Back in August of 2013, when we last we spoke to 2007 alum, Eric Brennan, the successful young artist was working on his Master of Fine Arts, the terminal degree in the visual arts, at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His exciting, realistic work in drawing was already being exhibited and he was definitely on his way up. It's 2020 now, and we thought it was time to speak with him again.
Where and what are you teaching today?
I currently teach a wide range of classes as part of the STEAM department at Greencastle-Antrim High School. I teach some more traditional art courses such as Art Foundations and Photography & Digital Design. Having a dual certification, I have had the pleasure of restructuring 3 courses that I have really become passionate about; Engineering & Design, Engineering & Design Studio (II level), Industrial Studio (Product Design). I am also currently teaching a Materials and Process course.
Teaching such a variety of courses has not only presented interesting challenges but has encouraged growth in me as a teacher and artist/maker. I still teach foundational drawing, painting, and design principles, which was the medium I was first drawn to, but now I have a whole new toolbox and pallet to explore within the world of digital fabrication. I spend a considerable amount of time designing interesting challenges and problems for my students to solve, almost as if I were creating a whole new body of art work. To list a few of the tools and pieces of technology I leverage in this process are the Adobe Design Suite, 3D CAD software, CNC machining, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Casting, Mold Making, printmaking, and Photography. I have written and obtained 3 grants and I plan on continuing to expand my department and student’s opportunities.
I currently teach a wide range of classes as part of the STEAM department at Greencastle-Antrim High School. I teach some more traditional art courses such as Art Foundations and Photography & Digital Design. Having a dual certification, I have had the pleasure of restructuring 3 courses that I have really become passionate about; Engineering & Design, Engineering & Design Studio (II level), Industrial Studio (Product Design). I am also currently teaching a Materials and Process course.
Teaching such a variety of courses has not only presented interesting challenges but has encouraged growth in me as a teacher and artist/maker. I still teach foundational drawing, painting, and design principles, which was the medium I was first drawn to, but now I have a whole new toolbox and pallet to explore within the world of digital fabrication. I spend a considerable amount of time designing interesting challenges and problems for my students to solve, almost as if I were creating a whole new body of art work. To list a few of the tools and pieces of technology I leverage in this process are the Adobe Design Suite, 3D CAD software, CNC machining, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Casting, Mold Making, printmaking, and Photography. I have written and obtained 3 grants and I plan on continuing to expand my department and student’s opportunities.
Do you still exhibit?
Balancing studio time and teaching has always been an interesting challenge. I always try to dedicate some time to my creative processes, no matter how that looks. Sometimes just a couple of minutes a week or exploring a new processes or method. I am excited about some of the new methods I am introducing into my process and discovering how it will affect my work.
Some of my exhibitions since last article:
-Beyond the Surface, Art Works, Johnstown PA
Curated by Emilio Valerio D’Ospina
-Ignorance is not Innocence, Kipp Gallery, Indiana PA
-Subterranean Reality, Unsmoke Systems, Braddock PA
-Graduate Scholars Forum, Kipp Gallery, Indiana PA
Curated by Tommy White. Juried
*Best of Show
-DRAWN, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati Ohio
Curated by Jason Franz. Juried
-Identity, The Thought Lot, Shippensburg PA
*Solo Exhibit
-Black & White, Council for the Arts, Chambersburg PA
-Artist that Teach, Kauffman Gallery, Shippensburg PA
Balancing studio time and teaching has always been an interesting challenge. I always try to dedicate some time to my creative processes, no matter how that looks. Sometimes just a couple of minutes a week or exploring a new processes or method. I am excited about some of the new methods I am introducing into my process and discovering how it will affect my work.
Some of my exhibitions since last article:
-Beyond the Surface, Art Works, Johnstown PA
Curated by Emilio Valerio D’Ospina
-Ignorance is not Innocence, Kipp Gallery, Indiana PA
-Subterranean Reality, Unsmoke Systems, Braddock PA
-Graduate Scholars Forum, Kipp Gallery, Indiana PA
Curated by Tommy White. Juried
*Best of Show
-DRAWN, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati Ohio
Curated by Jason Franz. Juried
-Identity, The Thought Lot, Shippensburg PA
*Solo Exhibit
-Black & White, Council for the Arts, Chambersburg PA
-Artist that Teach, Kauffman Gallery, Shippensburg PA
Have you been involved in any major projects since 2013?
My work was featured on a series of 4 billboards in 2 locations in Chambersburg as part of “Project Elevate”. It was to help inspire a positive message within the community. I got to work closely with artist Isaiah Zagar assisting with the mosaic murals in downtown Chambersburg. I have also donated work to Collectors Choice and created works of art live at Art Fest in Chambersburg and I was on a thesis committee!
How has your life changed since 2013?
The biggest and best thing that has changed in my life is that I became a father in May of 2019 to a beautiful little girl, Eliza.
I guess I should probably back up, I got married to my beautiful and amazing wife Erin, and we settled in Chambersburg in 2014. I earned my MFA and successfully completed my thesis defense in 2015, graduating from IUP. I taught at CASHS for a year before taking on a new position at Greencastle and this will be my 5th year teaching there. I started a design club at school, and took a team of students all the way to a final round in an international business challenge. Many things have changed since 2013 but becoming a dad, has been life changing. I have already created, and built more things for her than for any exhibit in the past 5 years. She is my muse for all of my photography, my studio mate in the summers, and she has already made it to one of my exhibitions to cheer me on (more like scream at me). I look forward to making things together but mainly I hope I can inspire a curiosity in her that will encourage her to discover her own passions.
My work was featured on a series of 4 billboards in 2 locations in Chambersburg as part of “Project Elevate”. It was to help inspire a positive message within the community. I got to work closely with artist Isaiah Zagar assisting with the mosaic murals in downtown Chambersburg. I have also donated work to Collectors Choice and created works of art live at Art Fest in Chambersburg and I was on a thesis committee!
How has your life changed since 2013?
The biggest and best thing that has changed in my life is that I became a father in May of 2019 to a beautiful little girl, Eliza.
I guess I should probably back up, I got married to my beautiful and amazing wife Erin, and we settled in Chambersburg in 2014. I earned my MFA and successfully completed my thesis defense in 2015, graduating from IUP. I taught at CASHS for a year before taking on a new position at Greencastle and this will be my 5th year teaching there. I started a design club at school, and took a team of students all the way to a final round in an international business challenge. Many things have changed since 2013 but becoming a dad, has been life changing. I have already created, and built more things for her than for any exhibit in the past 5 years. She is my muse for all of my photography, my studio mate in the summers, and she has already made it to one of my exhibitions to cheer me on (more like scream at me). I look forward to making things together but mainly I hope I can inspire a curiosity in her that will encourage her to discover her own passions.