Michael Fels
Professor of Art
Department: Art
Email: mfels@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-5597
Brief Biography
Website: michaelfels.org
A mixed-media artist, Michael D. Fels received his M.F.A. in printmaking.
His art has been shown in places ranging from Taiwan, New Zealand, Chicago, DC and New York City. He has current exhibitions running of both 2 and 3 dimensional works in materials ranging from steel, wood, glass, concrete and more. Primarily a site-specific installation-artist, Michael’s is exhibiting a combination of new and older work. Interests of wabi-sabi and the inculcation of material syntax, the juxtaposition of varying materials, direct the work.
Michael D. Fels taught for ten years at The Pennsylvania State University before joining the faculty at Elon University 12 years ago. Department Chair, Head of the Foundations area, and Exhibition Coordinator at Elon, Fels continues his exploration of art and its physical boundaries through both his teaching and his artmaking.
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
2009-Current District Gallery, Park City, UT
2005-2009 MIWAA Gallery, NYC, NY
News & Notes
Education
EDUCATION
1992 M.F.A. Penn State University, University Park
1989 B.F.A. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Courses Taught
Classes Taught
Professional Practices, Senior Seminar (466 & 467), Interactive Art, Silkscreen, Fundamentals of Design, Introduction to 3-D Art, Installation Art, Drawing, Introduction to Painting, ECF 211 2nd Year Seminar, Elon 101, Global Studies (Service Learning Living/Learning Community GST110), Mixed Media and Metaphor, FNA 265 Fine Arts Study Abroad: Italy
Leadership Positions
2014 Interim Associate Dean of the School of the Arts and Sciences
2012-current Chair, Department of Art & ARH
2006-current Exhibition Coordinator, Gallery 406, Isabella Cannon Room, and the campus Sculpture Walk Area Manager, Art & ARH Arts West Woodshop
2002-current Foundations Area Director, Department of Art & ARH
Presentations
SELECET EXHIBITIONS
Solo exhibitions:
2015 Current Prints and Paintings, Arthur Secunda Museum, Cleary University, MI
2014 Signorelli’s Dream for a Greener Earth, ARS Gallery, Benton Harbor, MI
2013
Public Art, Garden City, MI, Mancelona Mary, Scarab Club Gallery, Detroit, MI Public Art Collection, Detroit, MI
2006
What Went Wrong, Urban Institute of Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, MI
New Works, MWAA Gallery, NYC, NY
Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC
2005
The Walk of Wabi-Sabi, Hodson Gallery, Frederick, MD
2000
Recent Work, The Gallery, Chicago, IL
Interpretations, Mount St. Marys University, Washington, DC
1999
Abstract Reality, (Invitational) Millersville Gallery, Millersville University, PA
Group Exhibitions:
2014
Center for Visual Artists, Sculpture Show, Greensboro, NC
2013
Art Kit, Bi-Annual Faculty Exhibition, Isabella Cannon, Elon University Elon, NC
2012
Tri-State Sculptors Annual Exhibition, Gray Gallery, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
2011
7 Eleven Art for Art, Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, MI
Annual Small Works Invitational, New Art Center, Kutztown, PA
Bi-Annual Faculty Exhibition, Arts West Gallery, Elon University, Elon, NC
2010
New Works, Center For the Arts Gallery, Towson, MD
Annual Small Works Invitational, New Art Center, Kutztown, PA
Tri-State Sculpture Works, Arts West Gallery, Elon, NC
2009
The Stable, (Invitational) The District Gallery, Park City, UT
Intermedia, (Invitational) Art Exchange Gallery, Raleigh, NC
The Winter Show, Greenhill Gallery, Greensboro, NC
2008
Tri State Sculpture Annual Exhibition, The Reece Museum, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Annual Small Works Invitational, New Art Center, Kutztown, PA
2007
Tri State Sculpture Annual Exhibition, Wellington Gay Gallery, School of Art & Design, Eastern Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Annual Small Works Invitational, New Art Center, Kutztown, PA
2006
New Works, MWAA Gallery, NYC, NY
What’s THAT, Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville,VA
Elysiana, 48 Hour Film Festival, Showings:
·Univ of Chapel Hill, School of Communication, Chapel Hill, NC
·Historic Greensboro Theater, Greensboro, NC.
2005
New Works, MWAA Gallery, NYC, NY
The Suitcase Show (traveling exhibition of sculpture)
Locations:
Snowhite Gallery, Waganui, New Zealand
Percy Thomas Gallery, Stratford, New Zealand
Corbon Estates Art Center, Waitakere, New Zealand
Tri State Sculptors Annual Exhibition, Catherine Smith Gallery, Appalachian University, Boone, NC
Art Works, (Invitational), New Art Center, Kutztown, PA
Hang it Up, Greenhill Art Center, Greensboro, NC
Deconcealed, White Building, Mebane, NC
2004
Suitcase Show (traveling exhibition of sculpture)
Locations:
Delta State University, Wright Art Center, Clevland, MS
Caldwell Arts Council Chamber, Lenoir, NC
East Carolina University School of Art, Greenville, NC
Community Council for the Arts, Kinston, NC
Transylvania County Arts Council, Brevard, NC
Recent Works, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC
2003
Suitcase Show (traveling exhibition of sculpture) (Invitational)
Locations:
Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC
Redux Studios, Charleston, SC
Morings Gallery, Randolph County Art Guild, Asheboro, NC
Elon University, Model Center for the Arts, Elon, NC
Wired Moring Arts Center, Asheboro, NC
Off the Wall, Isabella Cannon Gallery, Elon University
2002
Greensboro Artist League Exhibit, Greensboro, NC. Received the Honorable Mention Award from the Juror, Greg Shelnutt, Director of Art at Clemson University
Sculpture Exhibition, Weems Art Gallery, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
Suitcase Show, (traveling exhibition of sculpture) (Invitational) University Gallery, UNC-Asheville, NC
Biannual Faculty Exhibition, Isabella Cannon Gallery, Elon, NC
Awards
Elon University
2013 Elon University Summer Research Fellowship
2007 Elon College Excellence in Teaching Award
Other
2012 National Council for Arts Administrators: Emerging Arts Administrator Fellowship
1999 Penn State University Teaching Excellence Award (only one awarded from all 19 campuses)