Faculty Profile for Bethany Jo Johnson

profile photo for Bethany Jo Johnson
Bethany Jo Johnson
Associate Professor — School of Art and Design
JCM 2112
phone: (512) 245-2611
Scholarly/Creative Work
Awards
Grants
Service

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 Service, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Texas State University. 2024
  • 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

Selected Grants

  • Johnson, Bethany Jo. Resident Artist Grant, Joshua Tree National Park Artist in Residence, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $500. (Funded: 2024). Grant.
  • 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.

Selected Service Activities

Coordinator
Studio Art Coordinator
2023-Present
Volunteer
Travis & Hays County, Voter Registrar
January 2019-Present
Member
Hiring Committee (gallery director search)
2024-2025
Member
Hiring Committee (tenure-track ceramics faculty search)
2023-2024
Participant
Texas Art Education Association: State VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) Portfolio Reviewer
2022-2024