Education
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
M.F.A., Sculpture, 2001
M.F.A. Project: Witness to Whiteness (puppet/music video installation)
Project Advisor: Laurie Palmer
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Post Baccalaureate Certificate, Sculpture, 1999
University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.A., Afro-American Studies (Art History), 1996
Master’s Thesis: The Image Text Composite in the Art of Faith Ringgold: Form and Narrative
Thesis Advisor: Freida High W. Tesfagiorgis
University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.S., Fine Arts, Sculpture, 1993
International Study Abroad
Ealing Community College, Ealing, England, fall 1989
Specialized Art Training
1997 Independent Study: Ghanaian Master Wood-carvers, Djam Vivie & Kwakou Gerai, WI
Haystack Mountain School of Craft, ME
Penland School of Craft, NC
Reiki Certification
2016 Reiki Level 2, Huntington Beach Reiki. Instructor Kerri Draper
2014 Reiki Level 1, Huntington Beach Reiki. Instructor Kerri Draper
Higher Education Teaching Experience
Fall 2003 Instructor, Representations of Blackness in Art & Visual Culture: Race, Gender and Sexuality
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Fall 2002 Instructor, African American Art History
Columbia College, Chicago, IL
Spring 2002 Instructor, African American Art History
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Fall 2001 Instructor, African American Art History
Columbia College, Chicago, IL
Spring 201 Instructor, African American Art History
Barat College, Chicago, IL
Fall 2000 Instructor, African American Art History
Columbia College, Chicago, IL
Spring 2000 Instructor, African American Art History
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Community-Based Teaching Experience
Winter 2008 Instructor, Passport to the Arts
Arts Council of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Summer 2007 Instructor, Image/Text & Mixed Media
Poly Cal Down Town Center Summer Arts Academy, Pomona, CA
Summer 2006 Instructor, Puppet-making
FAB Camp (Family Arts Bridge Camp), San Francisco, CA
Summer 2002 Co-Instructor, Inside Out, post incarcerated youth arts & media analysis program
Insight Arts & Gallery 37, Chicago, IL
Summer 2000 Teaching Assistant, Woodcarving
Gallery 37, Chicago, IL
Summer 2000 Instructor/Collaborator, Puppet-making
Street-Level Youth Media, Chicago, IL
Fall 1999 Art Instructor, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture
Insight Arts, Chicago, IL
Summer 1995 Art Instructor, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture
Pre College Program, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI
Summer 1992-94 Art Instructor, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture
Upward Bound, Beloit College, Beloit, WI
Summer 1994 Art Instructor, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture
Beloit Inner City (drug and alcohol prevention/community center), Beloit, WI
Summer 1992, 1993 Art Instructor, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture
Minority Pre-College Program, Beloit College, Beloit, WI
Summer 1992 Art Instructor, Drawing, Madison Art Center Outreach Program, Madison, WI
Workshops and Presentations (selected)
2019 “Painting My Divinity: Artwork by Verlena Johnson,” The Situation Room, Los Angeles, CA
2019 “Illumination: Artwork by Verlena L. Johnson,” UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Keynote: “Happiness is the KEY to success: Three Invaluable Lessons,” National Congress of Black Women, Inc., San
Gabriel Valley Chapter, Pasadena, CA
2018 “An Advisor’s Self-Care Story: A Holistic, Joyful & Sustainable Journey,” UC Academic Advisor Conference, UCLA, Los Angeles,
CA
2018 “Woke & Well Panel,” Black & Blue Project: Spring Mental Health Awareness Fair, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2014 “Artist Talk,” Keiger Pre School, Los Angeles, CA
2007 “Artist Talk,” Magdalene Center, Los Angeles, CA
2007 “Artist Talk,” Artist Helping Artist (AHA), Pomona, CA
2004 “Grll Power, Making GSAs Girl Friendly,” GLSEN Student Leadership Summit, Chicago, IL
2004 “Being Biracial: Creating Community and Challenging Notions of Blackness,” Affinity Community Services Social Justice Forum,
Chicago, IL
2003 “Black Women Visual Artists,” Affinity Community Services, Chicago, IL
2002 “Say it Loud,” Chicago Black Youth Pride Retreat, Chicago, IL
2002 “Video Soul: Images of Women in the Media,” The Chicago Girls Coalition Health Fest, Chicago, IL
2001 “The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Graduation Commencement Ceremony Speech (Introduction of Faith Ringgold),”
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2001 “250 Years of African American Art,” The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2001 “On the Importance of Diversity,” The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Diversity Committee Panel Presenter, The School of
the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Exhibitions/Screenings/Installations
2019 “Painting My Divinity: Artwork by Verlena Johnson,” The Situation Room, Los Angeles, CA
2019 “Illumination: Artwork by Verlena L. Johnson,” UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2018 “PRIDE Talent Show,” UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2015 “From Her: An Exhibition by Women about Woman,” Pico House Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2007 “Tongue to Tongue,” The Advocate & Gochis Galleries, Los Angeles, CA
“ARC Grand Opening Art Exhibition,” Art and Recreation Center (ARC), Baldwin Park, CA
“I Am: Painting and Sculpture by Verlena Johnson,” Magdalene Center, Los Angeles, CA
