Wes Rankin
859-412-9726
Education
2023-Present
Master of Fine Art in Sculpture at University of Mississippi
2017-2021
Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in sculpture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky
2015-2017
Passed Full Structural Welding Certifications in 7018 Stick and Shielded MIG, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Leestown Campus, Lexington, Ky
Related Experience
2023-Present
Graduate Assistantship at University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi, Oxford, Ms
Duties detailed by graduate assistantship requirements
2022-2023
Assistant Metal Shop Technician
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky
Assisted load of primary technician, machine maintenance and repair, installation of machinery, assisted students in education of equipment and tools, assisted art classes in projects that required technical knowledge, aided technician in running iron pours and bronze/aluminum foundry days
Mold Maker/ Mold Floor Supervisor
Garry Bibbs, 357 Scott Street, Lexington, Ky
Produced large scale molds, participated in building gantries and bull ladles capable of managing large molds, supervised and directed mold floors during production iron pours
2020
Independant Jeweler and Weaver
Lexington, Ky, 40517
Coordinated private commissions for the creation of beaded jewelry, wearable sculpture, decorations, and items requested by specific cultural groups
2019
Ceramic, Lighting, and Sound Technician at University of Kentucky
Lexington, Ky, 40506
Installed, maintained, and operated equipment for the college of fine arts in these three categories. Facilitated Faculty’s equipment needs/ performance or gallery needs
2018
Artist Assistant, Jeremy Colbert
Metal Arts, 357 Scott Street, Lexington, KY, 859-
Assisted in design, fabrication, patina, and installing of large scale furniture items
2017-Present
Metal Shop Monitor at University of Kentucky Metal Arts
Metal Arts, 357 Scott Street, Lexington, KY
Assisted students with projects, maintained and repaired tools and equipment, currently developing forging area
2018
Subcontractor, Oxnard Design Company
Private Residence, Lexington, KY, 859-559-1796
Historic home renovation, completed projects in private and public spaces, demonstrated skills in carpentry and other building materials
2018
Intern Artist, Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum
6764 N Tree Farm Rd, Solsberry, IN 47459 | 859.619.8891
Assisting artists, mold making with resin-bonded sand, assisting on pour crews, operating furnaces, chasing and drilling ferrous and non-ferrous metals, installing outdoor sculptures, landscaping, guided tours
2012-2016
Shop Assistant, Greg Hodge’s Private Welding Shop
233 East Tiverton Way, Lexington, KY, 859-539-1336
Designed/Fabricated firearm target stands and firearm related equipment, gun smithed, blacksmithing, and automotive body work
Exhibitions/Shows
2021
Art In The Time of Corona, Vol.1, Dab Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California
Vividness, Indiana University Kokomo Downtown Gallery, Kokomo, Indiana
2020
Relationships Exhibit, Webster Arts, Webster Groves, Missouri
Minimalism, ShockBoxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, California
Reconciliation, Concordia University Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan
2019
Collective, sculpture swap between University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University, Lexington, KY/Bowling Green, KY
2019
The Rare Few, Contemporary Curator Juried Exhibition, Sloss Metal Arts, Birmingham, Alabama
Cope, Drag, and Core Curated Exhibition, Sloss Metal Arts, Birmingham, Alabama
2018
University of Kentucky Foundations Exhibition, Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky Carrie Ellis Juried Exhibition, Lexington, KY
2017
Sloss Student Juried Exhibition, Birmingham, AL
Western Kentucky University Sculpture Swap, Bowling Green, KY
2016
Christian Homeschool Cooperative Open House, Lexington, KY
2015
Bluegrass Community and Technical College Student Show, Lyric Theater, Lexington, KY
Lexington Gallery Hop, Lyric Theater, Lexington, KY
2014
Christian Homeschool Cooperative Open House, Lexington, KY
Awards
2019
Theophelia Oxmann Scholarship
2018
1st Place University of Kentucky Foundations Exhibition
Honorable Mention, University of Kentucky Carrie Ellis Juried Exhibition
Conferences and Events
2019
Designed and built 10” diameter cupola with Western Kentucky University League of Sculptors to begin building up a cast iron program, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Built and poured on 10” diameter cupola with University of Kentucky Foundry Crew to compete in 2019 NCCIAP Student Cupola Contest at Sloss Metal Arts, Birmingham, Alabama
2018
Kentucky Sculpture Traveling Foundry at Sky-Sci Festival, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Skills
Museum and Gallery:
Maintaining outdoor work
Building and installing large scale and outdoor work
Gallery maintenance and indoor show installation
Properly lighting and technically facilitating all mediums of visual art
Guided Tours showcasing grounds and facilities
Effectively answering potential clients or donor’s questions
Fabrication/Construction:
CAN USE A BROOM
Maintaining, building, repairing, and installing equipment and tools
Use of power and hand tools
Carpentry/woodworking
Concrete casting and skinning
General construction
Roofing
Siding
Brick laying
Scaffolding and harness work
Window installation
Floor installation (tiling, hardwood, vinyl, carpet, linoleum, unique, etc.)
Fabrication/ structural fabrication
Blacksmithing
Gunsmithing
Engineering firearm equipment to withstand impact
Electrical work
Plumbing
Fabrication:
Fully certified in structural MIG and 7018 stick welding up to 70,000 pounds
TIG welding in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
Chasing, drilling, and finishing ferrous and non-ferrous metals
Blacksmithing:
Coal, coke, propane, waste oil injected, and natural gas forging
Built and operated forges of various styles and fuels
Can operate and maintenance most equipment generally found in a smithy
Trip Hammer and trip hammer maintenance/repairs
Tool Building/casting such as swedge blocks and trip hammer stamps
Foundry:
Mold making in resin bonded sand, green sand, rubber, silicone, plaster, ceramic shell, metal, refractory clays, experimental, oil sand, alginate, ceramic, ludo, dirt, and stone
Design, Construction, operation, and maintenance on a natural gas fueled crucible furnace, an oil injected crucible furnace, and multiple coke-fueled iron cupolas
Experience in casting iron, bronze, aluminum, pewter, copper, glass, lead, and bismuth
Composing, mixing, and producing my own patinas
Putting patina on and finishing ferrous and non-ferrous metals
Fiber:
Construction and maintenance of looms, warping boards, and other equipment
Spinning wool/ twisting rope
Weaving with traditional and non-traditional materials
Mixing and applying dyes including rust print-dyes
Ceramics:
Have built and maintenance soda, gas, raku, wood, and electric kilns
Large scale ceramic work
Proficient on electric and kick wheels
Mixing personal glazes
Dug and processed personal clay bodies
Mixes personal recipes of refractory clay bodies
Experimental firings
Other:
Interpersonal Communication
Proficient with using and maintaining all landscaping equipment
Team Player
Problem Solving
Being good at finding a solution via youtube and google
Hard working and professional
Good with clients
Fluent in Spanish