| Ryan is a Christian conservative, multi-award-winning studio artist and educator whose work has been recognized with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his induction into the Palmdale High School Hall of Fame. Ryan’s professional journey weaves through the dynamic realms of painting, drawing, studio methods, curating, and deeply exploring the intersection of art and theology with over 30 years of experience. Ryan boasts a substantial academic foundation, earning both a B.A. and an M.A. in Studio Art from CSU Sacramento, followed by an MFA in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Complementing his extensive art education, Ryan’s theological understanding has been profoundly shaped by three years of rigorous in-house pastoral training at Remnant Church. He served as the Pastor for Art and Culture there from 2014 to 2020, a role that significantly enhanced his ability to weave his faith seamlessly into his artistic pursuits. Ryan is an Associate for Christian Art and Aesthetics at the Cantaro Institute in Niagara Canada. Ryan, a former assistant professor for 17 years at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), which is recognized as the number one ranked public art school in the US, in the Art and Design Foundations program, has made a profound impact on students ranging from K-12 through higher education across California and Virginia. In California, Ryan’s work was funded through the brilliant work and vision of Dr Geri Keskeys and the support of a Warhol Foundation grant, which enabled him to serve as a resident artist-teacher at Elk Grove Elementary, where he taught art and design to students from kindergarten through sixth grade. During this time, he developed a competitive and effective curriculum that rivaled the preexisting standards in California. He also taught as the instructor of record at a private school for grades K through 8 called CourtYard, further honing his educational strategies and curriculum development skills. Ryan has 30 years dedicated to teaching, enriching the lives of his students, and fostering a dynamic learning environment. His comprehensive background and dedication to art education make him a pivotal figure in academic and artistic communities. Ryan is the founder and Director of Shockoe Artspace in Richmond, VA, an art gallery that has become a hub for local and nationally recognized artists since its inception. Ryan has exhibited his work widely, including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and the Taubman Museum of Art. His artworks, celebrated for their depth and complexity, have been featured in prestigious publications like New American Paintings and Image Journal. They are cherished parts of private and public collections, such as that of Capital One. His written and visual work and insights were recently highlighted in “A Prophet in the Darkness: Exploring Theology in the Art of Georges Rouault,” published as part of IVP’s Studies in Theology and the Arts series. Beyond the canvas and classroom, Ryan co-directed The Builder, an award-winning documentary and co-hosted the insightful Shockoe Artspeak podcast, further amplifying his influence in the art world. As a co-founder of The Maker Institute of Studio Art and Theology and Made Makers Christian Art and Design Education and the co-founder of New Christian Makers, the only Christian in-print juried exhibition publication in the world, he and his family work faithfully to reform and redeem art education through a biblically integrated curriculum designed specifically for homeschool families and Christian private schools. Ryan and his wife, Laura, homeschool their four children, embodying the very principles he teaches. They reside in Richmond, VA, and are active members of Remnant Church, living out their faith in every aspect of life. |
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