Bibliography

Lanette Parker-Blankenship is currently preparing for a solo exhibition at the Gadsden Museum of Art. Her research explores the experiences of a U.S. Marine, delving into fragmented memories, the essence of American identity, and the significance of military service. She also contemplates the dawn of a new era in space exploration, envisioning a future where humanity not only reaches the stars and establishes a presence on the Moon but also pioneers life on Mars. 
Her future goal in 2025 - 2026 is pursuing part-time employment as an Adjunct Professor at a research university while continuing her education at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA).  The IDSVA PhD in Visual Arts: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory is a research-based, non-studio PhD program designed for artists and creative thinkers. This program offers an incredible opportunity for MFA graduates in studio art to pursue advanced research in visual arts, philosophy, aesthetics, and art theory. 
The IDSVA program is unique for its flexibility, offering online learning and global travel opportunities that enhance the educational experience for doctoral candidates. Through this program, Parker - Blankenship will further develop her academic and artistic career, contributing to the continued growth and development of arts in academia and her personal research.

IDSVA

The Multifaceted Artist

Being an artist isn’t about choosing just one medium—it’s about embracing the full spectrum of creative expression, even writing, video, and music. Painting, drawing, sewing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, digital art, and even A.I. are all tools in our arsenal, each offering a unique way to interpret and communicate ideas. Art is not a box to fit into; it’s an evolving force that allows us to explore, question, and solve problems in ways that others might not see.

To be an artist is to be more than a maker—it is a way of living, thinking, and perceiving the world. It requires intelligence, adaptability, and an open mind, free from bias, ready to explore the past, present, and future through a global perspective within Art History and Contemporary Art. We are explorers, bringing back visions that challenge, inspire, and push humanity forward.

Art is the bridge between imagination and reality, and for those who dare to walk this path, it is not just a career—it is a calling. What we create has the power to shape minds, transform societies, and perhaps even guide us toward the final frontier.

Artistic Foundations

Lanette Parker-Blankenship earned her Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) from Arizona State University (ASU) in 2014. A globally recognized leader in innovation, ASU has maintained its No. 1 ranking in the U.S. News & World Report’s "Most Innovative Schools". The university ranks 6th among 755 institutions without a medical school, surpassing renowned schools such as the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Carnegie Mellon University. ASU is a Tier 1 research facility, distinguished for its extensive research activity and collaborations with major entities like NASA and the Department of Defense. These partnerships drive cutting-edge research in science and technology, contributing significantly to innovation across multiple disciplines.
Parker-Blankenship obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2011. UAB, classified as a Tier 1 Research Institution, is affiliated with one of the nation’s largest academic medical centers, the UAB Health System. UAB Hospital serves as Alabama’s only ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center. Between 2007 and 2014, UAB consistently ranked as one of the top research institutions in the nation, with notable advancements in health, science, and engineering fields. UAB also partners with NASA, leveraging space technology and expertise to enhance its research capabilities, and has collaborations with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, further enriching its contributions to both academic and national defense initiatives.
Lanette Parker-Blankenship’s academic journey began at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, where she earned an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in 2007. Community colleges like Jefferson State play a pivotal role in bridging the gap for students to transition into higher education, offering foundational learning and preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. By providing affordable education and personalized support, community colleges are crucial in building a strong workforce, as seen in Parker-Blankenship’s path to success.
Growing up in Gardendale, Alabama, Parker - Blankenship attended Gardendale Primary and Secondary Schools, known as the Home of the Rockets. The development of Gardendale high school, middle school, and elementary school was part of a broader initiative in the region, supported by NASA during the Space Race, which encouraged students to pursue careers in space exploration and STEM fields. This early exposure to scientific education fostered a spirit of innovation and curiosity, which deeply influenced Lanette’s academic and career pursuits. It was in this environment that she developed a love for art, history, and design, inspired by advanced concepts like quantum thinking and string theory, which she first encountered through reading her father’s DARPA magazines. Her inquisitive mind and passion for research have been central to her development as both an artist and an educator.
In addition to her academic achievements, Parker - Blankenship earned a remarkable achievement in martial arts. In 1999, she earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Martial Arts, attaining a Third Degree Black Belt with the United States Taekwondo Alliance and the International Taekwondo Alliance at Taekwondo Plus in Gardendale, Alabama. Earning a Bachelor’s degree in Martial Arts is an exceptional accomplishment that reflects Lanette’s dedication, discipline, and perseverance. She also holds a Level 1 Kali candidate certification, studying under retired military veterans and police personnel.
Beyond her academic and martial arts accomplishments, Parker - Blankenship is a creative individual with a passion for art, strategic thinking, chess, and problem-solving. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and traveling across the United States and the world. These diverse interests highlight her well-rounded intellect and ability to approach challenges from multiple perspectives. Parker - Blankenship is also a proud supporter of the United States Armed Forces, embodying values of service, discipline, and leadership.

