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Teaching Background Michael "Chester" Alamo & Costello Education: Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) 1998 John Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) 1992 Professional Experience: Chair, Department of Visual Arts, University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL 2001-present Visual Arts Coordinator, Department of Fine Arts, University of St. Francis,         Joliet, IL 1999-2001 Visiting Lecturer, Department of Photography, Columbia College Chicago,         Chicago, IL 1995-2001 Print Study Room Lecturer, The Museum of Contemporary Photography,         Chicago, IL 1994-96 Exhibition Coordinator, 431 Gallery, Indianapolis, IN 1991-92 Saturday School Instructor, John Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 1989-90 Areas of specialization: digital and traditional photography practices, multimedia presentation formats, and international studies Courses Taught: Digital Courses: Digital Imaging 1 - introduction to digital imaging techniques (photoshop-based). Digital Imaging 2 - intermediate level studio in digital imaging + printing         (photoshop and illustrator-based). Digital Painting - intermediate level studio in digital paintng + presentation         (painter-based). Digital Studio - Advanced level studio in digital imaging + media         (flash, photoshop and painter-based). 2-D Design Principles - introduction to foundations and fundamentals of 2-D design         (computer + traditional media). Typography 1 - introduction to foundations in typographic communication         (illustrator-based). Portfolio Development - digital packaging strategies for fine artists and designers         (flash and dreamweaver-based). Photography Courses: Photography 1 - introduction to B+W photography fundamentals and techniques. Darkroom 1 - introduction to B+W wet darkroom fundamentals and techniques. Photography 2 - introduction to Color photography fundamentals and techniques. Darkroom 2 - introduction to Color wet darkroom fundamentals and techniques. Color Photography - introduction to color photography in a digital and wet        darkroom format. Advanced Color - focused upon advanced color shooting + printing techniques. Documentary Photography - focused upon traditional documentary photography         application and practices. Alternative Photo Practices - focused upon 19th century and non-traditional         printing techniques. The Portrait - focused upon advanced studio lighting and portraiture         application and theory. Studio Lighting - focused upon studio lighting techniques and practices, including:         strobes, spot, and flash lighting systems. The Photobook - using a preexisting body of work students produce a Photobook while         studying the conceptual and formal aspects of seminal Photobooks View Camera - focused upon the large format view camera practices and techniques. Seminar Courses: Visual Arts Seminar - focused seminar designed to develop current work and discuss         art theory and seminal writings. Self-Reflections and the Photograph - applied and theory-based approach to how the         self-portrait is practiced in photography. Senior Thesis - one-on-one intensive study that addresses the visual arts         thesis exhibition, written element, and articulation. History Courses: Ancient to Medieval Art History - introduction to western and non-European art history         from its inception to 1500. Renaissance to Modern Art History - introduction to western and non-European        art history from 1500 to 1900. 20th Century Art - introduction to artistic practices, trends and theory of the 20th century. Film and Photography Visual Culture - survey course on current and recent trends in film,         photography and video as applied in a cultural and social context. History of Photography - survey course on photography history and theory from         1839 to the present. Documentary Practices in Photography - lecture course on traditional, constructed,        recent trends, and theory in photo-based documentary practices. Travel Courses Taught: Art of Italy and Austria from 1400 to the present - Rome, Assisi, Florence, and Venice, Italy and Innsbruck, and Salzburg, Austria, May 2007         This course focused upon art and culture found in Italy and Austria between 1400 and the present. The class was designed to offer the student first-hand experience through travel and research in the aforementioned cities. Prior to the travel component, students were introduced to the role of art in defining the culture it represents. This was accomplished through an introduction into art of the Italian Renaissance (including the works of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Titian, Tintoretto). In addition, students were brought current with art trends found in the region through readings and presentations on the artwork of Egon Schiele, Gustave Klimt, and Oskar Kokoschka (20th c. Austria), and contemporary Italian Art (including Maurizio Cattelan and Lucio Fontana). Art in New York - NYC, NY, March 2006         This course was created to look at contemporary art and photography practices and the establishments that support such efforts. Students read and discussed critical writings (e.g., Clement Greenberg's "The Avante Garde and Kitsch", 1939) and contrasted this material with artwork produced in New York between 1930 and the present. This course culminated with students traveling to NYC for site visits to artist studios, galleries, and museums. Netherlandish Art 1400 to the present - Brussels, Belgium and Amsterdam, Holland, May 2004         This course focused upon art and its impact in Northern Europe (specifically Belgium and Holland) from the 1400s to the present. The class was designed to offer the student first-hand experience coupled with seminal writings and analysis addressing art of Europe's Northern Lowlands. During travel, students visited art galleries, studios, museums and other culturally relevant institutions. Through these excursions, the students were introduced to cultural themes, artistic style, and architectural innovation developed over 5 centuries. In addition, the class focused upon the work of Vermeer, Rembrandt, Appel, Van Gogh, and Van Eyck. Art in New York - NYC, NY, March 2003         This course was designed to look at the contemporary art making practices. Students traveled to NYC to visit artist studios, galleries and museums. Students contrasted seminal writings by Fredric Jameson, Hal Foster, Vicki Goldberg, and Bell Hooks with artists addressing themes related to multiculturalism, post-modernism, and art + commerce. In addition, students looked in-depth at the work of Mathew Barney, Thomas Struth, and Barbara Kruger. Renaissance Studies - Florence, Milan, and Venice, Italy and Lugano, Switzerland, May 2002         This course focused upon art and culture of Southern Europe (specifically Switzerland and Northern Italy) during the Renaissance. The class was initiated to offer the student first-hand experience coupled with seminal writings and analysis addressing art of the Italian Renaissance and its influence on contemporary society. During travel, students visited art galleries, studios, museums, and other culturally relevant institutions. Through these excursions, the students were introduced to cultural themes, artistic style, and architectural innovation began in the 13th century and continued through the present day. Language Studies: Holds foundation understanding and is conversant in Dutch, French, Italian, and Spanish  Teaching Philosophy