Outing The Body Performance List / Statement / Short biography / Resume / Statement on being a educator / Contact Dee

Dee Fontans: Statement back to top

My work stimulates and excites the visual senses through movement, the manipulation of shape and the exaggeration of the body. In the "Outing The Body" project, three years in the making, the concept has been to develop a cultural presence through fashion performance and to develop a body of work that speaks to women about body image. The work also deals with elements of my Puerto Rican heritage, with issues of cultural identity.

I am using the idea of fusing things together, cultures, gender, materials, titles, continuing the themes of the project.

I design for adults and use them as models as a political statement concerning the sexualization of children on the runway. I choose adults 18 years and up, from size 8 to 18. Wearing these pieces speaks about changing the view of what beauty and age is in cultural terms; critiquing what is culturally admired in pop media culture. I feel confident that my efforts contribute to a movement towards our society embracing a healthier self image.

My work has historically spoken of the body as the canvas for wearable art. Many of my earlier art pieces focused on the head where the senses and self awareness lie. The series of ongoing pieces, "Outing the Body", deals with sculptural issues on the body through the manipulation of space, and concerns form and movement. The work on the body pushes and defines the boundaries of space and engages the viewer through aspects of performance. Wearing these pieces myself speaks about changing the view of what beauty and age is in cultural terms. My commitment to modeling redirects ideas of beauty back towards a more voluptuous Rubenesque and mature form.

My understanding of the body in space comes from my experience as a professional model. I began my modeling career while I was studying gold and silversmithing at the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1984. The intense experience between artist and model is a collaborative creative process which has influenced the subject matter of my art works. As a life drawing model I have a passionate insight into movement and the occupation of space by the living form. I studied drawing and painting in New Jersey for two years with Hannah Hoffman and continued at Parson School of Design in New York. These skills have always been an important aspect of my art making. The drawing and body ornament are intertwined.

As an example from the "Outing The Body" project, the piece "A Woman of Color; Diane Julia Morales Fontans Primaries Red" is one of the three primaries in this series. This body of work is an acknowledgment and celebration of my Puerto Rican roots, ancestry and heritage. The art is a vehicle to explore my own cultural history. It is about color (being a color, the response to color, changing color, being a color from head to toe and seeing through color).

Statement and photos of 'Outing The Body' work

Lori Benjamin article extract

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Outing The Body Performance List / Statement / Short biography / Resume / Statement on being a educator / Contact Dee

Dee's Short Biography

Dee Fontans is an internationally recognized performance artist, local celebrity, fashion designer and jeweller working in Calgary, Alberta. She studied painting and drawing and later jewellery and fashion design at the Parsons school of Design in New York City. In 1986 she graduated with a BFA in Jewellery and Metalsmithing from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Her work has been exhibited and published in the United States, Germany, the Caribbean and Canada. In the Fall of 2003 Dee was named Number 10 of the 20 most important artists in the City of Calgary for the last 20 years. She teaches at the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The art work is concerned with the female figure and the body, as an interactive context for garment design and performance. Her work has included performance art, clothing, jewellery design, figurative enameled wall pieces and sculptures, and surrealistic hats. Her ongoing project, “Outing The Body”, is a series of related clothing designs and performance events. The concept has been to develop a cultural presence through fashion performance and to create a body of work that speaks to women about body image. Part of the project involved workshops with Calgary junior high and high school students to engage them in art and design activities and raise their self esteem. The work also deals with elements of Fontans' Puerto Rican heritage, with issues of cultural identity.

Her professional background includes gallery and museum installation work, prop design and manufacture for the movie industry, jewellery design and goldsmithing work for well known jewellers in New York and Calgary. She currently teaches at the Alberta College of Art and Design as well as producing artwork and performance work, jewellery design, and teaching workshops at colleges in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

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Outing The Body Performance List / Statement / Short biography / Resume / Statement on being a educator / Contact Dee

Dee's Resume back to top

(updated May 2004)
Outing The Body Performances / Solo Exhibitions / Group Exhibitions / Professional Experience / Selected Bibliography

Education

1986-84 BFA, State University of New York at New Paltz, NY, Honour Roll.

