About
Nicholas Dertien, is a Austin based artist, educator and small business owner. After completing his MFA at the Rhode Island School of Design in 2009, Nicholas set up a private sculpture studio in Austin. He has exhibited work in Marfa, Seattle, Austin, Providence and New York. Over the past decade, Nicholas’s major studio themes have focused on visually representing the sensation of breath, asthma and the eroding of the physical body. In 2015, Nicholas launched Visual Ministry Consulting which strives to create visually vibrant experiences for local worshiping communities. Nicholas is an adjunct faculty member at Austin Community College and Concordia University Texas, where he teaches drawing, design, glass, photography and ceramics.
As an educator Nicholas believes that creating a "non-fear based learning environment" is critical for a creative studio course. Within this learning environment students learn to use a discovery based practice, the design development process and critiques as a tool for positive growth. His teaching philosophy can be found on his website. Nicholas lives and works in south Austin with his wife and four sons.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Communication is the key, I want to begin by understanding the artistic skill level of the student and where they hope to be. If the student has specific goals in mind I can tailor my approach to help reach those goals. If the student is looking to approve their overall skill, my teaching strategies are based on the Design Development Process and the Discovery Based Studio Practice. Allowing me to help the student develop their skills as together we learn what artistic subject the student is most passionate about.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
2009: Master of Fine Arts, Rhode Island School of Design, Academic Honors
2009: Collegiate Teaching Certificate: Reflective Teaching, Brown University, Sheridan Center
2004: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Art University of Texas at Austin, Highest Honors, Distinguished Scholar
How did you get started teaching?
I knew I loved teaching when I began tutoring peers in the ceramic studio at the Unversity of Texas, feeling the excitement as my freinds learned to center clay for the first time on the wheel. At this time I was also a demonstating glassblower at Wimberley Glass Works south of Austin, demonstating and answering questions for groups ranging for a couple to 60 people.
What types of students have you worked with?
As a college instructor, the vast majority of my students have been enrolled in either Austin Community College or Concordia University Texas, but the students themselves have ranged from high school students taking summer community college classes to second career adults investigating their life long artist passion in a more professional manner and between. Additionally I have taught workshops for and mentored high school age students, offering college portfolio review when requested.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
As in all professions, art has foundational principles. Look for a teacher that has a deep understanding of that foundation. In that way she/he can follow the flow of your interests, otherwise the teacher might be limited to the handful of upper level skills they have practiced for their own work.