BIO

Loring Taoka was born in Vermont and raised in upstate New York and New Hampshire. After graduating from the University of Toledo, he moved to Denton, Texas to attend the University of North Texas. He is currently an MFA candidate in the Metalsmithing and Jewelry department. His current work explores the in-between-ness of the Japanese-American in contemporary society and how they are identified and labeled.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

2008-Present M.F.A. Candidate in Metalsmithing and Jewelry
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

2004-2008 B.A. General Studies (Summa Cum Laude)
The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

Teaching and Related Professional Experience

2010
Teaching Fellow—Metalsmithing & Jewelry I
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

2009
Student representative for the Associate Dean search committee
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Teaching Assistant for James Thurman, Matt Clark—Design II (3D Foundations)
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

2008
Area Assistant/Studio Tech, Metalsmithing and Jewelry department
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Studio Assistant for Tim Geiger, Aureole Press
Toledo, Ohio

2007
Guest Lecturer/Demonstrator, Street Art Series
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
Studio Assistant for Danielle Crissman
Toledo, Ohio

Awards

2010
NICHE Award student finalist; Metal: non-wearable, sculptural.

2009-2010
Nelda Lee Scholarship
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
USC Scholarship
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

2009
Penland School of Crafts Work/Study,
Penland, North Carolina

2008-2010
Master of Fine Arts Academic Achievement Scholarship
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

2008-2009
Harlan W. Butt Metalsmithing and Jewelry Studies Scholarship
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

2007-2008
The University of Toledo Pride Scholarship
The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
Out of State Award Scholarship
The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

Selected Exhibitions

2010
Contain: Vessels and the Art of Containment
Luke and Eloy Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
No Boundaries: SNAG Student Exhibition
The Jung Center, Houston, Texas
Materials Hard and Soft
Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, Texas

2009
Craftforms 2009
Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pennsylvania
The Art of Fine Craft 2009
Elder Gallery, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska
Present/RePresent: SNAG 2009 Juried Student Digital Exhibition
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2008 Cresting: SNAG 2008 Juried Student Digital Image Show
Savannah, Georgia
Wearable Expressions
Palos Verdes Art Center, Ranchos Palos Verdes, California
invited artist, Environments
Space237, Toledo, Ohio

2007
Bling
http://www.projekt30.com/bling.php
Online exhibition, www.projekt30.com
Stellar Sightings
The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
Objects Discarded, Objects Revered
Space237, Toledo, Ohio

Commissions

2009
Graduation commencement medallion for The Office of the Provost
Completed with Parker Brown, Deanna Ooley, Brenda Saucedo and Pilar Zornosa
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

Publications

2008
Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities
Catalog

2007
Bloodlotus Online Literary Journal
Vol. 1, Issue 5, www.bloodlotus.org