Joy Christiansen Erb

Ms. Joy Christiansen Erb - profile photo

Ms. Joy Christiansen Erb

Chair Professor

Art

Bliss Hall 4001A

phone: (330) 941-1397

jchristiansenerb@ysu.edu

Bio

Joy Christiansen Erb is a contemporary photographer and artist whose creative research explores themes such as memory, identity, and storytelling. Her most recent body of work explores the subjects of motherhood and family. This autobiographical journey examines the lives of her family and her domestic space. The images included in the series document both the struggles and triumphs of parenthood.

Her photography has gained recognition through regional and national exhibitions and lectures as well as a 2015 Ohio Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council. Recent solo exhibition venues include the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Center for the Emerging Visual Artists in Philadelphia, Peoria Arts Guild, and the Galveston Arts Center. Recent group exhibitions include Newspace Center for Photography in Portland, OR, the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA, Center for Photography at Woodstock, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. Her artwork has also been highlighted in a variety of publications, including two notable textbooks.

She currently resides in Youngstown, Ohio, where she serves as Acting Chair and Professor of Photography in the Department of Art at Youngstown State University. In 2016, she received a Distinguished Professorship for Excellence in Scholarship Award from Youngstown State University. Christiansen Erb received her B.F.A. from Miami University in Oxford, OH in 2001 and her M.F.A. from Texas Woman’s University in 2005.

Research Interests

Photography, Portraiture, Installation

Teaching Interests

Photography, Alternative Processes, Portraiture

  • 2005

    MFA, Studio Art

    Texas Woman's University

  • 2001

    BFA, Studio Art

    Miami University

  • 2016

    Youngstown State University

    Distinguished Professorship for Excellence in Scholarship Award

  • 2015

    Ohio Arts Council

    Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award

  • 2014

    Youngstown State University

    Faculty Improvement Leave Award

  • 2013

    Youngstown State University

    University Research Council Grant

  • 2005

    Society for Photographic Education

    Freestyle/SPE Crystal Apple Award

  • 2010 - 2014

    Officer, Vice President
    Society for Photographic Education, Midwest Regional Board

  • 2007 - 2007

    Reviewer, Conference Paper
    Society for Photographic Education

  • 2005 - 2007

    Program Organizer
    Society for Photographic Education

  • 2005 - 2009

    Officer, Secretary
    Society for Photographic Education, South Central Regional Board