Experience

South Dakota Art Museum

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Current & Upcoming Shows and Press

  • Sep 2019 - Present

  "Let There Be Spaces in Your Togetherness," Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN, Dec. 7, 2019-Jan. 9, 2020. Inspired by a quote by famed Arab American poet, Khalil Gibran, the exhibit showcases the perspectives, practices, and artworks of a new generation of US-based SWANA creatives as we look toward another two decades of cultivating rich spaces in which the diversity and artistry of our community is celebrated and sustained. Juried by Lamia Abukhadra, Hend al Mansour and Essma Imady. "Fragmented Futures: Afghanistan 100 Years Later," Glendale Central Library, Glendale, CA, Nov. 16, 2019-Jan. 12, 2020. Marking the centennial of the “modern Afghan state”, Fragmented Futures is an unprecedented exhibit that employs art, writing, film and scholarship to probe the ongoing consequences of foreign intervention in Afghanistan and the future of its diaspora. The exhibit expands the conversation beyond prevailing depictions and sheds light on how Afghans' everyday aspirations continue to be interrupted, transformed, and reborn in both the diaspora and in an ever-changing Afghanistan. Co-curated with Helena Zeweri. "1 Roof 2 Airs" [Sept. 28, 2019-Jan. 26, 2020], South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings, South Dakota. Co-curated by John Schuerman and Katayoun Amjadi, "1 Roof 2 Airs" is an exhibition of ten U.S. based artists with personal histories from countries experiencing conflict in the region of south-central Asia and across the Middle East. This exhibit presents the artistic ruminations of these contemporary artists currently living outside of the conflict but with deep personal ties to the people and countries affected by it. Show less



Gazelle Samizay - VIsual Artist

• Artist

  • Jan 2003 - Present

  Conceptual fine art photography and video addressing identity as it relates to the rights and self-expression of women, the regulation of their bodies, and relationships within Afghan/American culture through the mediums of video and photography. Conceptual fine art photography and video addressing identity as it relates to the rights and self-expression of women, the regulation of their bodies, and relationships within Afghan/American culture through the mediums of video and photography.



Craft Contemporary

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Artist In Residence

  • Jan 2019 - Apr 2019

  • Led Digital Story Telling Workshop to Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts students of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds • Through personal journaling, crowd sourcing of ideas and story circles, students created 2-minute videos using photographs, narration and music related to the theme “What does it mean to be an American?” • Collaborated with Craft Contemporary staff, high school teachers and student leaders to coordinate equipment, digital lab schedule and field trip to museum, which included exhibit tour, interactive discussion and cyanotype workshop • Instructed students in digital photography, video editing, audio recording, and storyboarding Show less



The Art Institutes

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assistant Professor, Photography

  • Nov 2013 - Mar 2019

  • Used multi-modal learning strategies including audio/visual/written methods to deliver content and constructive feedback to nontraditional college students of varied socioeconomic backgrounds• Explained technical subjects in clear, understandable language in video tutorials and written communications• Identified and assisted at-risk learners by offering personalized support and encouragement, and addressed students' concerns within 24 hours• Designed courses for on-ground and online campuses with self-directed learning in mind, and serve as a liaison between the Director of Teaching Effectiveness and platform designers • Conceived and implemented strategic projects to increase the qualitative level of all student portfolios to meet target scores and developed common standards for portfolio content based on dominant labor markets. Developed an ungraded Portfolio Cohort course to provide mentorship and community in preparation of students’ capstone portfolio class. • Reinterpreted photojournalism courses to align their content and structure with national curriculum conversions in collaboration with other faculty• Created media presentations to be used for faculty mentoring, student tutorials, and to supplement course content in classrooms, and created a media archive where instructors downloaded and uploaded resources• Assisted with a quarterly recognition webinar for graduating students by organizing faculty nominations and serving as the liaison between the photography department and the Office of Student Services • Taught beginning and advanced classes, including Principles of Photography, Photographic Design, Portraiture, Creative Concepts, Time-Based Media I and II, Intro to Photographic Applications, Digital Image Management, Digital Image Illustration, Photographic Post-Production, Magazine Photography, Portfolio Exploration, Portfolio I, and Portfolio Cohort• Served on 6 committees Show less

• Adjunct Faculty

  • Sep 2012 - Nov 2013

  • Facilitate Digital Image Management (PH124) through online discussions and assignments.• Provide constructive feedback to a diverse group of students and post grades by established deadlines via online classroom. • Create video tutorials to aid in online instruction.• Provide student support via phone, email and online classroom.• Attend faculty meetings and online teacher training.



