JILLIAN M. SICO
EDUCATION
2020 MFA Book Arts, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 4.0 GPA
2013 MA Anthropology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 3.83 GPA
2005 BA Liberal Arts, St. John's College, Annapolis, MD 3.8 GPA
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
May 2021-present. Instructor, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL. Graphic Design I; Printmaking; 2D Design.
Aug 2019-present. Instructor, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL. Paper and Culture, University Honors College; 2D Design, Department of Art & Art History; Creativity Seminar & Introduction to Fine Arts, New College; Introduction to Book Arts, School of Library and Information Studies.
Nov 2020-present. Instructor, Paperworkers Local, Birmingham, AL. Full-day workshops on Papermaking and Bookbinding.
Jan 2021. Instructor, Morgan Conservatory, Cleveland, OH. Online workshop/demo on the history and techniques of Mexican papermaking.
June 2019. Instructor, Introduction to Book Arts, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Basic bookbinding structures and decorative paper techniques.
Aug-Dec 2018. Teaching Assistant, Bookbinding I, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Assisted Anna Embree in graduate-level bookbinding course.
October 2018. ARTSealab Eco-Lit Workshop Series, Dauphin Island, AL. Recycled papermaking with local plant inclusions as part of collaborative chapbook workshop with University of Alabama English Department.
May 2018. Taller Leñateros, San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Link and long stitch book structures in Spanish with local artists.
April 2018. Crosspollen Symposium, Tuscaloosa, AL. Japanese papermaking with kozo as part of community art and science symposium.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017 - present. Proprietor, Frogsong Press, Tuscaloosa, AL. Design, letterpress print, make paper, and bind editions of artist books.
2018 - 2021. Instructional Technologist, Center for Instructional Technology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL. Provide technical assistance to faculty, staff, & students on instructional software incl. Blackboard, Panopto, Zoom, Turnitin, and Collaborate.
2014 - 2017. New Roots Program Coordinator, International Rescue Committee, Atlanta, GA. Developed and implemented educational programs related to gardening and nutrition for youth and adult refugee clients; wrote grants and managed program tracking.
2013 - 2014. Curatorial Assistant & Plant Records Manager, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, GA. Performed garden maintenance, research, design, and plant accessions.
2011 - 2013. Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Assisted Dr. Julie Velásquez Runk with anthropological research.
GRANTS & AWARDS
2022
Shenandoah National Park Artist-in-Residence (upcoming). Shenandoah National Park
Project Assistance Grant. College Book Art Association
2020
First Place, Arborescent. Alex Ferrone Gallery, Cutchogue, NY (Juror: Lillian Ball)
Faculty Scholar Award. The University of Alabama School of Library & Information Studies
CBAA Members’ Exhibition Award, Intersections: Book Arts as Convergence. College Book Art Association
2019
Raymond F. McClain Book Arts Award. The University of Alabama MFA Book Arts Program
Faculty Scholar Award. The University of Alabama School of Library & Information Studies
Outstanding Research by a Master’s Student Award. The University of Alabama Graduate School
Outstanding Research Award. The University of Alabama School of Communication & Information Sciences
2018
Project Assistance Grant. College Book Art Association
Windgate Fellowship. The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies
Capstone International Center International Funding. The University of Alabama Capstone International Center
Graduate School Conference & Research Award. The University of Alabama Graduate School
School of Library and Information Studies Research Support Fund. The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies
2017
Windgate Fellowship. The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies
CREATIVE PUBLICATIONS AS FROGSONG PRESS
2021. Cemetery. Letterpress-printed variable edition featuring pressure prints, cyanotype, and an original poem, created at In Cahoots Residency in Petaluma, CA.
2020. Mycorrhizae. Explores connectivity and loss through an examination of mycorrhizae. Artist book by Jillian Sico and informational pamphlet by Katie Beidler. Letterpress-printed on handmade linen, flax, kozo, and recycled paper. Edition of 22.
2019. Vines, A Looming Is, and We Sent It to the Moon. Set of three letterpress-printed pamphlet books exploring the present and future of digital and technological waste, with Alexa Tullett and Sarah Scarr. Includes handmade paper. Edition of 25.
2019. Mycology. Unbound book in wrapper. Includes original writing and intaglio and relief prints based on microscopic images of mycelium and roots. Edition of 3.
