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uncommon jewelry designs, fine art photography &  adult and youth jewelry classes

San Diego, CA  Visual Artist  & Educator Denise J. Bonaimo

Resume

 

 

C a r e e r   S u m m a r y

Professional artist and educator with over fifteen years of experience in applied visual art, education and business ownership. Interested in working to create opportunities for students of all ages to explore self- expression through art and life-long learning. Looking for opportunities to create and exhibit art.

 

T e a c h i n g   E x p e r i e n c e

I n s t r u c t i o n a l   J e w e l r y   C l a s s e s   a n d  W o r k s h o p s

Fifteen years of experience instructing adult and children’s and senior citizen  jewelry workshops at various venues in New Jersey and California (Including, but not limited to: Fallbrook Art School, Spanish Village Art Center, San Diego Art Department, Grossmont Adult Education, San Diego City Continuing Education, Coronado Adult Education, Brookdale Community College).

  • Responsible for creating  finished project samples; authoring and supplying detailed instructional sheets with diagrams; performing demonstrations; walking students through the step- by- step process; explaining proper tool use; defining workshop safety; supervising students during practice time.      
  •  Subjects covered: basic to advanced techniques in jewelry design, bead stringing, wire- wrapping, cold- connections, polymer clay bead making, recycled/ repurposed and found object jewelry making, casting, and metalsmithing.

A r t  T e a c h e r

1994-1997; 2008 instructed children ages 5 to 17 at various summer day camps, and sleep away camps. (Including, but not limited to:  North Park’s San Diego Art Department Summer Kids Art Program www.sdartdept.com and Mountain Lake Chess Camp www.chesscamp.net)

  • Responsible for creating lesson plans and demonstrating techniques in various media such as jewelry making, painting, basketry, ceramics, painting, papier-mâché, fabric dyeing, costume design, painting, puppetry and woodworking.
  • Objectives: nurturing creativity, building confidence and improving motor skills, in a manner suitable for the age group and skill level.
  • Responsible of procuring and maintaining art supplies on a fixed budget.

S u b s t i t u t e   T e a c h e r

Since 2007, employed in the Sweetwater and San Diego Unified School Districts, teaching various subjects (including art) to students grades 5-12.

  • Execute lesson plans according to staff teacher’s instructions.
  • Classroom behavioral management.
  • Earned 30 Day Emergency Substitute Permit (SUBP) 2007-2009.
  • Possesses current TB screening and Livescan Fingerprinting.

C h e s s   I n s t r u c t o r

2008, instructing chess students ages 5 to 12 years old for the Mountain Lake Chess Camp (www.chesscamp.net)

  • Teaching students the basics of chess at various schools in San Diego County.

 

E n t r e p r e n e u r i a l   L e a d e r s h i p

 
  • 1994- present- Owner/ Visual Artist and Educator: Bonaimo Unlimited. Design, create, market and exhibit my hand crafted jewelry and original fine art photography. Wholesale and retail sales, art shows, tradeshows, art festivals, teaching and gallery management. Celebrating fourteen years in 2008.
  • 2006- 2008- Marketing Chair: Spanish Village Art Center.  Tasked with initiating all aspects of promotion and designing of print advertisements for the largest art association in San Diego County.  
  • 2004-2007- Art Festival Coordinator: Spanish Village Art Center. Organized bi-annual art show for three years. Responsibilities included: soliciting and jurying applicants, show promotions, facilitating community art projects, coordinating artist demonstrations, scheduling and organizing volunteers, exhibitor booth placement, exhibitor and patron relations.
  • 1994- 2001- Craft Show Assistant Placement program: Developed and implemented placement service designed to connect exhibiting artists at East coast art trade shows with art school students (to assist them with show operations in return for an art/business mentoring opportunity.) 

 

E d u c a t i o n

  • Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey

Bachelor of Fine Art, Metalsmithing/ Jewelry Design. Magna Cum Laude, 1994

  • University of Northumbria, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Study Abroad Program, 1993

  • Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Foundation Art, Design and Art History Program, 1990 -1991

 

P r o f e s s i o n a l   A c h i e v e m e n t s

  • Honorable Mention, One Foot Show, San Diego Art Institute, California, July, 2008
  • Girl Scout Collaborator (officially sanctioned to teach with Girl Scouts of America)
  • Gemological Institute of America, New York, New York, Diamond and Diamond Grading Certification, 2002
  • Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey, Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement Award in Fine Art Medallion, 1995

 

A f f i l i a t i o n s

R e l a t e d   S k i l l s  &  I n t e r e s t s

Graphic design (Photoshop), website design with a working knowledge of HTML, oil painting, collage, costume design (hand stitching and machine sewing), cooking, chess.