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SUMMARY Globally minded, motivated and sensitive team player, with a background in art, education, web, design, marketing, consulting, and research. My relationship orientation fosters healthy communication and inclusion. I am committed to realizing goals in inspiring ways to nurture compassionate understanding. US Passport, Norwegian Residency and Førerkort B. PDF Portfolios Email MariAmmanArt@icloud.com
CREATIVE & PRACTICAL SKILLS Photography, video, editing, copywriting, fact-based editorial writing, creative writing, poetry, hand drawing, graphics, illustrations, color theory, spacial design, painting in small to large scale, working with various materials/substrates/papers/canvases, lighting design, interior design, space planning, styling, staging, installations, branding, concept development, design, layouts and print production, singing, music composition, classical and modern dance, front end web development, marketing, presentations, relationship and cultural bridge building.
TECHNICAL SKILLS Mac: Apple Suite, iMovie, PC: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, CaptureOne, Vimeo Expert, YouTube Studio, Digital/Film Cameras, Google Workspace, Hubspot/CRM, Social Media, Miro, WordPress/WebDevelopment, Analogue Film Developing/Scanning/Archiving, Digital and Darkroom Print Making, Printing and Pre-production for CMYK and RGB output with machine or plate printing, glass and matte-cutting including museum glass, art handing and installation.
INSTRUCTION Movement/dance/performance, visual literacy, pattern recognition, body architecture, art foundations, colour theory, drawing, painting, photography, meditation, yoga, breathwork,
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCES
2023 – now MARI AMMAN FOUNDATION FOUNDER | International
The Mari Amman Foundation is dedicated to experience based learning through liberal art studies that integrate global perspectives, building compassion and understanding. http://mariammanfoundation.org
2008 – now ART DESIGN ALLORA FOUNDER | International
Art Design Allora offers design and branding services in the broadest and most detailed sense. Services offered include materials and aesthetics consulting for communications to create environments and designs with meaning. Fundraising, project management, photography, copywriting and writing, trademark registration, medical and fact-based research, community and relationship building, digital media, web design, sales, shipping, administration, teaching, voice work and presentations. Secured $250,00 folk art collection permanent care/exhibition. Product creation, course development in theory, movement, dance, yoga, visual arts and crafts, management, events. On-site/hybrid work in USA and Nordics. Selected Clients: BBC, House of Norway Foundation, 22nd Century Media, Nordre Aker Bydel, Ekebergparken, MIT, Veveri Co., Le Lapin, Yoto Studio, Outdoor Illinois, Art Farm Iowa, Dales Bottle Stoppers, Vasli Souza Galleri, Opera Jupiter, Snowmarkets
2022 – 2023 KATAPULT/SNOWMARKETS CURATOR/COFOUNDER | Norway
Snowmarkets is where a curated community of Nordic artists and collectors meet through Digitally Backed Assets and Crowdfunding. My role began in being the face for the brand, curating artists, relationship building, and consulting creative, design, communications, strategy and resources. My role eventually became that of co-founder. Katapult and Snowmarkets utilized agile working methods, with an international team, across digital work spaces including Miro, Google Workspace, Hubspot, and Social Media.
2016 – 2021 PHOTO REVIEWER | LensCulture – Online/San Jose, California
Writing editorial content, artist interviews, and over 400 project reviews. Building rapport with artists and connecting audiences to critical discourses in contemporary photography.
2015 – 2016 ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR | Otis College – Los Angeles, California
Counseled graduate and undergrad applicants. Grew enrollment through individual portfolio reviews and group presentations, national and international travel. Data entry and maintenance of detailed CRM records. Attentive listening and empathy throughout international, admissions processes. Solution oriented research for administrative and applicant questions. Maintained a maximum 48-hour response time with positive attitude and diplomacy. Led campus tours. Mediated communications between department chairs and applicants.
2013 – 2015 TEACHING ASSISTANT | Otis College – Los Angeles, California
Supported professors in teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in art and photography with materials preparations, assisting in critiques and individual mentorship, conducting research and organising materials, providing support during student studio time, labwork, and field-trips around Los Angeles. Taking the initiative to digitise class materials for the professor and students to access through download. Classes: Graduate Modernism to Conceptualism, Undergraduate Advanced Photography.
2012 – 2013 GALLERY MANAGER | College of Lake County – Grayslake, Illinois
The Community Exhibits Coordinator position included managing daily operations for a gallery and annexed gallery sales shop. Developed inventory sales system with the IT department, instituted gallery sales shop policies, formalised artist contracts, grew artist network and built community rapport. Delivered financial reports and deposits to accounting. Grew art sales for both artists and the college, built trust within the visual communications department by running a student logo contest. Rebranded and built up the gallery sales shop website. Juried a student photography contest. Managed and planned themed exhibitions and events with catering and live musicians. Organised the holiday fundraiser with over 200 attendees and 30 artists in cooperation with the facilities, biology, accounting, PR departments. Led meditations and yoga courses for professors, faculty, and staff.