1984-81 Parsons School of Design, New York, New York.

1980 The New School of Social Research, NY. NY, drawing and painting.

1980-78 Daily private painting instruction; Hannah Huffman, Elizabeth, New Jersey.

1979 County College of Morris, New Jersey, liberal arts.

Outing The Body Performance List / Statement / Short biography / Resume / Statement on being a educator / Contact Dee

"Outing The Body" Performances back to top

2003 "Outing The Body" The Art Gallery of Calgary, Calgary, AB.

2003 "Outing The Body: Dancer Meets Dancer". "Extravaganza 2003", University of Calgary Theater, June 27, 28th.

2003 "Outing The Body: Wearable Edibles". "Edible Art Fantasia", The Metropolitan, Calgary Alberta Oct.

October 2002 "Outing The Body: Back by Popular Demand", Engineered Air Theatre, EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, Calgary. Images and Statement

February 2002 "Outing The Body: Exhibition in Motion", Engineered Air Theatre, EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, Calgary. Calgary Sun Article

2000 "Outing The Body: Dee Does Dada" "The One Yellow Rabbit High Performance Rodeo" Calgary, Alberta. .

"Outing The Body: Fish" "Exhibition in Motion" Boston, Mass.

"Outing The Body: Men Abreast", at "Everyone's Fantasies" Aids benefit, Jack Singer Hall, Performing Arts Centre Calgary, Alberta.

"Outing The Body: Dee Does Dada" Lethbridge University, Lethbridge, AB.

"Outing The Body: Dee Does Dada" Metalmorphosis ACAD, Calgary, AB.

1999 "Outing The Body: Walk About Performance" for The Alberta Women in Television and Film, Calgary, Alberta.

"Outing The Body" "The Lu Lu Waltz" a Cracker Film production for the Bravo!

"Outing Th e Body: Video Release" Performance The Night Gallery Cabaret Calgary, Alberta.

"Outing The Body: Spring and Swing Set", Endowment Fund Raiser, The Alberta College of Art & Design, (ACAD) Calgary Alberta.

"Outing The Body: Parade", at "Millennium in Motion:", Aids Benefit, Jack Singer Hall, The Calgary Performing Arts Centre, Calgary, Alberta.

"Outing The Body: Women with Glamour, Swing Set" at "I am somebody's daughter", Servants Anonymous Fund Raiser, The Palace, Calgary, Alberta.

1998 "A Woman of Color: Diane Julia Morales Fontans Primaries Blue" performance at the Society of North American Goldsmiths conference, Seattle, Washington.

"Outing The Body: four", at "Follow Your Heart II", Street Teams Benefit, Palliser Hotel, Calgary, AB.

1997 "Outing The Body: three", at "Follow Your Heart I", Street Teams Benefit, Palliser Hotel, Calgary, AB.

1996 "Outing The Body", "Threadz Festival" performance, Calgary, Alberta.

"Outing The Body: Birth", at "Design 96, Cafe Paris" performance, Edmonton Convention Centre, Alberta.

Outing The Body Performances / Group Exhibitions / Professional Experience / Selected Bibliography

Solo Exhibitions back to top

2000 "Outing The Body: Men Abreast" Stride Gallery, Calgary Alberta.

1997 "Metal Works" Swiss Stores LTD., Kingston, Jamaica.

1996 "Dee Fontans: New Work" Electrum Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta.

1993 "Nudes 93", The Alberta Crafts Council Presents Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta.

Outing The Body Performances / Solo Exhibitions / Professional Experience / Selected Bibliography

Selected Juried Exhibitions and Group Shows back to top

2004 "You are What You Eat" Seattle, Washington

2003 Lewton-Brain/Fontans "The New Jewellery" Virginia Christopher Gallery, Calgary, Alberta.

"Adorn and Protect", Alberta Craft Council Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta.

Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club Annual Exhibition, non-juried, Hillhurst Community Centre, Calgary.

"On the Edge" Exhibition catalog, CD Rom, Enamelist Society Conference Juried Exhibition, Olympia, WA.

ACAD Faculty Exhibition.

