ABOUT

BIO
CORI PEPELNJAK strives to depict the power of human resilience and tenacity through her photography.

An astute observer who bravely approaches situations with vulnerability, veracity and compassion, she evokes a rare level authenticity from her subjects. Cori’s projects elicit strong emotional responses and encourages viewers to reflect on their values and relationships.

Primarily self-taught, Cori began taking photos with real intention in 2008 by undertaking workshops with photographers such as Costa Manos, David Alan Harvey and Debbie Fleming Caffery. She is grateful for the role each played in her development as an artist and as an individual.

Cori was awarded First Place in the 2009 CENTER Project Competition for her ongoing project JoJo and is a recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Grant in 2010.

Her work has been included in group shows at: the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA; Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle; IFP in St. Paul, Minnesota; Rayko Gallery of San Francisco; and Art of Photography Show 2010 in San Diego.

CV
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Photographs with Teeth in conjunction with the 35th Annual Literary Festival: Words With Teeth, The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries; Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, selection of images from By the Week, October 2012

Identity, IFP Gallery; St. Paul, MN, selection of 25 images from JoJo, 2010

Kodachrome Show, Rayko Gallery; San Francisco, CA 2010

Art of Photograph; San Diego, CA 2010
(Awarded honorable mention by Juror Natasha Egan, Director of Museum of Contemporary Photography)

The Curve: Center’s Award Recipients, Photographic Center Northwest; Seattle WA, 2009
Selection of 25 images from JoJo + artist talk


AWARDS and GRANTS
Nominee for 2012 PDN 30 (Photo District News). PDN30 is an issue dedicated to featuring 30 photographers selected by the editors as new and emerging photographers to watch.

Nominee, 2011 John Gutmann Photography Fellowship Award (student status precludes from consideration)

Merit Scholarship 2011-2012, Hartford Art School, University of Hartford

Critical Mass 2010—Photo Lucida, FINALIST

Recipient, Minnesota Artist Initiative Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board, 2010

FIRST PRIZE 2009 Project Competition, CENTER
Jurors: Alice Gabriner, Senior Picture Editor, Time magazineKaren Irvine, Curator, Museum of Contemp. Photography Maarten Schilt, Publisher, Shilt Publishing and Gallerist, Amsterdam

Critical Mass 2009—Photo Lucida, FINALIST


JURY SELECTED EVENTS, TALKS & PROJECTIONS
Panelist, Visions of Family, Intersections in Photography hosted by ACP and UT Plan II Honors Program. October 2011

2010 Review Santa Fe, invited, Center--Project: By the Week

2009 Review Santa Fe, participant, Center--Project: JOJO

2009 CONNECT 09 Palm Springs Photo Festival Juried Slide Show Projection
Jurors: Jeff Dunas, Photographer, PSPF Director Dennis Keeley, Chair, Department of Photography, Art Center College of Design Michelle Dunn Marsh, Senior Editor, Art & Design, Chronicle Books Laurie Kratochvil, former Photo Editor, Rolling Stone & InStyle, Director of Special Projects, Reader’s Digest Dvlp. Grp. Frank W. Ockenfels III, Photographer Mary Virginia Swanson, Marketing Consultant


EDUCATION
MFA Photography, University of Hartford (limited-residency), pending 2013
“Limited residency for the engaged professional investigating art, documentary practice, and the photo-based book.”

Bachelors of Arts, University of Montana, Liberal & Environmental Studies, 1999

University of Washington + University of Melbourne, one-year study abroad scholarship, 1994-1996
Montana State University, 1993-1994

other education
Santa Fe Workshops, Jonathan Torgovnik
Maine Media Workshop, Debbie Flemming Caffery
International Center for Photography, Lori Grinker
David Alan Harvey, Loft Workshop, NYC
Fine Arts Works Center, workshop with Costas Manos
Santa Fe Workshops, Advanced Photoshop

2006 Columbia University, GSAPP Introduction to Architecture Program