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UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson |
Jane-Marie Ovanin
- Amherst, Wis.
- BFA (bachelor of fine arts) in sculpture with a metalsmithing emphasis
- What's next: Rhode Island School of Design MFA jewelry and metalsmithing program
Jane-Marie Ovanin has lived her UW-Eau Claire undergraduate experience to the fullest.
The Blugold women's track and field and cross country standout successfully completed her own customized art & design degree, along the way garnishing honors and awards in pursuits both academic and athletic, as well as lending her efforts to causes in the community.
Ovanin, a first-generation college student, participated in the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program and was chosen as the 2004-05 recipient of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation's prestigious George T. and Clayton T. Piercy Memorial Scholarship (one scholarship among many she has been awarded). Her faculty/student collaborative research project, "Continuing the Craft: Contemporary Metal Boxes," received the first-place award in the arts and humanities category at UW-Eau Claire's 13th annual Student Research Day, and her sculpture, "Porch Sunrise," took first place in the university's 48th annual Juried Student Art Show. The sculpture is now displayed on the lawn of UW-Eau Claire's Haas Fine Arts Center.
The list of accomplishments continues, and some are noted below, but it's plain to see that Ovanin has followed her own advice for future UW-Eau Claire students: "Be active in your education."
More on Jane-Marie Ovanin
Future plans: This summer I have a job in Massachusetts teaching jewelry at Belvoir Terrace, an all-girls fine and performing arts camp. In the fall I will begin the MFA jewelry and metalsmithing program at Rhode Island School of Design - this is a two-year graduate program. I also will complete an art history concentration along with my MFA to strengthen the relationship that my art has to historical work and to prepare myself for teaching art history. My professional aspirations include working as a commercial jewelry designer, creating my own line of work and becoming a professor of art and design and art history. The latter is my ultimate pursuit. Throughout my undergraduate career, I have been grateful for the support, collaboration, and insight provided to me by mentors and professors throughout the university and local community. To have the opportunity to become such an influential, supportive and inspirational teacher would be the most rewarding career.
What she liked most about her time at UW-Eau Claire: I really appreciated the willingness of faculty to work with me individidually. Professor Michael Christopherson has spent hours helping me brainstorm and troubleshoot while designing sculptures and jewelry. Also, the guidance of McNair Program director Patricia Quinn was invaluable while applying for graduate schools and scholarships. Many other faculty, coaches and staff have provided me motivation and advice throughout my undergraduate experience, and I am very glad that I took the initiative to establish positive relationships with them.
UW-Eau Claire career highlights: I feel like each year more and more highlights get tacked onto my list of accomplishments. One really significant accomplishment of my UW-Eau Claire experience has been racing on the cross country and track teams. My college racing career has been a bumpy one, but I have learned an incredible amount about determination and overcoming injuries. Highlights from my athletic career include becoming an All-American in the indoor 5,000-meter run my freshman year (I still hold the indoor record for the event). Also in the 2005 cross country season I was named a WIAC Scholar-Athlete. 2005 was also a phenomenal cross country season for the Blugolds, as we made it to nationals for the first time in 12 years. I was co-captain of the team for the 2004 and 2005 seasons, and I am proud that my leadership helped to push my team to such success.
Also, being active in the community has been really rewarding. This past December I taught a cookie-baking class at Lakeshore Elementary School. Although much mess ensued, the cleanup was well worth bringing excitement and learning into these children's lives.
I am currently working on a Memorial Pendant Project through the Center of Alcohol Studies and Education. I met with eight different Wisconsin families who have lost loved ones in alcohol-related car crashes and designed a pendant to honor the lives and memories of those killed. Talking with these families has been moving and inspirational. Despite all the grief that they continue to experience, they have done very positive things to help others in similar situations and to prevent drunk driving.
Proudest college accomplishments: I am very proud of myself for having the determination and drive to pursue a concentration in metalsmithing. At the time, no other UW-Eau Claire student was pursuing metalsmithing and jewelry, so I had to do a lot of independent work to learn what I needed to know about the field. I completed three faculty/student collaborative projects, took two workshops at Penland School of Crafts, in North Carolina, and worked many hours alone in the studio to complete independent study credits.
Advice for incoming students: Be active in your education: Ask questions; care about learning; establish a positive rapport with faculty, staff and classmates; and take advantage of all the resources and opportunities that UW-Eau Claire offers.
Learn about other featured May 2006 graduates
