Phyllis Gillie Jaffe

Contact Information

Education
MTS: Masters of Theological Studies, Seabury-Western Theology Seminary
History, Art and Spirituality, Evanston, IL
MDiv: Masters of Divinity Wesley Theological Seminary
Ministry, Chaplaincy Washington, DC
DFA: Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts Kendall College of Art & Design
Grand Rapids, MI
EdD: Doctorate of Education Indiana University
Education and Fine Arts Bloomington, IN
MEdS: Masters of Educational Studies Michigan State University
Adult and Higher Education E. Lansing, MI
MA: Masters of Arts Michigan State University
Curriculum Development E. Lansing, MI
BA: Bachelor of Arts Ball State University
Fine Arts & Education Muncie, IN

Professional Experience

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2009-Pres Retired, Practicing Artist
2005-2009 Chaplain: Intern, Part-Time, On-Call
National Institute of Health. Bethesda, MD, Sibley Memorial Hospital and George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC
2007 Faculty, John C. Campbell School of Folk Art, Oil Pastel
1989-2001 Interim Executive Director, YWCA, San Diego, CA, Kansas City, MO, Evanston, IL, Waukegan, IL
1989-2001 President – Danielson/Gillie Assoc, Educational Consultants to non- profit organizations; Strategy and Long Range Planning; Conflict Resolution Mediator; Organizational Management.
1993-2001 USAID Management Consultant to Developing Countries: Women's Empowerment and Crafts Organizations, India and Nepal; Entrepreneurial & Management training, Russia, Romania, and Bulgaria; Establishing regional arts centers, Russia and Ukraine.
1976-1989 President, Kendall College of Art & Design, Grand Rapids, MI – An independent, fully accredited college offering nine undergraduate professional art and design programs and liberal arts to approximately 1000 students.
1970-1976 Associate Professor, Herron School of Art @ Indiana University- Purdue University at Indianapolis, IN. Studio Art, Pedagogy, Supervised Art Education Interns.
1968-1970 Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina @ Greensboro, NC Taught Art Education, Basic Studio, Supervised Student Teachers.
1967-1968 Teaching Associate, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. Supervised Art Education.
1966-1967 Assistant Professor, Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Studio Art, Supervised Art Education.
1966 Public School Art and Classroom Teacher, Michigan. K-12 and Adult Education, Chair of Curriculum Committee.

Artist's Statement & Vita

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"Growing up in the flat, farmland of central Indiana, I saw horizontal bands of color, bright, subdued, in every imaginable range of yellow, red, green and blue. The abstract patterns that exist in nature where everything is reduced to mass, shape, color, pattern and texture become universal and symbolic. Those early experiences influence and reflect in my artwork today.
The Maryland Eastern Shore produces its own seasonal color palette, but the effect is equally exciting. My first visit to the Assateague Seashore Dunes spawned an instant love affair; the unique characteristics of these dunes and marshes express a new reality. Shaped and reshaped every year by storms, sand, salt and wind, they have retained their natural sense of wilderness. The struggle to live is almost palpable.
My paintings capture this raw beauty, so visitors can see this treasure through different eyes. A bit edgy, they express what I see and feel. The dunes are rugged, unkempt and slightly wild. The ocean breeze seems a bit nippier than that inland. I get few warm, fuzzy feelings from these drifting waves of sand. Painted with a palette knife, detail of the subject is sacrificed to a mood; time and place every changing by the effect of light falling on the subject. If I ever tire of trying to capture the character of the dunes, the area is filled with graceful, meandering marshes to paint.
An earlier phase of my work is expressed in the design elements of two other series. Viewing open-heart surgery, as well as my personal health issues inspired the 'Heart Felt' series. The 'Mythological' series represents a transition of my work from two-dimensional abstract, surface designs to impressions and interpretations of landscapes that parallel my spirituality maturity."
After a full career in education, teaching art at levels ranging from elementary school through university and then advancing in administration to a fine arts college presidency, Ms Jaffe responded to a call to ordained ministry. The response took her to Seabury-Western Theological Seminary for the Master of Theological Studies degree and to Wesley Theological Seminary for the Master of Divinity degree in search of connecting factors between art and spirituality. She served as Hospital Chaplaincy at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD and Sibley Memorial Hospital and George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC.
Her professional preparation is grounded in art and education degrees from Ball State University, Michigan State University and Indiana University. Throughout her professional career, she produced and exhibited art at the local and national level. Friends, colleagues and a few art museums own her work. Retired, she paints and writes, while remaining active in regional arts organizations. She and her husband divide their time between Washington, DC and Salisbury, MD.

Selected Exhibitions
One Woman Exhibitions
2006 Terryberry Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
1975 All Soul's Unitarian Church, Indianapolis, IN
1972 Eye Opener Community Center, Cincinnati, OH
1972 Jewish Community Center, Indianapolis, IN
Group Exhibitions
2010-2011
Art League of Ocean City, MD (Honorable Mention
Cambridge Main Street Gallery, MD
Worcester County Art Council, Berlin, MD
Art Institute and Gallery, Salisbury, MD (Third Place)
Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, MD
1995 Chasen Gallery, Sarasota, FL
1979 Grand Rapids Art Museum, MI
1976 Gallery Luisa, Grand Rapids, MI
1976 Women in Art '76, West Bend, IA
1971, 1975 Stitchery, IA, Invitational
1975 Herron Art Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
1974 Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, NC (Purchase Award)
1971 Witherspoon Gallery, Greensboro, NC
1971 Third Piedmont Show, NC (Purchase Award)

Awards & Distinctions
Art League of Ocean City, Honorable mention, 2010
Art Institute and Gallery, Salisbury, Third Place, 2010
Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts, Kendall College of Art & Design, 1989
Leadership Michigan: State Chamber of Commerce, 1989
Distinguished Woman of the Arts Award, Michigan1984
Community Leader Award, Grand Rapids, Chamber of Commerce, 1981
Stylemaker of the Year, Michigan Cosmetologist Award, 1978
National Collection of Fine Arts Project HUD, 1973
Faculty Summer Fellowship, Indiana University, 1971
Faculty Summer Research Fellowship, University of North Carolina, 1970

Bibliography
2006 Terri Finch Hamilton, "Renaissance Woman", Grand Rapids Press, MI
2003 Crafts Horizons, work featured
1978 Jude Martin, "Ecclesiastical Crafts", work featured
1977 Guy Hubbard, "Junior High School Art", work featured
1977 Editors, "Women Artist in America", work featured

Publications
2007 Masters Thesis, "Icons, Iconography and Artists: Role of the Iconographers in Expressing Creativity and Spirituality in the "Writing" of Icons", Seabury-Western Theological Seminary
1974 Author, "Paper Mache and the Elementary Teacher", Arts and Activities
1971 Author, "Selected Teacher Characteristics of Art Student Teachers", Studies in Art Education, winter, pp 42-48
1970 Author, "A Study of Three Instructional Methods for Teaching", Studies in Art Education
1968 Doctorate Thesis, "Comparative Study of Personality Characteristics of Art and Elementary Teachers. Indiana University
1966 Author, "Art for the 2nd & 3rd Grades, Kimball/Hunt Publishers

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