Naomi RaMona Schliesman is the Artist Development Director for rural programing for Springboard for the Arts’ Fergus Falls, MN office, where she leads the Hinge Arts at the Kirkbride residency program and teaches the Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists workshops. Naomi grew up in Fergus Falls, MN. She has her BFA with an emphasis in sculpture from Minnesota State University Moorhead and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Schliesman has received a Fellowship from Ragdale and Kimmel Hardening Nelson Center for the Arts, was awarded 2nd place for Miami University Young Sculptors Competition for William and Dorothy Yeck Award, and was a LEAP finalist for Society of Contemporary Craft Award. She has traveled abroad to Italy, Scotland, Ireland, France, United Kingdom and Belize to study art and has done artist residencies at Vermont Studio Center, Kimmel Hardening Nelson Center for the arts, Ragadale and Hospitalfield Arts. Schliesman serves on the Public Arts Commission for The City of Fergus Falls and is also a board member for the Fergus Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, and recently joined the Fergus Falls Childcare Collective. She continues her own studio practice in Visual and Performing Arts and has shown nationally. Schliesman is a single parent to a 3-year old and knows firsthand the struggles of childcare shortage and managing her time as a full-time mom, artist and full-time professional.

Website: www.springboardforthearts.org

Twitter: @SpringboardArts