2018. Sable’s Adventure. Illustrated, letterpress-printed, case-bound children’s chapter book with story written by Donald Sico. Edition of 5.
2018. Tribute. Explores the history of amate papermaking in Mexico, inspired by the 1542 Codex Mendoza. Letterpress-printed with handmade bark paper cover. Edition of 14, Special edition of 2.
2018. House of Bones. Woodcut images illustrate an original poem about natural cycles of life and death. Letterpress-printed with handmade cover. Edition of 22.
COLLABORATIONS
2021. Hyphae/phen. A reflection on connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with poet Josh Dugat. Includes handmade recycled and overbeaten linen paper and place-based wood hand printing. (In progress.)
2018. As Much Shape As Light: Cyanotypes. Collaborative chapbook with cyanotype prints, handmade paper, and original poetry, as part of Dauphin Island ArtSeaLab Eco-Lit workshops. With Joshua Dugat and Nicole Gelb-Dugat. Variable edition of 20.
EXHIBITIONS
2022
Group Juried Exhibition, 35th Annual McNeese Annual Works on Paper Exhibition, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA
2021
Group Juried Exhibition, Unseen, 23 Sandy and form & concept, Santa Fe, NM
Group Juried Exhibition, The Book as Art v9.0: Muse, Decatur Arts Alliance, Decatur Public Library, Decatur, GA
Group Juried Exhibition, Reclamation: Artists’ Books on the Environment, San Francisco Center for the Book and San Francisco Public Library
2020
Group Juried Exhibition, Materiality: Hand Papermaking in an Age of Isolation, North American Hand Papermakers, Digital Exhibition
Group Juried Exhibition, Material Identity, Artworks Center for Contemporary Art, Loveland, CO
Group Juried Exhibition, Arborescent, Alex Ferrone Gallery, Cutchogue, NY.* First Place
Group Exhibition, Image/Text/Material: Book Arts MFA Thesis Show, The University of Alabama Gallery, Tuscaloosa, AL
Group Juried Exhibition, Intersections: Book Arts as Convergence, College Book Art Association, Carroll Gallery, Newcomb Art Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA* CBAA Members’ Exhibition Award
2019
Group Juried Exhibition, Artists' Book Cornucopia X, Abecedarian Artists’ Books, Denver, CO
Group Juried Exhibition, The Book As Art v.7.0: Wonders, Decatur Arts Alliance, Decatur Public Library, Decatur, GA
Group Exhibition, MFA Book Arts Student Work, Gorgas Library Fifth Floor Gallery, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Group Juried Exhibition, Morgan Conservatory National Juried Exhibition, Morgan Conservatory, Cleveland, OH
2007
Group Exhibition, Wilderness Studio Student Art Show, John Sommers Gallery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
COLLECTIONS
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Baylor University Libraries
Colby College, Miller Library
Emory University, Rose Library
Franklin & Marshall College
George Mason University Libraries
Indiana University Libraries
The University of Alabama, School of Library and Information Studies
Smith College, Mortimer Rare Books Collection
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
University of Miami, Otto G. Richter Library, Special Collections
University of Richmond, Boatwright Memorial Library
Vanderbilt University, Jean & Alexander Heard Libraries
PUBLICATIONS
Summer 2022. “Side-by-Side Paper Sample: Yucca/cotton Paper.” Hand Papermaking.
Summer 2021. “Mycorrhizae: Place-based bookmaking at the intersection of art and environment.” The Guild of Book Workers Newsletter.
Winter 2021. “Mycorrhizae: Experiments with paper and materiality in a North Georgia forest Ecosystem.” Bull & Branch.
October 2020. “Interview with Taller Leñateros.” Hand Papermaking Magazine.
April 2019. “Book and Paper Arts in Mexico.” The Guild of Book Workers Newsletter.
PRESENTATIONS
September 2021. “Mycorrhizae.” Decatur Book as Art Exhibition. Virtual.
October 2020. “Mycorrhizae: Experiments with paper and materiality in a North Georgia forest ecosystem.” North American Hand Papermakers Digital Conference. Virtual.
March 2020. “Mycorrhizae.” The University of Alabama MFA Book Arts Program.
June 2019. Studio Assistant Slides. Penland School of Craft, NC.
October 2018. “Book and Paper Arts in Mexico.” The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Guild of Book Workers Southeast Chapter, former Chair & current Secretary
College Book Art Association, Member
North American Hand Papermakers, Member