Ilene Berman, MFA

Assistant Professor
Visual and Performing Arts

Education

M.F.A., Sculpture, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois

B.A. in Sculpture, Education Certificate, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut

Practice Areas

Art and Social Change, Socially Engaged Art, Sculpture, Installation

Research Interests

Ilene has a durational arts practice aimed at addressing issues of social justice. Her practice is based on her belief that art can (and should) change the world. Her most recent creation, Room13Delmar, is a tricycle-based mobile art studio addressing St. Louis’ Delmar Divide by developing a more visible arts presence in the blocks of the Grand Center Arts District, north of Delmar. In 2015 Ilene was awarded a St. Louis Visionary Artist award and her work has been featured in Alive Magazine, Sculpture Magazine, the St. Louis Beacon, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and on the BBC.

Publications and Media Placements

Room 13 Delmar connects local youth artists with peers in England

Lori Waxman: 3 days, 30 reviews of artwork by St. Louisans

Art on wheels: Mobile art studio brings out creativity north of Delmar

St. Louis Art Museum Criticized for Loaning Painting to Inaugural Luncheon

How A Quirky Art Prize Tied to the DeVos Family Went Political

Unlikely Stages Spotlight 38 Different Takes on Shakespeare

Honors and Awards

St. Louis Visionary Award, 2015

Professional Organizations and Associations

Arte Util, Eindhoven, Netherlands

Community Work and Service

Through this manifesto, I pledge

to reject as inevitable the reality of long-standing divides between black and white citizens in my city,
to reject as inevitable the reality of long-standing divides between rich and poor citizens in my city,
to use the unique opportunities created through the arts to challenge the barrier separating the areas to the north and south of Delmar Avenue,
to ask my fellow artists what their plans are for expanding the Grand Avenue Arts District north of Delmar,
to promote the expansion of the arts district across Delmar Avenue,
to install my art north of Delmar Avenue,
to invite all of St. Louis to experience art north of Delmar Avenue,
to share the process of coming together in dialogue and relationship to create positive change in my city,
to act on my belief that art can (and should) change the world and, lastly,
to proudly own the idealism expressed through this manifesto.