NATALYA KOCHAK
Miami Beach
Summary
Dedicated, Charismatic, and experienced Professor with eight years of experience serving as an Adjunct Professor in the Visual Arts Department at Miami International University of Art and Design and currently at Barry University. Adept in creating a powerful curriculum in the fields of Foundation Drawing, Figure Drawing, Graduate Seminar Classes, Foundational Design Courses, Painting, and Collage. World Art History 1 (Pre-history- 1400), World Art History 2 (1400-1900), 20th century art (modernism and post-modernism)
Adept at working with students to successfully prepare them for personal and professional success in today’s world. Knowledgeable and experienced in various educational philosophies, which best promote the overall experience of a student. A committed faculty member, passionate about working to further enhance the educational offerings of an institution.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Professor of Visual Arts Painting and Drawing, Foundations, and Graduate Departments
Miami International University of Art and Design
01.2019
- Created studio curricula with an emphasis in art history to serve as a catapult for new students in the Foundation department and promoted an open and interactive classroom environment for enhanced learning.
- Worked with a team to research and develop new learning material for students.
- Drafted and graded art history papers, artist statements, and studio artworks and evaluated student performances, assignments and classwork.
- Created new curriculum for the Graduate studio classes and Graduate Seminar Courses.
- Worked with other members of the college to establish more unity, and school enhancements whenever possible.
- Served as a Student Advisor, helping students to more clearly define and follow their academic path.
Teaching Artist
Project Art
08.2018
- I applied with portfolio, interviewed, and was awarded a teaching and artist residency for the year of 2018-2019. I taught in the Liberty City School District through the Model City Library to three different groups of children. One class, age 4-9 (open class), age 6-7 (parks district class), and 14-18 (Bridge Miami class, which is the local teen homeless shelter)
- Planned and implemented an inspiring curriculum that effectively introduced young students into the world of visual arts.
- Worked with diverse students and successfully contributed to the mission of Project Art.
- Conducted research about the arts, and shared findings with the program heads.
- Continually offered a variety of teaching methods and curricular perspectives.
Adjunct Professor of Art History
Barry University
09.2025 - Current
- Evaluated and revised syllabi and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Used exams, quizzes and assignments to assess student comprehension.
Owner
Natalya Kochak Design Studio
09.2007 - Current
- Create unique artistic designs for homeowners and businesses across Miami and the United States.
- Specialize in murals, faux finishes, grotesque design, lime paints, Venetian plasters, gilding, and matching of stone and woods etc.
- Have an extensive knowledge of traditional, historical applications for restoration and new applications.
- Communication skills that effectively work with clients, homeowners, builders, interior designers, architects, and more.
Education
Master of Fine Arts - Interdisciplinary Arts
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago08.2018
Bachelor of Fine Arts - undefined
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago06.2005
Skills
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Superior Writing Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Communication Involvement
- Resourcefulness
- Drawing and Painting
- Art History
- Graduate level teaching
- Online courses
- Foundation courses
- Curriculum Development
LANGUAGES
Spanish
Timeline
Adjunct Professor of Art History
Barry University
09.2025 - Current
Adjunct Professor of Visual Arts Painting and Drawing, Foundations, and Graduate Departments
Miami International University of Art and Design
01.2019
Teaching Artist
Project Art
08.2018
Owner
Natalya Kochak Design Studio
09.2007 - Current
Bachelor of Fine Arts - undefined
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Master of Fine Arts - Interdisciplinary Arts
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
HOBBIES
Tennis, Kickboxing, Spanish language learning, Sailing
ARTISTIC RESUME
Artist Residencies
2025
- November: Casa Na Ilha, Ilhabela, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Invited for a two week artist residency.
2024
- September: Wild Acres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC, USA. I was invited to a fully funded two week artist residency.
2022
- November: Oolite Art Center Home and Away residency at The Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Invited to attend this week long residency, fully funded with stipend.
2021
- August- September: Jentel Artist Residency, Banner, Wyoming. Fully funded with stipend. Invited for a month long retreat to create and introduce the work to the local community.
2019
- October 2019: Freight and Volume Summer Residency, Provincetown, MA
- September 2018- June 2019: Project Art Miami, I was an artist-in-residence for the library system, specifically the Model City Library branch for one year. A year of teaching culminated in a group show at The North Miami Contemporary Art Museum
2018
- September 7-9: Hemera Foundation Grant (Applegate Jesuit Center), I was awarded a fellowship to attend a weekend mediation retreat, meant to expand artists’ minds and give them time away from the art world.
- March: Lido Art Center, Guangzhou, China. I was awarded the artist residency at the center, where I worked with students in the college community, giving them critiques and helping them with their applications to masters programs in the United States and Europe. I also gave five lectures and did a solo show.
- April: Hambidge Art Center, Georgia, USA. I was awarded a large house/ studio space in the Smokey Mountains to separate myself from society and work on my projects.
2011
- September- January: Takt Kunstprojektraum, Berlin, Germany. During this residency, I worked on a project specific to Berlin and participated in open studios.
- January: Delta Art Center, Masaka, Uganda. I taught art to underserved children in Uganda, Africa, I also spent time working on my current art project and traveled to experience Ugandan life. I was awarded a Kickstarter grant for $3,000 to complete this project.
2010
- October: Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, China. I participated in the Beijing art scene and showed my work in the studio and gallery.
- Special Projects
2019- 2020
- December: Raw Project, Miami, FL, A non-profit that places artists in under served schools to create art on their walls. Its purpose is to get kids to want to be in school and participate.
Solo Shows
2024
- August: Sage Community Arts, Sheridan, Wyoming
2023
- June: Sydney & Byrne Art Center, Ft. Meyers, FL- My Family Anti- Autobiography
2018
- March: Lido Art Center, Guangzhou, China - We Are Not a Coming We Are Here
- Group Shows
2024
- Oct- November: Chashama, NYC- Group show of four artists, Body, Mind, Sprit
- Jan- March: Edgezones Art Projects, Miami, FL
2023
- August-October: The Frank Contemporary Art Center, Pembroke Pines, FL, USA, Solo exhibition in their Frank Isles section.
2020
- Dec: ArtAfrica, An exhibit during Art Basel Miami Beach
- Nov-Jan: Eso Es, Bridge Red, Miami, FL, A Curated group show by William Cordova.
2019
- February- May: Colorado Mountain College Aspen, Mutual Makers group exhibition, Aspen, CO
- May: Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, Group exhibit with ProjectArt alumni
2018
- August- September: What’s Your Elephant, 1310 Gallery at the Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Curated exhibition by Niki Lopez
- July: MFA Thesis Exhibition, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Curated by Kate Pollasch
2017
- October-December: Truth and Reconciliation, The Little Haiti Art Center, Miami, FL. Curated exhibit by Marie Vickles
- July: Throop gallery, Chicago, IL