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Artist Joel Armstrong was raised in Corpus Christi, TX, where he grew to love fishing, salt air, humidity and rust. He attended Texas Tech University, and spent over 20 years as both an illustrator and graphic designer. While art director of Group, a magazine for youth ministers, at the age of 39, Joel returned to College to receive his MFA in drawing from Colorado State University (2001). At CSU, Joel began to work in wire, and then became interested in Installation art. He has continued to do wire installation for almost 10 years after graduation. He uses baler wire, and has been rusting the wire since he first began bending and twisting the medium. He currently teaches drawing and illustration at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He is married, and is father of 3. Read Less

As an installation artist, the entire gallery becomes my canvas. My art is an extension of real life and offers connections with memories, feelings, and expressions that the steady sound of a sprinkler can resurrect, or the bright sounds a happy bird can bring to mind. I tell stories that reflect our human experience.

In graduate school, I questioned the idea of what a drawing is, or can be. Instead of traditional materials, I chose baling wire, because it most naturally defined me. The sturdiness of the metal, combined with its soft subtle curves makes wire a great drawing instrument. I create wire drawings of everyday items, which I finish off with a rust patina that intentionally references back to my childhood memories of living on the gulf coast of Texas.

Time and space are integral to my compositions. I collect wire drawings into gatherings that either attach to the walls or suspend from the ceiling. I add sounds, light and sometimes even smells the work together with the drawings to create a multisensory environment. My aim is to make people feel at home and offer them time to absorb each piece and to be a part of something special, something bigger. Read Less

Joel Armstrong
Asst. Professor of Visual Art
John Brown University
2000 West University St.
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
jarmstrong@jbu.edu
http://www.jarmstrongart.com

Education
• 2001—MFA, Colorado State University, Ft Collins, CO.
• 1978—BFA, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
• 1976—AA, Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, TX.

Teaching:
• 2003 thru present—John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR Assistant Professor of Visual Arts.
• 2007—Wire drawing workshop to high school students for Giving Voice.
• 2006—Wire drawing workshop to high school students for Giving Voice.
• 2001-2003—Colorado State University, Adjunct Faculty.
• 1999-2001—Colorado State University, Graduate Teaching Assistant.
• 2000—University of Northern Colorado, taught a 2-day wire sculpture workshop for public school teachers.
• 1979—University of Arkansas, Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Solo Exhibitions
• 2011—Garage Sale, Sugar Gallery, Bentonville, AR
• 2007—One Body, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR.
• 2005—It’s Time to Address’er Drawers, St. Brides Type Library, London, England.
• 2003—Creativity and the Bipolar Mind, Access Gallery, Denver, CO.
• 2001—Drawn and Quartered; a Bipolar Frame of Mind, Hatton Gallery, Ft. Collins, CO.
MFA Thesis Exhibition.
• 2000—Emersion) the Sign of Jonah, Lincoln Center, Ft. Collins, CO.
• 1999—Emersion) the Sign of Jonah, Mariani Gallery, Greeley, CO.
• 1999—Clothes Lines, Colorado State University Student Gallery, Ft Collins, CO.

Collaborative Exhibitions
• 2010— John Brown University Faculty Exhibit, JBU Art Dept. Gallery, Siloam Springs, AR.
• 2009—On the Line, a collaborative installation with Neil Ward, Living Arts, Tulsa, OK.
• 2009—Failing Hearts, a collaborative installation with Neil Ward, Living Arts, Tulsa, OK.
• 2006—John Brown University Faculty Exhibit, JBU Art Dept. Gallery, Siloam Springs, AR.

Juried Exhibitions
• 2001—This American Lawn, Traveling exhibition Mesa Contemporary Arts Center, Mesa, AZ.
• 2000—Home, Soil Gallery, Seattle, WA.

Teaching:
• 2003 thru present—John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR Assistant Professor of Visual Arts.
• 2007—Wire drawing workshop to high school students for Giving Voice.
• 2006—Wire drawing workshop to high school students for Giving Voice.
• 2001-2003—Colorado State University, Adjunct Faculty.
• 1999-2001—Colorado State University, Graduate Teaching Assistant.
• 2000—University of Northern Colorado, taught a 2-day wire sculpture workshop for public school teachers.
• 1979—University of Arkansas, Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Publications and Presentations-
• 2009—“Recharge Your Design Batteries,” by John O’Reilly and Tony Linkson.
• 2009—“21st Century Art,” a book published by Neo Poprealism.
• 2008—“ArtTrader Issue #2,” http://www.arttradermag.com/node/11.
• 2008— Presented“Inspiration through Collaboration,” at St Brides Type Library, London, England.
• 2007—“Drawn and Quartered, a Bipolar State of Mind,” Christians in the Visual Arts.
• 2007—Artwork included in “The Best of Illustrated ATCs 2007.”
• 2007— “WIRED!,” http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/613362.
• 2007—Visiting Artist & Juror of Student Portfolios, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.

Reviews and Articles
• 2010—“Armstrong proves victorious in bipolar battle,” The Threefold Advocate.
• 2007—“All in one,” Northwest Arkansas Times.
• 2006—“Joel Armstrong draws an intimate portrait of JBU art department,” What’s Up! Northwest Arkansas Times.
• 2006—“Artist Drawn to New Dimensions,” Northwest Arkansas times.
• 2006—“Armstrong uses baling wire art to build community,” Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
• 2006—“Drawn and Quartered, a Bipolar State of Mind,” CIVASEEN, a quarterly Newsletter published by Christians in the Visual Arts.
• 2006—“Professor bends wire art into campus installation,” The Threefold Advocate.
• 2005—“JBU art show opens Tuesday,” Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
• 2005—“Drawing with wire,” Our Town—The Morning News.
• 2004—“Art in London,” Herald Leader.
• 2000—“Wired; Artist’s touches evoke memories,” Reporter Herald.
• 2000—“Mow better blues,” Newtimes.
• 2000—“‘American Lawn’ fills the eye,” Reach.


Awards and Honors Art-related grants and fellowships.
• 2011—JBU Professional Summer Grant.
• 2010—Attended 6 week summer fellowship in Southern France.
• 2010—JBU Professional Summer Grant.
• 2008—JBU Presidential Summer Grant, (3 years, for installation, Garage Sale).
• 2008—JBU Shipps Grant for Neil Ward/Joel Armstrong collaboration.
• 2008—JBU Professional Summer Grant.
• 2006—JBU Shipps Grant for One Body Installation. Read Less