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
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.