Rebecca L. Heavner
College of Arts & Media
Department of Visual Arts
University of Colorado Denver
Campus Box 177, P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364
rebecca.heavner@ucdenver.edu
Education
| 2012 | M.L.A. Landscape Architecture, University of Colorado, Denver |
| 1985 | B.F.A Communication Arts and Design, illustration emphasis, Virginia Commonwealth University |
Professional Experience
| 2021 | Instructor, illustration emphasis, Visual Arts, College of Art and Media, University of Colorado, Denver, teaching position started 2013 |
| 2015-2021 | Landscape designer, Urban Acuity, L.L.C., Denver, Colorado, Projects include: Public Art installation, Visualizations and Landscape Design consulting for Colorado based architects and landscape architects, (Chroma Design LLC, Coors Field, Jose Cuervo and Rio Grande Restaurants), Illustration projects. |
| 2012-2014 | Chroma Design, landscape architecture, landscape designer/freelance; Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, animation |
| 1985-2012 | Leister/Heavner Illustrations, illustrator, Clients include: Fortune 500 corporate and many national editorial magazines; specializing in packaging and advertising illustrations |
| 2011(May-Sept) | Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, design intern, worked on a variety of projects |
| 2011-2012 | Adjunct lecturer, curriculum consultant, illustration emphasis, Visual Arts, College of Art and Media, University of Colorado, Denver |
Solo Exhibitions
| 2016 | Spatial Models, Center for Faculty Development, Center of Faculty Development, 14th and Lawrence Street, University of Colorado, Denver through the fall of 2017. |
| 2016 | CU Denver Center for Faculty Development, Spatial Models, Maquettes Landscape Architecture |
| 1998 | Becky Heavner, Gallery 233-ONE, Alexandria, VA |
| 1998 | Illustrations, 929 Gallery, Baltimore MD |
| 1997 | The Art of Illustration, Barry Gallery, Marymount University, Arlington VA |
Exhibitions
| 2020 | Woman on an island, Illustration, “Woman on an Island,” mixed media on watercolor paper, originally commissioned by MS Magazine, exhibited in “I cannot heave my heart into my mouth” CU Denver Faculty Show, Emmanuel Gallery, Jan-Feb 2020 |
| 2018 | “Agatha Bela Christie,”Saks Galleries, |
| Cultivation, Installation, “Evolutionary Birds,” Republic Plaza, Denver, Co. papier mache and Japanese paper, variable dimensions to 20″, curated by Andra Archer | |
| 2015 | Flex-it, San Diego, Flex-it, My Body My Temple: one day installation event on March 21, 2015 at the Jacobs Center in San Diego. Collaboration with Bryan Leister. |
| 2014 | My Body My Temple, Collaboration:FLEX IT! My Body My Temple, Augmented Reality Game and Sculptural Installation | Parthenon Museum, Nashville TN |
| Traversal, sculpture, Walker Fine Art, Denver CO | |
| 2013 | One Three Dimensional Chair Process, Augmented Reality Sculpture, Redline Gallery, Denver, CO |
| 2013 | DAVA Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, CO “Urban Earth” exhibition of landscape architecture drawings, Lecture |
| 2010 | VCT, Art Gallery Montgomery College, MD “The Art of the Label” |
| 2009 | Redline Gallery, Denver, CO, “Digital Scandinavia, Interactive Pillow” |
| 2006 | Marlborough Gallery, Prince Georges County Invitational |
| 2005 | The Ice House Gallery, Berkeley Springs, WVA |
| 2000 | VCT Art Gallery Montgomery College “Women in Illustration” |
| 1999 | Pennsylvania School of Art and Design |
| 1995 | Invitational, The White House, The Rose Garden, Washington DC, “75th Anniversary of the Women’s Bureau Poster Exhibition” |
| 1994 | Torpedo Factory Arts, Alexandria, VA |
Honors and Awards
| 2019 | CAM Innovation Grant, “Harvesting Ornament: Methods for Aligning Landscape with Character” Writing and Illustration Project, This funding allowed me to hire Madalyn Drewno, a recent B.F.A. graduate in illustration. Thank you to the College of Art and Media at CU Denver! |
| 2018 | Travel award: Decriminalising Ornament* : The Pleasures of Pattern The 9th International Illustration Research Symposium Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK, Non-Tenure-Track Faculty, to present paper, “Harvesting Ornament: Methods for Aligning Landscape with Character“ |
