Ellie Lieber

 

Email: e.lieber74a@gmail.com

Website: Lieberstudios.com

Instagram: Tundra_Time_                                                                                       

 

Education

 

2027     Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ceramics and Art History, Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), 

             Kansas City, MO 

 

2024    Associates of Fine Arts, Ceramics, Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC),

             Springfield, IL

 

Honors and Awards

 

2024    Merit Award Scholarship, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO

 

2024    Department of Arts and Commuication Honors Recipeint, Lincoln Land Community College,     

            Springfield IL

 

2024     Best of Show, James S Murray Gallery Juried Exhibition, Springfield IL 

 

2024    Ceramic Merit Award, Illinois State Community College Juried Exhibition, Governors State University,                         University Park IL 

 

2024    Vice President’s List Academic Honors, Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield IL

 

2023    Drawing Excellence Award, James S Murray Gallery Juried Exhibition, Springfield IL 

 

2022     Honorable Mention, Art Spectacular Youth Showcase, Springfield IL

 

2013    Young Authors Illustration Award, Ball Chatham School District, Springfield IL

 

Professional Experience

     

2025     Teaching Assistant, Wheel Throwing Elective, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO

Coached students in beginning wheel-throwing techniques and provided guidance on conceptual development for assignments. Demonstrated glazing and surface treatment methods, programmed and fired electric and gas kilns, and managed studio materials by mixing, reclaiming, and maintaining consistent supplies of clay and glaze.

 

2025       Teaching Assistant, Educators Art Lab, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City MO

Coached visiting resident art educators in developing curriculum ideas by introducing a wide range of techniques applicable to classroom settings. Instruction included preparing foam molds, formulating terra sigillata, demonstrating hanging wall pieces, underglaze applications, and lithium glaze finishes. Fostered a collaborative and supportive environment through roundtable discussions and field trips throughout the city to encourage networking and professional exchange.

 

2025       Teaching Assistant, Pre-College Art Lab, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO

Assisted in a two-week intensive art lab for prospective KCAI students, providing guidance on assignment development and individualized project support. Demonstrated a range of techniques, including handbuilding, wheel throwing, kiln firing, and cold finishing. Maintained a safe, clean, and inclusive studio environment and supported the installation and handling of student work for the final exhibition.

 

2025    Exhibition committee member, Scratching the Surface, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art  Institute, Kansas City, MO

Assisted with poster design and exhibition promotion, as well as the installation and handling of artwork. Supported customers during the exhibition by facilitating artwork sales and providing information about the pieces and artists.

 

2025        Studio Technician, Intern, Belger Crane Yard Studios, Kansas City MO

Coached beginning to intermediate students in wheel throwing, handbuilding, glazing, and kiln firing techniques. Responsible for firing and routine maintenance of kilns, as well as mixing and distributing clay for use by hundreds of students across the studio.

 

2024    Creative Director, FEAR 101, Lincoln Land Police Department, Springfield, IL

Designed and fabricated a 20-room immersive art installation for a fundraising event, overseeing all aspects of construction, design, and safety. Built structural elements, including walls, ceilings, windows, and hallways, using wood and reclaimed pallets. Created custom murals for each room, tailored to specific themes, and sourced or fabricated hundreds of props to support the immersive environment. Installed lighting and electrical wiring throughout the space, and ensured compliance with safety regulations by implementing fire-retardant treatments, fire extinguishers, exit signage, walkway arrows, and clearly marked emergency exits.

 

2021-2024     Assistant Florist, Trendsetters Design and Floral, Chatham IL

Assisted with daily operations in a high-volume flower shop, including prepping, cleaning, and organizing a wide variety of fresh flowers and silk flowers. Supported floral arrangement and bouquet creation. Managed storage and inventory of floral and silk supplies. Contributed to showroom design and seasonal displays. Handled local deliveries and transport of floral arrangements.

 

2016 -Present    Farmer, Lieber Farms, Pawnee IL

Engaged in planting, harvesting, and arranging a variety of flowers, alongside care and management of livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and alpacas. Responsibilities included administering vaccines and medication, stocking food and supplies, performing artificial insemination, assisting with labor, bottle feeding, and monitoring the health of multiple herds, up to multiple times per day. Designed, constructed, and maintained temporary/permanent shelters, miles of electric/wooden fencing and irrigation systems. Experienced in operating heavy machinery such as tractors, bulldozers, trenchers, and excavators.

 

Exhibitions

2025         Annual Student Exhibition: Scratching the Surface, Stern Ceramics Building

                Jurors: Cary Esser, Paul Donnelly, Casey Whitter

2025         NCECA: STEAM Exhibition, Salt Lake City Utah

                Juror: Matt Kelleher

2025         Annual Student Exhibition: Burning Down the House, Stern Ceramics Building

                Juror: Cary Esser, Paul Donnelly, Casey Whitter

2025         Burgamount Winewalk, Kansas City MO

2024         James S Murray Gallery Annual Juried Student Show, Springfield IL

                Juror: Thomas Whaylen, Laura Anderson

                Awards: Best of Show

2024         FEAR 101, LLCCPD, Springfield IL

                Creative Director

2024         Illinois Community College Juried Exhibition at Governors State University, University Park, IL

                Jurors: Gretchen Jankowski, Rebecca Siefert

                Awards: Ceramic Merit Award

2023         James S Murray Gallery Annual Juried Student Show, Springfield IL

                Juror: Jeff Williams

                Awards: Drawing Excellence

2022        Art Spectacular Youth Art Showcase, Springfield IL

                Honorable Mention

Publications

 

2025    Instagram Feature, a process documentation video for “Project: Stump”, written for the official Instagram page, New York NY

 

Collections

 

2025         “Dantes Purse”, Permanent Collection of Aurel Thiofilus, England 

Skills

 

Skilled in clay and glaze formulation, multi-part mold making, and a variety of kiln technologies, including electric, gas, and atmospheric kilns, with experience in their construction, firing, and maintenance. 

 

Proficient in digital modeling and fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, CNC milling, and vacuum forming. 

 

Experienced in digital marketing and documentation through videography, photography, and website development. 

 

Strong background in carpentry and electrical work, with additional expertise in operating heavy machinery, including forklifts, tractors, excavators, Lulls, scissor lifts, trucks, trailers, bulldozers, skid steers, and trenchers.