Cassandra L. Kotnik
Artist's Biography
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Cassie is a painter, photographer, and sculptor. Her unique Organic Impressionist painting style makes use of unconventional materials and mediums to create turbulent, often visceral textures that violate the confines of the canvas. Cassie’s most well known work, her Nova Scotia series, uses these textures to physically manifest the dualities of humanity, femininity, and sexuality. Live, Cassie creates individual lighting displays for each painting, creating an encompassing visual experience.

Cassie’s paintings have earned acclaim throughout the Denver area winning several awards including First Place in the Women are So show at the Berkely Art Center and have been featured in numerous publications including The Alliance.

Publications, Awards & Scholarships:

2007
Colorado Council on the Arts Capacity Building Scholarship, CCA, Denver, CO.

Featured Artist: Phosphorescence Magazine, Volume 1. Missouri: 2007.

2006
First Place, Women Are So: Chapter 2, Berkeley Art Center, Denver, Colorado

Honorable Mention, Juxtaposition, Berkeley Art Center, Denver, Colorado

The Alliance, Volume 23, Denver, CO


Solo Exhibitions:

2007
Solo Show, Café Colore, Denver, Colorado

2006
Intrigue, Common Grounds Coffee House, Denver, Colorado

Internal Expressions, The Other Side Arts, Denver, Colorado

An Intimate View, Chez Artiste Theater, Denver, Colorado

Group Exhibitions:

2006

Peace Jam Leadership Conference, The Conflict Center, Denver, Colorado

Colorado Artists Open Show, Common Grounds Coffee House, Denver, Colorado

Women Are So: Chapter 2, Berkeley Art Center, Denver, Colorado

Men Are So: Chapter 1, Berkeley Art Center, Denver, Colorado

2004
Vive, Tivoli, University Of Colorado at Denver, Denver, Colorado

Performances:

2006
2006, Featured Artist: Pojazz, Lelings Restaurant, Denver, Colorado

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Professional Resume
CASSANDRA LEE KOTNIK Mobile: 720-670-0801
Email: Cassiejava@att.net

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Interpersonal IT Professional Nonprofit
Client-Centered Mentoring Microsoft Office Suite Program Development
Conflict Resolution Adobe Photoshop Events Planning
Promotions Coordinator HTML Donations Coordination

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Americorps Volunteer Service/The Spot Youth Center
Youth Mentor/11-01-04 to Present
• Mentor at-risk youth ages 14-24 on life skills including career exploration and advising, resume-writing coaching and cooking advising.
• Entered case intake forms into an Internet database system and printed out reports and case information on youth which was ultimately used to assist youth and highlight the areas that need improvement.
• Created a Cooking Club to assist youth learning basic cooking skills, food pantry and budget information, and experience working together in groups. This program resulted in cutting the budget by $2000 each year.
• Coordinated a youth driven service project (The Chun Streetside Mural Project) at The People’s Fair where our team won best of Artistic Expression and also created a community rebuilding project.
• Facilitated the Youth Advisory board and Youth Leadership.
• Managed planning, set up, cooking and decorations of the Holiday Parties for 200 youth.

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts Center
Oasis Studio Assistant/08-02-03 to 11-15-04
• Created lesson plans and implemented various artistic projects with at-risk youth ages 7-17.
• Taught various artistic methods including ceramics, collage, photography, drawing, and 3-dimensional design.
• Supervised up to 50 youth and held them accountable to the rules while resolving conflict that ensued.
• Managed parent relationships.
• Served as a liaison answering questions and giving directions in a bi-lingual environment.
• Participated in the preparation of the monthly gallery shows including: mailing envelopes, setting up and cleaning the gallery, and giving tours and publicly speaking during the Gallery Openings.

Steve Hoffer Photography
Customer Care Specialist & Photographer’s Assistant/06-12-01 to 10-01-04
• Set-up by providing and carrying props.
• Recorded and organized the names and data of each client.
• Managed client relationships and directed groups to their locations.
• Handled the cash.

EDUCATION
University of Colorado at Denver, August 2004 cum laude
Study Abroad: Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Canada 2002-2003
Bachelor of Arts
Emphasis: Drawing

LEADERSHIP & TRAINING
CAC Certification: In Progress Certified Teambuilding Training Peer Mentoring
Title: Introduction to Counseling Title: Teambuilding Incorporated Title: Youth Mentoring
Dates: 03/2005 Dates: 11/2004 Dates: 05/2005