Jim Jeffers is an intermedia artist working with computer mediation, web-art, performance, photography and video in conjunction with conventional media. He is currently working at the nexus of fantasy and biography (Fantabiography) fabricating artifacts of a personal popular culture. Jeffers likes superheros, airplanes, Volkswagens, Legos, rabbits and television.<br /><br />
He attended the University of California-Santa Cruz, where he received his BA in Art (printmaking and drawing). Subsequently, he studied at NYU, where he received a Master of Arts degree in Studio Art (sculpture and printmaking). Jeffers spent time becoming a better person, cooking for his mother, and making objects in his garage in Encinitas, California (+33° 2' 48.11'', -117° 17' 46.37''). In 2000 he earned his MFA in Visual Art (performance, video, installation, and computer art) at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts; where he taught<em> Introduction to Computer Animation</em>, <em>Introduction to Computer Art</em> and <em>Art Making-Performance</em>.<br />
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He was a co-founder of <em>C.R.A.P.</em> (The Conscious Refuse Adoption Project), with Scott Heath (NYC, 1994-96). He exhibits and performs his work in the United States and internationally. Having five recent one-person exhibitions, two in 2005, one in 2007, 2009, and 2011:<em> Sol Omnibus Lucet (the sun shines upon us all)</em> at The Contemporary Artists Center, North Adams, MA (2005); <em>Short Trips</em> at The Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, NJ (2005); <em>Metus Nihil (fear nothing)</em> at Jean B. King Gallery, Herrett Center for Arts and Science , College of Southern Idaho (2007); <em>Genii Loci (Ghosts of Protection)</em> at University Gallery, UMass Lowell, Lowell MA (2009); and <em>Jim Jeffers' Fortress of Multitude: project 52 for 2010—and other Fantabiographies</em>. Jeffers’ performance work has been in public for over a decade, with his <em>Superhero Actions</em> (and other performance iterations), as well as, performing in numerous pieces by other artists. Since the early 21st century, Jim has maintained a presence in cyberspace with Fantabiography.com: a shifting blend of digital / computer art, artist portfolio, and truthful lies. From 2007-2010 Jeffers was a Co-Principal Investigator on a $421,000 National Science Foundation grant entitled, <em>Performamatics: Connecting Computer Science to the Performing, Fine, and Design Arts</em>, for finding new ways to engage Computer Science students through the Arts.<br />
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Jim is a sometime member of SIGGRAPH of the Association for Computing Machinery, and a founding member of The New Media Caucus of the College Art Association. He has taught at: The School of Education, New York University; The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University; and The Department of Visual and Performing Arts, Rutgers-Newark, just to name a few. Jim is currently an Assistant Professor of Art & Design heading the<em> Web Art & Design</em> area at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, as well as teaching <em>Senior Studio</em>. Jim resides mostly in Lowell, Massachusetts with his beautiful wife Jean. He is a founding member of <em>Printer on Prescott Arts Research Collaborative & Artist Studios</em> in the historic center of downtown Lowell where he works.
He attended the University of California-Santa Cruz, where he received his BA in Art (printmaking and drawing). Subsequently, he studied at NYU, where he received a Master of Arts degree in Studio Art (sculpture and printmaking). Jeffers spent time becoming a better person, cooking for his mother, and making objects in his garage in Encinitas, California (+33° 2' 48.11'', -117° 17' 46.37''). In 2000 he earned his MFA in Visual Art (performance, video, installation, and computer art) at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts; where he taught<em> Introduction to Computer Animation</em>, <em>Introduction to Computer Art</em> and <em>Art Making-Performance</em>.<br />
<br />
He was a co-founder of <em>C.R.A.P.</em> (The Conscious Refuse Adoption Project), with Scott Heath (NYC, 1994-96). He exhibits and performs his work in the United States and internationally. Having five recent one-person exhibitions, two in 2005, one in 2007, 2009, and 2011:<em> Sol Omnibus Lucet (the sun shines upon us all)</em> at The Contemporary Artists Center, North Adams, MA (2005); <em>Short Trips</em> at The Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, NJ (2005); <em>Metus Nihil (fear nothing)</em> at Jean B. King Gallery, Herrett Center for Arts and Science , College of Southern Idaho (2007); <em>Genii Loci (Ghosts of Protection)</em> at University Gallery, UMass Lowell, Lowell MA (2009); and <em>Jim Jeffers' Fortress of Multitude: project 52 for 2010—and other Fantabiographies</em>. Jeffers’ performance work has been in public for over a decade, with his <em>Superhero Actions</em> (and other performance iterations), as well as, performing in numerous pieces by other artists. Since the early 21st century, Jim has maintained a presence in cyberspace with Fantabiography.com: a shifting blend of digital / computer art, artist portfolio, and truthful lies. From 2007-2010 Jeffers was a Co-Principal Investigator on a $421,000 National Science Foundation grant entitled, <em>Performamatics: Connecting Computer Science to the Performing, Fine, and Design Arts</em>, for finding new ways to engage Computer Science students through the Arts.<br />
<br />
Jim is a sometime member of SIGGRAPH of the Association for Computing Machinery, and a founding member of The New Media Caucus of the College Art Association. He has taught at: The School of Education, New York University; The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University; and The Department of Visual and Performing Arts, Rutgers-Newark, just to name a few. Jim is currently an Assistant Professor of Art & Design heading the<em> Web Art & Design</em> area at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, as well as teaching <em>Senior Studio</em>. Jim resides mostly in Lowell, Massachusetts with his beautiful wife Jean. He is a founding member of <em>Printer on Prescott Arts Research Collaborative & Artist Studios</em> in the historic center of downtown Lowell where he works.
