Leah Gonzales
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Accomplished Art Professor with extensive expertise in painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, and fiber art, dedicated to fostering creativity within community colleges and art-focused organizations. Proven success in enhancing community engagement through innovative teaching methods and collaborative projects that inspire students and promote artistic expression. Dynamic studio management professional skilled in overseeing daily operations, leading diverse teams, and driving performance through strategic planning and effective resource management. Committed to maintaining high-quality outcomes while adapting to shifting priorities, ensuring a positive and productive environment in both art studio and ceramic operations.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Art Professor
Community College of Aurora
01.2024 - Current
- Develops and implements engaging curriculum aligned with student learning objectives.
- Facilitates collaborative learning environments to enhance student participation and retention.
- Conducts comprehensive assessments to evaluate student performance and inform improvements.
- Integrates technology into teaching practices to enhance educational delivery and accessibility.
- Fosters relationships with community organizations to create internship opportunities for students.
- Enhances student understanding by designing interactive and engaging lectures.
- Creates dynamic learning environment that values instructor and student interaction.
- Encourages class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Evaluates student progress using both formative and summative assessments to provide targeted feedback for continuous improvement.
- Establishes and maintained inclusive, collegial and collaborative culture within classroom.
- Maintains regular office hours to provide struggling students with additional course help.
- Provided students with constructive, encouraging and corrective feedback.
Art Studio Manager
Pikes Peak Artist Collective
01.2025 - Current
- Oversees daily operations and workflow management for art studio.
- Cultivates relationships with artists and community members to foster collaboration.
- Manages inventory, optimizing supply levels to support studio activities.
- Trains and mentors staff in best practices for customer service and studio procedures.
- Facilitates workshops, promoting skill development among participants and community engagement.
- Establishes a positive work environment, fostering collaboration among staff members to improve productivity and creativity.
- Coordinates daily studio operations, including scheduling, staff management and customer service.
- Supervises studio staff for timely, accurate and high-quality task completion.
- Manages budgets and financial reports, ensuring fiscal responsibility and profitability.
- Verifies that organization maintained open-door policy so employees can openly discuss ideas and make suggestions.
- Pleasantly greets customers and asked open-ended questions to better determine needs.
- Promotes a culture of continuous improvement within the team by encouraging open feedback and sharing best practices between colleagues.
- Maintains studio equipment, including kilns, glazes, and art supplies, to limit schedule disruptions.
- Manages scheduling and logistics for studio bookings, maximizing studio utilization.
Art Instructor
Bemis Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
01.2022 - Current
- Developed and implemented engaging art curriculum for diverse student populations.
Art Instructor
Pikes Peak Artist Collective
01.2022 - Current
- Facilitated hands-on workshops to enhance students' creative skills and techniques.
Art Professor
Santa Monica College
01.2020 - 12.2023
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with students.
- Ensured curriculum alignment with academic standards through regular course review and updates.
- Instructed and evaluated students in classroom in alignment with college mission by incorporating innovative teaching and learning strategies.
- Increased course relevance by incorporating real-world examples and case studies into lesson plans.
- Mentored and supervised graduate students, providing valuable guidance for thesis work, research projects, and professional development.
- Improved student retention rates through proactive communication and support.
- Established industry connections for students by organizing guest speaker events, workshops, and networking opportunities.
- Assisted in accreditation processes by gathering necessary documentation, preparing reports, and participating in site visits as needed.
- Championed diversity within the department through recruitment efforts, inclusive curriculum design, and community outreach events.
- Improved departmental efficiency, adopting new software tools for course management and student assessments.
Art Professor
El Camino College
02.2023 - 06.2023
- Developed innovative teaching methods tailored to diverse learning styles, enhancing student comprehension and success rates.
- Used different learning modes and types of technology to engage students in achieving learning outcomes.
- Developed diversified course curriculum to meet regulatory standards and support learning objectives.
- Identified research opportunities for students, assisting with gathering data and drawing conclusions for projects.
