What happens in Dowagiac stays in Dowagiac: the gift/curse of ruralism

by Marc DombroskyLast month, artist and educator Marc Dombrosky hosted a session at the biannual FATE conference: What happens in Dowagiac stays in Dowagiac: the gift/curse of ruralism asking "How does the seclusion of a small, rural community college offer new approaches to considering enculturation into the arts and propose an expanded platform for community engagement? How can institutions on a periphery function as laboratories for new modes of inquiry, and do we perhaps now even require this geographic separation for the development of innovative teaching practices and assessment tools?"  These shared images are part of his presentation, giving context to student work as well as the isolation of the environment. 

Marc Dombrosky's practice spans teaching, curatorial projects, and installations utilizing gathered objects and embroidery on found papers. Taken together, these platforms investigate the shared nature of regional identity and systems of communication.

He is currently Chair of the Department of Visual & Performing Arts and Gallery Director at Southwestern Michigan College (Dowagiac, MI), where he organizes courses, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and film series that engage transdisciplinary and collaborative spaces in higher education; promoting exchanges between programs and departments in the visual arts, agriculture, writing, library services, advanced technologies, and STEM-based programs. 

His works have been shown at Portland Art Museum; Tacoma Art Musuem; Cranbrook Art Museum; Bellevue Arts Museum; Museum of Northwest Art; Whatcom Museum (Bellingham); Clark County Government Center (Las Vegas); Gregg Museum of Art and Design (Raleigh). His work is represented by Platform Gallery in Seattle and he is a frequent contributor for Settlers & Nomads.