BIO

CV

Ashlee René Walton (Thompson)

Education

2022     Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art

The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

            Museum Studies Certificate

The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

2013     Master of Liberal Arts

Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama

2011     Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, Minor in Art History

Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama

Academic Honors and Awards

2022: Camilla Canty Endowed Scholarship from The University of Alabama

2021-2022: Graduate Council Fellowship from The University of Alabama and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

2021: 0.25 FTE Graduate Teaching Assistantship from The University of Alabama

2019-2020: Emily Irene Thames Fellowship from The University of Alabama

Professional Experience

2025            

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Art (ARTE 101) and Introduction to Painting (ARTS 210) at the University of South Carolina in Sumter, Sumter, SC (Summer 2025)   

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Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Art (ARTE 101), Fundamentals of Art (ARTS 103), and Introduction to Painting (ARTS 210) at the University of South Carolina in Sumter, Sumter, SC (3 sections of ARTE 101: 1 taught as Dual Enrollment course at Sumter High School, 1 taught in Spring 1 semester online, and 1 taught in Spring 2 semester online)(Spring 2025)

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section OL1 and OL2) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Spring 2025)

2024                

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Art (ARTE 101) at the University of South Carolina in Sumter, Sumter, SC (2 hybrid sections for Fall 2024 at Shaw Air Force Base)

Adjunct Instructor for Art Appreciation (ART 101-35 and ART 101-36) at Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL (2 online sections for Fall 2024)

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section OL1 and OL2) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Fall 2024)

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section OL2) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Spring 2024)

Assistant Professor of Drawing and Painting at Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL (Spring 2024)

2023                

Assistant Professor of Drawing and Painting at Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL (Fall 2023)

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section OL1) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Fall 2023)

Part-time Instructor for Drawing I (ART 110) at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (Spring 2023)

2022                

Part-time Instructor for Drawing I (ART 110) at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (Fall 2022)

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section OL) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Fall 2022)

Financial Aid Advisor in the Student Financial Aid Office at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL          

2021                

Graduate Teaching Assistant for Drawing I (ART 110) in the Department of Art and Art History at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (Spring 2021)

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section OL) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Spring 2021)

2019-2021       

Lead Graduate Assistant for Student Employment Services at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

2020                

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section D and OL) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Fall 2020)

2010-2020       

Assistant Manager at Our Place Café, Wetumpka, AL

2016-2019       

Academic Advisor in the Office of Central Advising at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL

2018                

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Fall 2018)

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Spring 2018)

2017                

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section C and Section D) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Fall 2017)

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Spring 2017)

2016                

Adjunct Instructor for Introduction to Visual Arts (VISU 1000: Section C and Section E) at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Fall 2016)

Adjunct Instructor for Art Appreciation at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Spring 2016)

2015

Adjunct Instructor for Art Appreciation at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery,

AL (Fall 2015)

Adjunct Instructor for Art Appreciation at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (Spring 2015)

Curatorial Experience

2025     Developed marketing materials, curated and installed solo art exhibition, and held brief artist talk during opening reception for “XX” at USC Sumter’s Anderson Library Gallery (April-July 2025)

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2024     Juror for ALWCA “Feminine ‘I’” Art Exhibition at Alabama A&M University (March-April)

Interim Chairperson of Exhibition for Alabama Women’s Caucus for Art (ALWCA) from January-May 2024

2023     Created vinyl signage and stickers for print, curated and installed solo art exhibition at Alabama A&M University’s Art Gallery, Huntsville, AL in October 2023

Installed solo art display at Capstone Village in Tuscaloosa, AL in April 2023

Made marketing materials, curated artwork, and installed solo gallery exhibition titled “Yellow Wood” at Harrison Galleries in Tuscaloosa, AL in March 2023

2022     Produced marketing materials, curated art pieces, and installed solo gallery exhibition titled “Fragments” at the University of Alabama Gallery in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center in Tuscaloosa, AL in April 2022

2021     Co-organized the educational program titled “Weave with Mary: Meet the Artist” event at the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL on November 6, 2021

Student Work in Museums (SWIM) proposal accepted and presented at the Southeastern Museums Conference 2021 Annual Meeting (October 27, 2021)

