CV
Education
2008-2011
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-TWIN CITIES
Master of Fine Arts
2004-2008
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking, Minor in Art History, Summa Cum Laude
Professional Experience
Present
3D DIGITAL FABRICATION AND 2D TECHNICAL COORDINATOR, University of Minnesota Department of Art, Minneapolis, MN (since 2017)
PRESIDENT, International Society of Caricature Artists Board of Directors (since 2023)
CO-FOUNDER, A Couple of Putts (since 2012)
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, Borscht Belt Museum, Ellenville, NY
2021-2023
VICE PRESIDENT, International Society of Caricature Artists Board of Directors
2019-2021
SECRETARY, International Society of Caricature Artists Board of Directors
2016-2017
DESIGNER AND CNC SPECIALIST, Tivoli Too, Mendota Heights, MN
2015
EXHIBIT DETAILER, Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul, MN
2014
ACADEMIC SUPPORT TECHNICIAN, 3D Shop, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis
2012-2013
SENIOR LAB TECHNICIAN, XYZ Lab, Department of Art, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR, Art Tech Productions, Inc., Minneapolis
2011-2012
VISUAL ARTS PANELIST, Minnesota State Arts Board
SENIOR LAB TECHNICIAN, XYZ Lab, Department of Art, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
FREELANCE TALENT, Atomic Props and Effects, St. Paul, MN
NORTHERN SPARK VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, NorthernLights.mn, Minneapolis
Teaching
2017-present
LECTURER, University of Minnesota, ARTS 3890/5890: 3D Modeling and Digital Fabrication
VISITING ARTIST, October 2023, Syracuse University School of Art Visiting Artist Lecture Series
2016
LECTURER, University of Minnesota, PDES 5701: Creative Design Methods
LAB INSTRUCTOR, University of Minnesota, PDES 3711: Toy Product Design
2015
VISITING ARTIST, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Herron College of Art and Design
CREATIVITY COUNSELOR, University of Minnesota, PDES 3701: Creativity, Idea Generation and Innovation
WORKSHOP LEADER/VISITING ARTIST, Central Michigan University: CNC Router Woodblock Printmaking
WORKSHOP LEADER, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar (VCUQ): Hole-in-One, Exquisite Corpse Mini Golf
2014
WORKSHOP LEADER/VISITING ARTIST, VCUQ: Playing with Big Ideas through Miniature Golf
INSTRUCTOR, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Furn/Sc 3030, Workshop: Computer Modeling and Making
LAB INSTRUCTOR, University of Minnesota, PDES 3711: Toy Product Design
LECTURER, University of Minnesota, ARTS 3490: Digital Toolbox
2013
LECTURER, University of Minnesota, PDES 3160: Topics in Product Design: Designing Characters, Worlds and Immersive Experiences
LECTURER, University of Minnesota, ARTS 3490: Digital Toolbox
INSTRUCTOR, Leonardo’s Basement, CAD Design and 3D Printing
INSTRUCTOR, FAIR High School + Regis Arts Initiative, Digital Fabrication
ARTIST MENTOR, Keys 4/4 Kids Pianos on Parade, St. Paul, MN
2012
LECTURER, University of Minnesota, Arts 3490/5490: Digital Toolbox
LECTURER, University of Minnesota, Arts 3107/5107: Drawing Using Digital Media as an Essential Tool
LECTURER, University of Minnesota, Arts 3101/5110: Intermediate and Advanced Drawing
2011
INSTRUCTOR, Split Rock Arts Program: From Manual to Digital, Screenprinting Today
2010
DEMONSTRATOR, Mid-America Print Council Conference, University of Minnesota: Let the Machines Do All the Work! Utilizing the Laser Cutter and CNC Router to Create a Variety of Print Matrices
SESSION INSTRUCTOR, Minneapolis Graphic Novel and Comic Book Festival, The Loft Literary Center: Intro to Caricature
Grants, Awards and Residencies
2024
SPECIAL GUEST - CARICATURE WORKSHOP, World Humor Awards, Tabiano, Italy
U.S. SPEAKER AND SPECIALIST PROGRAM FOR NORTH MACEDONIA: CARICATURE ART WORKSHOP, conducted talks and workshops in Skopje, Vevchani, Struga and Bitola, North Macedonia
CROP ART COMPETITION, IRREGULAR FORMS, AMATEUR CLASS — 6th PLACE, Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN
CROP ART COMPETITION, DYED/PAINTED SSEDS, AMATEUR CLASS — 6th PLACE, Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN
2023
BEST STUDIO PIECE — 3RD PLACE, 32nd Annual International Society of Caricature Artists Conference and Competition, Los Angeles, CA
CROP ART COMPETITION, NOVICE CLASS — 2ND PLACE, Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN
