James Hays Email & Phone Number

Snellville, Georgia, United States

I am a dedicated high school art teacher with an extensive background in various artistic mediums. With years of real-world experience in an art career that has embraced several fields, I strive to bring a wealth of knowledge and creativity to my teaching. One example is a recent foray into Augmented Reality, where students added an AR layer to portraits displayed in the hall outside the classroom. A huge success.As a practicing artist, I specialize in watercolor, acrylic, and gouache painting techniques. My artwork showcases color, composition, and attention to detail, reflecting my deep appreciation for the beauty found in the natural world around me. From vibrant landscapes featuring accurate wildlife imagery to technical illustration, my paintings invite viewers to embark on a visual journey filled with imagination.In the classroom, I am known for building a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel encouraged to take risks, experiment with different mediums, and express themselves freely. I believe in the power of art to promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and personal growth. By sharing my expertise and passion, I strive to empower my students to develop not only their technical skills but also their confidence and artistic voices.Throughout my career, I have sought opportunities to expand my knowledge and stay current with the latest trends and techniques in the art world. I attend workshops, conferences, and online forums to further refine my skills and bring fresh ideas back to my classroom. This commitment to lifelong learning is evident in the dynamic and innovative lessons that I create for my students. In one such case, students dodged stalactites and crawled into a mock-up of Lascaux Cave, built and finished to the last detail right in the middle of my classroom, all for simulating the experience of making cave art. It's all for the student, friends. I provide something that they will never forget.

Greater Atlanta Area

Programming, audience research, visual design and lighting for museums, visitor centers, and experiential venues worldwide. Space planning, interpretive writing, motion and static graphics, sculpture and exhibition design in a variety of traditional and digital media for print, broadcast or web-based delivery. Clients include Zoo Atlanta, The Cable Museum and the State of Pennsylvania.

Snellville, Georgia, United States

Certified Grumbacher Private Lesson Art Teacher | Chartpak | •Provided one-on-one and small group art instruction to students of various ages•Tailored lessons to individual student goals and skill levels•Taught a variety of art techniques and mediums, including acrylic painting, watercolor, and drawing

Managed Exhibitions Department staff, coordinated and executed mixed-method studies of exhibition prototyping and improvements. Co-developed onion skin security method, negotiated pricing of traveling exhibition contracts and third-party exhibition security. Participated in fabricator selection, implementation, and close-out for $9 mil children’s space. Project directed $9 mil children’s space. Coordinated and executed bid packages for contractors and vendors. Co-developed wayfinding parking plan. Planned exhibitions, budgeting and sequence, oversight of materials selection and finishes, exhibit floor plans, artifact case layouts and installation drawings. Created exhibit blue sky designs and concepts, oversight of production and installation. Coordinated traveling exhibition selection, exhibit security, budgeting and sequence. Coordinated photography/fine art exhibition selection, exhibit security, budgeting and sequence.

Houston, Texas

Responsible for all exhibitry, research, hire and install interactive interpretive displays for Discovery Room, wrote and lead summer camp curricula, lead teams into environment as a Naturalist. Edited, wrote, designed and press proofed Leaf & Owl Magazine.

Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

Optimized and or redesigned several cultural and natural history exhibitions around the state of Texas. Project Directed, designed, fabricated and installed several state park exhibitions, including new Government Canyon exhibition. Authored twin children’s books about origins of Caddo Lake formation, one scientific, one Caddo Indian lore. Developed hybrid mural painting technique using smaller art scanned, upsized and digitally optimized.

Cedar Creek, Missouri

Art Directed Cambrian Seas Mural, Illustrated Dunkleosteus (placoderm fish), Project Directed Rolling Rainforest, writer, Rolling Rainforest. Muralist, Fukui Prefecture Dinosaur Museum, Cache River, Illinois State, North American Museum of Ancient Life, lehi, Utah.

Birmingham, Alabama Area

Provided didactic support materials for teaching staff, Optometrists, Ophthalmologists. Produced newsletters, brochures, Powerpoint presentations, medical illustration.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Education And Teaching

Master Of Science, Resource Interpretation, 4.0

Ba, Art