2002 ‘Turn up the Volume', Metal Arts Guild national juried exhibition, Toronto, ON., traveling.

'Go figure', Juried, Alberta Craft Council Gallery, Edmonton, AB.

"Art Craft the Great Debate" Alberta Craft Council Gallery, Edmonton, AB.
“The Colour of Fire” Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, ON.

Holiday Exhibition, invitational, Lafreniere & Pai Gallery, Ottawa, ON.
Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club Annual Exhibition, non-juried, Hillhurst Community Centre, Calgary.

"Art Craft the Great Debate" Alberta Craft Council Gallery, Edmonton, AB.

"Our Creative Spirit" Medicine Hat Museum, Medicine Hat, AB.
Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club Annual Exhibition, non-juried, Hillhurst Community Centre, Calgary.
2001 "Extensions Faculty Exhibition", ACAD. Calgary, AB.

"Once Upon a Time : Artist Examine Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends" Invitational juried, Wustum Museum, Racine Wisconsin.

"Go Figure" Alberta Craft Counsel, Edmonton, AB.

"The Year of the Bear" Willock and Sax Gallery, Waterton Lakes, AB.

2000 "Discover Uncover" exhibition, Alberta College of Art & Design, Calgary, AB.

"I Feria Internacional De Artesanias" San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"Holiday Exhibition" Lafreniere & Pai Gallery, Ottawa, ON

"Art Walk 2000" Jewels By Design, Calgary, AB.

"Wall of Art" Alberta College of Art & Design, Calgary, AB.

"Faculty Exhibition" Alberta College of Art & Design, Calgary, AB.

"Celebration of Jewellery Artist" Mesa Silver Gallery, Calgary, AB.

2000 "Talisman" Tlell Gallery, Haida Gwai, BC.

1999 "Collective Visions" McMullen Gallery, Edmonton, AB.

"Filtered Senses", Brookfield Craft Center, Connecticut.

"The End of the World as We Know It" Art Walk The Uptown Theater, Calgary.

"Fire and Iron" Gallery 371 Calgary, Alberta Craft Council Gallery Edmonton.

"Silver" Canadian Crafts Museum, Vancouver, B.C.

"The End Is Near: Artists Look At The 20TH Century", Charles A Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI.

"SNAG Link 99" Frontenac Hilton, St. Louis, MO.

1998 "Setting the Standard", "Unexpected Settings", Goldmans Jewelers, Seattle, WA.

"Metalsmithing In The New Millennium", Danforth Gallery, Portland, Maine .

"Enamels: The State of the Art", Newark Museum of Art, Newark, New Jersey.

"Dress Up Artist Address Clothing and Self Adornment", Wustum Museum

"From Foundation to Ornamentation" ARC Gallery, Chicago, Ill.

"Identity" traveling exhibition, Canada.

"Valentines", exhibition, R Grey Gallery, Boise, Idaho.

"Get Bent", Alberta Crafts Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta.

1997 "For Sight: Artist Interpreted Eye Wear", Gallery I0, New Orleans, LA.

"Trophies" First hand Gallery, Toronto, Ontario.

"A Flash of Brilliance" traveling. in Canada and the US.

1997 "Fontans/Lewton-Brain: Recent Work", Sunlife Plaza, Calgary, Alberta.

1996 "Exhibition at Peters Valley", Layton, New Jersey.

1995 "Enamelist International Exhibition", Bosque DeOlivos, Mexico City, Mexico.

"Op Art: Eyeglasses by Jewellers" Hoffman Gallery, Portland, Oregon.

"Good Things Come in Small Packages", Muttart Gallery, Calgary, AB.

1994 "Head to Toe Personal Adornment and the World", Glenbow Museum, Calgary.

"Canadian Decorative Contemporary Craft Exhibit", Levitan Gallery, NY., NY.

1993 "New Art Forms", Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill.

1992 "Treasury of Canadian Crafts", Canadian Crafts Museum, Vancouver, BC.

1991 Metal Arts Guild Exhibition, national and international touring exhibition.

1989 'On Body Ornamentation', Muttart Gallery, Calgary, Beaver House, Edmonton.

