Dr. Auburn E. Ellis is a visual artist based in Chicago. Painting, drawing and collage are an essential part of the artist’s practice as she explores the use of traditional mediums for art reflective of the African Diaspora. Rooted in ceramics and three-dimensional design, her work pushes the boundaries of texture and rhythm. During graduate studies at the Art Institute-Chicago, her scope of work included shows in Chicago, Prague and Italy. Currently, she is working on a series of paintings relative to her doctoral dissertation completed using an African Centered Worldview. As a follow up, field research was conducted in several South Asian countries, including Bangladesh and Hong Kong, which was accompanied by a photographic portfolio. As a member of the African Diaspora, she feels it is imperative to re-define culturally grounded aesthetic in contemporary society. She is currently a member of the Revival Arts Collective as well as Director of Creative Engagement for ONLI Studios (c). http://www.onlistudios.com/Rhythmistic_Institute.html
In 2013 Dr. Auburn E. Ellis finished her Ed.D in Adult and Continuing Education at National Louis University in Chicago. As a lifelong learner, taking the initiative has always been the focus of both career and academics. Her dissertation is titled Integrating Aesthetics: Transforming Continuing and Professional Education through Africentric Practice. The research is focused on finding more positive ways to implement curriculum and instruction in urban communities. During her undergraduate career at the University of Missouri-Columbia she received both a Bachelors of Art in Studio Art and a Bachelors of Science in Art Education, subsequently completing the Masters program at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago specializing in Museum Education.