Nate Theisen
Professor of Art+Design and Co-Chair of Art+Design Department
Tradigital, Graphic Design, Art, Art+Design
Part of Belhaven since 2002
Contact Info
601-965-1451
Education
- M.F.A. – Painting with Sculpture Minor (2001)
Wichita State University, Wichita, KS - B.F.A. – Painting (Magna Cum Laude, 1998)
University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD - Apprenticeship under German Sculptor Anatol Herzfeld (1998)
Insel Hombroich, Neuss, Germany, Feb., 1-28 - Western Iowa Tech Community College (1993 – 1995)
Sioux City, IA
Nate Theisen, professor of art, teaches sculpture, two- and three-dimensional design, and painting. He received his BFA with an emphasis in painting from the University of South Dakota and an MFA with a major in painting and a minor in sculpture from Wichita State University.
He also apprenticed in Germany under sculptor Anatol Herzfeld, a student of Joseph Beuys. Previously, Mr. Theisen taught at Butler County Community College in Kansas and at Wichita State University.
His work has been shown in numerous solo, group, and juried exhibitions throughout the Midwest and South. His recent awards include a Visual Arts Fellowship Grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission; First Place at the 28th Annual Juried Exhibit in Texarkana, Texas; Second Place at the 24th Southeast Regional Juried Fine Arts Exhibition in Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and in 2015, Best of Show at the Mississippi Collegiate Art Faculty Juried Exhibition in Laurel, Mississippi.
Teaching Experience
- Co-Chair, Art and Design Department (2020 – Present)
Belhaven University, Jackson, MS - Professor of Art (2012 – Present)
Belhaven University, Jackson, MS - Instructor (2009 – 2019)
Belhaven University High Scholars Program - Instructor (2011 – 2015)
Belhaven University Online Campus - Associate Professor of Art (2006 – 2012)
Belhaven University, Jackson, MS - Assistant Professor of Art (2002 – 2006)
Belhaven University. Jackson, MS - Adjunct Lecturer (2001 – 2002)
Wichita State University, Wichita, KS - Adjunct Instructor (2001 – 2002)
Butler County Community College, El Dorado, KS
Grants/Awards
2016
- Visual Arts Fellowship Grant, Mississippi Arts Commission
- 1st Place, 28th Annual Juried Exhibition, Regional Arts Center, Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, Texarkana, TX
- 2nd Place, 24th Southeast Regional Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries, Northwest Florida State College, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- 3rd Place in 3d category, 58th Annual Juried Show, Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden Art Association, Gadsden, AL
- Best of Show, Mississippi Collegiate Art Faculty Juried Exhibition, Lauren Rodgers Museum of Art, Laurel, MS
- 1st Place Painting Award, Elements 2000: Juried Exhibition, WSU, Wichita, KS
- 1st Place Mixed Media Award, Elements 2000: Juried Exhibition, WSU, Wichita, KS
- 1st Place Painting Award, Elements 1999: Juried Exhibition, WSU, Wichita, KS
- 1st Place Mixed Media Award, Elements 1999: Juried Exhibition, WSU, Wichita, KS
Scholarships/ Academic Awards
2010
- Promotion in rank to full Professor, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
- Tenure, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
- Promotion in rank to Associate Professor, Belhaven College, Jackson, MS
- Tenure, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
- Magna Cum Laude, Graduation Honor Award, USD, Vermillion, SD
- Clayton Staples Graduate Scholarship (Consecutive Semesters), WSU, Wichita, KS
- Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Wichita State University, WSU, Wichita KS
- H.J. and A.B. Gunderson Scholarship, USD, Vermillion, SD
- Oscar Howe Scholarship, USD, Vermillion, SD
- College of Fine Arts Deans List, Consecutive Semesters, USD, Vermillion, SD
