Michael Loop
MichaelLoop.com
Cell: 856.220.9710
Michael.loop@mail.wvu.edu
Education
2013 Master of Fine Arts
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
1998 Bachelor of Fine Arts
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Professional Experience
2013-Pres. Chief Preparator/ Collections Manager, Art Museum of WVU, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Participates in exhibition planning and development, including shipping logistics, budgeting, and coordination of installations.
Responsible for the presentation of the museum exhibition spaces along with the Laura and Paul Messaro’s Gallery located in the Creative Art Center at WVU. Assist in the preparing, receiving, installing, lighting, wrapping for shipment, local transport, and shipping of artworks on a rotating basis throughout the year
§ Responsible for the presentation of the Laura and Paul Messaro’s Gallery. Assist in the preparing, receiving, installing, lighting, wrapping for shipment, local transport, and shipping of artworks on a rotating basis throughout the academic year.
§ Maintain the visual appearance of the galleries through repairs, painting, building pedestals, adjusting lights, setting up A/V, and fabricating under the guidance of the curator and/or visiting artist.
§ Contribute directly to creative problem solving in the context of installing all artwork including non-traditional artworks.
§ Manage two graduate student assistants. Create tasks, reach deadlines, and pose gallery responsibilities for exhibition success on a scheduled rotating basis.
§ Photograph and document the Art Museum’s collection for the TMS digital data-base.
§ Formatted, and implemented a new hanging system in the lighting studio for quicker and more effective imaging of the museum’s art collection.
§ Work with Art Museum curator installing art in the Ware Family Gallery at Blaney House, West Virginia University.
2010- 2013 Gallery Graduate Assistant, Mesaros Galleries, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
§ Worked directly with the curator to ensure the academic year art exhibitions were installed properly on a rotating basis.
§ Maintained the visual appearance of the galleries.
§ Set up lighting, applied vinyl, graphics, and signage where applicable, painted, installed and uninstalled artworks.
2008-2010 General Manager, Vespa Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Hired to improve profit and brand recognition through the sales and service of Vespa, Aprilia, and Piaggio motorscooters. Worked with customers, sales staff and mechanics to promote a comfortable and fun work environment while becoming a national top 10 dealer.
§ Created all marketing strategies and showroom spatial displays to ensure positive customer experience.
§ Streamlined budget to make the business more efficient and profitable.
§ Handled all marketing and advertising contracts.
§ Worked with local and retail chain businesses to gain exposure for brand marketability and retention.
§ Hired and trained all staff in management, sales, and mechanics.
2005-2012 Studio Assistant, Christopher Weed, sculptor, Colorado Springs, CO (part-time)
www.chrisweed.com
Assisted sculptor Christopher Weed with the fabrication and finishing work on steel hollow body constructed artwork.
§ Assisted in the fabrication of artwork from start to finish using various metal working tools and techniques to achieve the artist’s vision.
§ Researched, consulted, and applied proper finishes to meet the weather, and traffic demands of the public art forum.
§ Assisted in the installation and logistics of erecting artworks on the jobsite.
2002-2008 Sales and Marketing Manager, Sportique Scooters, Colorado Springs,CO
www.sportiquescooters.com
Assisted in start-up operations of this small business entity by planning floor space and inventory, establishing vendor relations, and creating an enjoyable work and sales environment with high expectations for values in customer care and service.
§ Developed the marketing and advertising strategies to target the five product lines and an average of 35 models.
§ Utilized my fabrication skills to renovate an entire building to include walls, re-finishing floors, creating display pedestals, and installing signage.
2000-2002 Senior Steel Fabricator, Ancona Jobshop, Colorado Springs, CO
Created and installed, both traditional and contemporary, handmade wrought iron gates, fences, railings, and custom furniture for residential, museum, and commercial sales.
§ Worked with customers to ensure product design and satisfaction of work and to offer an artist viewpoint in designing unique workmanship.
§ Worked within the parameters of government and state building codes.
§ Always worked ahead of deadlines and worked both in the shop and the field.
1998-2000 Studio Assistant/Finisher, Albert Paley, sculptor, Rochester, NY
www.albertpaley.com
Apprenticed with the sculptor, Albert Paley, in the fabrication of functional and sculptural artwork utilizing applied blacksmithing, carpentry, and metalworking techniques.
§ Responsible for applying finishes to artwork including painting and patina.
§ Assisted with project layouts, drawings, shipping, receiving, and inventory.
§ researched new processes and products to achieve the artist’s vision without compromise to the art’s integrity.
§ Utilized a number of tools to achieve artist’s vision including: grinders, plasma cutters, vertical/horizontal presses, trip & drop hammers, coal forge, oxy/acet., etc.
