About Me.

I have a need to ritualistically create objects and explore materials. In my hands personas are spawned from paint, paper, nostalgic craft supplies, and cosmetics. These personalities are unfamiliar to me- but I want to understand them. I conjure up fantastical creatures that plead with viewers to come closer, to examine their beauty, as well as their repulsion. They reflect human personas by honoring facets of our personalities while aggressively displaying absurdity to provoke our empathy. Alluring color, textures and rich materials work together to showcase each creature’s persona while drawing on the viewer’s curiosity to engage with the work.

CV
Bachelor of Science Art Education
Minor in European History
Cum Laude
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. 2009

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Fiber Arts & Painting Concentration
Cum Laude
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. 2009

Masters of Fine Arts
Sculpture Concentration
University of Houston, Houston, TX. 2017
 
Gallery Showing
2017
  • ​Your Presence is Required, Zoya Tommy Gallery, Houston TX
2016
  • Craft Texas 16, Houston Contemporary Craft Center, Houston TX
  • University of Houston School of Art Annual Student Show, Blaffer, Houston TX
  • Obsessive Repetitive, 3rd Space Gallery, Houston TX
  • Houston Fiber Festival, Cypress TX
2015
  • University of Houston School of Art Annual Student Show, Blaffer, Houston TX
  • Houston Fiber Festival, Cypress TX
2013
  • Blue Bird Sale, Blue Bird Circle, Houston TX
  • Interwoven V, 18 Hands Gallery, Houston TX
  • CHH Sale, Guild House, Houston TX
  • Flushear Art walk, Fulshear TX
  • Arts and Drafts, Rays Grill, Fulshear TX
2012
  • Interwoven IV, 18 Hands Gallery, Houston TX
  • Art Teachers Show, The Art Institute, Troy MI
2010
  • Washington Historical Craft show, Washington Historical Museum, Washington MI
  • Wonderful Observation, The Belmont, Hamtramck MI
  • Handspun Revolution, Galleri Zink, Lillehammer Norway
     2009
  • Mailed 2.0, Anton Art Center, Mount Clemens MI
  • 5th Annual Fiber Arts Show, Heritage Spinning and Weaving, Lake Orion MI
  • Access, Belle Isle, Detroit MI  
  • Dally In the Ally, Art Fair, Detroit MI
  • Consignment Pieces, LunaChick, Cambridge MD
  • Access, Belle Isle, Detroit MI  
  • Algonac Culture Council Art Fair, Algonac MI
  • Richmond Summer Art Festival, Richmond MI
  • The Finale, The Bud, Detroit MI
  • Waynemania Undergraduate Exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Detroit MI
  • Display, Romeo District Library, Washington MI
  • Fashion and Objects, The Bud, Detroit MI
   2008
  • Art Education Student Exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Detroit MI
  • Waynemania Undergraduate Exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Detroit MI
        2007
  • Art Education Student Exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Detroit MI
  • Waynemania Undergraduate Exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Detroit MI
   2005
  • Waynemania Undergraduate Exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Detroit MI
   2004
  • 1st Annual Fiber Arts Show, Heritage Spinning and Weaving, Lake Orion MI
  • Waynemania Undergraduate Exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Detroit MI
   2003
  • Waynemania Undergraduate Exhibition, Community Arts Gallery, Detroit MI
 
Certifications
Teaching Certifications
Texas State EC-12 Art 5yr   2013
        
Teaching Experience       2016
  • Teaching Fellow, University of Houston, Sculpture Department, Houston TX. Fall 16 and Spring 16
  • Studio Assistant, University of Houston, Sculpture Department, Houston TX. Fall 16
       2015
  • Teaching Assistant, University of Houston, Sculpture Department, Houston TX. Fall 15
       2013 - 2014
  • Summer Art Camp Instructor, Fulshear Arts, Fulshear TX.  June 2013
  • Substitute Teacher, Houston ISD, November 2012 to present, Katy ISD and Spring Branch ISD 2013 to Present
  • Substitute Teacher, Long-term position, Seven Lakes High School KISD, Cinco Ranch TX. February to May 2014
       2010- 2012
  • Visual Arts Teacher, Stevenson High School with Utica Community Schools, September 2010 to 2012
  • Visual Arts Teacher, Mallow Junior High School with Utica Community Schools, September 2011 to 2012.
       2009
  • Substitute Teacher, Professional Education Services Group LLC, September 2008 to June 2010.
  • Substitute Teacher, Long- term position, Stevenson High School, Sterling Heights, MI. March 2009
  • Felting Workshop, Roeper Lower School, Bloomfield Hills, MI. April 2009
  • Free-lance Instructor, JoAnn’s Arts and Crafts, Shelby Twp. MI,
2008
  • Student Teacher, Stevenson High School, Sterling Heights, MI. September - December 2008.
  • Substitute Teacher, Utica Community Schools, September 2008 to present.
  • Student Teacher, Sequoia Elementary, Macomb, MI. January - April 2008.
2007
  • Saturday Art School Teacher, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. September 2007-December 2007
 
Museum Experience       2015 - Present
  • Docent, Blaffer Art Museum, Houston TX. April 15 to Present
       2015
  • Education Department Intern, Blaffer Art Museum, Houston TX. January 15 to April 15
 
  Business
  • -Kyla’s Lab: Textile Arts and Accessories, 2009-Present www.kylaslab.etsy.com
 
Awards/Grants/Fellowships
2017
  • Art Graduate Endowment Fellowship, University of Houston, Houston TX
  • Graduate Tuition Fellowship, University of Houston, Houston TX
2016
  • Art Graduate Endowment Fellowship, University of Houston, Houston TX
  • Graduate Tuition Fellowship, University of Houston, Houston TX
2015
  • Holt-Wich Scholarship, University of Houston, Houston TX
  • Graduate Tuition Fellowship, University of Houston, Houston TX
2014
  • Holt-Wich Scholarship, University of Houston, Houston TX
 
Volunteer Experience
  • Model, Oliver Herring, Diverse Works Houston TX. March 15
  • Board Member, Contemporary Handweavers of Houston, Houston TX. June 2013 –May 2014
  • Fiber Arts Demo, The Art Institute of Houston, Houston TX. April 2013, Aug 2013, Feb 2014
  • Weaving with the Fulshear Art Program, Higgins ES, Fulshear TX. Feb 2013
  • Sew Sundays Instructor, Turmbullplex, Detroit MI. June-July 2009
  • Felting Demo, Art Expo At Anchor Bay High School, Anchor Bay, MI. May 2009
  • Summer Art Camp Teacher’s Aide, Paint Creek Center for Creative Arts, Rochester, MI. July 2003, July 2004.
 
Professional Affiliations 
Knit At Night Guild
Contemporary Handweavers of Houston
Surface Design Association