Barbara Westman Biography

Barbara Westman, a printmaking and fibers art professor at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU), was born in Gdansk, Poland. Growing up, Westman went to gallery openings with her parents. She would go to work with her mother at the gallery, Wojewodzki Osrodek Kultury. Her mother, father and grandfather were all artists. Her mother made sculptures, and her father was a photographer. Her grandfather was professor and a painter.

There was a political turmoil in Poland while Westman was in high school. In 1989, the government changed from communism to democracy. However, the times were peaceful afterwards for Westman. In high school, she took art classes and participated in track and field.

She completed all of her education in nine years in Poland. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in Poznan University. She completed her bachelor degree in art-graphic design, art-prints, and art-fibers at University of Arts in Poznan. Westman did not have clubs in Poland, but got involved with a group of friends in the city. All of the shows that she displayed were group work. In graphic design, she made illustrations for books and magazines. She worked in a small graphic studio company called Studio 37 in Poland.

Then, she completed her dual master degree in prints and fibers at the Academy of Fine Arts in the University of Arts in Poznan. In prints, she worked more with techniques and composition compared to fiber art. In fibers, she works more on creative thinking and combining materials.

“Paper is fantastic to work with,” Westman said. “You can cut paper into pieces and change the color, and it becomes something else.”

In 1998, Westman married to Grant Westman, and in 2002, she moved to the United States. In 2005, she started working at SRU.

Currently, Westman enjoys teaching printmaking and fiber art to college students.

“I’m not the type to sit behind the desk all day,” Westman said. “I like the pace and the activities in the college classroom.”

               

Westman is the advisor for the student-run Martha Gault Art Society (Art Club). Students in Art Club coordinate lectures and field trips for students to participate in. She represents the art department for the Kaleidoscope Festival where members schedule performers and events, make budget plans and promote the festival. She helps out with the Student Exchange Program between the Art Department and the University of Arts, Poznan.

She has submitted her work in national and international competitions, group and solo shows. Her work is focused on Intaglio Printmaking and Fiber Art. She focuses on texture and composition. She keeps it simple by making it monochromatic or achromatic.

After years since the first request, the “temporary” fibers art building on Kiester Road will be moved to Patterson building by the end of the summer.

Westman’s semester goal is that students gain knowledge and cover printmaking processes so that they can work independently. She focuses on teaching the technique and then work on building conceptual thinking for projects.

“People don’t realize the kinds of materials that you can use,” Westman said. “You can find beautiful things in the trash can.”
Fibers Studio With Rhellie Beach

Outside of Fibers Studio With Eric Berdis

Advanced Studio Fibers Class

Printmaking Studio With Cheyenne Kelley