Bio
Jenna Fincher was born and raised in South Louisiana. In May 2012, she earned her BFA in studio art with a minor in art history from Nicholls State University, where she focused on figure drawing. Fincher earned her MFA in studio art from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA in May 2015. While there she created artwork through experiments with media and traditional and technological processes. She currently teaches art at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, MS.
CV
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Louisiana Technical University, Ruston, LA
Graduated May 2015
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a minor in Art History, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA
Graduated May 2012 Magna Cum Laude
SOLO AND TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2020
New Ideal Form, Solo, Anderson Art Gallery, Booneville, MS
2019
Submerge/Emerge, Solo, Mississippi University for Women Galleries (Hudson Gallery), Columbus, MS
2017
Of This Place, Two Person, Hinds Community College Art Gallery, Raymond, MS
2016
Submerge/Emerge, Solo, Anderson Art Gallery, Booneville, MS
2015
Literal/Figural, Solo, Jackson Parish Museum, Jonesboro, LA
Inland, Two Person, Gallery 202, Ruston, LA
2014
Two, Two Person, F. Jay Visual Arts Center, Ruston, LA
2012
Breathe, Solo, Ameen Gallery, Thibodaux, LA
SELECTED INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
2019
MSC/NMWA Artist Showcase, Hattiesburg Cultural Art Center, Hattiesburg, MS
*Received Judge’s Favorite Award
2016
Showcase, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
2015
Throughlines, F. Jay Visual Arts Center, Ruston, LA. Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition
2014
Art Battle, Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, LA. Invited by Evie Stewart *Project Coordinator
Quadracorn, The Wall Gallery, Ruston, LA. Curated by Jenna Fincher and Marguerite Hogue
Sculpture Exhibit, F. Jay Visual Arts Center, Ruston, LA. Curated by Kyle Triplett
Book Arts Exhibit, F. Jay Visual Arts Center, Ruston, LA. Curated by Frank Hamrick
Connections, Upstairs Gallery, Monroe, LA. Curated by Joey Slaughter
13 Ways of Doing Something, Enterprise Center, Ruston, LA. Invited by Hannah Bustamante
Initiative 6, Purple Penguin, Houma, LA. Invited by Heather Dupre
2013
Southern Patterns, The Big Room, Monroe, LA. Curated by Joey Slaughter
All Souls, Downstairs Gallery, Monroe LA. Curated by Julie Pearson
Open House Exhibit, F. Jay Visual Arts Center, Ruston, LA. Invited by Nick Bustamante
The Big Room Group Show, Upstairs Gallery, Monroe, LA. Curated by Ricky Sikes
Garden of Earthly Delights, Downstairs Gallery, Monroe, LA. Curated by Julie Pearson
Cabinet of Curiosities, Downstairs Gallery, Monroe, LA. Curated by Julie Pearson
Come and See, Enterprise Center, Ruston, LA. Invited by Hannah Bustamante
SELECTED JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2015
Questioning Beauty, Cade Art Gallery, Arnold, Maryland. Juried by David Gariff
Four Corners, Enterprise Center, Ruston, LA. Juried by Ben Hickey
Functional Art, Jackson Parish Museum, Jonesboro, LA. Juried by Leah Beth Johnston
Louisiana Tech Student Show, F. Jay Visual Arts Center, Ruston, LA. Juried by Richard McCabe
2014
Conclusion, PAIR Art Gallery, Ruston, LA. Juried by Nicole Duet
*Received Best in Show Award
Dixie Lobby Exhibit, The Dixie, Ruston, LA. Juried by Jessica Slaughter
Tenement, Frame of Mind Gallery, Ruston, LA. Juried by Chris King
Diversions, Room 221, Press Street Gallery, New Orleans, LA. Juried by Friedrich Kerksieck and Luba Zygarewicz
The Art of Music, Pair Art Gallery, Ruston, LA. Juried by Mary Catherine Davis
Art From the GUTS, Enterprise Center, Ruston, LA. Juried by Leigh Ann Chambers
Moderate-Neither Too Much, Nor Too Little, The Dixie, Ruston, LA. Juried by Marguerite Hogue
Louisiana Tech Student Show, F. Jay Visual Arts Center, Ruston, LA. Juried by Will Bryant
2013
Louisiana Tech Student Show, F. Jay Visual Arts Center, Ruston, LA. Juried by Kristen Nunez
