Artist Profile

John Odum

Artist Statement

As an artist and art educator, I find inspiration in working with various media and processes, primarily assemblage sculpture, paper folding, and oil painting. I learned to love origami as a child and began investigating more advanced techniques and non-traditional approaches much later in life. My creative practice continues to evolve from this foundation. I now explore themes of structure, order, and (un)predictability using patterns and shapes. My work is often driven by the manipulation of the geometric planes found in paper and wood. I find meaning and direction by tapping into and building upon the experience of countless hours of experimentation with my materials, investigations into their limits and potential, and the struggle to use the materials as a means of communicating ideas and understandings. I often assign narrative and meaning to work that, at first glance, might appear merely decorative.

Bio / Description

John began work as an artist and visual art teacher in Champaign, Illinois, after he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois in 1998. He earned his Master’s Degree in 2005. As an advocate for relevant and engaging professional development for art teachers, John has facilitated many opportunities for learning and collaboration with the teachers in his district. Beginning in 2018, he, along with his colleagues, worked in partnership with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Fine and Applied Arts faculty to develop hands-on studio experiences for practicing teachers. John is an active member of many professional organizations, including the National Arts Education Association, the Illinois Arts Education Association (Central Council vice president 2022-2024), and 40North- Champaign County Arts Council. John was recognized by the IAEA as The 2021 Elementary Art Teacher of the Year and has presented on professional growth at the IAEA state conference. He has also presented on fine arts curriculum integration and teacher collaboration involving community partnerships at the National Science Teacher Association STEM conference in 2013 and 2014. Since 2011, John has helped organize a show titled Those Who Teach, CAN which features the work of Champaign K-12 art educators. His passion for arts integration and education is rooted in his desire to help his students develop their artistic identities and grow confident in the creative process.