§ Ran all of the electrical wiring for Paley’s lamp series during my assistantship.
§ Responsible for rotating artwork in the studios gallery to reflect the studios current work.
§ Responsible for the care and conservation of art from touch-up to complete restoration.
Selected Exhibitions as a visual artist
2018 Lafayette Art on the Street, Lafayette, Co
2017 Oglebay Garden Inaugural Juried Sculpture Exhibition, Wheeling, WV.
2016 Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY. Curator: Judy Barie, Gallery Director
2016 Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia, Beckley, WV.
Creative Coordinator: Norma Acord-Combs
2015 River Town Public Art Program, Morgantown, WV.
2015 Chopped, Dropped, and Rolled Back (solo exhibition), J.D. Brooks Gallery, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV.
2015 Fan-O-Mania, 123 Pleasant St., Morgantown WV.
2015 Board with Art II, Atomic Gallery, Morgantown, WV.
2014 All Good Things, Street Culture Vol. 2, The Grassy Noel Gallery & Studio, Teaneck, NJ. Curator: Noel Gussen, Director.
2014 Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY. Curator: Judy Barie, Gallery Director
2014 Gallery Divided II: A head-to-head matchup between Marshall and WVU faculty, (collaboration with Shoji Satake), Clay Center, Charleston, WV
2013 Please Read Carefully, Art Lofts Gallery juried exhibition, Madison, WI
2013 Arts Walk, Monongalia Art Center & City of Morgantown, Morgantown, WV
2013 Kissimmee Sculpture Experience, Kissimmee Main Street juried exhibition, Kissimmee, FL
2013 Interface, Laura Mesaros Gallery, West Virginia University,
Morgantown, WV
2013 Fowler-Kellogg Art Center, Ratchet & Pawl, Featured Outdoor Sculpture
Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY
2013 Chopped, Dropped, & Rolled, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Laura Mesaros
Gallery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
2013 Confluence, AIR Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2012 1st Juried Student Art Exhibition, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Jurors: Martin Mazorra and Mike Houston, Cannonball Press, NY, NY
2012 Home Grown, AIR Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2012 Glam Natural Art Show and Exhibition, We Gallery, Akron, OH
Curator: Katie Angsheld
2012 Kissimmee Sculpture Experience, Kissimmee Main Street juried exhibition, Kissimmee, FL. Juror: Kelly Trace
2011 Joyrides, Studio 659, Whiting, IN
2011 Ego/ Anti-Ego, MFA candidate exhibit, Mesaros Galleries, Morgantown, WV
1998 BFA Graduation Exhibit, Mesaros Galleries, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
1997 Have You Seen Me?, Mountainlair Gallery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Selected Honors and Permanent Collections