2022
OUTSTANDING MINIMALIST TECHNIQUE — 2ND PLACE, 31st Annual International Society of Caricature Artists Conference and Competition, Orlando, FL
2021
OUTSTANDING MONOCHROMATIC TECHNIQUE — 2ND PLACE, 30th Annual International Society of Caricature Artists Conference and Competition, Las Vegas, NV
2019
WORLD’S FASTEST CARICATURIST – 3RD PLACE, 28th Annual International Society of Caricature Artists Convention and Competition, Memphis, TN
2018
ART PRIZE SEED GRANT JUROR’S SHORT LIST, Barter Boat, ArtPrize 2018, Grand Rapids, MI
2016
WORLD’S FASTEST CARICATURIST – 2ND PLACE, 25th Annual International Society of Caricature Artists Convention and Competition, Chandler, AZ
2015
AWARD FOR INNOVATION, awarded to Sparkle City Mini Putt by the American Institute of Architects Spartanburg, SC
WORLD’S FASTEST CARICATURIST – 1ST PLACE, 24th Annual International Society of Caricature Artists Convention and Competition, Sandusky, OH
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, Hub-Bub, Spartanburg, SC
2013-2014
JEROME FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP FOR EMERGING ARTISTS
2012
MINNESOTA STATE ARTS BOARD ARTIST INITIATIVE GRANT
2010-2011
KATHERINE E. NASH GALLERY SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GRADUATE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP GRANT
2004-2008
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY OX-BOW MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SCHOLAR FOR THE COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
MARION BEHR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRINTMAKING
PHYLLIS MINOR SUPPORTED UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP FOR MUSIC AND ART
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY DEAN’S LIST
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF COLLEGIATE SCHOLARS
Commissions
2024
BARTER BOAT, BLINK Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
AND SUCH SMALL PORTIONS!, custom art installation, Borscht Belt Museum, Ellenville, NY
PUTT 66, design of 9 mini golf holes for Mother Road Market, Tulsa, OK
2023
CAN CAN AT THE FAIR, design of 9 mini golf holes for Can Can Wonderland’s State Fair themed mini golf course, St. Paul, MN
CRANBROOK ON THE GREEN, design of 2 new mini golf holes for the Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
2022
THE IMPOSSIBLE DRIVE, custom Rube Goldberg-style machine commissioned by Carmichael Lynch for Conoco Inc.
CRANBROOK ON THE GREEN, design of 9 mini golf holes for the Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
GROOVY GOLF, design of 18 mini golf holes for Groovy Golf, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
JFEST STORY MACHINE, commissioned by the Jewish Community Association of North America
2021
MACHINE FOR WATERING A PLANT WHILE YOU ARE OUT, commission of a custom Rube Goldberg-style machine for Simplicity Made Complex: The Life and Legacy of Rube Goldberg, Tychmann Shapiro Gallery, Minnesota JCC Sabes Center Minneapolis
CROSS-SECTION CASTLE, collaboration with Tom Loftus, design and fabrication of a mini golf hole commissioned for Par Excellence Redux, juried by Christopher Jobson, Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL
2019
COLOR WHEEL, collaboration with Tom Loftus, mini golf design commission for Skyline Mini Golf, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
PIECE OF CAKE, collaboration with Tom Loftus, mini golf design commission for Skyline Mini Golf, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
BARTER BOAT, collaboration with RADAR Collective, BLINK Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
BARTER BOAT, collaboration with RADAR Collective, Meet the Momentary, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR
2018
BARTER BOAT, collaboration with RADAR Collective, Canal Convergence, Scottsdale, AZ
BARTER BOAT, collaboration with RADAR Collective, ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI
DUCK DUCK WHAT?, Illuminate South Loop, Bloomington, MN
2017
BARTER BOAT, collaboration with RADAR Collective, Art on the Beltline, Atlanta, GA
BARTER BOAT, collaboration with RADAR Collective, ArtScape Festival, Baltimore, MD
BLOCK PARTY, collaboration with Tom Loftus, design commission for Artist-Designed Mini Golf, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
