BIO
Paul Siebenthal grew up on the central coast of California. His grandfather, father, and uncles were all union pipefitters and welders, and metal fabrication was a part of his family identity. Paul is a veteran, and has a BFA in Metalsmithing/Blacksmithing from SIU–C (2000), an MFA in Sculpture from University of Norte Dame (2004). Paul has worked in metal-art studios in Austria and Germany, taught as an Adjunct Art Instructor, worked as a Mountmaker and Art Preparator, and for a contemporary architecture firm as a Visiting Artist. Paul is currently a full time studio artist in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Artists Statement
As a contemporary sculptor and artist, who works directly with metal and other materials, much of my earlier work dealt with historical fictions, and creating more interesting historical narratives. As I grow older however, I’ve become more interested in natural forms, especially those which are overlooked due to scale or proximity. I observe a microscopic world where single celled organisms take on a variety of amazing forms, creating a world beyond imagination and just out of sight of the naked eye. I observe geology, which produces unrivaled hidden beauty. I see a plant world that is extremely diverse, complex, beautiful, and useful. I see complex organisms cooperating in interesting ways. I see ecosystems and natural systems that we are just beginning to understand. Physics leads us into impossibilities which are somehow real. Nature produces unfamiliar beauty. There is so much to reveal at every scale without the invention of new realities. What could come of that might be a better appreciation of our fragile small planet. If my artwork can contribute to a human world more in tune with the needs of the natural world, I will have achieved something worthwhile.
Paul Siebenthal
7645 W. John Garrison Rd. #9
Fayetteville, AR 72704
(479) 368-8098
paul.siebenthal@yahoo.com
EDUCATION
2008-2010 MAT, Masters of Arts in Teaching ART. University of Indianapolis
2001-04 MFA, Master of Fine Arts degree, Sculpture, University of Notre Dame
2002 Kunst und Arkitekture Hochschule Wismar, Wismar, Germany
1995-00 BFA, Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Metalsmithing/Blacksmithing, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
1997 Study Abroad Program, Bregenz, Austria, Southern Illinois University
AWARDS and EXPERIENCES
2024 Artists 360 Community Activator Grant Recipient
2011-2013 Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship – Arts Council of Indianapolis
2007 Artist in Residence at Kursschmiede in Munich, Germany
2004 Walter R. Beardsley Trust Award, for best in show in MFA Thesis Exhibition for the installation entitled The Robert Kennicott Collection
2003 Zahm Travel Grant, University of Notre Dame, for research on master’s thesis at the Cleveland Art Museum, Ohio and Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
2002 Attended Sculpture Workshop/Open Studio at Hochschule fur Arkitekture
und Kunst -Wismar in Germany
2002 Downes Travel Grant, University Notre Dame
2001-04 Graduate Tuition Scholarship, University of Notre Dame
2000 University Honors, Cum Laude, Southern Illinois University
2000 Rickert Ziebold Trust Award, Southern Illinois University
1997-98 Artist/Apprentice, Deuring Kunstschlosserei, Bregenz, Austria.
