
Ms. Joy Christiansen Erb
Chair Professor
Art
Bliss Hall 4001A
phone: (330) 941-1397
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
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2005
MFA, Studio Art
Texas Woman's University
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2001
BFA, Studio Art
Miami University
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2016
Youngstown State University
Distinguished Professorship for Excellence in Scholarship Award
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2015
Ohio Arts Council
Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award
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2014
Youngstown State University
Faculty Improvement Leave Award
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2013
Youngstown State University
University Research Council Grant
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2005
Society for Photographic Education
Freestyle/SPE Crystal Apple Award
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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