- Promoted collaboration by developing group projects and fostering a positive learning environment.
- Promoted culture of continuous learning among students by integrating current industry trends and technologies into lectures and assignments.
- Improved learning outcomes for students with diverse learning needs by designing and applying differentiated instruction techniques.
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with stated course objectives.
- Created materials and exercises to illustrate application of course concepts.
- Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
- Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
Youth Ceramics Instructor
Mill Valley Potters Studio
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Designed and implemented engaging ceramic curriculum for diverse skill levels.
- Fostered collaborative learning environment, encouraging creative expression among students.
Weekly Workshop Clay Handbuilding Teacher
Clay Ca.
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
Co-Director
That That Gallery
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Developed and implemented strategic marketing initiatives to increase gallery visibility and engagement.
- Established partnerships with local artists and institutions to enhance community relations and collaboration.
- Curated diverse exhibitions that showcased emerging talent and fostered artistic dialogue.
- Evaluated program effectiveness, driving improvements based on feedback and industry trends.
- Facilitated workshops and educational programs to promote art appreciation within the community.
- Fostered an inclusive environment that valued diversity of thought, experience, and background among team members.
Co-Founder
SPACE BAR Art Collective
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Developed and implemented community engagement strategies to increase participation in art events.
- Fostered collaborations with local artists and organizations to enhance collective visibility.
- Curated diverse art showcases, promoting inclusivity and cultural representation within the collective.
Teacher Assistant
San Francisco Arts Institute
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Assisted teachers in preparing instructional materials and classroom activities.
- Collaborated with faculty to implement lesson plans and curriculum enhancements.
Full Time Preschool Teacher
Playschool of the Arts for Kids
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Facilitated interactive learning experiences to enhance children's cognitive and social development
- Cultivated positive relationships with parents to support child development and address concerns
- Developed creative materials and activities to engage diverse learning styles in preschoolers
- Collaborated with colleagues to refine curriculum and improve teaching methodologies
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Designed creative lesson plans that incorporated hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences to foster curiosity and engagement in young learners.
Education
Masters - Fine Art, Studio Art
San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI)
San Francisco, CA01.2017
Bachelors - Fine Art, Drawing & Illustration
Maryland-Institute College of Art (MICA)
Baltimore, MD01.2011
Skills
- Creating comprehensive syllabi and curriculum for both online and in-person courses
- Designing engaging projects and facilitating meaningful discussions
- Developing original content tailored to each learning environment
- Implementing diverse assessment strategies aligned with learning outcomes
- Maintaining accurate grade records
- Providing regular office hours and a responsive student report
Curriculum Development:
Administrative Duties:
- Ensuring prompt and effective digital communication
- Implementing equitable classroom policies and procedures
- Learning management systems (D2l) implementation and optimization
- Open educational resources (OER) integration and development
- Accessibility software (Yuja) for inclusive online course design