Project Manager for “Weaving Muscogee Creek Culture: The Artistry of Mary Smith” in the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum in Tuscaloosa, AL (October 5, 2021-March 19, 2022)

Co-curated “14 Select(ions)” in the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art at The University of Alabama (March 22- May 7, 2021), Tuscaloosa, AL

Curated and installed Solo Gallery Exhibition titled “Synaptic Transmission” at the Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL in March 2021

2018     Chairperson of Exhibition Committee with the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery (KFMG) from January 2018 to December 2018 (volunteer); Curated and installed 5 exhibitions:

• “Originally From Alabama;” September 2017-January 2018, KFMG, Wetumpka, AL

• “Collectors and Collections Part 1: Connecting Genres and Generations;” March 2018-May 2018, KFMG, Wetumpka, AL

• “Collectors and Collections Part 2: From the River Region;” June 2018-August 2018, KFMG, Wetumpka, AL

• “Central Alabama Showcase;” September 2018-January 2019, KFMG, Wetumpka, AL

• “Broader Horizons: Collectors and Creators (Exploring Our World);” January 14-April 25, 2019, KFMG, Wetumpka, AL

2013     Curated and installed Solo Gallery Exhibition titled “Hoof Prints throughout History” in Goodwyn Hall Art Gallery at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL

Professional Development

2024     Completed Training and Certification for the Faculty Development Institute (FDI) for Canvas

2023     Completed AAMU Online Instructor Certification through the Center for Distance Education and e-Learning at Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL (Fall 2023)

Completed Udemy Online Certification in Grant Writing for Nonprofits and Freelance Writers

2021     Attended Southeastern Museums Conference 2021 Annual Meeting, Chattanooga, TN (Presented SWIM proposal with exhibit group).

2018     Completed Training and Certification for the Faculty Development Institute (FDI) Online                 Instructor Certification Program in spring 2018 at Auburn University at Montgomery

Solo Exhibitions

2025     “XX,” Anderson Library Gallery, University of South Carolina in Sumter, SC

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2023     “An Introduction,” R.D Morrison Fine Arts Building, Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL

Capstone Village Art Display, Tuscaloosa, AL

“Yellow Wood,” Harrison Galleries, Tuscaloosa, AL

2022     “Fragments,” The University of Alabama Gallery in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, Tuscaloosa, AL

2021     “Synaptic Transmission,” Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

2013     “Hoof Prints throughout History,” Goodwyn Hall Art Gallery at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL

Group Exhibitions and Awards

2024    

“Meeting the Moment,” Women’s Caucus of Art Carolinas (WCAC), Aiken, SC.

“A Moment in Time: Artistic Approaches to Mental Well-Being,” The Orion Amphitheater, May 28, 2024, Huntsville, AL (speaker/presenter).

“WOMAN 2024: 4th Annual International Exhibition,” Exhibizone Exhibitions, March 2024, https://www.exhibizone.com/p/woman2024.html?name=ashlee-thompson.

“Femina 2024: 3rd Annual Exhibition and Publication,” Gallerium and The Book of Arts, March 2024), https://www.gallerium.art/p/femina-2024.html?name=ashlee-thompson.

13th Annual “All Women” Art Exhibition, Light, Space, and Time Online Art Gallery,  https://lightspacetime.art/all-women-art-exhibition-january-2024/. Award: Special Recognition

2023    

2-Dimensional Works Exhibition, The In Art Gallery, https://theinartgallery.com/2-dimensional-works-exhibition.

92nd Annual Online Juried Open Exhibition, National Art League, https://www.nationalartleague.org/copy-of-92nd-annual-juried-open-images.  

6th Annual “Women Artists” Online Juried Art Exhibition, Fusion Art, https://www.fusionartps.com/6th-annual-women-artists-art-exhibition-2023/. Award: 5th Place

5th Annual “Primary Colors” Art Exhibition, Light, Space, and Time Online Art Gallery,

https://lightspacetime.art/primary-colors-art-exhibition-august-2023/. Award: Special Recognition

2023 ALL Women Artist Art Competition and Exhibition, Contemporary Art Gallery Online, https://www.cagonline.gallery/2023-Exhibitions/2023-ALL-Womens-Month. 