| 2016 | Travel Award for Non-Tenure-Track Faculty, to present paper,”The Agency of Landscape and Metaphor in Conceptual Illustration,” The 7th International Illustration Research/ Journal of Illustration Symposium, Edinburgh College of Art |
| 2016 | Travel Award for Non-Tenure-Track Faculty, to attend ICON 9, Austin, Texas |
| 2016 | Provost’s Award for Excellence in Practices Related to Non-Tenure-Track Faculty, College of Art and Media, CU Denver, (Nomination and award for work in the illustration program.) |
| 2011 | American Society of Landscape Architecture, Award of Honor |
| 1989 | Silver Medal, Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington, 40th Annual Show and Exhibition, Baltimore Sun Magazine |
Juried Art
| 2015 | IndeCade Gaming Festival to showcase independent game concept |
| 2009 | Annual Show, Illustrators Club of Metropolitan Washington, Maryland, Washington D.C. |
| 2008 | Annual Show, Illustrators Club of Metropolitan Washington, Maryland, Washington D.C. |
| Annual Show, Colorado Illustrators Annual Show, Denver, CO | |
| Bepo Mini, “Time”, Toronto, Canada | |
| Best New H&B Product, Natural Foods Expo East, One With Nature Package Design | |
| 2007 | American Graphic Design Award, One With Nature Package Brand Mark |
| 2006 | Gallery 233-ONE, Alexandria, VA,Invitational Mayor’s Show, Alexandria Virginia |
| ICON Roadshow Exhibition | |
| Annual Exhibition,The Illustrator’s Club of Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC | |
| 2005 | How “Self Promotion Annual” |
| Annual Exhibition, The Illustrator’s Club of Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Art Institute of Washington” | |
| 2004 | Annual Exhibition,The Illustrator’s Club of Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, |
| 2002 | World Wide Web Health Awards |
| 2000 | Best of Show Award, North Carolina regional ADDY |
| 51 Annual Exhibitions Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington | |
| 1999 | Print Regional Design Annual |
| 1995 | Print Regional Design Annual |
| 1994 | Communication Arts Illustration Annual |
| 45 Annual Exhibitions Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington | |
| 1993 | 44 Annual Exhibitions Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington |
| 1992 | AIGA 50: Third Biennial Design Exhibition |
| Communication Arts Illustration Annual | |
| Print Regional Design Annual | |
| Society of Illustrators, NY | |
| 1991 | Communication Arts Illustration Annual |
| AIGA Annual Exhibition, Washington DC | |
| Print Regional Design Annual | |
| 1990 | 40 Annual Exhibitions Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington |
| AIGA Annual Exhibition, Washington DC | |
| 1989 | 39 Annual Exhibitions Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington |
| American Illustration 8: Illustration Annual | |
| Print Regional Design Annual | |
| 1988 | 29 Society of Illustrators, Museum of American Illustration in New York |
| 1987 | 37 Annual Exhibitions Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington |
| Society of Newspaper Designers Award | |
| 1986 | Society of Newspaper Designers Award |
Animation and Motion
| 2018 | Lynx Camp, 2D Animation |
| 2011 | Animation: shade structure, fountain or indoor installation. |
| 2007 | Animation for dance performance, “In Hiding,” Gunston Theatre One, Arlington, VA |
| 2007 | Animation for dance performance, “In Hiding,” The Kennedy Center, Washington DC |
Interviews
| 2009 | Interview,“Digital Scandinavia” Modern in Denver, fall issue |
| 2002 | Elan Magazine, artist feature |
| 1998 | Interview,”Becky Heavner: A Washington Original,” Half Bleed Magazine, ADCMW |
| 1996 | Interview,”Sharing a Studio”, Half Bleed Magazine, ADCMW |
| 1990 | Interview, “New Illustrators”,Sketches, Illustrator’s Club of Metropolitan Washington |
Lectures and Presentations
| 2018 | P.E.O. Philanthropic Organization, Lecture on 2D Design, Denver, Colorado |
2014 | Parthenon, Centennial Park, Nashville,TN,“My Body: My Temple An Augmented Reality Design Process |
| 2013 | DAVA Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, “Urban Earth” lecture on illustration and design |
| 2007 | American University, Washington D.C., illustration techniques |
| 1998 | A career in illustration, Marymount University, Arlington VA |
| 1997 | Virginia Commonwealth University, lecture |
| 1996 | Illustration, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria VA |
