curriculum vitae
Dedicated, Charismatic, and experienced Professor with eight years of experience serving as an Adjunct Professor in the Visual Arts Department at Miami International University of Art and Design and currently at Barry University. Adept in creating a powerful curriculum in the fields of Foundation Drawing, Figure Drawing, Graduate Seminar Classes, Foundational Design Courses, Painting, and Collage. World Art History 1 (Pre-history- 1400), World Art History 2 (1400-1900), 20th century art (modernism and post-modernism)
Adept at working with students to successfully prepare them for personal and professional success in today's world. Knowledgeable and experienced in various educational philosophies, which best promote the overall experience of a student. A committed faculty member, passionate about working to further enhance the educational offerings of an institution.
Skills
● Critical Thinking Skills
● Superior Writing Skills
● Interpersonal Skills
● Communication Involvement
● Resourcefulness
● Drawing and Painting
● Art History
● Graduate level teaching
● Online courses
● Foundation courses
● Curriculum Development
Work History
Adjunct Professor of Visual Arts Painting and Drawing, Foundations, and Graduate Departments
Miami International University of Art and Design, Miami | January 2019
Created studio curricula with an emphasis in art history to serve as a catapult for new students in the Foundation department and promoted an open and interactive classroom environment for enhanced learning.
Worked with a team to research and develop new learning material for students.
Drafted and graded art history papers, artist statements, and studio artworks and evaluated student performances, assignments and classwork.
Created new curriculum for the Graduate studio classes and Graduate Seminar Courses.
Worked with other members of the college to establish more unity, and school enhancements whenever possible.
Served as a Student Advisor, helping students to more clearly define and follow their academic path.
Teaching Artist
Project Art, Miami | August 2018
I applied with portfolio, interviewed, and was awarded a teaching and artist residency for the year of 2018-2019. I taught in the Liberty City School District through the Model City Library to three different groups of children. One class, age 4-9 (open class), age 6-7 (parks district class), and 14-18 (Bridge Miami class, which is the local teen homeless shelter)
Planned and implemented an inspiring curriculum that effectively introduced young students into the world of visual arts.
Worked with diverse students and successfully contributed to the mission of Project Art.
Conducted research about the arts, and shared findings with the program heads.
Continually offered a variety of teaching methods and curricular perspectives.
Adjunct Professor of Art History
Barry University, Miami Shores, FL | September 2025 - Current
Evaluated and revised syllabi and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
Used exams, quizzes and assignments to assess student comprehension.
Owner
Natalya Kochak Design Studio, Miami | September 2007 - Current
Create unique artistic designs for homeowners and businesses across Miami and the United States.
Specialize in murals, faux finishes, grotesque design, lime paints, Venetian plasters, gilding, and matching of stone and woods etc.
Have an extensive knowledge of traditional, historical applications for restoration and new applications.
Communication skills that effectively work with clients, homeowners, builders, interior designers, architects, and more.
Education
Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago | August 2018
I received my MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago | June 2005
Graduated with honors
Received a Merit Scholarship
Was exhibited multiple times in special exhibitions through the school's programming
Special Projects and Posts
Soho House Miami Beach: Created a Design Club based on entrepreneurship in the arts
Soho House Miami Beach: Completed workshops for the Arts Club
FIU Arts and Business Incubator: Invited Guest Speaker: Art- Preneurship: Staying True to an artistic vision, while leveraging skills
SAIC: Asked to give the Incoming Class of 2020 the Distinguished Alumni Speech
SAIC: Created an Alumni group and put together events for the South Florida area.
Languages
Spanish
Hobbies
Tennis, Kickboxing, Spanish language learning, Sailing
Artistic Resume
Awards
2026
The Mosaic Fund Award Recipient (received a $7,500 grant0
Artist Residencies
2026
July 2026: Freight and Volume Summer Residency, Provincetown, MA
2025
November: Casa Na Ilha, Ilhabela, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Invited for a two week artist residency.
2024
September: Wild Acres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC, USA. I was invited to a fully funded two week artist residency.
2022
November: Oolite Art Center Home and Away residency at The Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Invited to attend this week long residency, fully funded with stipend.
2021
August- September: Jentel Artist Residency, Banner, Wyoming. Fully funded with stipend. Invited for a month long retreat to create and introduce the work to the local community.
2019
October 2019: Freight and Volume Summer Residency, Provincetown, MA
September 2018- June 2019: Project Art Miami, I was an artist-in-residence for the library system, specifically the Model City Library branch for one year. A year of teaching culminated in a group show at The North Miami Contemporary Art Museum
2018
September 7-9: Hemera Foundation Grant (Applegate Jesuit Center), I was awarded a fellowship to attend a weekend mediation retreat, meant to expand artists' minds and give them time away from the art world.
March: Lido Art Center, Guangzhou, China. I was awarded the artist residency at the center, where I worked with students in the college community, giving them critiques and helping them with their applications to masters programs in the United States and Europe. I also gave five lectures and did a solo show.
April: Hambidge Art Center, Georgia, USA. I was awarded a large house/ studio space in the Smokey Mountains to separate myself from society and work on my projects.
2011
September-January: Takt Kunstprojektraum, Berlin, Germany. During this residency, I worked on a project specific to Berlin and participated in open studios.
January: Delta Art Center, Masaka, Uganda. I taught art to underserved children in Uganda, Africa, I also spent time working on my current art project and traveled to experience Ugandan life. I was awarded a Kickstarter grant for $3,000 to complete this project.
2010
October: Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, China. I participated in the Beijing art scene and showed my work in the studio and gallery.
Special Projects
2019-2020
December: Raw Project, Miami, FL, A non-profit that places artists in under served schools to create art on their walls. Its purpose is to get kids to want to be in school and participate.
Solo Shows
2024
August: Sage Community Arts, Sheridan, Wyoming
2023
June: Sydney & Byrne Art Center, Ft. Meyers, FL- My Family Anti- Autobiography
2018
March: Lido Art Center, Guangzhou, China - We Are Not a Coming We Are Here
Group Shows
2024
October- November: Chashama, NYC- Group show of four artists, Body, Mind, Sprit
January-March: Edgezones Art Projects, Miami, FL
2023
August-October: The Frank Contemporary Art Center, Pembroke Pines, FL, USA, Solo exhibition in their Frank Isles section.
2020
December: ArtAfrica, An exhibit during Art Basel Miami Beach
November-January: Eso Es, Bridge Red, Miami, FL, A Curated group show by William Cordova.
2019
February-May: Colorado Mountain College Aspen, Mutual Makers group exhibition, Aspen, CO
May: Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, Group exhibit with ProjectArt alumni
2018
August- September: What's Your Elephant, 1310 Gallery at the Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Curated exhibition by Niki Lopez
July: MFA Thesis Exhibition, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Curated by Kate Pollasch
2017
October-December: Truth and Reconciliation, The Little Haiti Art Center, Miami, FL. Curated exhibit by Marie Vickles
July: Throop gallery, Chicago, IL