14th Annual “Abstracts” Art Exhibition, Light, Space, and Time Online Art Gallery, https://lightspacetime.art/abstracts-art-exhibition-2023-painting-other-media-category/. Award: Special Recognition

12th Annual “All Women” Art Exhibition, Light, Space, and Time Online Art Gallery, https://lightspacetime.art/all-women-art-exhibition-february-2023/. Award: Special Recognition

“Windows to the Inside: Expressions of Mental Health,” Woman Made Gallery Virtual Exhibition, Chicago, IL

2022     

“Art and Technology,” Sound Light Color Atelier, Amsterdam, Netherlands

“New Art Vibes-Art Exhibition,” Galerie Azote-Art Contemporain, Paris, France

“Contemporary 4th Edition,” Boomer Gallery, London, UK

“Guardians of Dreams” International Mixed Reality Art Exhibition, M.A.D.S. Art Gallery S.L., Milan, Italy and Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

“Artistic Independence” Online Exhibition, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, https://www.laslagunaartgallery.com/2022abstract

“3rd Annual Painting” Online Exhibition, The In Art Gallery, https://theinartgallery.com/3rdannualpaintingexhibition

“56th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Exhibition,” Regions Bank (RSA Tower), Montgomery, AL

“Divulge: d’Art’s Second Annual National Exhibition Featuring the Use of Art for Therapy & Mental Health Awareness,” D’Art Center, Norfolk, VA

“New Visions” Online Art Exhibition, Florence Contemporary Gallery, Florence, Italy, https://www.florencecontemporary.com/newvisions (catalogue cover: Woman’s Flesh)

4th Annual “Lines, Shapes, & Objects” (July 2022) Online Juried Art Exhibition, Fusion Art, https://www.fusionartps.com/4th-annual-lines-shapes-objects-art-exhibition-july-2022/

“Consciousness: Anima Mundi 2022,” ITSLIQUID International Art Fair, Venice, Italy

13th Annual “Abstracts” Art Exhibition, Light Space and Time Online Art Gallery, https://www.lightspacetime.art/abstracts-art-exhibition-march-2022/. Award: Special Recognition

11th Annual “All Women” Art Exhibition, Light Space and Time Online Art Gallery,            https://www.lightspacetime.art/all-women-art-exhibition-february-2022/.

Award: Special Recognition

“59th Annual Juried Competition,” Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, LA

2021    

3rd Annual “Primary Colors” Online Art Exhibition, Light Space & Time Online Art Galley,        https://www.lightspacetime.art/primary-colors-art-exhibition-december-2021/.  Award: Special Recognition

“Graduate Pop-Up Art Exhibition,” Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

 “55th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Exhibition,” Regions Bank-RSA Tower,       Montgomery, AL

“Me, Myself, and I” Online Exhibition, The In Art Gallery, https://theinartgallery.com/open- theme

“Artist of the Month for July 2021,” ART JOBS, https://www.artjobs.com/op/artist-of-the-month/2021.

“11th Annual Open Online Art Exhibition,” Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery,       https://www.lightspacetime.art/open-art-exhibition-august-2021/. Award: Special Recognition

“2nd Annual Open Theme” Online Exhibition, The In Art Gallery,

https://theinartgallery.com/open-theme

“Emergence” Exhibition, Tennessee Valley Museum of Art in Tuscumbia, AL

“Graduate Pop-Up Art Exhibition,” Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

2020    

“54th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Exhibition,” Regions Bank (RSA Tower), Montgomery, AL

“Montgomery Art Guild Regions Too Online Exhibition,” online gallery based out of Montgomery, AL (https://www.montgomeryartguild.org/mag-regions-part2)    

2019    

“Fall Showcase of New and Returning Graduate Students,” Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL

“Central Alabama Showcase,” Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL

Award: Honorable Mention for 2-D Art (not under glass) category for Geometrie Bleu

2017    

“Elmore County Art Guild 33rd Annual Show,” Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL

2016 

“Elmore County Art Guild 32nd Annual Show,” Wetumpka Depot Players Theatre in Wetumpka, AL, Award: 1st place award in 3-D, Sculpture, & Pottery Category for Horse Chinese Symbol

2015    

“Alabama National Fair Art Guild Show,” Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, AL

“Prattauga Art Guild Fall Art Show,” Prattville Creative Arts Center in Prattville, AL

“Elmore County Art Guild 31st Annual Show,” Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL

2014 

“Elmore County Art Guild 29th Annual Winter Show,” Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL, Award: Honorable Mention for Cubist Diego in 2-D art (not under glass)

Featured Publications

2024     “55 Artists to Discover: 2024 Edition,” Florence Contemporary Gallery, Curator Michele Morelli, (florencecontemporary.com), 2-page spread.

