Randy Brown is a Denver, Colorado based documentary photographer, writer, and arts educator.
who has worked and exhibited in the Denver and national arts community for more than thirty-five years.
Through his work as a photographer and writer, Randy has consistently created documentary based photographic projects that are focused on the specifics of drought and water exportation from the San Luis Valley in Colorado and New Mexico, and the Rio Grande River basin. His attention is on the existential threats to a multi-cultural community with long held agricultural traditions including the Traditional Pueblo Culture, and the 19th century Mexican Land Grants.
Academically, Randy serves as a Professor of Photography at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design where he has taught in the Photography BFA for 19 years. Initially serving as adjunct faculty 2005-2013, then in 2013, Head of Commercial Photography, in 2014 appointed as Chair of Photography, and currently, since 2019, Professor of Photography at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) in Denver, Colorado, Randy teaches photography to students focused on a degree in Photography. His teaching philosophy includes a process of engagement, the facilitation of student’s commitment and work ethic, the interpretation and completion of projects, establishing an understanding of the works of important photographers who use photography as their medium, and research into the writings and philosophies of important educators. On a practical level, this is manifested through a series of lecture/group discussion classes, the teaching of core principles of art making, and importantly, one-on-one conversations with students that provides an opportunity to fully understand the students’ needs and clearly map out a path in which they will achieve their goals.
Current and previous documentary projects:
“The Rio Grande: The River in Us: A Watershed Moment” is an extension of his Sal Luis Valley project which tells the stories of those who live along the rivers path and their struggle to maintain a lifestyle that has been present for more than 1100 years.
“In The Middle of Everywhere” The San Luis Valley and the existential threat of the exportation of scarce water resources. This work is in collaboration with the Alamosa Citizen based in Alamosa, Colorado
“Human Trafficking: and Conscious Consumerism”. Working with the University of Denver Human Trafficking Center and others to communicate the horror of the issue.
“The River in Us” Veterans Documentary Project: Working with veterans of Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria as they address issues with PTSD and addiction.
“Portraits: Borneo and Sumatra”. In partnership with the University of Denver’s Dept. of Anthropology, a project in Sumatra, Nias Island, and Central Borneo addresses the use of traditional building practices that are earthquake resistant in Sumatra and Nias Island. In Central Borneo, the Ikat Weavers of the Dayak Putussibau, which is a historic, traditional 33 door Longhouse. The focus of the families in that longhouse are focused on maintaining traditional Ikat weaving processes, maintaining a community based agricultural practice in the context of the threats of modernity.
Randy Brown pg. 2
In the arts community he served as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Invisible Museum, a Denver based 501 c 3. Recently named Executive Editor, Production Manager, and writer of Eye-Level Magazine.
In addition to his work with Eye-Level and The Invisible Museum, he served as president of the Colorado Artist Coalition from 2001-2003. The CAC was a not-for-profit arts organization that had as its mission increasing the social, economic, and community awareness of artists and the value they contribute to our society. Offering professional development programs for artists, affordable studio space, and interaction with the community through member led creativity workshops and seminars, the CAC facilitates partnerships that convey the importance of art in our lives.
Randy’s photographic works have been included in more than 30 gallery and museum exhibitions and is in the collection of the Denver Art Museum as well as multiple individual and corporate collections.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:
Photography Faculty Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design 2019-Present
Spearheaded the research and production of a BFS Photography degree program.
Chair of Photography BFA Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design 2014-2019
Head of Photography BFA Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design 2013-2014
Commercial photographer, 1984 to Present.
Executive Editor, Eye-Level Magazine 2005-2007
Current: Contributor, Alamosa Citizen, Alamosa, Colorado
https://www.alamosacitizen.com/chris-canaly/
https://www.alamosacitizen.com/san-juan-ranch/
https://www.alamosacitizen.com/jones-oil-moe-jones/
https://web.archive.org/web/20220808164738/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alamosacitizen.com%2Fcorset-ranch%2F
Professor of Photography 2019-Present. Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Photographic Workshop Leader, Working With Artists (2002-Present)
Workshop Leader, ArtStreet 2002
GRANTS AND AWARDS:
in residence at The MacDowell Colony. Funds distributed by MacDowell, 2000
Awarded five-week residency to advance in-progress photographic work.
Nov. and Dec.,1999.
Awarded six-week residency to advance ongoing photographic work.
Feb. & March,1996.