- Graduation Honors, West High School, Sioux City, IA
- West High Honor Roll (Consecutive Semesters), Sioux City, IA
Exhibitions- Solo and Group
2014
- Faculty Showcase Exhibition, Gallery, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center, Jackson, MS, Sept. 4- Oct. 6 (19 pieces)
- Belhaven Faculty Exhibition, Gallery, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center, Jackson, MS, Jan. 21 – Feb. 14
- WORK/PLAY: Faculty and Student Theme Show; Gallery, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts & Dance Center, Jackson, MS, Jan. 24 –Feb. 17
- The Figurative and the Concrete, Mar. 1-31, Stephens Gallery, Walton Fine Arts Center, University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR, solo
- Construction, Faculty and Student Exhibition, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
- Pop!, Faculty and Student Exhibition, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
- Untitled Exhibition, Mar. 4 – Apr. 2, Bessie Lemly Gallery, Belhaven University, Jackson MS, solo
- Transience, Faculty and Student Exhibition, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
- Faculty Exhibition, Jan. 22 - Feb. 12, Erwin B. White Gallery, BCCC, El Dorado, KS
- Thesis Exhibition, Apr. 23 - 27, Clayton Staples Gallery, WSU, solo
- Visual Arts Guild Exhibition, Aug. 28 - Sept. 8, Rhatigan Student Gallery, WSU, Wichita, KS
- Thesis Exhibition, Dec. 14 - 18, Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, Main Gallery, USD, Vermillion, SD
- Stilwell De Refusé, Feb. 16, Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, USD
- Sioux City Art Center Artist in Residence Group Installation, Apr.11 – Jun.14, Sioux City, IA (catalogue)
Exhibitions- Invitational
2020
- Alchemy, The Cedars, Jackson, MS. Feb. 27-March 15 (5 pieces) Curator, Rebecca Garrison
- Mississippi Invitational Exhibition, Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, MS. Dec. 17-Feb.18, Juror, Marisa Pascucci
- The Art Faculty of Jackson, Invitational Exhibit, The Cedars, Jackson, MS. Feb 5-27 (10 pieces)
- The Jackson Show, Art Space 86, Banner Hall, Jackson, MS. August 5 (5 works included)
- Mississippi Showcase; Gallery, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts & Dance Center, Jackson, MS, Nov. 29 (2010) – Feb.14 (Invitational)
- 4th Annual Jackson Arts Collective Showcase, Commons Gallery, Jackson, MS, Oct. 23
- Reconnecting: A USD Alumni Exhibition, University of South Dakota, Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts Main Gallery, Vermillion, SD, Sept. - Oct.
- Inaugural Exhibition: Mississippi Invitational; Gallery, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts & Dance Center, Jackson, MS, Nov. 5 – Dec. 9
- Reconnecting: A USD Alumni Exhibition, Nov. 1-21, Main Gallery and Gallery 110, Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
- Posted: No Realism, Invitational Exhibition, Feb. 2 – Mar. 9, Dirt Gallery, Kansas City, MO
- Wichita State University Faculty Biennial, Jan. 26 – Mar. 18, Ulrich Museum, WSU
- Bi-Annual Graduate Group Exhibition, Sept. 18 - Oct. 13, Clayton Staples Gallery, WSU, Wichita, KS
- NDSU / USD Drawing Exchange Exhibition, Fargo, ND
Exhibitions- Juried
2016
- 5th Annual Cedars Juried Art Exhibition, The Cedars, Jackson, MS, Sept. 1–23, Juror, Sam Gore
- 58th Annual Juried Show, Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden Art Association, Gadsden, AL, July 12 – Aug. 19. (3 pieces accepted)
- 51st National Juried Artists Exhibition, Miriam Barranger Gallery, St. Tammany Art Association, Covington, LA, July 9 – Aug. 20
- TRAHC’s 28th Annual Juried Exhibition, Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, Texarkana, TX, July 8 – Aug. 13. (2 pieces accepted)
- Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria LA, April 9–17.
- Southworks, 21st Annual Art Exhibition, The Oconee Arts Foundation Gallery, Watkinsville GA, April 1 – May 6.