| 1995 | Running a Freelance Illustration Business, Marymount University, Arlington VA |
| 1994 | The Art of Promotion, The Illustrators Club of Washington, Washington DC |
| The art of illustration, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore MD | |
| Workshop: Creating an illustration for assignment | |
| 1993 | Workshop: Mixed Media demonstration, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore MD |
| 1992 | Illustration Lecture, The Corcoran School of Art |
Publication
| 2019 | “A Companion to Illustration: Art and Theory”, Published Chapter, “The Theory, Character and Making of Imagery, Chapter 2: Conceptual Illustration: Framework and Methodologies,” A Companion to Illustration. vol. 15., edited by Alan Male, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Hoboken, NJ, 2019., pp. 47-58 |
Other Scholarly Activities
| 2021 | Drawing: Analog Strategies in Education, Paper presentation, “Illustration and Design Thinking Methods in Landscape,” paper session, October 20-23, 2021, Design Communications Association (DCA), Perception to Execution, International Design Conference. |
| 2018 | Paper presentation, “Harvesting Ornament: Methods for Aligning Landscape with Character,” Conference: Decriminalising Ornament : The Pleasures of Pattern Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, |
| Denver Immersive Summit, Attended Denver Immersive Summit/Year 0 | |
| CU Denver, BFA Thesis Installation, 2018, | |
| Tyrus Wong Film + Discussion, Auraria Library, | |
| 2016 | “The Agency of Landscape and Metaphor in Conceptual Illustration”, Paper presentation:”The Agency of Landscape and Metaphor in Conceptual Illustration” Shaping the View: Understanding Landscape through Illustration 7th International Illustration Research/ Journal of Illustration Symposium Edinburgh College of Art |
| CELA Review Committee, CELA 2017 Abstract/Paper Review Committee. Topic: Communication & Visualization | |
| CELA Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, Visualization and Communication abstract reviewer. CELA’s intent is to publish a peer-reviewed, thematically organized conference proceedings, Landscape Research Record. | |
| 2012 | Original books made for Michael Vergason, University of Virgina, installation, A collection of his Drawings, |
Teaching Activities
| 2016 | Co-author with Joern Langhorst, presentation of peer-reviewed paper, “Places, Thick and Thin: On the Agency of Virtual and Augmented Reality,” Communicating Speculative and Creative Thinking, Design Communications Association Biennial Conference, Montana State University |
| 2015 | CU Business School, Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative, panelist/speaker,”Ethics in the Arts” |
| 2014-2012 | College of Art and Media Curriculum Consultant, Illustration Emphasis Area |
| 2014 | CELA Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, abstract reviewer, Visualization and Communication |
| CU Denver Travel Grant, to present peer-reviewed paper,”My Body: My Temple, an Augmented Reality Design Process,” Design Communications Association, Atlanta, GA | |
| 2013 | College of Art and Media Illustration Exhibition, co-curator |
| UCD Travel Grant, to attend ICON 8, Illustration Conference, 2014 | |
| CELA Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, panelist, “Digital Divide,” Austin, Texas | |
| CELA Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, abstract and full paper reviewer, Visualization and Communication | |
| 2012 | CELA Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, peer-reviewed paper, and graduate thesis, “Digital Poucháde: Design Thinking and the Influence of Media on Landscape Architecture” |
| Guest Design Critic, Landscape Architecture Studio, University of Colorado, Denver, visiting Professor, joni m. palmer,PhD |
2021-2012 | College of Arts and Media, CU Denver-guest critic; faculty review; senior thesis installation mentor |
| 2020-2019 | Reviewer for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (UROP) |
| 2018-2019 | Advisor for student application, Undergraduate Research Opportunities (UROP) |
| 2018 | Advisor for Denver Silent Film Festival |
| 2018 | Supernova Festival |
| 2017 | Supernova Festival |
| 2016 | Advisor, Artworks Guild; Denver Silent Film Festival |
| 2016 | Advisor, College and Art and Media, Chalk Art Festival |