SELECTED COLLECTIONS:
Denver Art Museum, MONY, IXL Corporation, Ernst & Young, TIAA-CREF, Delta Dental of Colorado, MacData Corp., Sue Cannon, Kathy Guisie, Peter Durst, Senn Lewis Vischiano, Invesco Funds, Vectra Bank, 360 Network, Rebound Corporation, Dr. Charles Hamlin, Hand Surgery Associates
EDUCATION:
MA, Design Strategy, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, 2017
BBA, Texas Tech University, 1976
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Alamosa Citizen, 2022,2023
Rocky Mountain News 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001,2002, 2003, 2004,2005, 2006, 2007
Denver Post 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001,2002,2004, 2005, 2006
Westword 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,2005, 2006, 2007
Randy Brown pg. 3
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2014 Landscape as Metaphor: Brookfield Properties
2013 Photo-Synthesis, Month Of Photography, Republic Plaza, Denver
2012 Haiku, Brookfield Arts 2015
2012 Together Now, Phillip J. Steel Gallery, Denver, Co
2011 Botanica, Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
2010 Under The Influence, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
2009 Corporate Collections Denver, Co
New Work The Pattern Shop Gallery Denver, CO
2008 In And Out Of Focus, Denver, Co
Faculty Exhibit, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, CO
2007 I Am A Man Ironton Gallery, Denver, CO
The Tribe. 910 Arts, Denver, CO
2006 Corporate Collections, Denver, Co
The Nitto Files. 910 Arts, Denver, CO
Minimalism, Flash Gallery, Denver, CO
Faculty Exhibit, Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, Denver, CO
The Figure Explored. Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs, CO
2003 Corporate Collections. Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
Members Select. Spark Gallery, Denver, CO
Love For Sale Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver
Trances. Funky Buddha, Denver, CO
2002 Artists of Choice Art Students League of Denver
2001 New American Talent 16, Jones Center for Contemporary Art, Austin,TX
Figuration, Carson Masuoka Gallery, Denver, CO
National Prize Show, Cambridge Art Center, Boston, MA
New American Talent 16, Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, Texas
Dream Mill, Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood, CO
Past/Present, Carson Masuoka Gallery, Denver, CO
2000 Searching for Balance, DeLeon White Gallery, Denver, Co
THE NO ZONE, Market Street Gallery at Guiry's, Denver
1999 Black & White, Perspectives in Contrast, Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
Intro II, Carol Keller Gallery, Denver
AAA Open Studios, Alternative Arts Alliance, Denver
1998 The Bob Newart Show, Ron Judish Gallery, Denver
Co=Excellence 1998
Emmanuel Gallery, Denver
Eleanor Biss Center for the Arts, Steamboat Springs, Co
University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo, Co
Intro I, Carol Keller Gallery, Denver
Spark Open, Spark Gallery, Denver
1997 Colorado Contempo, Republic Plaza, Denver
Photo Colorado, Core New Art Space, Denver
1994 Native Peoples, Our ways Shall Continue, Denver Art Museum
Thrive, Works of Innovation in Architecture, Emmanuel Gallery, Denver, CO
Architectural Landscapes, Harvard School of Design, Cambridge, MA
Sections
Randy Brown is a Denver, Colorado based documentary photographer, writer, and arts educator.
who has worked and exhibited in the Denver and national arts community for more than thirty-five years.
Through his work as a photographer and writer, Randy has consistently created documentary based photographic projects that are focused on the specifics of drought and water exportation from the San Luis Valley in Colorado and New Mexico, and the Rio Grande River basin. His attention is on the existential threats to a multi-cultural community with long held agricultural traditions including the Traditional Pueblo Culture, and the 19th century Mexican Land Grants.
Academically, Randy serves as a Professor of Photography at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design where he has taught in the Photography BFA for 19 years. Initially serving as adjunct faculty 2005-2013, then in 2013, Head of Commercial Photography, in 2014 appointed as Chair of Photography, and currently, since 2019, Professor of Photography at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) in Denver, Colorado, Randy teaches photography to students focused on a degree in Photography. His teaching philosophy includes a process of engagement, the facilitation of student’s commitment and work ethic, the interpretation and completion of projects, establishing an understanding of the works of important photographers who use photography as their medium, and research into the writings and philosophies of important educators. On a practical level, this is manifested through a series of lecture/group discussion classes, the teaching of core principles of art making, and importantly, one-on-one conversations with students that provides an opportunity to fully understand the students’ needs and clearly map out a path in which they will achieve their goals.
