MONA POLLARD

www.monapollard.com • IG mopllardstudio • mopollard@comcast.net

Artist: Painter

With over two decades of experience, including a significant tenure at Brookdale Community College, I have honed expertise in art and design.

Experience

• 1997-Present Pollard Studio. Art and Design. Freelance. Original paintings, drawings and photography. The Art Pod, 43 W Front St., Red Bank, NJ

• 2002-2013 Adjunct Professor at Brookdale Community College in Graphic Design & Illustration. Instruction in Graphic Design and visual communication for print utilizing the design process, color theory and management according to industry standards. Presentation of instructional material including computer skill set exercises to correlate with design concepts. Courses: Typography I & II, Graphic Design Production & Techniques. Illustration.

• 2000-2012 •Learning Assistant Graphic Design and Macintosh labs. Responsible for assisting students with computer software and traditional studio skills; including portfolio presentation.

Education

• 2004 Master of Arts. New York University, The Steinhardt School of Education, New York, NY. Concentration: Digital Media, Graphic Communications Management and Technology.

• 1998 Bachelor of Fine Arts. Mason Gross School of the Arts. Rutgers University. Concentration: Painting. Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Thesis: Exploration of Gendered Spaces and Structure of the Grid.

Designations and Affiliations

• Monmouth Arts

• Art Alliance

• Advisory Board Graphic Design Brookdale Community College.

• 2013 Creative Director. Red Bank Art Walk student competition generating Logo, Poster and Map.

• 2012 General Gold Star Award. Best Club Advisor.  BCC “THINK” Design Club. 

• 2010 Advisor in establishing an official college club:  “THINK” Design Society.

• 2004 Outstanding Adjunct Instructor Award, Brookdale Community College.

• 2000 Juror, Annual JASPER award competition.

• 1998 Student Award for Academic and Artistic Excellence, MGSA Rutgers University.

Exhibitions

• 2024 “The Charles Sills Memorial Group Exhibit: Terra Incognita (An Unknown Land)” Monmouth Arts Members Show guest curated by George Bates. On view: Triptych + 6 (acrylic on canvas) at the Oyster Point Hotel. 146 Bodman St. Red Bank, NJ

• “Anything Goes” Small works at the Art Alliance. 33 Monmouth St. Red Bank, NJ

• 2024 “Portrait in Payne” Payne’s Gray Challenge at the Art Pod. 43 W Front St. Red Bank.

• 2010 “What I Did on my Summer Vacation” Faculty Exhibition. Monmouth Museum. Lincroft, NJ.

• 2010 “Making Marks”. CVA Gallery, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, New Jersey.

• 2009 “Brookdale Creates” CVA Gallery. Art and Design Faculty Exhibition.

• 1998 "Body Works" Installation on the Busch Campus, Career Services. Rutgers University, New Jersey.

• 1997 “Anomie 28” MGSA Rutgers University. New Brunswick, New Jersey.

• 1994 “Torso” works on paper. Juried Exhibition. Guild of Creative Art. Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

TEACHING

Working as an Adjunct Professor at Brookdale Community College for over a decade involved a combination of digital softwares and traditional studio skills. I taught a variety of art and design courses: Typography I and II, Graphic Design Techniques, Production, Portfolio and Illustration. My projects emphasized design principles and proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite. Students were encouraged to show originality in their design process.

My teaching philosophy includes emulating and fostering curiosity and a love of learning. My approach accepts the challenges but also recognizes the capacity to have fun. College clubs and competitions are great for relieving socialization angst. This observation inspired me to start a design club and under my direct supervision, the Think Design Society engaged students on and off campus. Club members cooperated to make critical decisions and increase their understanding of standards and practices as they worked within the scholastic and professional community. My students represented Brookdale Community College admirably in the Art Directors Club Design Derby and won two campus school spirit award competitions. Students also participated in a logo contest for an art walk in Red Bank. I received the General Gold Star Award as best club advisor. It was an honor to be recognized for my volunteer work and support of campus life.

Overall, my approach applied formative assessment principles that informed my teaching decisions as follows:

• Evaluating students' verbal communication of visual concepts by encouraging peer learning and critiques.

• Emphasis on process to promote visual acuity through practice and experimentation.

• Tailoring projects to student interests to heighten their attention and manage their own learning.

• Online tutorials to reinforce criteria by example and inspire interest in technology.

• One-on-one dialogue to provide critical feedback to clarify and modify their learning activities.

The diversity at Brookdale Community College and communal fellowship we shared was transformative for me and my students. I believe my personal and professional achievements show students the potential of education. I welcome the opportunity to share the experience.