Sarah J. Coffin
703.819.6774 · sjcoffin@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE .
Arties Great American Restaurant Fairfax, VA
Server December 2009–August 2010
— Performed serving tasks under high-pressure situations, showing proven leadership in the team-based service structure.
— Recognized by management for fostering positive atmosphere with a strong work ethic and constructive attitude.
Merrifield Garden Center Fairfax, VA
Associate December 2009–July 2010
— Pioneered creative and original store displays of various mediums.
— Provided landscape design and consulting advice tailored to the unique conditions of the customer.
Apprenticeship with Master Potter, Seth Cardew Rosildos, Spain
Apprentice August 2009–November 2009
— Initiated a solo apprenticeship overseas in order to gain a better understanding of forming a personal aesthetic style.
— Produced pieces, throwing, trimming, glazing, and wood kiln firings with constant critique and resulting revision.
— Coordinated daily studio and personal details for Seth coupled with long-term vision casting.
Artist, Self-Employed Fairfax, VA
Potter; Mixed Media November 2006–August 2009; December 2009 – August 2010
— Created artwork in clay along with some wire and mixed media work, produced to sell.
— Wrote concise essays promoting my work and art interest at sarahcoffin.blogspot.com
— Self-taught marketing including websites (Etsy, Facbook) and shows, which included mailings, designing, set up, and sales.
Dominion Classical School Oakton, VA
Curriculum Development January 2009–May 2009
— Originated a long-term art and art history program for K-8 using practical knowledge of classroom dynamics and age appropriate challenges, as well as leveraging hands-on experience as a working artist.
— Developed goals, objectives, and lessons, evaluating the effectiveness of all three criteria as the art department implemented the newly restructured program; made necessary adjustments to ensure ongoing improvement to the learning process.
Art and Art History Educator October 2005–January 2009
— Exceeded elementary art educational requirements by creating lesson plans focusing on broadening students’ perspectives in the creative process, utilizing progressive techniques such as hand-eye discipline, contour line drawing, figure and facial proportions, color theory, and the theories of space, line, perspective, and composition.
— Encouraged creativity and excitement in students through various means, including spontaneous field trips, using drama to engage students in the application of complex principles, orchestrating visits from famous and local artists into the classroom experience, and trips to the Smithsonian Galleries with docent-led tours, as well as private, project-based tours.
— Initiated, organized and helped maintain a yearly tradition of an end of the year Art Show.
— Developed lessons in Art History from ancient to contemporary art; carefully prepared background information to provide a larger worldview and profound respect for the concepts and achievements of particular artists or time periods.
Metrospect Events Philadelphia, PA
Intern June 2005–October 2005
— Recognized by management for creatively written proposals infused with detailed client research and enterprising vision for client-specific events; Obtained successful bids for every proposal written.
EDUCATION
Trinity Forum Academy Royal Oak, MD
Graduate Level Fellowship August 2009–May 2010
— Selected for highly competitive nine-month program designed to engage young leaders in pertinent cultural and moral issues.
— Developed a fellowship thesis on human aesthetic interactions with the world through sensory perceptions, effectively bridging the gap between the artist and the non-artist.
— Coordinated and planned a culminating thesis consisting of a sensory enhancing event designed to engage guests through various mediums, including a fully interactive menu, custom made ceramic dinner plates for 34 guests, and a DVD invitation.
Grove City College Grove City, PA
Bachelor of Arts; Major in English May 2005
— Senior Honors Thesis and Solo Art Show: The Japanese Tea Bowl and Aesthetic.
— Senior Editor; Publicity Chief, The Echo Campus Literary Magazine.
— Leadership: Assistant Coach and Fly-half, Women’s Rugby Club Team; Freshman Orientation Board; Resident Assistant.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
— Art: Archeologist for a week at Montpelier 2009; Private art teacher; Logo design, Baltimore County State’s Attorney and Friends of the Reston Regional Library; Participant, Hay Creek Art Summer Workshop, WI 2004-2005.
— First Place in age group, Osprey Triathlon, MD 2008; Participant 2005-2007; Backpacked Dolly Sods, WV (3 days) 2008; Bridger Wilderness Area, WY (8 days) 2007; Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, MT (7 days) 2005; Women’s Basketball Coach, Dominion School, 2006-2008; Spent the night in Haleakala Volcanic Crater 2009.
— Activist, Organizer and Hostess, Yard Sale Event benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation 2007.
— True Loves: sticks and stones, Loaded Questions; popcorn; possibility; old advertisements and postcards; spaces; plane tickets.