2012 – 2016 PHOTOGRAPHER | 22nd Century Media – Illinois & California
Editorial photography and editing, within 12 hour max deadline. Consistently delivered cover images on multiple events in a day. Gathered permissions/ages for publication. Published in North Shore Chicago & Malibu newspapers.
2012 – 2012 GALLERY ASSISTANT | ZIA Gallery – Winnetka, Illinois
Consulted with customers on museum quality framing and art collecting. Technical skills learned and used on the job included glass cutting, matte board cutting/layering, stitching and mounting artwork. Worked in-house with frame cutter, placed orders for materials. Built rapport with buyers to facilitate art sales, logged inventory and financial reports, promoted and photographed events, contributed to the gallery blog.
2008 – 2010 AUTHOR | Chicago Tribune Media – Chicago, Illinois
Author of The Art of Advice column on living life as art. Creating original written content on a schedule for Chicago Tribune’s blog-site. Interviewed live 2x on WGN Radio.
2006 – 2008 COPYWRITER | MSI & Momentum – Chicago, Illinois
In-house and contract agency work. Wrote client-winning presentations, taglines, headlines, concept development, style guides, and body copy for consumer packaged goods. Branding, product naming, trademark, patent research in government database for client such as Wahl, The Home Depot, BonTon, Sam’s Club, Kohl’s, Kraft, Triscuit, Tombstone, A1, Mac ’n Cheese, and Chicago Blackhawk’s Pitch. Photographed produced in-house for the agency’s portfolio and mockups for client presentations. Assisted on photoshoots.
2006 – 2009 GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINT PRODUCTION | Alphagraphics & Freelance – Chicago, Illinois
Branding, typography, logo design, layout and pre-production for digital and plate printing presses.
2006 – 2009 LIBRARY ASSISTANT | Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg, Illinois
Checking books in and out of college library. Assisted patrons in research and critical thinking for projects. Catalogued books, magazines, and audio-visual materials. Processed book orders and assisted library manager in inventory duties. Ensured daily facilities operations and closing maintenance responsibilities.
2002 – 2003 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT | State Farm Insurance – Oregon, Illinois
Answered phone calls, filed payments, maintained database records, client follow-up and support, scheduled appointments with office manager. The job was coordinated through Byron High School work/study program.
EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
2013 – 2015 MASTER FINE ART | Otis College of Art and Design – Los Angeles, California
Art history from 1800s, modern & post-modern theory, studio art, critique. Honours.
2003 – 2006 BACHELOR ART | Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg, Illinois
Interior Design, Advertising Communications. Dean/President Honours.
2017 – 2019 JAPANESE CULTURE | Keio Univerity & University of Oslo
Courses: Rare Books, Washi Paper, Butoh Dance, Avante-Garde, Music Moves
2015 NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE | Rosenhof Voksensopplæring – Oslo, Norway
2013 PHOTOGRAPHY | College of Lake County – Grayslake, Illinois
Courses: History of Photography and Darkroom
2013 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | Ehime University – Matsuyama-shi, Japan
Grant sponsored education through chaperoning, writing and photography. Bound By Water.
2012 YOGA TEACHING CERTIFICATION | Akasha Yoga Center – Crystal Lake, Illinois
1993 – 2003 CLASSICAL PIANO | Byron, Illinois
1990 – 2003 DANCE | Various Studios – Ogle County, Illinois
Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop
PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC REFERENCES
ANE VIGDIS ØVERÅS, Founder, Kjerringøy Land Art Biennial & Residency, Norway
T: +47 901 20 184 E: kjerringoylandart@gmail.com
KERI HAUG | Haug + Maberg AS, Oslo, Norway
T: +47 924 84 230 E: kha@boffistudio.no
ANNETTA KAPON | Graduate Chair, Otis College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
T: +1 (310) 665-6848 E: akapon@otis.edu
CHRIS SISSON | Associate Professor of Art; Department Chair of Art & Art History, Rockford College, Rockford, IL, USA
T: +1 (815) 632-7984 E: cisisson@rockford.edu
ERICK ROWE | Instructor Art Photography, College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL, USA
T: +1 (847) 543-2552 E: erowe@clcillinois.edu
Carlos Mendoza Guillén, Creative Director
I have had the privilege of working alongside Mari Amman, a truly remarkable artist, whose work transcends boundaries and redefines creativity. Mari’s ability to seamlessly merge art, design, and research is nothing short of inspiring. Mari approaches every project with a unique perspective, blending her deep intellectual curiosity with an innate sensibility. Her designs are not only visually striking but also thoughtfully crafted, often grounded in extensive research that adds layers of depth and meaning to her work. What sets Mari apart is her global mindset and collaborative spirit. She thrives in diverse, interdisciplinary environments, bringing people together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Her dedication to innovation, coupled with her relentless pursuit of excellence, makes her an invaluable asset to any team or project. Mari Amman is the person you want on your team. I wholeheartedly recommend her and am confident that she will continue to make a significant impact in her field.