MONSTROUS GAME, commission by the Minneapolis Institute of Art to accompany the Guillermo Del Torro Exhibition, MIA Community Commons
TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE, collaboration with Tom Loftus, design and fabrication of a mini golf hole commissioned for Mini Golf at the IMA, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana
2016
BARTER BOAT, collaboration with RADAR Collective, IN Light IN, Indianapolis
MINNESOTAN ICE, collaboration with RADAR Collective (Desiree Moore and Anna Abhau Elliott), Northern Spark 2016 – Climate Chaos/Climate Rising, Minneapolis
LIL GOLF, collaboration with Tom Loftus, design and fabrication of a mini golf hole commissioned for Mini Golf at the IMA, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana
ARCTIC GOLF, commission by Northernlights.mn for Winter4Play, Fort Snelling State Park
2015
SPARKLE CITY MINI PUTT, project conception, design and leadership, permanent 9-hole mini golf course, produced by Hub-Bub, downtown Spartanburg
2014
DON’T BLOW IT!, mini golf design commission for the Walker Art Center’s Artist-Designed Mini Golf Course 2014, Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis
(NO) VACANCY, public art commission for Made Here, 701 Hennepin Ave. second floor windows, Minneapolis2013
CAN YOU HANDLE THIS?, design and fabrication of a mini golf hole commissionedd for the Walker Art Center’s Artist-Designed Mini Golf Course 2013, Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis
FUN FUN FUN, Artists in Storefronts, Blacklist Vintage, Minneapolis
2012
THINK AND WONDER, WONDER AND THINK, commission for Northern Spark, Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis
Consultation
2023-2024
PUTT & CHAIRS, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN
MORTON ABORETUM MINI GOLF, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
2022
CRANBROOK ON THE GREEN, Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
2021
PAR-TEE IN THE PARK, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA
2018-2019
SKYLINE MINI GOLF, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
ART GOLF, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO
2016
ARTIST DESIGNED MINI GOLF, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN
2014-2015
ARTIST MINI GOLF, Tasmeem Doha, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar
Exhibitions
2024
WORLD HUMOR AWARDS, Halls of the Respighi Spa, Tabiano Terme, Italy
VERY ITALIAN: BEYOND STEREOTYPES, PAFF! International Museum of Comic Art, Pordenone, Italy
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR CROP ART COMPETITION EXHIBIT, MSP International Airport Terminal 1, St. Paul MN
2023
FANDOM, Fresh Eye Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
REGIS 20TH ANNIVERSARY: WORKS BY FACULTY & STAFF, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
TCHOTCHKEY, Vacationland pop-up exhibit, Borscht Belt Museum, Ellenville, NY
2020
LAST RESORT, Tychman Shapiro Gallery, St. Louis Park, MN and St. Paul Jewish Community Center Gallery, St. Paul, MN
2017
NEW PATTERNS/MAKING PATTERNS, with Robyn Stoller Awend, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis
CONIUNCTUM, Morrison Gallery, University of Minnesota Morris
2016
ART ON FIRE, Sabes JCC Art Beat, Minneapolis
2015
LOL!, Tychman Shapiro Gallery, St. Louis Park, MN
ALMA LIGHTS, Restaurant Alma, curated by northernlights.mn, Minneapolis
THE EXIT SHOW, The Showroom, Hub-Bub, Spartanburg, SC
OPEN DOOR, juried by Mia Lopez, Rosalux Gallery, Minneapolis
2013-2014
JEROME FELLOWSHIP EXHIBITION, MCAD Gallery, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis
HULLABALOO, Open Eye Figure Theatre, Minneapolis
DIGIFABULOUS, Quarter Gallery, Regis Center for Art, Minneapolis
CINCO DE MAYHEM, Burlesque of North America, Minneapolis
2011-2012
EXTREMELY MINNESOTA, juried by Doug Lew and Florence Hill, Robbin Gallery, Robbinsdale, MN
$99 SALE, juried by Ben Heywood, The Soap Factory, Minneapolis
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS: 5 YEARS OF BOHEMIAN PRESS, juried by Michael Gaudio and Kerry Morgan, Quarter Gallery, University of Minnesota
EYE HEART VESPA, Vespa Motorsport, San Diego, CA
HATEBREEDERS, Print Portfolio Exchange, Bliss Hall Gallery, Youngstown State University. Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico, March 2011. Atrium Gallery, Fresno State University, Fresno, California April 2011.
