Faculty Profile for Bethany Jo Johnson

profile photo for Bethany Jo Johnson
Bethany Jo Johnson
Associate Professor — School of Art and Design
JCM 2122D
phone: (512) 245-2611

Biography Section

Biography and Education

Bethany Johnson is an artist currently living in Austin, Texas. Johnson received her BA in studio art from the Kalamazoo College in Michigan in 2007 and MFA in Painting at The University of Texas at Austin in 2011. Her work is represented by Moody Gallery in Houston, and has been featured in New American Paintings, Hyperallergic, and Conflict of Interest, among others. Johnson has held residencies at Denkmalschmiede Höfgen in Grimma, Germany, Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency, and Institut für Alles Mögliche in Berlin. She joined the faculty in the School of Art and Design at Texas State University in fall 2017.

Teaching Interests

Drawing, interdisciplinary art foundations, zines and DIY publishing, LGBTQIA+ art and visual culture

Research Interests

Environmental issues and art, art and science, drawing, sculpture

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Moody Gallery, Houston, TX. 2011 - Present
  • Staycation 2: What in the World?. MASS Gallery. 2017 Artists: Group (State)
  • At the Edge. The Wright Gallery. 2016 Artists: Group (Regional)
  • Traded. Lawndale Art Center. 2016 Artists: Group (National)
  • Elemental ‘Scapes. University of Texas at San Antonio. 2015 Artists: Group (National)

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Nominee: The Hunting Art Prize, Hunting PLC. 2016
  • Award / Honor Nominee: The Hunting Art Prize, Hunting PLC. 2013
  • Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Texas State University. 2022
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Special Jury Selection, A La Luz (Exhibition: Points of Return). 2022
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Award of Distinction, Little Things Matter Exhibition, George Hurst Gallery of Art and Design, University of Southern Mississippi. 2021

Selected Grants

  • Johnson, Bethany Jo. Resident Artist Grant, Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $500. (Funded: 2020). Grant.
  • Johnson, Bethany Jo. Resident Artist Grant, Wild Basin Creative Research Center, Institutional (Higher Ed), $1000. (Funded: 2019). Grant.
  • Johnson, Bethany Jo. Travel Grant, PETS (Program for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship), Texas State University, $800. (Funded: 2019). Grant.
  • Johnson, Bethany Jo. Exhibition Honorarium, University of Texas at Austin (Courtyard Gallery), Institutional (Higher Ed), $1000. (Funded: 2019). Grant.
  • Johnson, Bethany Jo. Artist/Writer Grant, Vermont Studio Center, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $900. (Funded: 2019). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Member
Hiring Committee (tenure-track ceramics faculty search)
2023-Present
Coordinator
Studio Art Coordinator
2023-Present
Volunteer
Travis & Hays County, Voter Registrar
January 2019-Present
Co-Chair
Studio Foundations Committee
2018-Present
Organizer
Voter Registration Drives
2018-Present