URBAN R. JUPENA
11745 Spencer Lane
Pinckney, Michigan 48169
734-878-9236
TEACHING
1972 - Present
Head of Fibers, Department of Art and Art History, Wayne State University, Detroit (promoted to full professor in 2008).
EDUCATION
1970
Master of Fine Arts in Fiber, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI.
1968
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fiber, Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia, PA Penland School of Crafts, Spruce Pine, NC.
ONE-MAN SHOWS
2005
“Sabbatical Exhibition: Urban Jupena” Wayne State Community Arts Gallery, Detroit, Michigan.
2000
“Sabbatical Exhibition: Urban Jupena” Wayne State Community Arts Gallery, Detroit, Michigan.
1996
“The Many Phases of Urban Jupena,” exhibition and lecture, Anderson Gallery, Pontiac, Michigan.
1991
“Color - The Connecting Thread: Weavings by Urban Jupena, Lawrence Street Gallery, Pontiac, MI.
1989 - 1991
“Urban R. Jupena,” Annual Exhibition, Rosard's Gallery, Palm Beach, FL.
1986
“The Weavings of Urban R. Jupena,” Harlan Gallery, Seton Hill College, Greensburg, PA.
NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
2010
“American Tapestry Biennial Eight,” Elder Gallery, Lincoln, NE and Amercian Textile History Museum, Lowell, MA.
2009
“Connections: Small Tapestry International 2009,” San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, and Earlham College, Richmond, IN.
2008
"American Tapestry Biennial Seven," University of Tampa, Scarfone/Hartley Gallery, Tampa, FL, and Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville, KY.
Handweavers’ Guild of America Award presented at “Dance of the Flamingos” Handweavers’ Guild of America Conference, Tampa, FL. Two garments in collaboration with Susan Widawski.
“Ebb Tide” Handweavers’ Guild of America Conference, Tampa, FL.
“New Fiber 2008 – A National Survey of Contemporary Fiber Arts,” Eastern Michigan University Gallery, Ypsilanti, MI, and Boniface Fine Art Center, Escanaba, MI.
2007
2nd Place Award, “Small Expressions, 2007, Robert Hellestad Textile Gallery, University of Nebraska; Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN.
“International Triennial of Tapestry 2007,” Selected as one of six USA artists joining 150 other artists from 50 other countries to show in the 2007 Triennial in Lodz, Poland.
2006
“Make a Grand Entrance,” Convergence National Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.
“Grand Ideas/Small Tapestry Format,” Convergence National Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.
“Presenter’s Show,” Convergence National Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.
“Creative,” Grand Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI.
“American Tapestry Biennial Six,” The Urban Institute of Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, MI; Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA; and San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, San Jose, CA.
“Showcase Exhibition of Surface Design Association,” Wellington B. Gary Gallery School of Art, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina.
“Original Sewing and Quilting Expo,” Minneapolis, MN; Overland Park, KS; Chantilly, VA.
2005
“18th National Juried Art Exhibition,” South Cobb Art Alliance, Mable House Arts Center, Mableton, GA.
2004
“I Can See For Miles and Miles,” Show at Convergence National Conference, Denver, CO.
“Garments with Attitude,” Show at Convergence National Conference, Denver, CO.
“Small Expressions,” Show at Convergence National Conference, Denver, CO.
2002
“Phosphorescence,” Show at Convergence National Conference, Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
“Tsunami,” A show of yardage, sponsored by Carnegie Fabric at Convergence, Vancouver B.C., Canada.
2000
“Blue” Exhibition, Jean Paul Slusser Gallery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
“We Make the Fashion: Fashions at Convergence 2000,” Cincinnati, OH.
“The Carnegie Fabrics Exhibition,” Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center (in conjunction with Convergence 2000), Cincinnati, OH.
“Blue Ridge Handweavers’ Show,” Flat Rock, NC.
1999
“Encountering Cultures/Making Connections”: International Textile and Apparel Show, Santa Fe, NM.
1998
White House Christmas Tree (selected by Mrs. Michelle Engler to represent Michigan in creating a Christmas ornament for the White House Blue Room Christmas Tree), Washington, DC.
1996
“BASF Corporation Ninth Annual Fiber Art Competition.” Creative Arts Guild, Dalton, GA.