Vision Productions Inc

• Performing Arts

• Owner, Creative Professional

  • Dec 2005 - Oct 2015

  • Photograph events, models and merchandise for clients’ marketing materials. • Shoot and edit commercial videos. Capture, create and edit sound for video. • Design branding materials: logos, websites, etc. • Efficiently manage time to complete projects on schedule. • Collaborate with other creative professionals to bring varying expertise to projects. • Effectively communicate ideas and potential problems with clients to ensure quality services. • Plan and manage project budgets & create appropriate invoices and forms Show less



Bo M. Karlsson Foundation

• Board Member

  • Jan 2012 - May 2015

  • Work with organization members to generate funds and creative ideas toward fundraising. • Expand the reach of the organization through social media. • Create promotional materials using photography and video. • Maintain contact with scholarship recipients. • Work with organization members to generate funds and creative ideas toward fundraising. • Expand the reach of the organization through social media. • Create promotional materials using photography and video. • Maintain contact with scholarship recipients.



Photography Center Northwest

• Greater Seattle Area

• Photography Instructor

  • Jan 2012 - Aug 2012

  • Taught Digital SLR Fundamentals and Photo I: Digital. • Courses consisted of hands-on demonstrations, lectures, lab time and critiques. • Students included Seattle University students and non-traditional students. • Taught Digital SLR Fundamentals and Photo I: Digital. • Courses consisted of hands-on demonstrations, lectures, lab time and critiques. • Students included Seattle University students and non-traditional students.



World School

• Seattle, WA

• Photography Instructor

  • Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

  • Develop a long-term structure for Club Photo including curriculum, budget management, resources, and community partners/stakeholders • Photography and English instruction • Organize Club Photo recruitment, meeting times, and resources • Communicate with World School, Photo Center, and other stakeholders in connection with Club Photo schedule of meetings, lab time, and exhibitions • Assist with student work and program documentation, reporting and evaluations for grant and fundraising purposes • Develop resources for the long term success of Club Photo • Help communicate and support the mission of Club Photo to the community through exhibitions and events • Keep clear and organized records and maintain archive of student work (negatives, prints and digital files). Show less



University of Arizona College of Fine Arts

• Tucson, Arizona Area

• Staff Photographer

  • Aug 2007 - May 2010

  • Photographed College of Fine Arts Events & Staff • Designed marketing materials • Created multimedia presentations for university events • Produced videos to showcase student talents • Photographed College of Fine Arts Events & Staff • Designed marketing materials • Created multimedia presentations for university events • Produced videos to showcase student talents



University of Arizona

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Instructor of Record

  • Aug 2007 - May 2010

  • Created and implemented curriculum for courses comprising of 15-20 students. • Courses consisted of hands-on demonstrations, lectures, lab time and critiques. • Desire2Learn online teaching system supplemented class time to deliver teaching materials, communicate with students, and post grades. • Taught: Digital Photography (Art 344), Beginning Digital Photography (Art 244), Beginning Black & White Photography (Art 241). Assistant teacher for Intermediate Black and White Photography (Art 341). Show less



ContactCreate

• Greater Seattle Area

• Audio Engineering Intern

  • Jun 2009 - Aug 2009

  Sound Design for films: • Audio Recording • Foley Work • Sound Design using ProTools and Soundtrack Pro Sound Design for films: • Audio Recording • Foley Work • Sound Design using ProTools and Soundtrack Pro



Darat al Funun

• Amman, Jordan

• Teaching Assistant

  • Jun 2008 - Jul 2008

  • Assisted instructor in creating presentation/teaching materials for a beginning digital photography course consisting of semi-professional artists ages ~18-25. • Conducted alternative digital photography process workshop. • Assisted instructor in creating presentation/teaching materials for a beginning digital photography course consisting of semi-professional artists ages ~18-25. • Conducted alternative digital photography process workshop.



Afghan Communicator

• Afghanistan

• Instructor

  • Jun 2007 - Jul 2007

  Instructor: Kabul University, Center for Contemporary Art Afghanistan, Turquoise Mountain Foundation, Kabul, Afghanistan; Center for Visual Art, Herat, Afghanistan. • Taught Art Marketing and Matting and Framing workshops to high school and college students in Dari using limited resources. Instructor: Kabul University, Center for Contemporary Art Afghanistan, Turquoise Mountain Foundation, Kabul, Afghanistan; Center for Visual Art, Herat, Afghanistan. • Taught Art Marketing and Matting and Framing workshops to high school and college students in Dari using limited resources.