Alumni Spotlight: Jack Koppert ’21 (B.F.A. in Art (Painting) with an Art History Minor)
Posted May 31, 2022
What did you study at Otterbein? AKA What were your major(s) and minor(s)?
I studied painting, printmaking, and drawing. I also took courses in ceramics, intermedia and graphic design. I majored in fine arts and am pretty sure I have a minor in art history.
Where are you now? What is a typical day at school or in the studio like?
I am in Baltimore, Maryland participating in the Lerory E. Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. The program is known for its pretentiously long name and strong reputation as a master’s program in contemporary painting. My days are spent painting either from home or in the studio. I am part of the Blooming Rainbow Project which teaches inner city Baltimore youth about art through painting activities and other craft projects. On Sunday’s I host a study group to review philosophical text that none of us understand. Wednesday’s I have a teaching assistantship in an undergraduate figure drawing course.
How did Otterbein, and/or the Art Department, help prepare you for your job? How did your education help you succeed?
Otterbein was a fantastic program to learn a broad range of artistic practices to springboard into another program of artistic practice. Not only did I strengthen my core interests of drawing and painting, but I was introduced to printmaking, ceramics, graphic design and video art . I assumed a paid teaching position last semester in an intermedia course called Haptics and Optics which I wouldn’t have been able to do before attending Otterbein. The professors and experience at Otterbein were essential to how I got to where I am now.