She/Her
https://www.instagram.com/suyaotian
stian@mcad.edu
Branding Identity Design, Painting
In-person, Online, Hybrid mentor (in-person and online)

BIO 

Suyao Tian is an artist, designer and gallerist residing in the twin cities, and adjunct faculty at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She began her studies in Music Education at Qinghai Normal University and Xiamen University in China. Following graduation, she began teaching Music Education as Assistant Professor at Guangdong Tianhe Technical Normal College in Guangzho, China. She later came to the US in 2011 where she began her studies in art and design. She started with her BA in Fine Art at the University of Central Arkansas. Afterward, she completed her MFA in Design and Branding Identity from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2017. From her MFA studies, she developed and established her company Modern Cover™ where she designs and sells playful outerwear which has been sold across the US. Her paintings have been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions, along with curating multiple group shows. Her works have caught the eye of local and national companies, with her designs applied and sold across a range of product types. While curating, painting, running Modern Cover™ and raising her son, she continues to be a strong and active member across organizations within the art and creative communities of the Twin Cities. She currently serves on the Executive Board of Art Buddies, and is passionately engaged with multiple galleries and organizations across state.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY & MENTORSHIP

I believe in exploring, identifying and expanding the skills of the individual by guiding them through their internal exploration of themselves. My philosophy is one in which the ideas, and creation originate within themselves to fully develop and embrace ownership of their ideas representative of who they are. I enjoy mentorship for the one-on-one interaction and seeing the full development process from their beginnings to all their creations and ideas.