BLANKENSHIP

BIOGRAPHY

Lanette Parker Blankenship earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University (ASU) in 2014, situated in Tempe, AZ. ASU, recognized as a leader in innovation, has maintained its No. 1 ranking since 2014 and continues to hold this position in 2023. Among 755 institutions lacking a medical school, ASU secures the 6th position, surpassing prestigious institutions such as the California Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University. ASU stands as a Tier 1 Research Facility, emphasizing its commitment to significant research endeavors.
In 2011, Blankenship obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). UAB, also classified as a Tier 1 Research Institution, boasts one of the nation's largest academic medical centers. As a Tier 1 Research Institution, UAB engages in substantial research activities, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation in various fields.
Commencing her career in education in 2012, Blankenship initiated her teaching journey within ASU's graduate program. During this time, she concentrated on the development of Drawing 1 and Two-Dimensional Design classes while concurrently pursuing her thesis studies.
Upon her return to Alabama in 2014, Blankenship assumed the role of Drawing Adjunct Professor at UAB. Within the Department of Art and Art History (DAAH), she instructed drawing classes spanning foundation, experiential, figure, and advanced levels under the guidance of Associate Professor of Drawing and Bookmaking Doug Baulos. Additionally, she had the privilege of establishing a special topics drawing class that delved into fibers, sewing, embroidery techniques, and drawing. In 2016, Blankenship collaborated with drawing students to exhibit their artwork at the UAB Project Space, presenting the showcase "Women Wielding Floss and People on Paper."
During her time at UAB, Adjunct Professor Blankenship collaborated with UAB Painting and Drawing Professor Gary Chapman, gaining expertise in teaching Beginning Painting and Advanced Painting. This opportunity not only allowed her to continue the tradition of traditional oil painting but also encouraged advanced artists to explore various painting and new media, including digital painting. The culmination of this effort resulted in the students of Advanced Painting presenting their work in the 2015 group exhibition titled "Seven," curated by Lanette Blankenship at the UAB Project Space.
In 2017, Lanette Blankenship transitioned into the Alabama Community College System, assuming the role of full-time Art Instructor at Lawson State Community College, a historically significant institution in the Black community. Within this tenure, she undertook the substantial task of restructuring, organizing, and revitalizing the art area to align with the rigorous standards set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Dedicated to fostering artistic expression, Blankenship collaborated closely with the African-American Community in the Birmingham and Bessemer area. Her efforts aimed at introducing visual arts to students in this unique demographic, often hailing from low-income communities and struggling school systems in Alabama. At Lawson State, she successfully made art accessible and pertinent, catering to both art majors and non-art majors in the context of a Historically Black College and/or University (HBCU).
In 2022, Blankenship transitioned to Snead State Community College, a smaller, rural institution located in Boaz, AL. Serving a diverse student population encompassing White, Hispanic, and African American students, she undertook the task of restructuring, organizing, and rebuilding the Art Department to meet the accreditation standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Currently positioned as a full-time Art Instructor within the Fine Arts Division at SSCC, Blankenship has meticulously reconstructed class content and curriculum across various courses, including Art Appreciation, Drawing, Two and Three-Dimensional Composition (Design), and Art History. Additionally, she introduced new art classes, including Ceramics 1, Painting 1, and Painting 2. Beyond the classroom, Blankenship established valuable partnerships, collaborating with the Boaz Public Library to host student-focused art shows and fostering an alliance with the Mountain Valley Arts Council to establish an annual art exhibition for Snead State Community College.

BLANKENSHIP