SHELF SHOW, Secret Knots Gallery, Minneapolis
2007-2010
ESCAPE FROM CONEY ISLAND, Stevens Square Center for the Arts, Minneapolis, MN
THE GRAPHIC WORK OF MAESTRO RUFINO TOMAYO WITH BOHEMIAN REVOLUTION, juried by Ruthann Godellei, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota
DOG-EARED, artists’ book exhibition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
SALT CITY DOZEN, exchange portfolio juried by Justin Strom, Coyne Gallery, Syracuse, NY
WEISMAN ART MUSEUM JURIED SHOW AND AUCTION, Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, MN
CARNIVAL, juried by Steven Long, The Showroom, Hub-Bub Spartanburg, SC
ART AT THE X, juried by Daniel Brown, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
WICKED AND WISE, juried by Michael and Richard Krueger, Murray, KY
CHEERS TO A SEASON OF TEMPTATION, 1419 Collective, Minneapolis
REVENGE OF THE BOHEMIANS, Northrup King Building Gallery, Minneapolis
FRESH WORKS, Quarter Gallery, Minneapolis
MORE THAN A BOOK, John Sloan Fine Arts Center Gallery, Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA
THE END OF OLD TIMES, Exchange Portfolio, Mid-America Print Council Conference, Minneapolis
PERSONAL GEOGRAPHIES/BOHEMIAN HISTORIES, an exhibition for the Mid-America Print Council Conference, 1419 Collective, Minneapolis
HAND, MIND AND GESTURE, puppetry performance at Open Eye Figure Theatre, Minneapolis
FOOT IN THE DOOR 4, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis
Selected Press
2024
Meet Robin Schwartzman, Canvas Rebel, October 2024
A museum exhibit on Jewish food and humor puts the ‘borscht’ in Borscht Belt, The Times of Israel, by Andrew Silow-Carroll, July 2024
2023
Getting Serious About Funny Faces: Q&A with Robin Schwartzman, MPLSART.com, by Russ White, December
Is Nostalgia Actually Good for You?, MPLS St. Paul Magazine, by Sheila Mulrooney Eldred, May 2023
2022
Pair for the Course: Minneapolis Couple are Big Time when it comes to Mini Golf, Star Tribune, by Richard Chin, July 18, 2022.
A Couple of Putts’ Big Love for Mini Golf, The Racket, by Charlie Gillmer, May 12, 2022.
Rising Stars: Meet A Couple of Putts, Voyage Michigan, August 2022
2021
Par Excellence Redux: The Front 9, This is Colossal, September 26, 2021.
St. Paul filmmaker, and grandson of Rube Goldberg, teams up with the Minnesota JCC for new exhibit, Fox 9 with Shayne Wells, November 1, 2021.
Surprising Minnesota connection inspires exhibit on famed cartoonist Rube Goldberg, Star Tribune, by Alicia Eler, October 30, 2021.
Take a Swing Around ‘Par Excellence Redux,’ a Mini Golf Course of Playable Artworks at Elmhurst Art Museum, This is Colossal, July 21, 2021.
Last Resort - Robin Schwartzman, The Borscht Belt Tattler Podcast, episode 7, July 11, 2021.
2017
The Ten Best Mini Golf Courses in South Carolina, Best Things South Carolina, by Alli Hill, June.
GS Sports #5 – A Couple of Putts (Tom and Robin), Good Stuff Sports Podcast, by Mike Mason, March 9.
2016
IMA’s mini-golf course is tribute to Lil Bub, Dick the Bruiser and Hoosier metal gods, IndyStar, by Wei-Huan Chen, May 13.
Outdoor play in 5-degree weather: Welcome to Winter 4Play, Posted by Ira Brooker, KnightFoundation.org
2015
The Underground Guide to Spartanburg: Volume 2, edited by Joe Mullinax, Hub City Press, Spartanburg.
Mini Putt is Opening in Downtown Spartanburg on Thursday, TV interview with Jack Roper and Megan Heidlberg, Your Carolina WSPA, July 15.
2014
Two Minneapolis Gallery Shows Explore Mixed Media, by Mary Abbe, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Oct. 9.
Jerome Fellowship Exhibition Catalog, essay by Yesomi Umolu, October.
Almanac’s The Wrap, interview by Kate McDonald, Twin Cities Public Television, July.
Walker Mini Golf, MN Original, episode #509, March.
2011-2013
Now Putt This: Artists’ Mini Golf at the Walker, by Stephanie Strasnick, ArtNews.com, June.
When Artists Take on Mini Golf, Walker Magazine, May.
Hole-y Moly, by Steve Marsh, Msp-St. Paul Magazine, May 2013.
Aesthetics of Mini Golf: An Interview with A Couple of Putts, mnartists.blog, Nov. 2012.
Northern Spark Lights Up Downtown Minneapolis, CBS Minnesota Feature, June 2012.
Paul Cantanese and Angela Geary. “Post-Digital Printmaking: CNC, Traditional and Hybrid Techniques.” A&C Black Publishers of London. 2012.
Walker Art Center Summer Highlights, July 2011.
Photo of the Day, fecalface.com art blog, May 2011.
Featured Banner Artist, access+ENGAGE issue 63: Springtime Follies, April 2011
Skills and Qualifications
SOFTWARE: Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino and RhinoCAM
DIGITAL FABRICATION: CNC Router (3 and 4-axis), Lasercutting (Universal Laser Systems), 3D printing (Stratasys, Makergear, Prusa), CNC Plasma (ShopSabre), Vinyl Cutting