- 24th Southeast Regional Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries, Northwest Florida State College, Fort Walton, FL, Jan. 23 – March 4 (2 pieces accepted)
- 4th Annual Cedars Juried Art Show, The Cedars, Jackson, MS, September 3–30
- Mississippi Collegiate Art Faculty Juried Exhibition, Lauren Rodgers Museum of Art, Laurel, MS, April 11 – June 24 (2 pieces accepted)
- Faith as Art | Art as Faith, Brandenburg Galleries, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, Sept. 28 – Oct. 25 (Juried)
- 25th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Carnegie Center For the Arts, Dodge City, KS
- Elements 2000: Juried Exhibition, Rhatigan Student Gallery, WSU, Wichita, KS
- Elements 1999: Juried Exhibition, WSU, Wichita, KS
- Fred Wells 22 National Juried Exhibition, Apr. 1–25, Elder Gallery, Rogers Center for the Fine Arts.Lincoln, NE (catalogue)
- Wilber Stilwell Awards Exhibition, Feb. 6 - 27, Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, Main Gallery, USD (catalogue), Vermillion, SD
- South Dakota Artists Juried Art Show, Nov. 17 - Dec. 27, Gale Randall Memorial Gallery and East Gallery, Oscar Howe Art Center, Mitchell, SD
- Wilber Stilwell Awards Exhibition, Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, Main Gallery, Feb. 1–23, USD (catalogue), Vermillion, SD
- Western Iowa Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition, Sioux City, IA
Professional Experience
2013
- Sculptor for The Adventures of Momotaro, Mississippi Puppet Arts Theater Production, Jackson, MS
- Private Lesson Instructor in ceramics, Jackson, MS
- Course Developer, ART 245, Belhaven University Online
- Supervising Artist for reassembly of “The Aftermath” a mixed media installation for The Mississippi Center for the Art, in conjunction with the Backyards and Beyond Exhibition, led by H.C. Porter., Jackson, MS
- Course Developer, ART 215, Belhaven University Online
- Course Developer, World Culture I-IV (4 Semester Course), High Scholars Program, Belhaven University Online Campus
- Guest Artist / Instructor, Feb. 28 – March 1, May University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR
- Slide Presentation of work at Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) Conference in Los Angeles, CA
- Completed: "Introduction to Online Teaching", BCCC Professional Development Online Course, El Dorado, KS
- Advanced (Artist) Studio Technician, level III; Jeff Freeman, University of South Dakota (Work Study Appointment), Vermillion, SD
- Sioux City Art Center Artist in Residence Program Participant under artist Littleton Alston; March 13 – April 5, Sioux City, IA
Jury Experience
2019
- Judge (Panel), Christian Home Educators Connection (CHEC) 2019 Art Fair, April 16, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS
- Judge (Metal and Glass), Chimneyville Art Festival, Mississippi Trade Mart, Jackson, MS
- Judge (Panel), Christian Home Educators Connection (CHEC) 2018 Art Fair, April, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS
- Grant Panelist, Visual Arts Fellowship Grants / Artist Roster Applicants, Mississippi Arts Commission, Apr. 5., Jackson, MS
- Judge (Panel), Christian Home Educators Connection (CHEC) 2017 Art Fair, April 11, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS
- Judge (panel), Mississippi World Trade Center 3rd Annual Young Artists Showcase for Oct. 26 – Nov. 19, Jackson, MS
- Judge (panel), Mississippi World Trade Center 1st Annual Young Artist Showcase for Nov. 13 – Jan.30, Jackson, MS
- Professional Judge, Senior Project, Northwest Rankin High School, Flowood, MS
Bibliography
- issuu, “Renaissance - The Art of the Cedars”, Interview with Photographs, Feb. 16, 2020.
- Jackson Free Press, “ Painting with a Twist, Art Lover’s Soiree and MDA Entrepreneur Center” Mention, Feb. 7, 2017.
- Clarion Ledger, “ Mississippi Invitational Artists: Nate Theisen”, Interview with Photo, Nov. 8, 2016.
- Jackson Free Press, “Nathan Theisen”, Interview with Photo, Oct. 6, 2016.
- Belhaven University News, “Theisen Impacts Art World, Awarded Grant”, Interview with Photo, Aug. 2016. https://www.belhaven.edu/news/2016/theisen-impacts-art-world-awarded-grant-2016.html
- David J. Holcombe, M.D., “50th Annual Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival” , Ticket Central (featured in blog), Apr. 19, 2016.
- Lauren Rodgers Museum of Art News, “Mississippi Collegiate Art Faculty Juried Exhibition” (photo and feature) Summer 2015 ed. P.2
- Void Magazine, Featured Artist, Issue I, Sept. 2015.
- Void Magazine, Published Poetry, “Cemetery”, Issue II, Nov. 2015.
- Jerrod Partridge , “Teachers that Do” Find it in Fondren, (blog)( Featured image and artist), “Teachers that Do”, Feb. 1, 2015.
- Clarion-Ledger, “Katrina Exhibit Opens Next Week” (Photo with collaborative piece and description), p.2B, Metro/State, Friday, February 26, 2010.
