Assistant Professor of Fine Arts Kasarian Dane considers himself both a painter and a teacher of painting. With a BFA from the University of Minnesota and an MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago, he joined the St. Lawrence faculty last fall after having taught at Calvin College. “I paint stripes (zones of color) and occasionally NHL goaltender Martin Brodeur,” says the ardent hockey fan who played goalie for one year at the NCAA Division III level in college. Images of his paintings can be viewed at www.kasariandane.com.

Dane has exhibited his paintings nationally and internationally, but also does some critical writing, artist lecturing and panel discussions. He had a recent solo exhibition at the Rowland Contemporary gallery in Chicago and has also exhibited in New York, Los Angeles and London. Exhibitions in 2007 include a solo in Minneapolis, MN in April, a group exhibit at Western Michigan University and a solo exhibition at the Richard F. Brush Art Gallery at St. Lawrence in November. “I look forward to the exhibit on campus to introduce my work to the community,” he says.

Turning to his role as teacher, Dane says “What I enjoy most is getting students excited about contemporary art and painting. I enjoy challenging students to push their ideas and their work to new places, and it is very rewarding to see them respond and succeed. The moment I look forward to the most is when students realize they have something important to say with their work and that they can participate in the art world in a vital, energetic way with a liberal arts education, not just by going to art school.”

Growing up in Duluth, MN, Dane is a lifelong ice hockey fan. “Like a lot of kids who become goalies, I wanted to play goal because the pads look so cool,” he says. Nowadays he contents himself with the St. Lawrence club hockey team, going to St. Lawrence’s NCAA Division I men’s and women’s games, and teaching his 4-year-old son to skate at Appleton Arena.