“Artworks by Verlena Johnson,” Hot Java Gallery, Long Beach, CA
“Puppets on the Wall,” Acorn Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
“The 8th Annual African Heritage Art Exhibit,” Cabrillo Arts Center, Santa Barbara, CA
“Me Me Me,” Orleans Street Gallery, St. Charles, IL
“Today’s Labor Movement Show,” Bread & Roses Gallery, New York, NY
2006 “QRC Art Exhibition,” Pomona College, Claremont, CA
“Pure Painting,” Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
“Flaming,” Women’s Cancer Resource Center, Oakland, CA
“Catch 22,” Pro Arts, Oakland, CA
2004 “Assata Shakur Exhibit,” Hot House, Chicago, IL
2003 “Creative Movements Festival: Cultural Work and Social Change,” Insight Arts, Chicago, IL
“OMA Diversity Program,” (screening: “Witness to Whiteness,”) SAIC, Chicago, IL
2002 “Face Value,” (screening: “Witness to Whiteness”), White Columns, New York, NY
“Interrogating Diversity,” Betty Rymer Gallery, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2001 “From the Basement,” Base Space, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
“MFA Exhibition,” (video/installation: “Witness to Whiteness”), Gallery 2, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
“Youth Speak Out Exhibition,” Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art, Cleveland, OH
2000 “Deciphering Moon Shadows,” (performance), Chicago Historical Society and Redmoon Theater, Chicago, IL
“Rock, Paper, Puppet,” Gallery X, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1999 “Black Face Minstrelsy,” (installation), Base Space, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
“What Map?” Ceramic Gallery Space, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1998 “External Traditions,” Charles Allis Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
1997 “Recent Works by Linda Mathis and Verlena Johnson,” Memorial High School Gallery, Madison, WI
1996 “Recent Works by Verlena Johnson,” Class of 1925 Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
1995 “Afro-American Studies Conference,” Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison, WI
1993 “Untitled Group Show,” Humanities Gallery, UW-Madison, Madison, WI
1992 “Sunday After Church,” (installation), Humanities Courtyard, UW-Madison, Madison, WI
Related Arts Experience
2018 Taza Aya LLC
*Designed Logo
2015 Black Adolescent Depression Intervention Activity Protocol, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
*Concept and Design Consultant
*Protocol Illustrator
2007 Rogue Artists Ensemble’s “Mr. Punch”
*Assistant Puppet Designer
Manual Archives’ “Lead Feet & Nothing Upstairs”
*Puppet Builder
*Backstage Assistant
2005 Affinity Community Services
*Designed and Painted Mural
2004 Newhouse Programs & Architecture Competition
2003 Fieldwork: in Honor of National Women’s History Month, SAIC
*Catalogue Contributor
The Women in the Director’s Chair International Film and Video Festival
2001 Black Adolescent Depression Intervention Activity Protocol, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
*Concept and Design Consultant
*Protocol Illustrator
2001 - 2002 City Project (Black Gay Men’s HIV Prevention Research Project & Social Marketing Campaign), University of Illinois at Chicago,
Chicago, IL
*Social Marketing Illustrator
*Concept and Design Consultant
Publications
Wilson, B.D.M. & Johnson, V. “Introduction.” Journal of Lesbian Studies’ Special Issue on Lesbians of African Descent: Contemporary Perspectives. (2011).
Inclusion of artwork: “Sister Outsider: In Memory of Audre Lorde,” “Too Fat to Insure,” and “Witness to Whiteness.” Journal of Lesbian Studies’ Special Issue on Lesbians of African Descent: Contemporary Perspectives. (2011).
Inclusion of artwork “Jim Crow: a Reinterpretation.” African American Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide. City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (2009)
Inclusion of artwork. Sinister Wisdom, Issue 73, (2008)
Cover artwork, “Through Her Eyes.” BLISS (Black Lesbian’s Ideas about Sex and Sexuality), California State University, Long Beach (2008)
Inclusion of artwork. “Spirit Love.” African American Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide. City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (2008)
Journal cover art. “Journey.” Sinister Wisdom, Issue 71, Summer (2007)
Inclusion of artwork, “Crowned,” and “Tomato Woman.” African American Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide. City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (2007)
CD cover art. “Big Jim” Johnson: Smoke Stack Lightnin, Trikk Bags Studio, 2006
“Phoebe, Age 7 (Super Girl).” Our Family Coalition Newsletter, Volume 11, Issue 3, Summer (2006): 7
“The Adoption Game.” Our Family Coalition Newsletter, Volume 11, Issue 2, Spring (2006): 8
“Welcome, Verlena!” Our Family Coalition Newsletter, Volume 10, Issue 5, Winter (2006): 4
“Diversity in Art Education: A Question of Ethics,” Fnews, SAIC, Chicago, IL (2003)
OMA Newsletter, SAIC, Chicago, IL (2001)
250 Years of Black Art, SAIC OMA website text, SAIC, Chicago, IL (2001)
“The Critique Process: Racialized Assumptions Matter,” Fnews, SAIC, Chicago, IL (2001)
“Political Correctness,” Fnews, SAIC, Chicago, IL (2001)
Cover illustration. “Warrior Women #2.” Approaches to Teaching the Novels of Toni Morrison. New York: Modern Language Association. Nellie McKay and Katheryn Earle, eds., 1997
Inclusion of artwork, “Black Woman in White Face,” and “Sister Outsider: In Memory of Audre Lorde.” Prime, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 1993
Bibliography
“Verlena Johnson,” in Dept (SAIC Sculpture Catalogue), SAIC, Chicago, IL, 2001