- University of the Ozarks News Release, “Belhaven College Professor to Showcase Exhibition”
- Campus Communiqué: Online Edition, “Belhaven Professor to Show Art”
- Quarter Tone, Photo of Sculpture, p. 2, Vol. 14, Issue 7, March 17, 2005
- The Creative Spirit, “Struggle, Sanctification, and Creative Energy: Works By Nate Theisen,” p. 46, Vol. 3, No.1, August 2003
- Quarter Tone, “Theisen Exhibition Shows Lostness of Life Without God” p. 4, Vol. 12, Issue 6, March 21, 2003
- Quarter Tone, “Nate Theisen: Art” p. 4, Vol.12, Issue 1, September 16, 2002
- The Creative Spirit, “Art Department Welcomes New Faculty Member,” p.5, Vol. 2 No.1 August 2002
- PC Computing, Gateway 2000 advertisement, Photo of Mixed Media work, May 1998
- University Of South Dakota Volante, “USD Artists Go To Germany,” Story with photo of work, Vermillion, SD, April 22, 1998
- Daily Press & Dakotan, “USD Students Experience German Life, Culture and Art Instruction,” Story with photo of work, Yankton, SD, April 4, 1998
- Ratinger Insider, “Stadtefreundschaft Vermillion-Ratingen” Story and photo, including Mayor of Ratingen, artists Anatol and Erdmute Herzfeld, Ratingen, Germany, March, 1998
- Neuss: Grevevbroicher Lokal: Zeitung, “Bei Anatol uber die Schulter schauen,” Story with photo, including Governor of Neuss County, artist Anatol Hezfeld, and poet Ludwig Soumagne, Neuss County, Germany, February 27, 1998
- Ratinger Wochenblatt, “Besuch aus Sud-Dakota” Story, Ratingen, Germany, February 19, 1998
- West High Wolverine, Published Drawing, Sioux City, IA, vol. 19 no. 6, March 22, 1993
- West High Wolverine, Poetry entry, Sioux City, IA, vol. 19 no. 4, December 22, 1992
- West High Wolverine, Story with Photo, including work, Sioux City, IA, vol.19 no. 5, April 30, 1992
- Community Access Channel, Television Interview for Award in Western Iowa Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition, Sioux City, IA, March 24, 6:45 P.M. 1992
- Sioux City Journal, “Students Join Artist in Project,” Story with Photo including artist Littleton Alston, Sioux City, IA, March 15, 1992
- West High Wolverine, “Unspoken Words of a Controlled Pen,” Published writing with drawing, Sioux City, IA, vol.18 no. 4 February 12, 1992
Collections
- University of South Dakota permanent collection, Vermillion, SD
- Anatol Herzfeld, Neuss, Germany
- Slides and Biography at Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, MS
- Slides on File at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
- Slides on File at the University of South Dakota
Other Experience
2018 – Present
- FIRST Robotics Volunteer (Project Judge FLL, Referee FTC, and Misc. Appointments)
- Facilities maintenance and construction for the Bitsy Irby Gallery and Studios
- Author for untitled Belhaven High Scholars Textbook (unpublished)
- Evaluator for Belhaven QEP (Quality Enhancement Project) for Accreditation with SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
- Art Framer, Artworks Picture Framing, 6120 Shadybrook Lane, Wichita, KS, 67208 (summers and intermittent)
- Completed, All University Graduate Teaching Assistant Orientation and Training Workshop, Wichita State University
- Maintenance Crew, University of South Dakota (summers)
- Student Custodian, University of South Dakota (during school semesters)
- Hardware Assembler, Custom Woodworks, 910 Steuben St., Sioux City, IA, 51101 (summer)
- Construction Worker, R Johnson Construction (summer)
Professional Organizations
- ISC Institutional Member 2007 – 2008
- CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts) Member since 2005
- Kappa Pi Art Fraternity, Faculty Sponsor, 2003 – 2004
- WSU Sculpture Guild, Associate Member, 2000
- WSU Graduate PLC, Full Member 2000 – 2001
Technical Abilities
Woodworking
- Saws: Table, Miter, Radial Arm, Band, Panel, Reciprocating, Jig, Circular, Pull, Hand, Coping, Hacksaw, Scroll
- Sanders: Belt, Disk, Orbital, Palm, Oscillating, etc.
- Other: Basic Hand Tools, Shaper, Lathe, Drills, etc.
- Oxy-Acetylene Welding, Mig Welding, Band Saw, Angle Grinder, Bench Grinder, Bender
- Hand building (pinch, coil, slab), Additive and subtractive sculpting, Wheel throwing, Electric Kiln, extruder, slab Roller, etc.
- Fused Glass, Home repair/ light construction, Basic Home Office software, Moodle, Adobe Connect, basic 3D modeling and slicing software
Languages
- Working Proficiency of the German language.