- Operational streamlining and workflow environment
Technical proficiency:
Certification
- Certification Equitizing Gateway Courses
- D2L Faculty & Instructor Training
- Panorama Web & Accessibility Training
- Open Educational Resources Training
Solo Juried Exhibitions
- 2025, Perennials: Stories That Outlive Us, Auric Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2025, Flowers Shall Grow, and I am in Them, Hagnauer Gallery, Manitou Art Center, Manitou Springs, CO
- 2025, Mystery in Stillness, Ephemera, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2019, Leah Gonzales (Retrospective), The Happy Lion, Los Angeles, CA
- 2017, Fam Sauce, The Family Room SF, San Francisco, CA
- 2017, Sauce Alley, The Mint, SFAI Vernissage, San Francisco, CA
- 2013, Pink Elephants, Pareidolia, Santa Fe, NM
- 2012, Ferus, Eggman & Walrus, Santa Fe, NM
- 2011, Solo Thesis Exhibition, MICA, Baltimore, MD
- 2009, Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, Meyerhoff Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Group Exhibitions
- 2025, Gratitude, Auric Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2024, Exhibiting Artist in Residence, True North Art Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2024, Exhibiting Artist in Residence, Cottonwood Center for the Arts, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2024, Anonymous, Auric Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2024, Gratitude, Auric Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2024, Per Annum, Surface Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2024, Holiday Invitational Exhibit, Auric Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2023, Elementary, Element Art Center, Los Angeles, CA
- 2022, Metaverse Schmetaverse, Doors., Hollywood, CA
- 2021, SMC Faculty Show, Barrett Gallery, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA
- 2021, Other Worlds, Doors. x Beautyque, New York, NY
- 2021, Pot Shop, Ed Varie Gallery, New York, NY
- 2021, A Spirit of Disruption, San Francisco Art Institute 150th Anniversary Exhibition, San Francisco, CA
- 2020, LA is Bananas, I Want to Go to Paradise, Los Angeles, CA
- 2019, Lips, Blossom Plaza: Chinatown Summer Nights, Los Angeles, CA
- 2019, Independent Art Book Fair, That That Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- 2019, Pot Shop, Ed Varie Gallery, New York, NY
- 2019, It's a Trap, That That Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- 2018, Forming, Lower East Coast, Miami, FL
- 2018, Cultural Traffic, That That Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- 2018, Best in Show, That That Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- 2018, Communities and Collectives Exhibition, Embark Gallery, San Francisco, CA
- 2018, Defining Form, The Untitled Space, Tribeca, NY
- 2018, Galactish, Fly Bar, San Francisco, CA
- 2018, Hospitality House Auction and Benefit, Minnesota Street Projects, San Francisco, CA
- 2018, Out of Reach, Peep-Hole Cinema, San Francisco, CA
- 2018, Space Bar Open Studios, Francisco Studios Inc., San Francisco, CA
- 2018, Nevertheless, The Galallery, San Francisco, CA
- 2017, Strange Pleasures, That That Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- 2017, Art Shop Exhibition, Adobe Books, San Francisco, CA
- 2017, Stop-Motion Animation Film Festival, Aggregate Space, Oakland, CA
- 2016, Art & Discontent, MDRP, San Francisco, CA
- 2016, Festival of the Moving Image, The Roxie Theatre, San Francisco, CA
- 2016, The New Wrinkle, Diego Rivera Gallery, SFAI, San Francisco, CA
- 2016, Outlandish Escape-Land, Swell Gallery, SFAI, San Francisco, CA
- 2016, XXX Punk-Rockimation, No Nothing Cinema, San Francisco, CA
- 2016, The Artist's Body, Diego Rivera Gallery, SFAI, San Francisco, CA
- 2015, Dissilience, Studio Fab, Oakland, CA
- 2015, Edge Effect, A Collaboration with Nathalie Brilliant, SFAI Vernissage at Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA
- 2014, Fifth Annual Salon Show, Incline Gallery, San Francisco, CA
- 2013, Grand Opening, Pareidolia, Santa Fe, NM
- 2012, Sandy Besser Collection, Eggman & Walrus, Santa Fe, NM