1988 6 x 6 x 6, Cartwright Gallery, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

SNAG Earring Competition, Michum Gallery, N.Y., New York, USA.

1987 American Crafts Exhibition, Baltimore, MD, USA.

1986 'Elegant Erotica', Foundry Gallery, Washington, DC, USA.

'Schmuck für Kopf und Haar', Schmuckmuseum, Pforzheim, West Germany.

Outing The Body Performances / Solo Exhibitions / Group Exhibitions / Selected Bibliography

Selected Professional Experience: back to top

2004-91 Sessional Instructor, Jewellery/Metals Dept., ACAD, Calgary, Alberta.

2004-91 Co-owner of the Lewton-Brain/Fontans Centre for Jewellery Studies, Calgary.

2004-89 Instructor, Continuing Education Program, Alberta College of Art and Design.

2004 Speaker, "Outing The Body" "In Pursuit of Passion" The Society of North American Goldsmiths conference lecture St. Petersburg, FL.

"Outing The Body" "In Pursuit of Passion" Art and Design Now class lecture Alberta College of Art and Design.

Master of Ceremonies, "Art Awareness 2004" ACAD, Calgary, Alberta.

Co-ordinated Premiere visiting artist Bruce Metcalf ACAD, Calgary, Alberta.

2003 "Alberta College of Art and Design Teacher's Cup", award for teaching excellence.

Listed the 10th most important visual artist in Calgary creating a nation and international presence in the last 20 years. Triangle Gallery, City of Calgary.

Master of Ceremonies, "Art Awareness" ACAD, Calgary, Alberta.
Selected Professional Experience:

2003 Created 12 costumes and wearable art pieces for "Outing The Body: Dancer Meets Dancer", at "Extravaganza 2003", a collaboration with Marne Cooke and 12th Street Studio Dance Troupe, University of Calgary Theater, June 27, 28th.

Spokesperson and Calgary Visual Arts Representative for the launch of
"Calgary'sRealLiveArts.Com".

Assisted in co-ordinating Preimiere Visiting Artist Ira Sherman to ACAD, organized and presented panel discussion on professionalism for JWLM students., Calgary, Alberta.

Organized bus trip for 50 students and faculty to the "Beyond Borders" Conference in Nelson, BC, put together transportation and accommodations for all, provided travel suppers for each, etc.

2002 Master of Ceremonies, "Art Awareness" ACAD, Calgary, Alberta.

2000 Canadian representative international crafts conference/exhibition, San Juan, PR

Juror, Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant Jury.

Co-Producer, Demo CD for singer/songwriter Erika Kulnys-Brain

1999 Juror, Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant Jury.

1998 The Revere Academy for Jewelry Art, San Francisco, CA. teaching and lecture.

Alberta Teachers Conference "Designing Ideas" lecture Red Deer, Alberta.

Instructor, Touchstone Center for the Crafts, "Enameling", Uniontown, PA.

1997 Visiting artist, Edna Manly College of Art "Enameling" Kingston, Jamaica.

Instructor, Touchstone Center for the Crafts, "Enameling", Uniontown, PA.

Instructor, 92nd Street Y, Enameling : Ancient Technique, a Modern Journey", New York, New York.

1996 Adviser to "Wearable Art" Pump House Theater, fashion show.

1995 Serving on the Alberta College of Art and Design Student Association Off-Campus gallery committee.

1994 Workshop leader, "Enameling", Vancouver Community College, BC.

1993 Volunteer demonstrator for jewellery making The Jewish Centre' Calgary, Alberta.

1992 Instructor, jewellery and drawing, Arctic College, Gjoa Haven, NWT.

Jury member and presenter, "Incite "92", Saskatoon, Sask.

1991 Advisor to the Glenbow Museum in Calgary for the exhibition "Head to Toe".

1990 Collaborative photographic project on Fold-forming for SNAG, San Francisco.

1989-86 Goldsmith and Exhibition Assistant, Cathleen Bunt Jewellery, Brooklyn, NY

1988-86 Model for Dave Passalacqua School for Illustrators, Orlando, Florida, USA.

