Emily
Silet, 2000, Art Educator
Paul Neseth, 1983,
Architect
Sam Chung, 1992,
Associate Art Professor of Art and Design
Beth Dow, 1987, Fine-art Photographer
Melissa Erikson,
1989, Landscape Architect
Tom Jacobsen,
1989, Senior Visual Effects Artist/Designer
Elizabeth Hauser, 1994,
Freelance Toy Designer and Children's Book Author
Krisin Solid, 1994, 3D Animator
Chris Strom, 1995,
Architect
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Opie Otterstad,
1992, Professional Studio Artist
Steve Gardner,
1990, Professional Studio Artist
David LaRochelle,
1983, Children's Book Writer and Illustrator
Sarah Ammentorp,
2004, Designer
Michael Braun,
1983, Art Director/Designer
David Carp, 1986,
Senior Designer
Kevin Ludwig,
1984, Signmaker/Graphic Designer
Scott Lindberg,
1992, Graphic Designer
Katherine (Broderius) Norrie,
1999, High School Visual Art Teacher
OPIE
OTTERSTAD, Class of
1992
Job Title: Professional
Studio Artist for the past 13 years
Check the website at: www.opieart.com
Opies's St. Olaf Experience:
I can honestly say that my education at St. Olaf College
was a turning point in my life. If you were given the gift to be
able to draw-what-you-see as a child, you were also bestowed the
curse of never being told that you could really use improvement.
My professors and the art department environment at St. Olaf allowed
me to learn that if you want to be an artist, it takes dedication
and passion. I was dragged kicking and screaming to embrace
the very gift I had begun to take for granted. A true artist must
find their own path to expression - this program does not choose
the path for you, but it will help you find your compass.
Job Title: Artist
Steve's St. Olaf Experience:
I've been a full-time artist (mostly sculpture) for the past 8 years
(primarily public art and architectural commissions). The art department
taught me many of the techniques, as well as visual concepts which
I used throughout grad school, and now in my professional career.
Also, as it turns out, much of the public artwork I do is intended
to relate to a specific neighborhood or community. Because of the
diverse range of subjects which I studied at St. Olaf, I am able
to draw upon biology, literature, religion, as well as a familiarity
of varied cultures for the imagery in my sculptures. The Calculus,
however - not so useful. I have images of recent projects at: www.gardnerart.com.
Job Title: Children's Book Writer and Illustrator
David's St. Olaf Experience
Today I write and illustrate children’s books, as
well as speak as a visiting artist at elementary schools throughout
the midwest. Attending St. Olaf allowed me to pursue more than just
my interest in art. I was able to major both in art and English,
participate on the school’s forensics team, work with the
literary arts magazine, and volunteer at the local grade school.
Had I attended a typical art school, I would have had far fewer
opportunities to develop the wide range of skills that I use every
day in my career.
SARAH AMMENTORP, Class of 2004
Job Title: Designer
I'm a designer at Midwest of Cannon Falls,
in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. At this in-house design company, I design
mostly seasonal product, particularly for decorating the home (such
as ornaments, stockings, fun stuff like that!). We deal mostly with
Christmas design, but also are involved with spring/easter and halloween
product design. We do some designing outsourced, for companies such
as Target, LL Bean, Fred Meyer, Marshall Fields, and Saks.
Sarah's St. Olaf Experience:
Taking advantage of the externship opportunities, and working with
Wendell, I was able to do an internship at this company, and after
I graduated, I was hired right on the team! Developing my creative
skills really helped me to be a better employee here at Midwest,
and that was attributed to my art education and exposure to new
techniques and ideas in the art department!
Job Title: Art Director/ Designer
Owner Michael Braun Advertising and Design since 1997. I create
advertising (print, television, and web) and design ( brochures,
newsletters, marketing materials, logos ). Clients include Wells
Fargo, Andersen Windows, Thrivent, and Best Buy. I worked as an
Art Director for Campbell Mithun for 10 years.
Michael's St. Olaf Experience:
My St. Olaf education positively influenced my current position
through a high quality and highly creative Art Department as well
as the broad foundation of a liberal arts education St. Olaf offered.
My advisor, professor and friend Wendell Arneson, was a mentor and
an extremely positive and supportive influence on my artistic career.
Other valuable experiences were several off campus opportunities.
An interim of artistic career explorations in New York City. A semester
and interim at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Global Semester
abroad.
Job Title: Senior Designer for Large Car Interiors at BMW AG, in Munich, Germany
Job Title: Signmaker/Graphic Designer
Kevin's St. Olaf Experience:
The excellent St. Olaf art department & class offerings
helped set the stage for me for later education and employment in
art-related endeavors. After Olaf I worked primarily as an illustrator
& graphic designer, then took a break for a few years to work,
among other things, as a bread baker and as a bicycle mechanic (both
things I'd always wanted to try). Now I've gotten back into graphics
at a sign-making shop in Seaside, CA (Monterey Peninsula).
- SCOTT LINDBERG, Class of 1992
Job Title: Graphic Designer
In my design life I am responsible for virtually every aspect of the creative process. Design not only involves the act of creation – the process of making whatever product you are working on look good, be it a graphic identity, a simple brochure, or a website. It also includes establishing relationships with potential clients, writing proposals, and finishing the process in collaboration with printers and service bureaus (on the print design side), or programmers and developers (on the screen design side).
Scott's St. Olaf Experience:
My studio art degree from St. Olaf and the culture of the studio
art department provided me with not only a strong visual language
to communicate with, but with the experience I needed to help me
build working relationships with my clients and vendors. Check my
website at: www.sllab.net.
KATHERINE
(BRODERIUS) NORRIE,
Class of 1999
Job Title: High School Visual Art Teacher
I teach a variety of art elective courses at Northfield High
School including: Foundation Art, Watercolor Painting, Drawing &
Painting and Honors Art.
Katherine's St. Olaf Experience:The art courses that I took at St. Olaf and the relationships that I developed with professors provided me with a solid foundation as an art educator. I was able to learn from incredible artists and watch as they modeled how to interact with studios full of students. All of the art classes encouraged individuals to reflect on both the techniques and concepts behind their artwork. In many ways, I try to encourage the same kind of reflection in my classroom so the students can have a more meaningful art experience. I feel very fortunate to teach in Northfield because I have had the opportunity to invite guest speakers from St. Olaf to talk with my students, as well as bring my students onto campus to tour the art galleries
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