| 2015 | Advisor for student applications, Undergraduate Research Opportunities (UROP) |
| 2015 | Advisor, Illustration Guild |
| 2014 | co-curator, Illustration Emphasis Exhibition |
| 2013 | Faculty advisor for Painting and Drawing BFA thesis student exhibition |
| 2013 | CU, College of Arts and Media, UCD-guest lecturer/Workshop for Scientific Media |
| 2012 | Consultant and co-author, College and Art and Media, Illustration curriculum |
| CU, College of Architecture and Planning, Landscape Architecture, Co-curation, Exhibition Design, Graphic Design, Editing, “Urban Roots” | |
| 2011 | University of Virginia, Exhibition of Michael Vergason’s drawings, bookmaking, curation, Michael Vergason Landscape Architects |
| 2006 | George Washington University, Art and Computer Science Guest Teacher, “Motion Sensors Testing” with students and “Green Screens” |
| 1998 | AIGA Art Start Program Poster/Committee/Education Outreach |
Programs + Skills
| Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Sketchup, Premiere, WordPress, book making, mixed media illustration, Drawing, Model making, Welding, I have done some work in Rhino, Grasshopper, Cinema 4D, AutoCad, VectorWorks, Blender, and Procreate. |
Professional Memberships In Landscape Architecture, Illustration
| 2022-2017 | Design Communications Association (DCA) |
| 2021-2018 | Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI ) |
| 2017 | Council on Landscape Architecture (CELA) |
Selected Student Recognition
| 2021 2020 2019 2019 2018 2014 | Jasmine Cisneros, student hired by Pixar National Competition Kenneth Iacullo, Society of Illustrators Student Show CU Research and Creative Activities Symposium, 2nd Place, Melissa Jacobi Jasmine Cisneros, Letter of Recommendation for Pixar Internship Top Prize $500 cash award, Colorado Student Animation Competition Marisa Volino, second composition “Moon Animation.”curated by Supernova Director, Ivar Zeile and visiting artists. Sydnee Masias, 3X3 International Illustration Show No.11, Honorable Mention |
Selected Illustration Commissions
| Packaging + Signage: Annie’s Crackers, Wendy’s, One With Nature, Whole Foods, Whole Foods/Whole Body, Giant Food, Coca Cola Brand Concepts, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mr. Goodburger, Santa Barbara Salsa, Target, White Castle Burgers, Frito Lay Brand Concept | |
| Institutional:Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Ladies Professional Golf Association, National Institutes of Health,Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Defense Intelligence Agency, Seafood Choices Alliance, US Department of Labor, US Department of Education, US Department of Agriculture | |
| Healthcare: Fidelis Healthcare, Elmiron Brand, Schering Plough, Pharmacia, Pfizer, etc | |
| Editorial + Publishing: The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, Garden Design, San Francisco Chronicle, Ms Magazine, The Discovery Channel, Vegetarian Times, Eating Well, Universe Press, etc. | |
| Advertising Agencies: McCann Erickson, BBDO/HongKong, J. Walter Thompson, Young and Rubicam, DDNeedham Worldwide, etc | |
| Fortune 500 Companies:Oracle, Whole Foods, General Motors, Country-wide Financial,Freddy Mac, Frito-Lay, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Target |
Courses I Teach
| FINE 1000 Fostering Creativity(Lecture), FINE 1100 Drawing 1 (Studio), FINE 1400 Two Dimensional Design (Studio), FINE 2010 The Graphic Novel Workshop (Studio), FINE 2030 Life Drawing (Studio), FINE 2415 Typography Studio (Studio), FINE 3030 The Media of Drawing, FINE 3010 ILLS I: Spatial Thinking (Studio), FINE 3010 Illustration I_Image Making(Studio), FINE 3410 ILLS II: Digital Media (Studio), FINE 3415 Design Studio I (Studio), FINE 3557 Concepts in ILLS, FINE 4001 ILLS III: Investigative Methods (Studio), FINE 4002 Illustration IV: Professional Practice (Studio), FINE 4002 ILLS IV: Advanced Illustration (Studio), FINE 4003 Illustration V: BFA Thesis, FINE 2030 Anatomy for the Artist(Studio), Lynx Camp: Illustration (2017,2018) |
Study Abroad
| Course Title: (Proposal) Japan Study Abroad, June 2023 Course Title: (Proposal) “NYC: Art, Culture and Entrepreneurship, Dec 2022 Course Title: Mapping Culture in Japan, June 2019, co-teacher Course Title: Japan | Design, Illustration and the Pursuit of Wabi-Sabi, A Study Abroad Class on Design Principles in Japan, June 2015, co-teacher |