RAEGAN KOEPSEL (she/they) raekoepsel@gmail.com
EDUCATION
2015-2019 BFA, Ceramics and Art History, Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), Kansas City, MO
AWARDS
Spring 2019 Highest GPA for a Double Major at the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
KCAI Art History Symposium, First Place, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Fall 2015-2019 President’s List, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Merit Award Scholarship, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Spring 2018 McKeown Special Project Award Recipient, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2017 Higher Education Scholarship, Penland School of Craft, Penland, Nc
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2021-present Model Maker, Hufft, Kansas City, MO
Intermediary position between architectural design and fabrication, specializing in architectural model construction. Experience with Rhino, SketchUp, Revit, and other software to collaborate with designers. Maintaining model room equipment such as #D printers and laser cutter, as well as using the CNC and other woodshop equipment for fabrication.
2018-present Preparator, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO
Assisting in the preparation and installation of artwork for artists such as Rafael-Lozano Hemmer, Hew Locke, Dyani Whitehawk, Vaughn Spann, Elias Sime, Summer Wheat, Elias Sime, and more. Responsibilities included managing contract art handlers, crate design and fabrication, maintaining the permanent collection, lighting design, production of wall vinyl and didactic labels, and using 3D modeling platforms to assist curators in future exhibition layouts.
2019-2021 Jesse Howard Fellowship, H&R Block Artspace, Kansas City, MO
Direct an accumulative spreadsheet and presentation for the 20 year anniversary of the H&R Block Artspace. Assist and organize documentation within the museum archives.
2019 Project Assistant, H&R Block Artspace, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Working closely with the director and curator, Raechell Smith, to conduct artist research for upcoming exhibitions, execute interviews, organize archival documentation for the museum’s collection, exhibition installation, and other related tasks. Specifically working on a comprehensive spreadsheet and presentation of every exhibition and artist that has worked with the Artspace in the past 20 years.
2019 Teaching Assistant, Casey Whittier, Assistant Professor of Ceramics and Social Practice, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Preparing ceramic materials for students such as mixing clay, fixing pottery wheels, and cleaning. Assisting students with new ceramic processes, loading and firing kilns, researching and organizing class content, and creating classwork/handouts.
2018-2020 Art Handling and Installation, 21c Museum Hotels, Kansas City, MO
Assisting in de-install and packaging of 200+ artworks, wall repair, and installation of 200+ new works in the gallery spaces at 21c Museum Hotels. Working long hours and lifting 80+ lbs, knowledge of installation hardware, and an excellent eye for detail and craftsmanship.
2019 Durwood Executive Office Intern, Casey Claps, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO
Creating spreadsheets to organize meetings, exhibitions, and travel logs for Julian Zugazagoitia, Director/CEO of the Nelson-Atkins. Systematize museum archives and organize future exhibit materials.
2018 Art Prep and Install, Open Spaces, Kansas City, MO
Preparing locations in Kansas City through Open Spaces for artist installations by Ebony Patterson and Nick Cave. Using power tools, social media, long hours, and some sweat, we were able to transform spaces in KC that had been abandoned for 20+ years into a working space for accomplished artists. Facilitating the refurbishment of abandoned locations in Kansas City, Missouri in preparation for the 40+ artists participating in Kansas City’s Open Spaces event. Controlling power machines, working with a team, using power tools, assisting in social media posting.
2016-2018 Gallery Assistant, H&R Block Artspace, Kansas City, MO
Working one-on-one with international and local artists and art groups. Greeting and communicating with gallery visitors. Installation and deinstallation of contemporary work and handling artwork in the gallery's collection for archival documentation.
2018 Durwood Fabrications Intern, Assistant to Bob Tolnai, Installation Foreman, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO
Maintenance and installation of museum elements in order to sustain the quality of presentation at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. Use of shop tools in order to repair or construct architectural display components for the museum.
2017 Blick Art Materials, Kansas City, MO
Assist customers by being knowledgeable about the thousands of materials Blick carries and what would work best for their projects. Great communication and organization skills, as well as retail etiquette.
2015- 2016 Office Assistant, Liberal Arts Department, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO Organized and documented class content for course preparation.
EXHIBITIONS
2021 Biennial FlatFile: H&R Block Artspace, Kansas City, MO
2019 WareHouse, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2018 Fine Mesh, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Modus Operandi, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Chroma Machine Suite: Forecasting Fault Line in the Cosmos: Student Exhibition,
H&R Block Artspace, Kansas City, MO
2017 Transmute, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Salon “Color or the year – Greenery 15-03443”: Student Work, Cerbera Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2016 Polymorph, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
SKILLS
Computer: Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, Google, Excel, SketchUp, Rhino 3D Modeling, Revit, and Media Pro.
Studio: 3D Printers, Laser Cutter, CNC, Woodshop machinery, Welding, Plaster Mold Making, Clay and Glaze Formulation, Kiln Repair, and Artwork Handling.
Social: Assisting gallery visitors, customer service, and public speaking.
REFERENCES
Raechell Smith, Founding Director, H&R Block Artspace, Kansas City, MO | resmith@kcai.edu
Cary Esser, Chair and Professor of Ceramics, Kansas City Art Institute | cesser@kcai.edu
Casey Whittier, Assistant Professor of Ceramics, Kansas City Art Institute | cwhittier@kcai.edu
Jori Cheville, Museum Director for 21c Museum Hotels | jcheville@21cmuseum.org
Jan Kennedy, Associate Professor of Art History, Program Head of Asian Art Studies, Kansas City Art Institute | jkennedy@kcai.edu