“SOFA” (Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art), Navy Pier, Chicago, IL.
“In-Vestment in Fiber,” Handweavers’ Guild of America, Convergence ‘96 conference, Portland OR.
“Small Expressions ‘96,” Gango Gallery, Portland, OR.
1995
“New Tools,” National Surface Design exhibition, Portland OR.
1994
Honorable Mention, “Fiber Fashion ‘94,” Community Arts Gallery, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
1991
“Small Expressions ‘91,” Lane Community College Art Gallery, Eugene, OR.
1990
“Philadelphia Images,” University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA.
“Best Foot Forward - A Foot of Art for Cranbrook,” Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI.
1989
“A Showing of Commissionable Art,” Rosard's Gallery, Palm Beach, FL.
1984 - 1985
“Country of Origin USA: A Decade of Contemporary Rugs,” Textile Museum, Washington, DC.
“Arts American,” traveling exhibition through South America, Textile Museum, Washington, DC.
1976 - 1978
“America Underfoot: A History of Floorcoverings in the USA,” Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
1972
“Fur and Feathers,” Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York, NY.
REGIONAL/LOCAL EXHIBITIONS
2009
“Creative Pathways in Fiber,” in collaboration with Susan Widawski, Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Guild,Riverside Arts Gallery, Ypsilanti, MI.
2008
Prize Winner, “Michigan Surface Design Association Members Exhibition,” Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti, MI.
2007
2nd Place prize, “5th Annual Photography, 3-dimensional and Sculpture Show,” Grosse Pointe Art Center, Grosse Pointe, MI.
2004
“New Fibers,” Slusser Gallery, University of Michigan, School of Art.
“Fascination with Fibers: Michigan’s Hardworking Heritage,” Michigan State University.
2003
“Michigan Surface Design Exhibition,” Ave Maria Fine Art Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
1998
Juror’s Award, Oakland County Galleria, Pontiac, MI.
1996
“Patrimonio: Legacy of Italian Art in Michigan,” Wayne State University / Consulate of Italy, Detroit, MI.
“Through the Looking Glass: Teapots and Fiber Explored,” North Central Regional Surface Design Association, Marymount College, Marian Gallery, Milwaukee, WI.
“Arts Michigan: Great Lakes Regional Arts Exhibition,” Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, MI.
1995
Premier Exhibition, Anderson Gallery, Pontiac, MI.
“Coat as Art,” State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.
1994
1st Prize, Full Moon Gallery, Jackson, MI.
1991
Outstanding Work Award, Midland Center for the Arts.
1985 - 86
“Art of Living,” collaborative show, Ann Arbor Art Association (1985), Buckham Project, Flint.
1979 - 89
Somerset Annual Invitational Exhibition,” Somerset Mall, Troy, MI.
EXHIBITION JUROR
2006
Curator, “Back to the Floor,” national competitive exhibition, Elaine Jacobs Gallery, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Curator, “Highlights of the Fiber Department,” national alumni exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Juror, “On The Cutting Edge,” National Competition Sponsored by Hand Weaver’s Guild of America, Grand Rapids, MI.
1999
Juror, “Michigan Textiles,” Lansing Art Center, Lansing, MI.
1998
Juror, Grosse Pointe Art Association Art Fair, Grosse Pointe, MI.
1996
Juror, “Made in Michigan: Artists Design for the Home,” Ann Arbor Art Association, Ann Arbor, MI.
Juror, “Affirmations: Celebrating Global Fiber Art,” Marygrove College, Detroit, MI.
MAJOR PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS/COLLECTIONS
Chrysler Corporation World Headquarters, Highland Park, MI.
Renaissance Ballroom, Westin Hotel, Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI.
School of Business Administration, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Office of the Dean, School of Fine and Performing Arts, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
National Bank of Detroit, Bloomfield Hills, MI.
Walter B. Ford II, Ford and Earl Designs, Warren, MI.
Riverview Hospital, Detroit, MI.
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Maxwell Smith, Bloomfield Hills, MI (home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright).
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
2009 - Present
Treasurer, Michigan Surface Design Association.
1990 - 2008
President, Michigan Surface Design Association.
1993 - Present
Member, Board of Directors, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI.
1993 - 1998
Art Advisor and Event Committee Member, “Artshare,” St. Vincent Sarah Fisher Center.