Creative Legacy

In 2012, Parker-Blankenship began her teaching career at ASU, focusing on Drawing 1 and Two-Dimensional Design courses while completing her thesis research. Upon returning to Alabama in 2014, she served as a Drawing Adjunct Professor at UAB, teaching courses at both the foundation and advanced levels in the Department of Art and Art History (DAAH). She also developed a special topics course exploring fibers, sewing, embroidery, and drawing. In 2016, she curated the exhibition Women Wielding Floss and People on Paper at the UAB Project Space, further showcasing her ability to engage with contemporary art themes. At UAB, Parker-Blankenship collaborated with Professor Gary Chapman to teach both Beginning and Advanced Painting, encouraging students to blend traditional and new media. This collaboration led to the 2015 exhibition Seven. 
In 2017, Lanette Parker-Blankenship joined the Alabama Community College System, where she worked for eight years, beginning at Lawson State Community College, an HBCU (Historically Black College and University). During her time at Lawson State, she developed the foundational art program, which provided students with the essential skills and knowledge necessary for success in higher education art courses. The foundational art program plays a critical role in preparing students for more advanced studio and art history coursework by focusing on fundamental concepts such as drawing, composition, and design. These programs are crucial in community colleges as they offer accessible, high-quality education for students who may not have prior formal training in art, providing them with the necessary foundation to continue their studies and pursue careers in the arts.
Parker-Blankenship taught a range of courses in both in-person and online formats, including Drawing 1, Drawing 2, Two-Dimensional Composition, Three-Dimensional Composition, Art History 1 and 2, and Art Appreciation. She successfully navigated the challenges of asynchronous and synchronous learning, ensuring that both online and in-person students had a dynamic, engaging learning experience. Asynchronous learning, where students complete assignments on their own time, allowed for flexibility, especially in the art history and appreciation online courses, while synchronous learning, which includes live sessions, was incorporated for both studio and lecture-based courses to provide real-time feedback, discussions, and collaborative experiences.
In 2022, Parker-Blankenship transitioned to Snead State Community College, where she continued to develop and teach the foundational art program. She revamped the Art Department, updated curricula for courses such as Drawing 1 and Art History 1 and 2 online, and introduced new classes in Ceramics and Painting. She also taught Art Appreciation in both online and in-person formats, continuing her commitment to making art education accessible to all students. Parker-Blankenship’s focus on synchronous and asynchronous learning in these subjects ensured that students were able to explore art history in-depth, understand its significance, and apply critical thinking through both structured online lectures and hands-on studio practice.
The development of the foundational art program at both Lawson State and Snead State was key to ensuring that students at these institutions had access to a comprehensive, high-quality art education that laid the groundwork for further academic and creative achievement. Through her work in these programs, Parker-Blankenship not only taught but also cultivated a passion for the arts among students, encouraging them to pursue more advanced studies and artistic careers.