AWARDS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Birthday Present selected to be a part of the Mississippi University for Women Galleries Permanent Art Collection, Mississippi University for Women, 2019
When the Levee Breaks selected to be a part of the Mississippi University for Women Galleries Permanent Art Collection, Mississippi University for Women, 2019
Judge’s Favorite Award, Mississippi State Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts 2019 Artist’s Showcase, Hattiesburg Cultural Center, 2019
Teacher Outstanding Performance Award, Northeast Mississippi Community College, 2017
Who’s Who Among Students, Louisiana Tech University, 2015
Nominated for the Dedalus Foundation 2015 MFA Fellowship in Painting and Sculpture, 2015
Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Louisiana Tech University, 3-dimensional design, 2014-2015
Best in Show, Conclusion, 2014
Image of artwork selected for postcard, Art From the Guts, 2014
Graduate Assistantship, Louisiana Tech University, Building Monitor and Office Assistant, 2012-2014
Magna Cum Laude, awarded for graduating with higher honors with a GPA of 3.82, 2012
President’s List, awarded for achieving a 3.5 GPA or higher each semester, 2008-2012
First Place, Drawing Category, Student Show, Nicholls State University, 2012
Art History Award for Outstanding Research, Nicholls State University, 2012
First Place Advanced Level Art History Research Paper, Nicholls State University, 2012
First Place Intermediate Level Art History Research Paper, Nicholls State University, 2012
Honorable Mention, Drawing, Abstraction, Nicholls Kappa Pi Student Show, 2011
First Place Advanced Level Art History Research Paper, Nicholls State University, 2011
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2022
Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Courses Taught:
3D Design, Drawing 2, Design 2, Art Appreciation
2021
Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Courses Taught:
Drawing 1 & 2, Design 1 & 2, Art Appreciation, Freshman Orientation
2020
Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Courses Taught:
Drawing 1 & 2, 3D Design, Design 1 & 2, Art Appreciation, Freshman Orientation
2019
Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Courses Taught:
Figure Drawing, 3D Design, Drawing 1 & 2, Design 1 & 2, Art Appreciation, Freshman Orientation
2018
Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Courses Taught:
Drawing 1 & 2, 3D Design, Design 1 & 2, Art Appreciation, Freshman Orientation
2017
Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Courses Taught:
Figure Drawing, Drawing 1 & 2, 3D Design, Design 1 & 2, Art Appreciation
2016
Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Courses Taught:
Drawing 1 & 2, Design 1 & 2, Art Appreciation
2015
Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College. Courses Taught:
Drawing 1, Design 1, Art Appreciation
Teacher of Record, Louisiana Tech University. Course Taught:
Three-Dimensional Design
2014
Teaching Assistant, Louisiana Tech University. Courses:
Three-Dimensional Design
RELATED EXPERIENCE, VOLUNTEER WORK, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Guest Juror, Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS; 2018.
Judge the 2018 Student Show.
Presidential Showcase Creator & Coordinator, Booneville, MS; 2016-Present
Started and maintain a rotating exhibition of student work for Northeast Mississippi Community College’s art department within the college President’s house.
Screen Printing Demonstration, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Booneville, MS; 2017 & 2019
Collaborated with Master Grafix T-shirt Screen-printing company of Tupelo, MS to bring a hands-on screen printing demonstration to NEMCC students.
Bindings in Paper Workshop, Penland, NC; 2016
Attended a 2 week summer workshop on historical and modern book binding styles and how to create books using various sewing styles, end band types, paper decoration techniques, and soft and hard case construction.
