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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 graduated from UNT with an M.F.A. in Metalsmithing and Jewelry in May, 2011. His current work explores The Other and the experience of simultaneously existing inside and outside of definitions.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

2008-2011 M.F.A. 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

2011    
Online Presence Committee
Society of North American Goldsmiths

Teaching Fellow/Instructor of Record, The University of North Texas,
Introduction to 3D Design, Spring, Denton, TX

2010-2011 
Graduation commencement medallion for The Dean of Libraries.
With Chelsea Bell, Deanna Ooley, and James Thurman.
The University of North Texas, Denton, TX

2010
Teaching Fellow/Instructor of Record—Metalsmithing & Jewelry I
Spring, Fall, The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

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

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
SNAG Educational Endowment Scholarship-Honorable Mention
The Society of North American Goldsmiths

NICHE Award student finalist; Metal: non-wearable, sculptural.
The Rosen Group

UNT Scholarship
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas.

Outstanding Graduate Student-Studio Art
The University of North Texas, Denton, Texas.

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

2011
(upcoming) Radical Alchemy
Courthouse Gallery, Norfolk, VA, Invitational

Co:Operation Tableware
Fancy Gallery, Seattle, WA

Fluxation: SNAG Juried Student Digital Exhibition
Seattle, WA

Sources/Origins
South Shore Art Center, Cohasset, MA
Third Place

Whiteout – MFA Thesis Exhibition*
Cora Stafford Gallery, Denton, TX

Multiple Personalities
Delmar Loop Gallery, The Craft Alliance, St. Louis, MO, Invitational

2010
Multiples Annual Group Show
Heidi Lowe Gallery, Rehoboth, Delaware

Topograpghy of Metal
Gallery M/Tap Studios, Cleveland, Ohio

Contain: Vessels and the Art of Containment

Luke and Eloy Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

No Boundaries: SNAG Student Exhibition
The Glassell Junior School, Houston, Texas

Mega System
The Pozen Center, Mass.Art, Boston, Massaschusetts

Materials Hard and Soft
Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, Texas

Voertman’s Annual Student Show
University of North Texas Art Gallery, Denton, TX

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

Voertman’s Annual Student Show
University of North Texas Art Gallery, Denton, TX

2008
Cresting: SNAG 2008 Juried Student Digital Image Show

Savannah, Georgia

Wearable Expressions
Palos Verdes Art Center, Ranchos Palos Verdes, California

Environments, invitational
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

Bibliography and Related Press
 2011
(upcoming) Humor in Craft, juried by Brigitte Martin

Gabriel Craig , “Graphic Content,” Metalsmith Magazine,
Vol. 31, No. 3

2010                
“Shop Talk: Jewelry and More,” American Craft Magazine,
Vol. 70, no. 2 (April/May, 2010): 16.

“Going to Extremes,” Society of North American Goldsmiths,
Conference Catalog

2009                
Carrotbox Jewellery Blog and Shop,
5 August 2009, online: http://www.thecarrotbox.com

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

Print and Online Catalog

Publications

2011                
(upcoming) “Modified Saw Frame,” SNAG Technical News