JESS SCHWARZ

I'm Jess Schwarz, a 20-year-old, disabled, Midwest-based artist who spends my days studying for my BFAs in Art History and Fine Arts. In the future, I hope to curate galleries and museums, in new and innovative ways that combine art and historical popular culture.

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       Originally residing in Southern Indiana on the banks of the Ohio River, I moved out at the age of 15 to pursue a more challenging education. I moved north to attend Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities where I learned to combine my love of art with academia. I currently attend Columbus College of Art and Design for my undergraduate degrees. I helped found the Art History Student Collective, and am a member of student government, holding the position of Academic Representative. I intend on pursuing a Master's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, and Fine Arts.

         Currently, my research focus is on Appalachian folk art, as my family lineage lies in the region. I believe it's an underrepresented area in not only academia but in museum and gallery spaces nationwide. I also like to study different subcultures such as the Riot Grrrl and Goth movements, due to my personal relationship with music and aesthetics. In addition, my artistic focus is based on my expression of life as a disabled person with autism, as well as being an LGBT+ person, and cataloging my memories from growing up. I am predominantly a welder who focuses on steel and aluminum, but I also dabble in mixed-media collaging, painting, and design.