Exhibition Designer

• Sep 2022 - Present

Lead Exhibit Designer

• Mar 2022 - Oct 2022

Assistant Exhibit Designer

• Sep 2019 - Apr 2022

Owner, Samara Woodcraft and Design

• Aug 2020 - Present

Public Artist

• Jan 2015 - Apr 2022

Transit Studio is a design-build collaborative focusing on public art projects that reveal, support and celebrate ecological phenomena. Our current project is a large scale public sculpture for the Northwest Portage Walking Museum. We recently completed 2 large scale cordwood sculptures for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Transit Studio is a design-build collaborative focusing on public art projects that reveal, support and celebrate ecological phenomena. Our current project is a large scale public sculpture for the Northwest Portage Walking Museum. We recently completed 2 large scale cordwood sculptures for the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Exhibit Design

• Jan 2015 - Sep 2018

Working collaboratively with the Exhibit Design Director, I produced scale design drawings of exhibits, components and play props with dimensions and material specifications, researched materials, and made models and prototypes. We presented designs to the Exhibits and Education Teams to collect feedback and iterate, and with Fabricators to work through design details and oversee construction and installation. Working collaboratively with the Exhibit Design Director, I produced scale design drawings of exhibits, components and play props with dimensions and material specifications, researched materials, and made models and prototypes. We presented designs to the Exhibits and Education Teams to collect feedback and iterate, and with Fabricators to work through design details and oversee construction and installation.

Design/Build Educator

• Jun 2014 - Jan 2015

DownCity Design is a design education organization that creates hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for Providence youth. In our programs, young people design and build small-scale structures to improve their schools or communities. Our mission is to introduce youth to the tools of Design Thinking by actively involving them in reimagining our cityscape.As Design/Build Educator, I designed curriculum, led instruction in design, drawing, modelmaking, and woodworking and construction, and guided reflections and critiques. Collaborated on "Oasis,' and outdoor water education space for Reservoir Elementary School. Assisted with articulating design cycle methodology and DownCity's guiding philosophies in action. Wrote 'Water' unit for the DownCity Design Sustainability Curriculum for RI schools.

Graduate Research Fellow/ Sculptor

• Jun 2014 - Sep 2014

An EPSCOR funded project to build a public sculpture that restores oyster habitat on the urban waterfront. I worked with a team of artists and scientists from RISD, Roger Williams University, University of Rhode Island, and the Nature Conservancy. We generated 3 sculptural forms, building prototypes and testing materials for settlement of oysters and mussels. An EPSCOR funded project to build a public sculpture that restores oyster habitat on the urban waterfront. I worked with a team of artists and scientists from RISD, Roger Williams University, University of Rhode Island, and the Nature Conservancy. We generated 3 sculptural forms, building prototypes and testing materials for settlement of oysters and mussels.

Skeleton Guru

• Jan 2013 - Jun 2014

Collections conservation of natural history specimens. The Nature Lab is used by RISD students and faculty for study and design from nature. I was in charge of the fleet of human skeletons, which are used for anatomy study and foundation drawing courses. I kept them articulated for anatomical accuracy. Also repaired and sculpted replacement bones. Collections conservation of natural history specimens. The Nature Lab is used by RISD students and faculty for study and design from nature. I was in charge of the fleet of human skeletons, which are used for anatomy study and foundation drawing courses. I kept them articulated for anatomical accuracy. Also repaired and sculpted replacement bones.

Community Engagement, Sustainability Action Plan video producer

• Sep 2012 - Feb 2014

Produced video on community engagement process, documenting feedback on the Sustainability Action Plan for the City of Providence Dept. of Sustainability. Trained volunteer interviewers on oral history techniques and audio/video recording, and edited video. Produced video on community engagement process, documenting feedback on the Sustainability Action Plan for the City of Providence Dept. of Sustainability. Trained volunteer interviewers on oral history techniques and audio/video recording, and edited video.

Bay Observatory Intern

• Jun 2013 - Aug 2013

Exhibit Development with the Bay Observatory team, and collaborations with the Outdoor Exploratorium team, the Teacher Institute, and the Center for Art and Inquiry. Exhibit Development with the Bay Observatory team, and collaborations with the Outdoor Exploratorium team, the Teacher Institute, and the Center for Art and Inquiry.

Music Teaching Artist

• 2002 - 2012

Curriculum design for arts education and arts integration residencies, planning and facilitation of artist residencies, Teaching Artist and teacher trainings and professional development Curriculum design for arts education and arts integration residencies, planning and facilitation of artist residencies, Teaching Artist and teacher trainings and professional development

Leader for Chicago Team and Musiciancorps Fellow

• 2009 - 2010

National musical Peace Corps-type pilot programs placing musicians in communities to serve. Responsible for professional development and mentorship for all Chicago Fellows, collaborating with 5 local arts and culture organizations to design, organize and administer program. Also held fellowship at Homan Square Park, designing and producing Secret Voices, a community audio archive project. National musical Peace Corps-type pilot programs placing musicians in communities to serve. Responsible for professional development and mentorship for all Chicago Fellows, collaborating with 5 local arts and culture organizations to design, organize and administer program. Also held fellowship at Homan Square Park, designing and producing Secret Voices, a community audio archive project.

Teaching Artist

• 2007 - 2010

Teaching Artist

• 2004 - 2010

Musician-in-Residence, Teaching Artist

• 2005 - 2009

Developed collaborative music education projects with hospitalized children at Rush University Children’s Hospital. Select projects include:• Street Cries: conceived and produced this project, a creative response to the global tradition of street vendor calls. Involved over 150 patients, families and hospital staff. Produced DVD and liner notes. Presented project at International Conference for Acoustic Ecology in Mexico City, 2009• Algorhythms: conceived and produced this sound mapping project, translating hospital events into musical compositions. See samples at http://www.jamietopper.com/snowcityarts/street-cries/ and http://www.jamietopper.com/snowcityarts/algorhythms/