1987-90 Goldsmith, for JP Steele Jewellers, Wendy Hill, Marion Tyman, Cory Ireland, Sarabeth Carnat, Calgary, Alberta.

1986-87 Metal Crafts person, MRA Prop Company, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Exhibition installation, American Craft Museum, NY., New York, USA.

1985-86 Supervisory Assistant, exhibition assistant, Contemporary Primitives Co., Beacon, New York, USA.

Outing The Body Performances / Solo Exhibitions / Group Exhibitions / Professional Experience

Selected Bibliography and Media Coverage of
the "Outing The Body" Project back to top

2004 Gogarty, Amy, "Dee Fontans: Performing Ornament", article in
Metalsmith, Spring 2004.

Lark Books "1000 Rings".(2004) Edited by Bob Ebendorf

2003 "Artwalk Salutes Twenty Calgary Artists" Fast Forward, Sept. 19, pp. 31.

Burroughs, Alexandra, "Adorn Me", Calgary Herald, March 30, pp. E8 & 9.

DePatie, Maureen, "Extolling the Virtues of Duct Tape", Calgary Herald, Feb. 23, pp. F6.

Meilach, Dona Z., "Art Jewelry Today", book, page 247.

Partridge, Jennifer, "Body Beautiful", Calgary Herald, Arts and Style, Nov. 2
pp. E5.

Wilton, "Art-Full Event", The Calgary Sun, Magazine, Nov. 16, pp. 9.

Interviews: A Channel Television, “Big Breakfast’ with Dave Kelly. Sept. 11.

A Channel Television, “Big Breakfast’ with Jeb Fink. Oct. 23.

2002 Benjamin, Lori, "Dee-signs that Wow", The Calgary Sun, pp 8-9 Online

Fontans, Dee, "Dee Fontans is "Dressed to Thrill", MAGazine, Winter 2002, Cover page, pp 4, 5

Hudak, Heather, "Fashion Chameleon", Straight, Vol 5 #186, pp 24

Laviolette, Mary-Beth, "Critics Pick", Calgary Herald, pp HL3

Outlooks Magazine, "In the News", January Issue, pp 41

Interviews: A Channel Television, "Big Breakfast' with Dave Kelly. Jan 28

2002 CBC Radio Homestretch. Jan 30th

CBC Radio Eyeopener, Jan 31

CJSW Radio, interview, Program with Alice. Jan 31.

2001 Crosson, David, "Out and About", Outlooks, March, pp 42

Mabee, Rob, "Urbanities" Avenue, June, pp 17

McFall, Tom, "Go Figure" Alberta Craft Council Magazine, Sept./ Oct., pp.8.

Partridge, Jennifer, "Bright Lights", Calgary Herald, Jan 7, Arts and Style, D5

Interviews "Entertainment News", A Channel, Calgary, March 15, 01.

2000 Brooks, Bill, "Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit" The Calgary Sun, Sunday People, Jan. 30, 2000, pp.12.

Crosson, David, "Out & About in Calgary", Out Looks, Feb. 2000, pp.27.

Crosson, David, "Out & About in Calgary", Out Looks, March 2000

pp.23.

Doig, Ian, "Calgary by Design", Where, May 2000, pp.14

Grant, Julia, "Outing The Body" Alberta College of Art & Design Faculty Association News, April 2000, pp.11.

PETA, "Paws-itively Ast Hounding" GRRR, Spring 2000, pp.13.

Scholten, Christin, "It's like the manssiere, only different", Gauntlet, Feb. 10, 00

pp.23. Web published version of article is at:

http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~gauntlet/eg/buzz/20000210/buzz2.html

Trends, "An eclectic crowd raises money for the Prostate Institute" Calgary, March 2000, pp.15.

Westra, Monique, "Dee does Dada" Fast Forward, Visual Arts, Feb. 12, pp.17.

Interviews "A rt News" CKUA Radio Calgary, Jan. 31, 00.

"Arts Report" CBC Radio Calgary, Feb 13, 00.

"Entertainment News", interview, Teri Kramer, A Channel, Calgary, Jan. 6,00.

"Entertainment News", interview, Teri Kramer, A Channel, Calgary, Feb. 3,00.