EMPLOYMENT
2020-Present Independent Full Time Studio Artist
2015-2020 Resident Artist, Modus Architecture, Fayetteville, AR
2010-2015 Mountmaker and Exhibits Crew member, Indianapolis Museum of Art
2009-2010 Art Teacher (emergency license), Marion Community Schools
2004-09 Gallery Assistant, Cristel De Haan Fine Art Gallery
2004-09 Associate Adjunct Professor of Art, University of Indianapolis
2004-06 Adjunct Instructor, IUPUI Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN
2001-04 Teaching Assistant, University of Notre Dame
2004 Temporary Shop Technician, University of Indianapolis
2002 Summer Shop Technician, University of Notre Dame
2001 Curatorial Assistant, Special Collections-Hesburgh Library, University of Notre Dame
2000 Full Time Studio Artist, Mishawaka, IN
COURSES TAUGHT
2009-10 2D, 3D, Computer Arts, and Ceramics, Marion High School (secondary)
2008 Women in Art, University of Indianapolis
2008 History of Western Art Survey II, University of Indianapolis
2008 Gallery Studies, University of Indianapolis
2008 Readings in Art History, University of Indianapolis
2008 Jewelry and Metalsmithing, University of Indianapolis
2007 Art Appreciation (1 section), team taught, University of Indianapolis
2007 Fundamentals of 3-D Design (3 sections), University of Indianapolis
2007 Jewelry and Metalsmithing (2 sections), University of Indianapolis
2006 Fundamentals of 3-D Design (2 sections), University of Indianapolis
2006 Jewelry and Metalsmithing (2 sections), University of Indianapolis
2006 Drawing for Non-Art Majors, University of Indianapolis
2005 Drawing for Non-Art Majors (2 sections), University of Indianapolis
2005 Jewelry and Metalsmithing, University of Indianapolis
2005 Fundamentals of 3-D Design (2 sections), University of Indianapolis
2005 Sophomore Sculpture, Herron School of Art
2004 Studio Foundations, Herron School of Art
2004 Sophomore Sculpture, Herron School of Art
2004 Drawing for Non-Art Majors, University of Indianapolis
2004 Fundamentals of 2-D Design, University of Indianapolis
2003 Metal Sculpture (2 sections), University of Notre Dame
2002 Wood Sculpture (2 sections), University of Notre Dame
2001 3-D Foundations (Teaching Assistant / 2 sections), University of Notre Dame
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Local Color, Fayetteville, AR
Broad Ripple Art and Design, Indianapolis, Indiana (post) Eye on Art, Carmel, Indiana (post)
RECENT EXHIBITIONS (my work)
“Love Molecule”, Best Friends Animal Resource Center, Bentonville, AR (2024)
“Interform-Assembly”, Springdale AR, Railside (2023)
“Frustum”, Public Sculpture, CACHE/The Medium, Springdale AR. (2023)
“Mantis”, Public Sculpture, Bela Vista Public Library, Bela Vista, AR (2022)
“Ab-strakt”, Local Color Studio Gallery, Fayetteville, AR (2020)
“Collective”, Local Color Studio Gallery, Fayetteville, AR (2019)
“Halite, Bauxite, and Quartz”, Fort Smith, AR Riverwalk Public Sculpture (2018)
“Framework”, Local Color Studio Gallery, Fayetteville, AR (2017)
“The Midwest Aeronautical Agricultural Association”, Indianapolis International Airport Solo Exhibit, Indianapolis, IN (2014)
“Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship Retrospective Exhibit”, Indianapolis Art Center (2013)
“Heartland Art: Selections from Your Indiana Collection”, Indiana State Museum (2011)
“Destruction of the Irminsul”, Solo Ex., Indiana Wesleyan Univ., Marion, IN (2011)
“Grand Opening Exhibition”, Eye on Art Gallery, Carmel, IN (2010)
“Fall Gallery Walk”, The Frame Shop, Indianapolis, IN (2010)
“The Gun Show II”, Two Thirds Studio, Indianapolis, IN (2010)
“The Gun Show”, Two Thirds Studio, Murphy Arts Center, Indianapolis, IN (2010)
“IMAF”, Murphy Art Center, Indianapolis, IN (2009)
“Faculty Exhibition”, University of Indianapolis, IN (2008)
“Farewell Exhibition”, Pivot Gallery, Indianapolis, IN (2008)
“The Paint and Sculpture Show “, Dean Johnson Gallery, Indianapolis, IN (2007)
“Time Bandits”, Pivot Gallery, Indianapolis, IN (2007)
“Spring Art and Design Show”, Broad Ripple Art and Design, Indianapolis IN (2007)
“Unbekannt installation”, near Bernau, Germany (2006)
“Faculty Exhibition”, University of Indianapolis , IN (2006)
“Group Show 2005", Madison Studios and Gallery, Indianapolis, IN (2005)
“Sculpture Walk”, University of Indianapolis (2005-2007)
“Final Farewell”, Bodner Gallery, Indianapolis, IN (2004)
“Lobby Level”, University of Indianapolis (2004)
“MFA Thesis Exhibition”, “The Robert Kennicott Collection” University of Notre Dame (2004) -Best in Show, Walter R. Beardsley Trust Award-
“Sculptural Memory”, Lubeznik Center for the Arts (2004)
“New Faces Show”, University of Notre Dame (2002)
“Meet Me on The Island”, South Bend Regional Museum of Art (2001)
COLLECTIONS
John A. Logan Museum
Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis
LANGUAGE (S) SPOKEN
German: Intermediate reading, writing, and conversational ability.