Ellie Lieber

 

Email: e.lieber74a@gmail.com

Website: Lieberstudios.com

Instagram: Tundra_Time_                                                                                       

 

Education

 

2026     Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ceramics and Entrepreneurial Studies,         

                 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

 

    Department of Arts and Communication Honors Recipient, 

    Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield IL

 

    Best of Show, Student Exhibition, James S Murray Gallery, Lincoln Land Community 

    College, Springfield IL 

 

    Ceramic Merit Award, Illinois State Community College Juried Exhibition, 

    Governors State University, University Park IL 

 

    Vice President’s List Academic Honors, 

    Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield IL

 

2023    Drawing Excellence Award, Student Exhibition, James S Murray Gallery Juried Exhibition, 

    Springfield IL 

 

2022     Honorable Mention, Art Spectacular Youth Showcase, Scholastic Art and Writing Award, 

    Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, New York, NY 

 

Professional Experience

     

2025     Teaching Assistant, Fundamentals of Wheel Throwing, Pierce Haley, 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, Loaded, programmed and fired electric and gas kilns, and managed studio materials by mixing, reclaiming, and maintaining consistent supplies of clay and glaze.

 

        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.

 

        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.

 

    Exhibition committee member, Scratching the Surface, 

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.

 

        Studio Technition, 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         Scratching the Surface, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas 

City, MO

Juror: Cary Esser, Paul Donnelly, Casey Whitter

 

        Steam, NCECA, Formation, Salt Lake City, Utah

Juror: Matt Kelleher

 

        Burning Down the House,  Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas 

City, MO

Juror: Cary Esser, Paul Donnelly, Casey Whitter

 

2025        Winewalk in the Vines ,  Burgamount Winery,  Kansas City, MO

2024         Ceramic Merit Award, Illinois State Community College Juried Exhibition, 

    Governors State University, University Park IL 

        Creative Director, FEAR 101, Lincoln Land Police Department, 

Springfield, IL

    Illinois Community College Juried Exhibition, 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, Thomas Rees Carillion Memorial, Springfield IL

Awards: Honorable Mention

 

Publications

 

2026    Penn Journal of Arts and Sciences, January 2026, University of Pennsylvania, PA

 

2025    New Medium Magazine, November 2025 Issue, Museum of Northern California Art, Chico, CA 

 

    Instagram Feature, a process documentation video for “Project: Stump”, directed for Meta, New York NY

 

Collections

 

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

 

Skills

 

Skilled in clay and glaze formulation, mold making ,experience in firing, building and maintaining electric, gas, and atmospheric kilns. Proficient in digital modeling and fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, CNC milling, and vacuum forming. Software includes. Rhino.3DM, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Suite, Procreate. 

 

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.