"Telemundo Noon Time Show" Channel 2, San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 3, 00.

"The Big Breakfast", interview, Dave Kelly, A Channel, Calgary, March 15,00.

1999 Ashbee, Karen, "Flare Was There", Flare, June 99, pp. 30.

Boettcher, Shelley, "Critic's Pick", Calgary Herald, Stage, Dec. 30, 99

pp. HL24.

Booker, Susan, "Dee-lish bash at base", The Calgary Sun, Brooks & Booker, Nov. 20, pp 20.

Brooks, Bill, "Night of Vices" The Calgary Sun, Sunday People, Nov. 23, p 13.

Selected Bibliography and Media Coverage of "Outing The Body"

Brooks, Bill, 'Alberta Film commission Wrap Party and Fund-Raiser', The Calgary Sun, Nov. 28, pp 14.

1999 Brooks, Bill, "Art Walk/Art Week" The Calgary Sun, Sunday People, Oct. 3,99

pp. 13.

Cockburn, Lyn, "Carried With Pride", The Calgary Sun, Sunday on the Move, March 28, pp. 36.

Crosson, David, "By Design", Out Looks, March, pp. 22.

Crosson, David, "Calgary Cares Coming Soon", Out Looks, Feb., pp. 19.

Finstad, Kristine, "Outing The Body", The Calgary Straight, Style, Sept. 23 99.

Finstad, Kristine, "Fashion Notebook", The Calgary Straight, Style, Sept. 16, 99.

Good, Joanne, "Crimes of Fashion", Calgary Herald, Living Style, Dec. 31,99

pp.TS6

Partridge, Jennifer, "Bright Lights", Calgary Herald, Living Style, March 28,

pp. D3.

Priestess, Ms. , "Celebrate Your Body!", Savage, Fashion Buzz, June, pp. 24.

Revere, Alan, Contained Directions, book chapter on Fontans "Outing The Body"

published Oct.

Sardi, Liza, "The Height of Fashion", The Calgary Sun, Lifestyles, March 21, pp. 10.

Interviews: "The Big Breakfast", interview, Dave Kelly, A Channel, Calgary, Oct. 26.

"Entertainment News", interview, Teri Kramer, A Channel, Calgary, Oct. 28.

"The Big Breakfast", interview, Dave Kelly, A Channel, Calgary, Feb. 24.

1998 Another View, contemporary glasses exhibition slide set, Gallery IO, New Orleans, LA.

Auer, James, "Dressed for Excess" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Cue Section, June 4, pp 1.

Blaustein, Elizabeth, "Art With Style", The Milwaukee Journal Times", Out & About Section B, August 6, pp. 1 & 3.

"Dress Up", Wustum Museum of Fine Art, front & back cover, pp. 6 & 18.

Revere, Alan, "Master Classes", Lapidary Journal, pp. 268, May 1998,

Vol. 52,#2.

SNAG News, More Organizational News, July/August 1998, Volume 6 Number 4, pp. 2 & 4.

"Tattoo Savage", pp. 56, June 98, Vol. 23.

Worley, Jennifer, "Wasn't That a Party!", Calgary Herald, Living Style Section, May 12, pp. D1 & D3.

Interview: "Entertainment News", interview, Teri Kramer, A Channel, Calgary, Nov. 11

1997 Barros, Anne, Ornament and Object: Canadian Jewellery and Metal Art

1946-1996", Boston Mills Press, Toronto, Ontario.

Good, Joanne, "Stepping Out", Calgary Herald, Living Style, July 22, B5.

Murray, Diana, "Body Beautiful", Avenue Magazine, March, pp. 17.

Schmid, Erich, "Outing The Body", Schmuck, Germany, pp.88, Feb.

1996 Cockshutt, Susan, "Gallery" Alberta Artist, vol. 2 June page 12.

Mitchell, Bob, Metal Arts Source Book II Platinum Edition CD ROM,

1995 Mitchell, Bob, Metal Arts Source Book CD ROM, 3 pages.

1993 Anderson, Timothy, "The Craft of Metal", The Bridge, vol. 1 of 2 issues,

Feb., Page 7.