Alvaro Gutiérrez , Co-founder & Producer
Mari Amman is a visual artist with a unique talent for transforming the ordinary into visual poetry. Her work combines deep aesthetic sensitivity with a narrative that invites reflection and wonder. Each piece by Ami not only captures beauty, but reimagines it, offering viewers a fresh perspective on the world. I had the opportunity to create a video portrait of her exhibition showcased in Arte Expuesto in Monterrey, which highlighted her ability to connect deeply with audiences through her art. She is a creator who continuously inspires with her ability to find the extraordinary in the everyday.
Mari Amman is a polymath. Her deep interest in science is paired with a deep sense of beauty. Her art goes from photography to painting to knitting to writing. All she does opens others perception, depth and awe. Her art expresses the sacred and is deeply touching. Her being is etherical paired with bold humour and practical skills. She would not act impulsively, she sees other humans and appreciates human relationships. She’s a constant learner. Mari is and exudes beauty in all she does.
Tracy Goodheart, Founder & CEO The PR Accelerator
We have worked together in different ways for over a decade. We first met in 2009 when Mari wrote a popular blog for ChicagoNow, the blog platform I co-founded at the Chicago Tribune. Mari is a talented writer with a rare ability to tackle the intellectual and esoteric with accessibility, a healthy skepticism and humor. She’s also multifaceted — a true polyglot as I later commissioned her to make customized wool and alpaca scarves for myself, my mother and mother-in-law. Her artistry with fibers is extraordinary and we love each of her pieces, which are so intricately and expertly made. She also expertly navigated shipping each scarf overseas to the states as she had been in Europe then, and she took such care to include her other original artwork and handwritten notes, creating such a lovely experience for each of us to open her packages. Wearing my scarf from Mari is like wrapping myself in a warm, comforting and exquisite hug. I that they will last for decades with proper care. Mari is also a skilled designer and photographer, who expertly helped me pull together a website for a client of mine when I was on a tight deadline. Working across the world, she stayed in constant contact as we raced to the deadline and made the site the client was very satisfied with and continues to use to this day. When I launched a newsletter for my business, I wanted to use original photography. Mari generously shared her photos for my newsletter. Her photos capture landscapes and nature in a way that can only be described as ethereal, soulful and mesmerizing. As a writer, she has only grown in skill and range. I am a paying subscriber to her Substack and with each issue, Mari blows me away with her ability to tackle critical issues with an academic’s flair and a satirist’s knack for the comical. She pushes the edge of our times, inviting me to question the status quo and consider new way of thinking. Mari also has outstanding people skills as I most recently witnessed when I hired her last minute to help me produce a webinar for my business after another person fell through. Mari jumped in, insisting on reading through my deck ahead of time so that she understood the material. She then ran the tech side of the meeting and engaged with all 25 participants as I presented—even asking questions to engage them in the chat. It was because of Mari’s presence and professionalism that I felt empowered to lean into the material, rather than worrying about the tech side or a participant’s needs. It’s because of Mari that the webinar was my best one yet. I intend to work with her on future events if she’s available. Whether you’re looking for a marketing strategist, content creator, community builder, designer, photographer or multifaceted artist, Mari Amman has my highest recommendation.
Chris Sisson, Chair Department of Art & Art History
I first met Mari as a student in my typography class a little over 4 years ago, and got to know her better in the Advertising Campaign courses that I also teach. She immediately proved herself to be a serious and ambitious student, who could produce original and effective work via an in-depth and well plotted critical thinking process. Her work for me throughout her education always demonstrated the highest levels of craftsmanship, and her presentation of that work both visually and verbally displays real professionalism in every sense of the word. Rare is the student whose conceptualization abilities are equal to their execution, and even more rare is a student whose writing is as strong as their aptitude to produce effective visuals…Mari was such a student. Her approach and ability to offer strong feedback as a member of a creative team coupled with her energy made her valuable to each class she was a part of, and I feel this characteristic would translate well to any position she might undertake. I have to say that hiring Mari in a creative capacity or otherwise would be a tremendous opportunity not only for her, but for the any business to have access to her fresh approach, inventiveness, and dedication.