Lya Finston


          Bio
          CV

    Printmaking
    Animation
    Books
    Optical Toys
    Installation
    Performance

 
 


     
                  
                         


    EDUCATION

    20242025MFA in Printmaking
    Secondary Emphasis in Cinema  
    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    20222024MA in Printmaking
    Secondary Emphasis in Cinema
    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    20142018BA in Studio Art and German Studies
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH


    SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    2026
    A Lesser Light
    ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL

    2025
    Worry in good health!
    Ana Mendieta Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    2024
    My Shadow's Shadow
    Levitt Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    2022
    Honey from the Stone
    Holmes Gallery, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

    2018
    A New Way to Fall Asleep
    Storage, Oberlin, OH


    GROUP EXHIBITIONS

    2025
    Perennial Hug
    Circle Contemporary, Arts of Life, Chicago, IL

    The Magical, the Mystical, and the Macabre,
    Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL

    99th Annual International Competition
    ,
    The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA

    Palimpsest
    Gallery 1308, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

    Palimpsest
    Midtown Kingston Arts District Gallery, Kingston, NY


    2024
    Hunt of the Unicorn
    Hoofprint Gallery, Chicago, IL

    If Walls Could Talk,
    Baron Gallery, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

    Wedges, Heels, Flats
    5th Floor Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    Old Wives Tales,
    SGCl Conference, Providence, RI ​

    2023
    Uncultured
    Ana Mendieta Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    UIowa Print Open Portfolio
    David Krut Gallery, New York, NY


    UIowa Print Open Portfolio
    Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, New York, NY

    Short Short: Jewish Short Film Festival, Havurah
    Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, New York, NY

    Reclaimed & Recycled
    Public Space One, Iowa City, IA

    Dispatches from the Fourth Floor
    5th Floor Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    Open Air Media Festival
    Public Space One, Iowa City, IA

    2022
    Let it Grow
    Co-Prosperity, Chicago, IL

    Kiss Pressure

    Ana Mendieta Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    Window Show
    The Gallery at Greenly Center, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA

    The Tag Collective
    The Art Grind, Danville, PA

    PSAD International Juried Print Biennial,
    Paducah School of Art and Design, Paducah, KY

    Four Rivers Print Biennial,
    Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

    Print Austin: PrintExpo,
    The Hand Magazine, Museum of Human Achievement, Austin, TX

    2021Mid America Print Council Members’ Exhibition
    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA


    Tongue in Cheek
    Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Chicago, IL

    Moving On
    University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LO

    Eternal Ephemera,
    Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY

    Field Notes,
    Samek Museum of Art, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

    2020The Rite to Unfounded Fear
    University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

    Call to the Wilds
    University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

    What’s So Funny?
    Wonsook Kim Center, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

    2019
    The Nook
    Agitator Cooperative Gallery, Chicago, IL

    Chicago Printers Guild 10th Anniversary Exhibit
    Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

    Prints United: Member Exhibition
    Spudnik Press Cooperative, Chicago, IL

    Selected Works
    Happy Gallery, Chicago, IL

    7th Annual Bridgeport Art Center Competition
    Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL

    37th Bradley International Print & Drawing Exhibit
    The Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, Peoria, IL

    Make it Work: Print Shop Posters

    SGCI Conference, University of North Texas, Dallas, TX

    45th Annual Juried Members’ Exhibition
    Frontline Arts, Branchburg, NJ

    2018
    Time Being
    Baron Gallery, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

    2017
    4U Exhibition
    Zygote Press, Cleveland, OH

    Halftime Show
    Fisher Gallery, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

    2016
    They Are The Now: NEO Student Art Show
    SPACES, Cleveland, OH


    PERFORMANCES

    2025
    The Human Copy Machine
    TCA Zine Fest, MCA Chicago, IL

    The Human Copy Machine
    CPG Publishers’ Fair, Chicago Cultural Center, IL

    2024
    I Saw Mommy Kiss the Baal Shem Tov
    YIVO, New York, NY

    2023
    Shadow Puppeteer
    Haag Cykell
    by Johanna Winters & Sarah Minor
    Nonfiction Writing House, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    Shadow Puppeteer
    Haag Cykell by Johanna Winters & Sarah Minor
    Open Air Media Festival, Public Space One, Iowa City, IA

    The Human Copy Machine
    RMPA Symposium, Central Library, Spokane, WA

    The Human Copy Machine
    Sculpture & Intermedia Open House, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    2022
    The Human Copy Machine
    SGCI Conference, Kent State University, Kent, OH


    GRANTS, AWARDS & RESIDENCIES

    2025Finalist: Athena Fund Emerging Artist Solo Show
    ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL

    Printmaking Today Award
    The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA

    2024
    MFA Summer Fellowship
    Graduate College, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    20222023
    Leola Bergmann Fellowship
    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA


    Lee R. Chesney, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    Len Everett Fund for Excellence Scholarship
    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    2020
    Artist-in-Residence
    Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY

    2019
    Studio Fellowship
    Spudnik Press, Chicago, IL

    2018
    Student Travel Grant
    Mid America Print Council

    Undergraduate Research Fellowship
    Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

    Merit Scholarship
    Ox-Bow School of Art, Saugatuck, MI


    PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

    Mar 2026 — PresentPreparator & Collections Manager
    Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL

    Jan 2026 — Present
    Lecturer, Printmaking II
    Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL

    Oct 2025 — PresentTeaching Artist
    Spudnik Press Cooperative, Chicago, IL

    Jun Jul 2025
    Lecturer, Printmaking I
    Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL

    2023 2025
    Instructor of Record
    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    2021 2022
    Teaching Assistant & Print Shop Technician
    Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

    Film Projectionist
    Campus Theater, Lewisburg, PA

    2018 2021
    Access Services Assistant
    Ryerson & Burnham Library, Art Institute of Chicago, IL

    Publishing Apprentice
    Hoofprint, Chicago, IL

    2018 2019
    Gallery Assistant
    LH Selman Ltd., Chicago, IL

    2016 2018
    TA & Print Lab Monitor
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

    Circulation Assistant
    Clarence Ward Art Library, Oberlin College, OH

    Museum Docent
    Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, OH

    2017 2018
    Private Homeschool Art Teacher
    Oberlin, OH

    2017
    Intern
    Hoofprint, Chicago, IL

    Gallery Attendant
    Baron Gallery, Oberlin College, OH

    2016
    Intern, Frontline Arts, Branchburg, NJ

    2015
    Gallery Attendant
    Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit, NJ

    Intern
    Chelsea Restoration Associates, New York, NY

    Intern
    Stonedog Studios, Asbury Park, NJ


    LECTURES & PANELS

    2025
    The How & Why of Learning Less-Commonly-Taught Languages
    Center for Language & Culture, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    2024
    Virtual Artist Talk
    Cornell College, Mt Vernon, IA

    Artist Talk
    YIVO, New York, NY

    2022
    Artist Talk & Screenprinting Demonstration
    Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA

    2021
    Virtual Panel Organizer & Moderator
    “Prints & their Makers, Movers & Shakers,” MAPC

    Virtual Artist Talk
    Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA

    2020
    Virtual Artist Talk
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

    2018Travel Grant Presentation
    MAPC Conference, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY


    WORKSHOPS, DEMOS & PUBLIC PROGRAMS

    2026
    Intro to Relief Printmaking (4-Week Class)
    Spudnik Press, Chicago, IL

    2025
    Linocut Workshop
    Spudnik Press, Chicago, IL

    Collagraph Workshop
    Spudnik Press, Chicago, IL


    Stone Lithography Demo Assistant
    Grabadolandia, IGC, Hoofprint, Chicago, IL


    Found Object Monotype
    Bridgeport Third Friday Art Walk, Hoofprint, Chicago, IL

    Drawing Games
    Drink & Draw, Spudnik Press, Chicago, IL

    Exquisite Corpse Trace Monotypes
    Bridgeport Third Friday Art Walk, Hoofprint, Chicago, IL

    2022
    Watercolor Monotype Workshop
    Geisinger Surgery Institute Wellness Day, Pine Barn Inn, Danville, PA

    2021
    Frankenprints: Relief-Printed Exquisite Corpse
    Visual Arts Open House, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

    2020
    Stop-Motion Animation Workshop
    Spudnik Press, Chicago, IL

    Linoleum Block Printing Workshop
    Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY

    2019
    Stone Lithography Demo Assistant
    Grabadolandia, IGC, Hoofprint, Chicago, IL

    2018
    Stone Lithography Demo Assistant
    Grabadolandia, IGC, Hoofprint, Chicago, IL

    Exhibit Tours & Relief Printing Demo
    A Century of Women in Prints: 1917-2017
    Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, OH

    2017
    Observational Drawing for Biology Students,
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH


    ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

    2023Co-president, Iowa Print Group
    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

    2021
    Secretary
    Mid America Print Council

    Member Engagement Committee Co-Chair,
    Mid America Print Council

    Collaborative Printer for Eddy Lopez
    Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

    2018
    Co-President, YeoPress Printmaking Collective
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

    2017
    Installation Assistant
    Rashid Johnson’s Shea Wall
    Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland, OH


    PUBLICATIONS

    2023
    Verklempt! Magazine, Issue ב
    Havurah, New York, NY

    2022
    Gashmuis Magazine, Vol 1

    2021
    The Hand Magazine, Issue 32, Prairie Village, KA

    2020
    Mid America Print Council Journal, Vol 28/29

    2019
    Art in Print, Vol 9, No 4, Chicago, IL


    COLLECTIONS

    Marais Press Print Collection
    University of Louisiana,  Lafayette, LA

    Norlin Special Collections
    University of Colorado, Boulder, CO