Artist Alliance Graduate Advisor, Louisiana Tech University; 2014-15
Advised undergraduate executive council members on events and happenings within the collaborative arts group.
Workshop Instructor, Laser Cutter, Louisiana Tech University; 2014
Taught a workshop for undergraduates, graduates, and professors on how to use a laser cutter. Attendees learned general function and use of the laser cutter, how to etch and cut into several materials, and how to experiment with various etching paths and depths.
Party 318 Volunteer Assistant, Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, LA; 2013-15
Assisted the patrons of an event intended to raise awareness of the arts within the community.
Off the Wall Silent Art Auction, Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, LA; 2013-15
Donated artwork to raise funds for the Masur Museum of Art.
Gallery Assistant, Louisiana Tech University; 2012-2015
Packed and unpacked art, installed artwork, prepared walls, and arranged lighting for the Elizabeth Bethea and Mary Moffit Galleries.
Building Monitor, Louisiana Tech University; 2012-2015
Maintained art buildings and assisted undergraduates with their artwork.
Project Coordinator, Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, LA; 2014
Lead a team of artists in an art battle against other teams of artists to raise money for the Masur Museum of Art.
Guest Critic, Conceptual Theory, Louisiana Tech University; 2014
Critiqued undergraduate and graduate artwork.
Volunteer Teaching Assistant, Louisiana Tech University; 2014
Assisted the instructor and helped students develop 3-dimensional design skills.
PAIR Art Gallery Volunteer, Ruston, LA; 2014
Assisted the gallery curators with preparing the gallery for exhibitions.
Technology Lab Volunteer Monitor, Louisiana Tech University; 2013-14
Monitored and assisted students and faculty using technology in the lab.
ACDC, Enterprise Center, Ruston, LA; 2014
Gave a short lecture and had a discussion about artwork with local fifth graders.
ACDC, Enterprise Center, Ruston, LA; 2013
Gave a short lecture and assisted local fifth graders with a relief printmaking workshop.
Professional Practices Workshop, Masur Museum of Art; 2013
Attended a workshop about professional practices for studio artists.
Piney Hills Advocacy Center Mural, Ruston, LA; 2013
Painted a mural for the enjoyment of children at Piney Hills.
Study Abroad, Europe; 2009 and 2012
Gained cultural insight and a greater depth and understanding of the history of art. Studied artwork and architecture in France, England, & Ireland in 2009, and in France & Spain in 2012.
Nicholls State University Art High School Day, Thibodaux, LA; 2009-12
Assisted with art history, ceramics, and sculpture workshops for high school art students.
K-12 Student Teacher, Nicholls State University; 2008-2011
Developed lesson plans for K-12 classrooms and instructed art history lessons. Conducted a workshop for eighth grade students.
AFFILIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Mississippi State Committee/National Museum of Women in the Arts, national organization honoring women in the arts, 2019
NEMCC Cultural Arts Committee, organization aimed at making the culture aware of the arts and humanities, 2016-present
Who’s Who Among Students, National Organization Honoring Exceptional Students, 2015-present
Omicron Delta Kappa, The National Leadership Honor Society, 2014-2015
Kappa Pi, International Honorary Art Fraternity, 2012-2015
Alpha Lambda Delta, National Honor Society for First-Year Students
Artist Alliance, *Graduate Advisor, collaborative arts group in Ruston, LA
Nicholls Art Club, organization aimed at making the local culture aware of the arts, and providing an outlet for student artists at Nicholls State University
SKILLS
Microsoft & Apple Office
Apple and PC Experience
Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop Basics
Gallery Preparation and Installation: wall prep, packing and unpacking artwork, lighting, and proper installation
Plaster and Wax Casting/Mold Making
General Woodworking: band, chop, table, and radial arm saws, router, dremel, power sanders, and drill press. Wood shop maintenance
Handmade Book Binding: Link, Long, Long & Link, Case, Japanese, Accordion, and Pamphlet
Ceramic: slip casting
Basic Drawing, Sculpture, and Painting Processes
