Juror: Aaron Yount, Member of the Illinois Art League.
Juried Exhibitions
2019 MCAC Amateur Exhibition 2019, McClean County Arts Center, Bloomington, IL. Juror: Ian Carey, Permanent Art Collection Curator, Indiana State University
Awards and Honors
2023 Baber Fellowship Grant Recipient, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Drake and Jan Elfine Award Recipient, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Marshall Dulaney Pitcher Award Recipient, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Nominee, Future Alumni Leader Award, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2021 Richard D. Finch Undergraduate Drawing and Printmaking Award, Illinois State University, Normal, IL.
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
Glass Art Society (G.A.S.)
The Glass Art Society—a 501c3, non-profit, international organization—with the mission to connect, inspire, and empower all facets of the global glass community.