L. AUSTIN ZIMMER

Mr. Zimmer combines an extensive background in art, business, education and leadership to help students of all ages connect with their innate creativity and ability.

Mr. Zimmer owns a home and studio in the Mystic, CT area.

Contact information:

     Home/office/cell: (301) 365-8286
     Personal fax: (202) 478-2880 (available 24/7)
     Primary e-mail: Austin@ZimmerWorks.com
     Primary website: http://www.ZimmerWorks.com
     Professional artwork: http://www.ZimmerClayWorks.com
     Teaching related site: http://www.ZimmerWebWorks.com
     Home and studio: http://www.ZimmerCottage.com (Mystic, CT)
 
     Addresses: 19641 Brassie Place, Gaithersburg, MD 20886
                       10 North Shore Way, Stonington, CT 06378   

 
Austin in summer mode with
 with his new sail-boat
(Marshall Sanderling)

Contact Austin Zimmer

 EDUCATION

2002

    Web Developer Certification: WestLake Internet Training
1988     MFA Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI  
1986     BFA Alfred University, NYSCC at Alfred University, Alfred, NY  
1986     NY State Teaching Certification K-12, Alfred, NY

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE              
 
          2012 - present  Teacher / Studio Art and full-time artist

  • Currently teaching: Ceramics, Photography and Drawing
  • Currently producing artwork, with one studio in Maryland and one in
    Mystic, CT
  • Twenty one years of full-time teaching experience with grades 9-12
    (New York State Teaching certification, which is also recognized in 43 other states)
  • Ongoing work with students preparing AP Art portfolios in photography, ceramics, sculpture and drawing

 2006 - 2012  Department Chair / Studio Art:  Landon School, Bethesda, MD

  • Manage and direct a team of six studio art teachers in three divisions
    (Lower, Middle and Upper School)

  • Plan and lead monthly department meetings

  • Set and manage the Visual Arts budget

  • Shape and direct the AP Studio Art program in the Upper School

  • Teaching: Ceramics, Photography, Digital Art and Drawing

  • Twenty years of full-time teaching experience with grades 9-12
    (K-12 teaching certification current)

  1991 - present   CEO and President: ZimmerWorks and ZimmerClayWorks

  • ZimmerWorks offers custom e-commerce and web hosting solutions.  ZimmerClayWorks offers a full line utilitarian pottery made of porcelain and fired in a high temperature salt kiln.

            1992 - 2006   Teacher / Studio Art

1989-1991   General Manager: Cutter Ceramics Inc., Waltham, MA     

  • Directed all aspects of operations.

  • Managed 28 employees in five retail locations, also in four different states

  • Researched, purchased and integrated a point-of-sale computer system into retail operation.

  • Assisted customers and sales team with technical support and problem resolution. 

  • Produced and directed an annual management retreat (sixteen managers, plus principle owner/president)

  • Directed sales and marketing initiatives with large commercial accounts

  • Monitored purchasing, production, and quality control in two primary locations.

1988-1989    Manager: Cutter Ceramics Inc., Waltham, MA  

  • Managed the central retail location of Cutter Ceramics Inc.

  • Directed six employees in daily operations

  • Provided technical and sales assistance to walk-in and telephone customers

  • Consulted regularly with the principle owner/president of the company

1987  Teacher: Brookline Center for Adult Education, Brookline, MA  

  • Instructor of ceramics

  • Presented slides and lectures related to ceramics

1986  Technical Ceramics Consultant: Cutter Ceramics Inc., Waltham, MA  

  • Established a quality-control program in manufacturing

  • Revised and developed clay formulas

  • Assisted customers with technical and procedural questions

1985  Co-director and teacher: Blueberry Cove Camp, Tenants Harbor, ME  

  • Co-managed a summer program that included 160 children and 18 staff

  • Instructor of ceramics and sailing

AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

2012      Award winner: Best-of-show, Mystic Art's Festival
2006      Artist-in-Residence at the Penland School, Penland, NC
2006      Sabbatical leave recipient -- view sabbatical itinerary and artwork created
2005      Selected as Department Chair, Studio Arts Department at Landon School
2003      Founded a new course at Landon School, Digital Art and Web Design
1999      Schinnerer Grant Award recipient -- Landon School, Bethesda, MD
1988      Fellowship Award recipient -- Cranbrook Academy of Art, Detroit, MI
1986      Outstanding Senior Award recipient --  NYSCC Alfred University, Alfred, NY
 
EXHIBITIONS
 
2013       Mr. Zimmer has recently been invited to exhibit work at: The Landon Azalea Festival (May, 2013)
              The Mystic Arts Festival (Aug. 2013 ) and the Bethesda Row Arts Festival (October, 2013)
2012       Mystic Art's Festival Show (August, 2012), award winner: Best of Show
2009       Landow Gallery, Landon School, Bethesda, MD.  A two man (faculty) show.
2009       Bethesda Row Arts festival, Bethesda, MD.
2006       Bethesda Row Arts festival, Bethesda, MD.
2000       Studio Art Faculty Show, Landon School, Bethesda, MD.
1991-01   Exhibited work in Washington D.C. via local galleries and personal web site.
1989       Recent Works, Moody Street Studio, Waltham, MA.
1988       MFA Show, Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI.
1988       Envelop, Forum Gallery, Bloomfield Hills, MI.
1987       Earthen, Michigan Gallery, Detroit, MI.
1987       Clay Today, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI.
1986       BFA Solo Exhibition, Alfred University, NYSCC at Alfred University, Alfred, NY
              The show received Alfred University's Outstanding Senior Award.
 
COMPUTER SKILLS

  • Extensive digital art related skills: Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Contribute, Flash, ArtRage, Illustrator, Adobe Premiere and ImageReady.

  • Office related skills: Word, Dreamweaver, FrontPage, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Access.  Also proficient with QuickBooks Pro, accounting software used to direct and manage two private companies: ZimmerWorks and ZimmerClayWorks.

  • Proficient with both Windows and MAC platforms.  Austin currently uses an iMAC at home
    and a Windows PC at work (Windows 8)

  • Currently using a Nikon D-100, digital SLR camera, and an Epson 9900 professional
    (large-format) printer.

  • Professional experience with advanced web design and construction.

  • Austin actively maintains a teaching related website at http://www.zimmerwebworks.com - all course related handouts and materials are made available to students online.  Austin also provides students with secured access (for current students only) to grades and comments.

PERSONAL  
Austin was raised in Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga (located in the South Pacific) and has traveled, studied or lived in: Australia, England, France, Holland and much of the United States.  Hobbies include: ceramics, sailing, scuba diving, Ultimate Frisbee, kayaking, bicycling, home construction and renovation.