1992 Jewelry/Metalwork Survey #2, edited by David and Shereen LaPlantz, Bayside, CA, ISBN: 0-942002-07-51992, pp. 99, 1992.

Treasury of Canadian Craft Inaugural Exhibition, Canadian Craft Museum, Vancouver, BC, Editor Robin Van Heck, page 113., ISBN 1-895695-00- 7, 1992, P 130.

1991 The Craft Factor, Fall 1991, Vol. 16/3 - page 12.

1987 Art Aurea, Freiraum fur Kunst (stoff'), Jan. 1987, Number 1, page 52.

Braff, P, "Seeking Shivers of Recognition in a Bizarre Context", The New York Times, March 15

Outing T he Body Performances / Solo Exhibitions / Group Exhibitions / Professional Experience / Selected Bibliography / Resume

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Outing The Body Performance List / Statement / Short biography / Resume / Statement on being a educator / Contact Dee

Dee Fontans Statement on her priorities
as a teacher and educator. back to top

My role as an educator is to introduce the ability to understand problem solving though a logical and a well organized process of thinking providing the means to research and develop ideas and concepts. In research, strategies may include reading, exploring history for similar works and ideas, investigating other artists work, looking for patterns and similarities in unexpected places, and watching and communicating well with colleagues. In developing ideas and concepts the student needs to identify and document reasons for making their art.
Drawing is encouraged whenever possible to develop individual marks, lines: an understanding of composition and balance that creates a dialogue to communicate ideas. Helping the student become aware of their interests and strengths enables the individual to express themselves. The process of project planning to meet deadlines creates a professional and structured atmosphere in which to work. Safety in the studio is of great importance to ensure that the individual has the option to continue working in their chosen medium. In the classroom a mutual respect for one another gives the student the support needed to present their work in a professional manner. These skills enable the developing artist to experience success. The consistency of their success builds a positive sense of self. The trust which the students establishes in their decision making enables them to explore more complex and personal areas of their creativity.
My dialogue with a student always starts with the positive aspects of their pieces or work habits. Discussing both strengths and weaknesses encourages communication, making possible a secure and trusting student-teacher relationship. I am open with my professional experience and teach technique to the best of my ability. With an understanding of technical skill the student has the freedom to challenge themselves with conceptual thoughts and imagery and the means with which to create them.
I am concerned with the development of the student. I listen carefully so that my response will address their individuals needs. I encourage them to think of themselves as whole people and remind them that the art they create needs to come from their own desire. I teach performance to prepare them for an active professional live. The classroom experience is set up for interactive dialogue by sharing the responsibility in leadership. The personal knowledge shared in the group is inspiring and builds confidence for all involved.
As an educator I am approachable to all students. I am there to facilitate the needs of these developing artists and help guide them in finding a productive path into their creative process. I also feel this position enables me to awaken within individuals their personal responsibility to the culture. Empowering them through the awareness of the impact they can have in the world community with their art. By encouraging these young artists to make and document work they begin to form history, making visible the symbolism, events and concerns they experience.
I see myself as a role model and support the arts and artists on many different levels. I practice as an educator and an artist, locally, nationally and internationally.
My approach as an artist-jeweller and educator makes a significant difference in the lives of the people I work with. My influence inspires risk taking, creativity, positive self esteem, thinking, a different way of seeing, efficient and safe work habits, the desire to make things, self comfort, awareness, communication and an effective studio environment. I receive a great deal of personal satisfaction with teaching. Because I am of Puerto Rican descent I value strongly the importance of cultural heritage and appreciate what it is like to be a minority enabling me to empathize with minority students in my classes.

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Jewelry Pictures / Outing The Body Work / Enamels / Pictures from Performance work / Outing The Body Performance List / Statement / Short biography / Resume / Statement on being a educator
Willock/Sax Gallery / Alberta Crafts Council Gallery

You may contact Dee Fontans at:
Box 1624, Ste M, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2L7, Canada
Phone: 403-263-3955
Fax: 403-283-9053
Email:Dee Fontans

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Some Links
The Enamelist Society, Inc. is a volunteer arts organization founded in 1987 for the purpose of promoting the art of enameling.