Olivia Sidem
Bloomington,IL
Summary
Specializing in multimedia fiber arts and illustration, I am an artist that uses my work as a playground for both self expression and intuitive creativity. Additionally, I am equally passionate about creating art with others, as I have taken many classes and art workshops with people ranging from elementary students up to retired adults. Sharing experiences through creative learning has helped me foster long-lasting and valuable relationships. Working through a wide variety of art and crafting processes with others has provided insight to their self-expression and creates opportunities for us to support each other with our creative ambitions. I aspire to teach art and provide a supportive space for artists of any skill-level and age to connect through and with art and craft.
Overview
2
2
Languages
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Illustrator/Designer
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
06.2024 - 07.2024
- Collaborated with other designers to create decorative borders, symbols, and embellishments for educational materials.
- Worked closely with board game creators to adjust visual layouts of the cards and instruction manuals in order to make for an easier playing experience.
Multimedia Artist
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
03.2022 - 06.2022
- Illustrated and designed characters for physical and digital educational materials for K-12 students
- Collaborated with the school's Center for Math, Science, and Technology department (CeMAST) to collaborate on the development of an educational board game designed for high school students
- Additionally collaborated with other board game designers to create backgrounds for the game's cards
- Tested the board game and provided feedback for its improvement
- Repaired miniature electrical houses designed to teach kindergarten students how electrical circuits work
- Utilized 3D printing software to create and design new doors for the houses
- Sanded, drilled, glued, and hand-painted hundreds of pieces within a limited time frame
-Tested how each miniature house worked and recorded any imperfections in its performance
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fine Arts
School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Chicago, IL05-2026
Workshop For College Credit - Quilting
Ox-Bow School of Art
Saugatuck, MI08-2025
Successful Workshop Completion - Floor Loom Weaving
Arrowmont School of Arts And Crafts
Gatlinburg, TN07-2024
Summer Pre-College Program - Fine Arts
Milwaukee Institute of Art And Design (MIAD)
Milwaukee, WI07-2021
Skills
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Photography & Documentation
- Public Speaking
- Content Creation
- Floor loom weaving
- Crochet
- Machine Sewing
Creative techniques
- Hand Embroidery
- Quilting
- Paper-making
- Needle Felting
- Screen Printing
- Natural Dyeing
- Drawing/Painting
- Collage
Accomplishments
- 2026 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize: Longlisted for the BearWolf Books Emerging Artist Award
- Mclean County Arts Center: Amateur Art Exhibition's Most Promising Artist Award
Affiliations
- SAIC Sports Club Member
- SAIC Volleyball Club Member
- SAIC Climbing Club Member
Languages
Turkish
Professional
French
Elementary
Timeline
Illustrator/Designer
Illinois State University
06.2024 - 07.2024
Multimedia Artist
Illinois State University
03.2022 - 06.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Fine Arts
School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Workshop For College Credit - Quilting
Ox-Bow School of Art
Successful Workshop Completion - Floor Loom Weaving
Arrowmont School of Arts And Crafts
Summer Pre-College Program - Fine Arts
Milwaukee Institute of Art And Design (MIAD)
References
References available upon request.