- 2012, Birdland, Eggman & Walrus, Santa Fe, NM
- 2011, Grand Opening Featuring John Barker, Eggman & Walrus, Santa Fe, NM
- 2010, SACI Studio Show, MICA, Baltimore, MD
- 2010, MICA Studio Show, SACI, Florence, Italy
- 2010, Steam Engine Train, Mural Commissioned by Cloutte & Associates, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2010, Disegno 3: Contemporary Drawing (Traveling Exhibition), Kansas City Art Institute, University of South Carolina, & MICA, Kansas City, MO
- 2008, Foundation Show, MICA, Baltimore, MD
Gallery Studio Technician Experience
- 2019-03-01 to 2019-06-30, Exhibitions Technician/Art Handler, Bruce Lurie Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- 2007-2011, Gallery Technician, MICA, Baltimore, MD
- 2010-06-01 to 2010-08-31, Gallerist Assistantship Internship, Smoke Brush Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
Community Teaching Experience
- Currently, Art Instructor, Bemis, Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO
- Currently, Art Instructor, Pikes Peak Artist Collective, Colorado Springs, CO
- 2019, Youth Ceramics Instructor, Mill Valley Potters Studio, Part Time, Sausalito, CA
- 2019, Weekly Workshop Clay Handbuilding Teacher, Clay Ca., Part Time, Los Angeles, CA
- 2019, Ceramic Handbuilding Teacher, Brentwood Art Center, Summer Instructor, Part Time, Brentwood, LA
- 2016-08-01 to 2016-12-31, Ceramics I, San Francisco Arts Institute, Teacher Assistant under Wanxin Zhang, Part Time, San Francisco, CA
- 2016-02-01 to 2016-05-31, Contemporary Practice, San Francisco Arts Institute, Teacher Assistant under Helena Metaferia, Part Time, San Francisco, CA
- 2015, Drawing I: Methods & Materials, San Francisco Arts Institute, Teacher Assistant under Danielle Lawrence, Part Time, San Francisco, CA
- 2012, Full Time Preschool Teacher, Playschool of the Arts for Kids, Full Time, Santa Fe, NM
Awards
- 2021, Grant Recipient, Covid-19 Relief Grant, CERF+ The Artists Safety Net
- 2020, Grant Recipient, Artist Recovery Fund of the Pikes Peak Region, Pikes Peak Community Foundation
- 2017, Diversity Scholarship, SFAI
- 2016, Best in Show, The Festival of the Moving Image, The Roxie
- 2011, Honorable Recognition in the Drawing Department, MICA
- 2011, Graduated Cum Laude, MICA
- 2007, Adduce Foundation Scholarship
- 2007, Scholarships from MICA, Alumni Scholarship, Talent Grant, MICA Grant, Drawing, Presidential Scholarship
Publications
- 2025, Flowers Shall Grow, And I Am In Them Local artist Leah Gonzales’ solo exhibition invites reconnection with nature, Pikes Peak Bulletin, Colorado Spings, CO
- 2023, Artist of the Month, Studio Series, Element Art Center, Los Angeles, CA
- 2023, "Zooming Forward in Studio Arts", SMC In Focus: Volume VI, Issue 4, Santa Monica, CA
- 2018, Introducing Space Bar, Zine Bazaar, Self-Published at Every Day Skate Shop, San Francisco, CA
- 2015, MFA NOW, Archive Project: Juried Exhibition, Root Division, San Francisco, CA
- 2014, Popsy In Versailles, Illustrations by Leah Gonzales, Betsy Walker
- 2012, "Animal Instincts," Published in Santa Fe Reporter, June Issue, Santa Fe, NM
- 2011, "Studio Visit," Published in THE Magazine, November Issue, Santa Fe, NM
Timeline
Art Studio Manager
Pikes Peak Artist Collective
01.2025 - Current
Art Professor
Community College of Aurora
01.2024 - Current
Art Professor
El Camino College
02.2023 - 06.2023
Art Instructor
Bemis Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
01.2022 - Current
Art Instructor
Pikes Peak Artist Collective
01.2022 - Current
Art Professor
Santa Monica College
01.2020 - 12.2023
Youth Ceramics Instructor
Mill Valley Potters Studio
01.2019 - 12.2019
Weekly Workshop Clay Handbuilding Teacher
Clay Ca.
01.2019 - 12.2019
Co-Director
That That Gallery
01.2018 - 01.2019
Teacher Assistant
San Francisco Arts Institute
08.2016 - 12.2016
Co-Founder
SPACE BAR Art Collective
01.2016 - 01.2017
Full Time Preschool Teacher
Playschool of the Arts for Kids
01.2012 - 12.2012
Bachelors - Fine Art, Drawing & Illustration
Maryland-Institute College of Art (MICA)
Masters - Fine Art, Studio Art
San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI)