Artist Statement
Like a child playing with Legos or Lincoln Logs, I am fascinated by the endless possibilities of stacking and building. Considering the material of manufactured porcelain or glass tile, I repurpose its industrial function to a simple building block. The concept of multiplicity inspires me to explore boundaries of gravity as the vertical forms spiral, creating futuristic cityscapes and architecture. Tempted by their fixed shape but flexible configuration, I enjoy seeking equilibrium among my tiles on the verge of collapse.
Matthew Paul Isaacson was born in Northern Michigan and grew up working on a large-scale industrial fruit-manufacturing farm, a background that continues to inform and inspire his work. His current sculptural work focuses on complex installations of free-stacked ceramic and glass tiles, which often reference architectural cityscapes. Matthew received his BFA in Painting alongside a Minor in Music from Western Michigan University in 2004. He then received his MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007 and was awarded the Graduate Thesis Dissertation Scholarship.
Matthew now lives and works in Saint Louis as an Associate Professor and the Ceramics Coordinator at Saint Louis Community College at Forest Park. He has exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally, including a solo exhibition at Duane Reed Gallery, the Luminary Center for the Arts, a group show at SPACE Gallery in Pittsburgh, and recently participated in the Xin Jiang International Sculpture Exhibition in China. Past residencies include The Luminary Center of Arts, Ox-Bow, and Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts. He has also attended Pilchuck Glass School and Arrowmont School of Arts an Crafts.
2004
2007
EDUCATION
MFA, Ceramics, Virginia Commonwealth University. 2007
BFA, Minor in Music, Western Michigan University. 2004
Alfred State University of New York, Alfred Summer Ceramics Studio Intensive. 2002
Associate of Arts, Northwestern Michigan College. 1999
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
January 4th 2010- Present
St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. Associate Professor, Ceramics Coordinator. Gallery Director August 2011- August 2014. Acting Chair August - January 2012, June 10th – August 19th 2013.
August 1st 2008- July 6th 2009
Columbus State University. Assistant Professor of Art.
January 15th 2008 to July 2008
Virginia Commonwealth University. Adjunct Professor Ceramics.
Sept 5th 2007 to July 14th 2008
Visual Art Center of Richmond Virginia. Ceramic Technician and Ceramic Instructor.
Aug. 2005- Aug. 2006
Virginia Commonwealth University. Adjunct Instructor Ceramics
EXHIBITIONS
2016
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Interpretations: 15th Biennial Teapot Exhibition at the Craft Alliance. Curated by Stefanie Kirkland. January 15th – March 20th
2015
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Solo Exhibition at Dickson Window Art Project Space, Waubonsee Community College November 2015 – March 4th 2016. Sugar Grove, Illinois.
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Small Buildings: built, unbuilt, unbuildable. Group exhibition curated by Bruce Lindsey and Buzz Spector. March 13th – May 10th at the Craft Alliance Center of Art and Design. St. Louis, MO
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Designated Areas. Group exhibition, juror David Conradsen. January 9th – March 1st at Craft Alliance Center of Art and Design. St. Louis, MO
2014
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Duet. Duo exhibition with Lisa Sanditz. Curated by Daniel McGrath. December 5th 2014 – February 20th 2015. St. Louis, MO
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Colleagues Exhibition. Group Show. February 27th – March 28th Meramec Contemporary Art Gallery. Reception Feb. 27th 4:30 - 6:3:0pm. St. Louis, MO
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The Infinite Loop: Solo Exhibition at the Art Gallery, University of New Mexico-Gallup. January 13th- February 21st. Gallup, New Mexico
2013
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District 3D: Group Show. STLCC Florissant Valley Contemporary Gallery.September 2nd - October 10th St. Louis, MO
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Testosterone: Group Show. Unsmoke Gallery August 30th - October 4th Pittsburgh, PA
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Xin Jiang International Sculpture Exhibition. In conjunction with Northeast Normal University. Curated by Yin Xiaofeng. August 12th - August 31st Wulumuqi, China
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STLCC Forest Park Faculty Group Show. August 19th – September 6th St. Louis, MO
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Mound. Fontbonne University Fine Art Gallery: Solo Exhibit. March 15th-April 9th St. Louis, MO
2012
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Contemporary Art Museum, City-Wide Open Studios. July 28th 29th St. Louis MO
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Form Contemporary Design Show. Sept. 28-29th St. Louis, MO
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A Grandiose Numerical Equation: Phase 4. Duane Reed Gallery. May. St. Louis, MO
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Cherry Dance: Solo Exhibition. The Luminary Center of Arts. April 13th - May 11th St. Louis, MO
2011
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Fortified. Dinderbeck Studios. Group show curated by James Dinderbeck. Oct. 1st- 20th Grand Rapids, MI
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Extraction. S.P.A.C.E. Gallery. Group show curated by Jill Larson, Sept.19th – Nov. 20th Pittsburgh, PA
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A Grandiose Numerical Equation: Phase 3. Solo exhibition curated by Josh Welker, Sept.- 26th Oct. 21st Taylor University, Upland, IN
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Faculty Exhibit. STLCC, Forest Park Fine Art Gallery. Aug.- Sept. St. Louis, MO
2010
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Sticky Tacky. St. Louis Community College, Fine Art Gallery. Solo Exhibition. Nov. 17th – Dec. 17th St. Louis, MO
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Eat Me. Future Tenant. Curated by Jill Larson, Sept. – Oct. Pittsburgh, PA
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Faculty Exhibit. STLCC, Forest Park, Fine Art Gallery. Sept. - Oct. St. Louis, MO
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Synesthesia. STLCC, Forest Park Performing Arts Theatre. Collaborative Visual and Musical Performance with Dr. Zirkle and company. August 26th St. Louis, MO
2009
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ArtPrize, Old Federal Building, Sept 23rd - Oct 10th Grand Rapids, MI
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Pilchuck Glass School Faculty Exhibition. Pilchuck Campus, August 26nd- Sept 1st Stanwood, WA
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A Grandiose Numerical Equation. Solo Exhibition. CSU, University Hall, Experimental Theatre. April 4-24th Columbus, GA
2008
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CSU Bay Gallery Sculpture Group Show. Aug. 27th – Sept 27th Columbus State University, GA
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Faculty & Staff Exhibition. True F. Luck Gallery VACR, Aug. 8-21 Richmond, VA
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From the Ground Up. FE Gallery, Feb 19th - April 18th Pittsburgh, PA
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Emergence. Plant Zero, Feb 25th -29th Richmond, VA
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Tangents. Slaughter House Gallery, March 17th – 24th Pittsburgh, PA
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Juried Exhibition. Traverse City Art Center, March 7th – April 6th Traverse City, MI
2007
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VACR Faculty Exhibition. Richmond Frame, Oct. 5th – 31st Richmond, VA
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Tech Savvy. Ox-Bow School Fine Art Gallery, Aug. 8th - 19th Saugatuck, MI
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MFA Thesis Exhibition. VCU Anderson Gallery, April 27th - May 6th Richmond, VA
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We and Us: VCU at CCA, Play SPACE Gallery, California College of the Arts, Feb. 2nd - 22nd San Francisco, CA
2006
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The Goods. Graduate Candidacy Show Gallery 5. Richmond, VA
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Capitol One Graduate Group Show, Curated by Kiara Pelissier., Richmond, VA
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W/E Trade: An Exchange Show Between Graduate Schools of the Arts. Claremont, CA
2005
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First Year Graduate Show Craft-Materials Study, VCU Fine Art Gallery. Richmond, VA
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Catskill Mountain Gallery, Faculty Show. Hunter, NY
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Journeys in Clay V. Juried Exhibit, GCCA Mountaintop Gallery. Windham, NY
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Art Hop, Sugar Magnolia Studios. Kalamazoo, MI
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Kalamazoo Institute of Art Juried Area Show. Kalamazoo, MI
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WMU Juried Student Show. Kalamazoo, MI
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Warm Red Dime, sculpture group show. Grand Rapids, MI
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Warm Red Dime, group show. Grand Rapids, MI
CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
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Michael McFalls: March 17th - April 4th 2014. Reception Thursday, April 3rd 2014, 4-6pm.
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Andrea Keys Connell: “Being With” February 10th - March 7th 2014 Opening reception Thursday, February 13th 4-6pm.
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Daniel McGrath: "You Might Very Well Think That, I Couldn't Possibly Comment." January 13 - February 7th 2014. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park.
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The Price of Freedom: Walkers Point Center for the Arts in conjunction with NCECA CIE. January 31st – March 21st 2014.
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Eto Otitigbe: Curious Industry. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park. October 7th – November 1st. Live Performance 7:30pm Oct. 11th 2013
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Jessica Langley: Voids. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park. September 9th – October 4th
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Alberto Condotta Marie Bannerot McInerney: Layers. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park. June 24th – July 26th 2013
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Xinsong Liao: The Voice from China- Contemporary Chinese Paintings. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park. March. 4th - April 5th 2013
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John Zimmerman: Origins of Strata. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park. Feb.11th – March 1st 2013
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Yingxue Zuo: New Masterpieces from China. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park. Jan. 14th – Feb. 8th 2013
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Scott Proctor & Jason Pemberton: If we don’t outthink it, it will outgrow us… Nov. 15th - Dec 12th 2012
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Ben Bates: New Works. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park. Oct 15 - Nov. 9th 2012
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Kyle Hossli: The Recreations. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park. Sept. 17-Oct. 12th 2012.
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Jason Hacket and Evertt Biedler: Destinations and Passageways: Meditations on the Middle. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park March 19th-April 13th 2012
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Brett Williams: Slow Memory Overrun. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park Feb 27th- March 16th 2012
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Carrie Becker: Colonize. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park Feb. 6th - Feb. 24th 2012
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Josh Welker: It wasn’t me I wasn’t there. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park January 17th - Feb 3rd 2012
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Dongfang Li: New Paintings. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park, Nov.14th-Dec.16th 2011
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Jaye Gregory: Figures. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park, Oct.17th – Nov.11th 2011
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Chris Day: Paintings. Gallery of Contemporary Art, STLCC Forest Park Sept.19th - Oct. 14th 2011
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Anthropocene: Age of Man. Amy Steinmann and Maria Lajsic. Art Annex Gallery Aug.- Sept. 2011
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Buds and Spuds. New works by Jeremy Brooks and Nathan Prouty. Art Annex Gallery Oct.-Nov. 2010
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Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. Ceramic Masters Exhibition including: Val Cushing, Chris Gustin, Wayne Higby, John Jessiman, Ji-Wan Joo, Karen Karnes, Jackson Li, Brad Schwieger, Chris Staley, Don Reitz, Allan Rosenbaum, Lydia Thompson, Peter Voulkos. CSU Illges Gallery March 17th-Aprl 17th 2009
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
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Arrowmont School for the Art’s May 30 – June 5th 2015
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The Luminary Center for the Arts. August - December 2011
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Pilchuck Glass School, Session 5, August - Sept 2009
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Ox-Bow School of Art, Glass Summer 2007
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Sugar Maples Center for the Arts, Ceramics Summer 2005
WORKSHOPS LECTURES
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Waubonsee Community College, Artist Lecture and Plaster Casting Demonstration. March 3rd 2016
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Ji-Lin University, Ji-Lin City, China. Lecture: A Contemporary American Sculptor May 22nd 2013
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Northeast Normal University, Changchun China. Graduate Seminar Workshop and Lecture in Contemporary Sculpture. May 20th-24th 2013
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Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Hot Glass Casting and Sculpting Workshop March 29th 2013
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Throwing Big Demo and Lecture hosted by Kreuger Pottery Sept 18th 2010. Facebook and Youtube: Kreuger Pottery videos
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Lecture on Form and Design, Georgia Wood Turners Society. Columbus State University June 27th 2009
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Auburn University Ceramics Department. Throwing Big Workshop. March 21st 2009
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Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Spring Craft Sale. Altering Forms Demo. May 2003
HONORS AWARDS
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VCU Graduate Thesis Dissertation Recipient 2007
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Travel Grant 2007
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VCU Honorary graduate scholarship 2005-spring 2006, Deans list fall 2005, spring 2006
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President of Contemporary Craft Society 2005-2006.
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Art Star Painting 2004
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Deans List Fall 2004, Spring 2004, Fall 2003, 2001
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Recipient of Carmer Scholarship 2002, 2001
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Enrichment Grant 2002
PUBLICATIONS, ARTICLES, and REVIEWS
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http://www.csastl.org/matthewpaulisaacson/
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http://www.stlmag.com/Blogs/Look-Listen/June-2012/A-Dollhouse-for-the-Apocalypse-Matthew-Paul-Isaacson-at-Duane-Reed-Gallery/
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http://theluminaryarts.com/exhibitions-and-events/installation-space-matthew-paul-isaacson/
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http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/pittsburgh/extraction/Content?oid=1458883
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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/s_759152.html
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An Interview with Peter Murray, blog.artprize.org/2009/10/05/.../comment-page-1
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Traverse City Record Eagle, ArtPrize features area participant. By Vanessa McCray October 02, 2009
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Detroit Freepress, Artprize Interview with Mark Stryker. Sunday Edition, Sept.20th2009.
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www.visitgrandrapids.org/press_release/ArtPrize_Free_Press.pdf.
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Ceramics Monthly, Upfront review Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. May, June, July issue 2009.
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Pittsburgh City Paper, Art Section, New Ground, Article Review, issue 15, page 31, April 9- 16th 2008
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Virginia Commonwealth University MFA Catalog 2007, pages 13, 84-87. B&B Printing ,Spring 2007
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Industrial Entropy, Graduate Thesis Dissertation, Collegiate Press, Spring 2007
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Sugar Maples Center for the Arts Summer Catalog 2005, Catskill Mountain Foundation, Fall 2005
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Kalamazoo Public Schools Project E.E.K! (energy curriculum)A collaborative project of Published Illustrations that is used to teach children grades K-5 2004
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
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Northeast Normal University, Changchun China
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Columbus State University, Columbus Georgia