2023     “International Contemporary Artists: Winter Season,” Vol. 1, Curated by Eliotropio Elisabetta Art Curator & Vanessa Viti Art Curator.

2022     “New Visions,” Florence Contemporary Gallery, Issue 7, 5 September 2022, Curator Michele Morelli, https://www.florencecontemporary.com/newvisions, 4-page spread and catalogue cover: Woman’s Flesh.

Press

2024     “Meet the Speakers” of “A Moment in Time: Artistic Approaches to Mental Well-Being,” The Orion Amphitheater, May 14, 2024, Huntsville, AL. https://theorionhuntsville.com/event/a-moment-in-time-2/.

2023     “AAMU Assistant Professor Thompson’s Work Has Been Featured Internationally,” Alabama A&M University, 17 October 2023, https://www.aamu.edu/about/inside-aamu/news/work-of-aamu-assistant-professor-of-drawing-and-painting-ashlee-thompson.html

“Ashlee René Thompson Opens Solo Show for March Art Night,” Department of Art and Art History, 13 February 2023, https://art.ua.edu/news/ashlee-rene-thompson-opens-solo-show-for-march-art-night/. 

2022     “Exhibition Review: Anima Mundi 2022- Consciousness,” ITSLIQUID Group, 27 May 2022, https://www.itsliquid.com/review-consciousness-2022.html.

“Opening: Anima Mundi 2022- Consciousness,” ITSLIQUID Group, 6 May 2022, https://www.itsliquid.com/opening-consciousness-2022.html.

“UA Grad Student’s Painting Selected for International Art Fair in Venice, Department of Art and Art History, 28 March 2022, https://art.ua.edu/news/ua-grad-students-painting-selected-for-international-art-fair-in-venice/.

“Fragments: Ashlee René Thompson MFA Exhibition,” Department of Art and Art History, 10 March 2022, https://art.ua.edu/news/fragments-ashlee-rene-thompson-mfa-exhibition/.

2021     “UA Grad Students Accepted to Louisiana Museum Juried Show,” Department of Art and Art History, 20 January 2022, https://art.ua.edu/student-news/ua-grad-students-accepted-to-louisiana-museum-juried-show/.

“Making the Invisible Visible: Art and Mental Health,” Department of Art and Art History, 18 August 2021, https://art.ua.edu/news/making-the-invisible-visible-art-and-mental-health/.

“Grad Students Reap Summer Accolades,” Department of Art and Art History, 18 August 2021, https://art.ua.edu/news/grad-students-reap-summer-accolades/.

“Artists Speak about Mental Health.” ARTSY SHARK, 11 August 2021, https://www.artsyshark.com/2021/08/11/artists-speak-about-mental-health/.

“Graduate Students’ Artwork Accepted into National Venues,” Department of Art and Art History, 6 August 2021, https://art.ua.edu/news/graduate-students-artwork-accepted-to-national-venues/.

“Artist of the Month for July 2021,” ART JOBS, 4 August 2021, https://www.artjobs.com/op/artist-of-the-month/2021. 

“UA Art Student, Alumni Selected for New Tennessee Valley Juried Exhibition.” Department of Art and Art History, 4 May 2021, http://art.ua.edu/news/ua-art-student-alumni-selected-for-new-tennessee-valley-juried-exhibition/.  

Nakashima, Monica. “How Two Art Graduate Students Are Making Their Exhibitions Personal.” The Crimson White, March 29, 2021. https://cw.ua.edu/81259/culture/how-two-art-graduate-students-are-making-their-exhibitions-personal/. 

2019     “René Thompson: Graduate Art Student Exhibit 2019.” UA College of Arts & Sciences. UA

Department of Art and Art History.” Vimeo, Tuesday, October 8, 2019. https://vimeo.com/365052268.