Alumni Spotlight – Megan Euker ’01

Some artists spend a lifetime working to obtain a solo showing at a major gallery. Most never get there. Megan Euker, a member of the Class of 2001, achieved that dream before her 30^th birthday.

Megan knew her gift and career path from as early as she can remember and quickly established herself as a special talent when she entered Susquehannock. Not surprisingly, she lists art teacher Jeff Becker as one of her most influential teachers. But she also gives credit to English teachers Roberta Thoman and Tamara Kelley and Social Studies teacher Matt Amberman for her success.

“A big part of making it in the art world is communicating and understanding culture,” she said. “From the act of writing about my work to preparing a grant proposal, I find myself using my English training constantly. And I’ve always tried to create art that is real to life in a given society. Those teachers gave me that. They were open minded, supportive, and encouraging in a way I needed.”

Although an artist first, Megan was a well-rounded student, participating in basketball, track, cross-country and swimming. She was also in the marching band, concert band, orchestra, and choir. In addition (if that wasn’t enough to fill a busy day) she was a member of student council, literary magazine staff, Envirothon team, and National Honor Society.

In the summer of 2000, Megan attended the Savannah College of Art and Design on an academic and merit scholarship for a summer program, targeting high school students. This was an experience that defined her life-path. While there, one of her teachers recommended that she look at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

She returned to Susquehannock to graduate in 2001, but then moved to Chicago and worked at the Institute’s wood and metal studios while studying. She fell in love with the school and the range of artistic experiences it offered. She was soon showing her work at student shows around the Chicago area and received many grants, including two from the Illinois Art Council.

While in school, Megan had various jobs including a year as a pianist at the Fly Me To the Moon restaurant and piano bar, an engagement that lasted a year. She also supplemented her income, working as a teaching assistant for numerous classes during graduate school.

In the summers of both 2003 and 2004, she studied at the International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture in Umbria Italy.  These were the first of several visits to a country that had a major influence on her work. Her most recent experience there followed her receipt of a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship in 2008. It was during this period that she developed three series of paintings, two of which will be exhibited at Chicago’s Linda Warren Gallery in April 2011.

In the periods between her travels, Megan earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and also a Master’s degree, both from the School of Art Institute of Chicago.

Within the past year, she has taught at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and The Hyde Park Art Center. She is currently teaching painting, drawing, and sculpture at The College of DuPage in Illinois. Even with this teaching load, she is able to spend time in her studio, creating pieces that have received favorable reviews from Chicago’s tough critics.

In addition to her upcoming Chicago solo show, she has shown in San Francisco and New York. Additional information about Megan’s art and images of her paintings can be found at www.meganeuker.com  and www.lindawarrengallery.com.

Thanks to Megan Euker, Class of 2001, for making us Warrior Proud.