2018 FE/AP Travel Grant, College of Creative Arts, WVU, Morgantown, WV
2017 Commissioned piece for town of Alderson, WV
2017 Grant recipient, WV Division of Culture and History, Charleston, WV
2017 Fairmont State University permanent collection
2016 West Virginia Botanic Garden, Morgantown, WV
2015 Grant, WV Division of History and Culture/ NEA
2015 Hayley Slagle, Morgantown, WV
2015 FE/AP Travel Grant, College of Creative Arts, WVU, Morgantown, WV
2014 Dan Raese, Morgantown, WV
2014 Daniel McCawley, Morgantown, WV.
2014 Emergency Grant, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, NY, NY.
2014 $500 Honorarium, Art Around Town, Carbondale, CO
2014 Nominated for Award for Adjunct Faculty Excellence, West Virginia University
2013 $500 Honorarium, Kissimmee Sculpture Experience, Kissimmee, FL
2012 $500 Honorarium, Kissimmee Sculpture Experience, Kissimmee, FL
2012 Best in Show, 1st Juried Art Exhibition, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
jurors: Martin Mazoura and Mike Houston, Cannonball Press NY, NY
2013 Meritorious Tuition Waiver, West Virginia University. Spring Semester, 2013.
2012 Meritorious Tuition Waiver, West Virginia University. Fall Semester, 2012.
2012 Meritorious Tuition Waiver, West Virginia University. Spring Semester, 2012.
2011 Meritorious Tuition Waiver, West Virginia University. Fall Semester, 2011.
2011 Meritorious Tuition Waiver, West Virginia University. Spring Semester, 2011.
2010 Meritorious Tuition Waiver, West Virginia University. Fall Semester, 2010.
2007 Best Paint and Build Award for Wide Body Vespa, Vespa Club of America National Rally, Denver, CO
2005 Best Paint Award, Mile High Mayhem Scooter Rally, Denver, CO
2001 American Numismatic Association Museum, Colorado Springs, CO
1997 Outdoor Sculpture Award, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Teaching & Academic Experience
2013-2015 Adjunct Lecturer, School of Fine Arts, Fairmont State University,
Fairmont, WV
§ Faculty scholarship committee
§ Upper level student defense committee
Fall 2014 - Drawing 1. 2D Design
Spring 2014 - Drawing 1
3D Design/Foundations
Fall 2013 – Drawing 1
2D Design/Foundations
2013-Pres. Adjunct Lecturer, School of Art & Design, West Virginia University,
Morgantown, WV
Courses taught:
Drawing 1
Intro. to Sculpture
Multi-Media
2D/3D Design/Foundations
2010-2013 Graduate Teaching Assistant in Foundation & Sculpture, School of Art & Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
-as Instructor of Record I taught Foundation Art classes including Observational Drawing, 2D & 3D Visual Design and 200 level Sculpture.
Technical Expertise
Software: Photoshop, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Vectorworks (CAD), Google Sketchup
Woodworking: Knowledge of woodworking and carpentry techniques: to include hand and power-tools, table saw, joining, lathe work, drill-press, sanders, staining and finishing.
Metalworking: MIG, TIG, ARC, Hollow body and solid fabrication in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, traditional forging & blacksmithing, power-tools, plasma cutting, rollers, metal breaks, Hossfeld metalworker, horizontal bandsaw, anvil work, working knowledge of machining.
Foundry: Blast furnace operations for bronze and aluminum, plaster (ludo) investment, wax working, rubber mold making, pattern making, patina and finish work.
Finishing: Mastery in high paint finishes, enamel, lacquer, single and two stage urethane paints, gravity, siphon, and hvlp sprayer, airbrush, polishing and buffing.
Synthetics: Mold and pattern making utilizing plastic, plaster, rubber, silicone, epoxy, acrylic, and resin.
Ceramics: working knowledge of electric and gas kiln operations, clay and glaze mixing, slip casting, glazing, high and low fire applications.
Certifications and Professional Development
2019 Museum Director search committee
2018 Registrar search committee
2017 Washington DC to meet, and walk through, with preparators and exhibition managers from the National Gallery, The Holocaust Museum, and the National Museum of the American Indian
2016 Strategic Planning Committee
2016 Nath Sculpture Garden Committee
2016 Museum Safety & BRIM Compliance Committee
2015 Travelling Exhibitions Search Committee
2015 Facilities Manager Search Committee
2015 WVU Children on Campus Training
2015 EHS Hazard Communication Training
2015 EHS Hazardous Waste Training
2015 SketchUp for Museum Applications, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2014 Packing & Crating Dynamics Workshop 2014, Carnegie Art Museum, Pittsburgh,
Pa.
1999 Forklift Certification, Paley Studios Ltd., Rochester, NY.
1999 Crane Certification (boom crane, bridge crane), Paley Studios Ltd., Rochester,
NY.
1998 International Sculpture Conference, Chicago, IL.
Publications and Publicity
2017 Press for Alderson Lion https://mountainmessenger.com/the-lion-returns-to-alderson/
2017 Press for Alderson Lion http://www.wvva.com/story/35570027/2017/06/01/alderson-welcomes-new-lion-sculpture
2017 Fairmont State University Press https://www.theet.com/news/free/former-fsu-president-maria-c-rose-honors-with-sculpture/article_c8b9aa66-a2ea-5397-a233-53dd5a8c4a26.html
2015 Morgantown Magazine, Local artist ten-page spread: morgantown magazine link
2015 Press for solo exhibition at Fairmont State Univesity, Link to article
2013 Community Tree Project with international artist Carol Hummel, http://www.carolhummel.com/?action=portfolio&nav=recent&pid=204
2013 Cover of Catalog and Postcard, Interface, Mesaros Gallery, Morgantown, WV
2013 Dominion Post Article: March 17, 2013 Press release, MFA Art Thesis
Exhbibition, Morgantown WV
http://ee.domionpost.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=RFBvc3QvMjAxM
y8wMy8xNyNBcjAzNDA0&Mode=HTML&Locale=English-skin-
custom
2013 Poster and advertising, Confluence, AIR Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pa
2012 Glam Natural Art Show and Exhibition, Akron, OH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-tjvurPWLA&feature=colike ,
2012 Cover of Kissimmee Scultpure Experience brochure:
http://kissimmeemainstreet.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/kissmainsculpturebrochure121.pdf
2012 News coverage for Kissimme Sculpture Experience:
http://www.clickorlando.com/Sculpture-experience-hits- Kissimmeee/-/1637238/17762920/-/11g26gwz/-/index.html