Archana Shekara was born in India. She is an artist living and working in Normal, Illinois.
MFA in Graphic Design, University of Illinois; Urbana-Champaign; IL
BFA in Painting, State University of New York; New Paltz, NY
Associate Professor of Art in Graphic Design, Illinois State University; Normal, IL
Creative Director of Design Streak Studio, a research based social innovation lab focusing on human centered service design in the Wonsook Kim School of Art, Illinois State University; Normal, IL
Honors Program Coordinator, School of Art, Illinois State University; Normal, IL
College of Fine Arts Service Initiative Award (2014)
University Research Grant award (2012)
Harmon Arts Grant Award for Festival of India at Illinois State University
Shekara participated in a collaborative print project at Normal Editions Workshop in the School of Art at Illinois State University for the portfolio CVA Suite Vol. III in 2011 and a digital image project in 2012.
Artist Archana Shekara drawing on a lithographic stone at Normal Editions Workshop, 2011.
Shanthi is included in the Illinois Artists and The Intimate Print traveling exhibitions available from Normal Editions Workshop.
Richard Finch, Director of N.E.W., prepares a wash for artist, Archana Shekara, to use on the experimental drawing to introduce her to stone lithography. Student assistant, Kelsey Just, watches the process unfold.
Kelsey Just, student assistant, observes Archana Shekara while testing drawing materials on a lithography stone during the research phase of the collaboration
Richard Finch etching the test stone with gum arabic and acid
Archana Shekara applying what was learned in the research phase to a new drawing on the stone
Archana Shekara and Richard Finch discuss options for the project
Archana Shekara and Veda Rives reviewing the drawing on the stone before etching it
Veda Rives and Graduate Assistant, Alyssa Tauber buffing down the gum film after etching the stone
Archana Shekara and Graduate Assistant, Lisa Lofgren, washing the drawing material out of the stone with lithotine
Veda Rives applying asphaltum to the stone to replace the drawing material; Graduate Assistants Lisa Lofgren and Alyssa Tauber prepare to assist in printing the image
Lisa Lofgren sponging the stone just before ink is applied
Veda Rives rolling black ink into the drawing on the damp stone
Lisa Lofgren and Veda Rives placing the printing paper
Alyssa Tauber, Lisa Lofgren and Veda Rives reviewing impressions during the printing session
Lisa Lofgren, Veda Rives, and Alyssa Tauber curating the edition
Archana Shekara and Veda Rives preparing to sign the edition
Archana Shekara signing the individual impressions of the completed edition