Carol Schrader BIO and CV

My creative practice often takes the form of collective ritual, making my art an antidote to consumerism by involving more people in the act of creating. I use the alchemical process of cyanotype as my medium, as well as native plants, fabric, acrylic and ink. Stitching is another ritualistic practice, and can become a literal tying-together of community.

My work is process-based and often incorporates elements of time. It is grounded in a sense of place. I use cyanotype as a form of alchemy with sun and water, as well as an indexical record of time and place. I conjure connection to elements already present and ideas that need to emerge and create meaning-soaked space to call collaborators and viewers into presence in the physical world.

My artistic practice explores connections between mythology, dream, and contemporary issues.. I investigate archetypes such as the Muse, Persephone, and La Guadalupana as they intersect with women’s roles. Water and ships become the symbols for safety in the face of the fire and flood of climate change. Working with these figures as avatars allows participants and viewers to build connection and compassion with the embodied ideas.

I have taught at K-12 to college levels and am on Jeffrey Gibson’s Biennale educator team. My diverse experience includes running a social justice circus and working in the US Senate. I have an MFA (exp), School of the Art Institute of Chicago, MA, Multicultural Education, UNM, and a BA in Government, Harvard.

Bringing people together as creators is key to the health of a community, and new forms of community are one of my artistic products. I find beauty in the embodiment of energy, intention, and experience.

CV / Resume

Carol Schrader www.carolschrader.org | @colorincommoncarol | ceschrader@gmail.com | 505 660-4246

GRANTS & HONORS

CULTURAL FUTURES GRANT, for Santa Fe’s UNESCO 20th anniversary year, Santa Fe Arts and Culture 2025-26

ART IS THE SOLUTION, Santa Fe Arts and Culture Grant 2025

SANTA FE RAILYARD ARTS COMMISSION Grant 2025

COE CENTER FOR INDIGENOUS ARTS, Artist Residency 2024-25

CLAY MORRISON SCHOLARSHIP, SAIC 2024

VISIONARY SCHOLARS AWARD, SAIC 2024-26

ART21 Educator 2022

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS and numerous other grants secured and managed for nonprofit organizations.

EDUCATION

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, MFA, Expected 2026

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, AFA in Studio Arts, 2019

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, MA in Education, 1997

HARVARD UNIVERSITY, BA Cum Laude in Government, 1987

SEA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, aboard a sailing ship, 1986

UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID, 1984

ARTS, EDUCATION & ADVOCACY WORK HIGHLIGHTS

SMITHSONIAN, National Museum of the American Indian, curriculum development, 2024-present

VENICE BIENNALE, Arts Educator Team for Jeffrey Gibson, 2024-present

SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, National Board Certified Art Teacher. 2019-2024

WISE FOOL NEW MEXICO Social Justice Circus, Managing Director. 2014-2018

RAILYARD STEWARDS, Director of Education and Outreach & Interim Executive Director. 2010-2014

RIVER SOURCE Watershed Education, Executive Administrator. 2003-2010

SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Director of Academic Outreach, College Reaccreditation Coordinator, & Faculty. 1992-2003

FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION, Washington, DC, Legislative Associate. 1988-1990

VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, US SENATE, Research Associate. 1987

Others including SANTA FE CITY IMMIGRANT TASK FORCE, Central American ARTS COOPERATIVES, MEXICAN-AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION, SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT, GETTY CENTER

SELECTED ART EXHIBITIONS

SAIC MFA Show. Acequia Madre / Body of Water. July 2026.

NEW Gallery, Art City, Chicago, MIAR (Monthly Installation Artist Residency) Solo show. Rising Waters, Mythical Ships. 2026.

Smorgasbord, Abstract Picnic Collective Show. Hydra Muse and Water Madre in Conversation. May 2026.

[TabLe], Santa Fe Arts and Culture Grant. Show curation and Hard to Swallow installation. April 2026.

Surreal Salon 18, Baton Rouge Gallery curated by Swoon. Seahorse Ship. January 2026.

Magic, Electra Gallery. Time and Fire. January 2026.

Regalo, Hecho a Mano. Apparition of the Muse Giving Birth. December 2025.

Santa Fe Railyard Art Commission. Life’s a Picnic, collective mural and cyanotype banners, December 2025.

Enlazados, Santa Fe Convention Center Gallery. Show curation, solo and collective installations. December 2025.

Women’s Work Show, Ghost Wolf Gallery. Raven Icarus. March 2025

Miniatures Show, Sun & Dust Gallery. Rabbits in Winter. March 2025

Exchange Rate: The Art of Currency, Santa Fe Convention Center Gallery. Equity in Ashes. February 2025

Prayer Flags for a Watery Planet, Grey Matter. Solo show. February 2023

Artist Abbey Experimental Art Festival, Truth or Consequences. Fenix Rising. November 2022

National Juried Show, National Arts Education Association. Unfolding House: Making Room. July 2020

Silver Linings Project, SITE Santa Fe.. Threads of Connection: Breath, Treasure, Spirit, Blood. September 2020

NeoRio: Home, LEAP: Land, Experience, and Art of Place. House of Mirrors: Leaving the Labyrinth. October 2020

Re-Centering, Santa Fe Art Institute. Woven Together: Restoring Connection collaborative installation. December 2020

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