Current and previous documentary projects:
“The Rio Grande: The River in Us: A Watershed Moment” is an extension of his Sal Luis Valley project which tells the stories of those who live along the rivers path and their struggle to maintain a lifestyle that has been present for more than 1100 years.
“In The Middle of Everywhere” The San Luis Valley and the existential threat of the exportation of scarce water resources. This work is in collaboration with the Alamosa Citizen based in Alamosa, Colorado
“Human Trafficking: and Conscious Consumerism”. Working with the University of Denver Human Trafficking Center and others to communicate the horror of the issue.
“The River in Us” Veterans Documentary Project: Working with veterans of Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria as they address issues with PTSD and addiction.
“Portraits: Borneo and Sumatra”. In partnership with the University of Denver’s Dept. of Anthropology, a project in Sumatra, Nias Island, and Central Borneo addresses the use of traditional building practices that are earthquake resistant in Sumatra and Nias Island. In Central Borneo, the Ikat Weavers of the Dayak Putussibau, which is a historic, traditional 33 door Longhouse. The focus of the families in that longhouse are focused on maintaining traditional Ikat weaving processes, maintaining a community based agricultural practice in the context of the threats of modernity.
Randy Brown pg. 2
In the arts community he served as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Invisible Museum, a Denver based 501 c 3. Recently named Executive Editor, Production Manager, and writer of Eye-Level Magazine.
In addition to his work with Eye-Level and The Invisible Museum, he served as president of the Colorado Artist Coalition from 2001-2003. The CAC was a not-for-profit arts organization that had as its mission increasing the social, economic, and community awareness of artists and the value they contribute to our society. Offering professional development programs for artists, affordable studio space, and interaction with the community through member led creativity workshops and seminars, the CAC facilitates partnerships that convey the importance of art in our lives.
Randy’s photographic works have been included in more than 30 gallery and museum exhibitions and is in the collection of the Denver Art Museum as well as multiple individual and corporate collections.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:
Photography Faculty Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design 2019-Present
Spearheaded the research and production of a BFS Photography degree program.
Chair of Photography BFA Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design 2014-2019
Head of Photography BFA Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design 2013-2014
Commercial photographer, 1984 to Present.
Executive Editor, Eye-Level Magazine 2005-2007
Current: Contributor, Alamosa Citizen, Alamosa, Colorado
https://www.alamosacitizen.com/chris-canaly/
https://www.alamosacitizen.com/san-juan-ranch/
https://www.alamosacitizen.com/jones-oil-moe-jones/
https://web.archive.org/web/20220808164738/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alamosacitizen.com%2Fcorset-ranch%2F
Professor of Photography 2019-Present. Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Photographic Workshop Leader, Working With Artists (2002-Present)
Workshop Leader, ArtStreet 2002
GRANTS AND AWARDS:
in residence at The MacDowell Colony. Funds distributed by MacDowell, 2000
Awarded five-week residency to advance in-progress photographic work.
Nov. and Dec.,1999.
Awarded six-week residency to advance ongoing photographic work.
Feb. & March,1996.
SELECTED COLLECTIONS:
Denver Art Museum, MONY, IXL Corporation, Ernst & Young, TIAA-CREF, Delta Dental of Colorado, MacData Corp., Sue Cannon, Kathy Guisie, Peter Durst, Senn Lewis Vischiano, Invesco Funds, Vectra Bank, 360 Network, Rebound Corporation, Dr. Charles Hamlin, Hand Surgery Associates
EDUCATION:
MA, Design Strategy, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, 2017
BBA, Texas Tech University, 1976
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Alamosa Citizen, 2022,2023
Rocky Mountain News 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001,2002, 2003, 2004,2005, 2006, 2007
Denver Post 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001,2002,2004, 2005, 2006
Westword 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,2005, 2006, 2007
Randy Brown pg. 3
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2014 Landscape as Metaphor: Brookfield Properties
2013 Photo-Synthesis, Month Of Photography, Republic Plaza, Denver
2012 Haiku, Brookfield Arts 2015
2012 Together Now, Phillip J. Steel Gallery, Denver, Co
2011 Botanica, Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
2010 Under The Influence, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
2009 Corporate Collections Denver, Co
New Work The Pattern Shop Gallery Denver, CO
2008 In And Out Of Focus, Denver, Co
Faculty Exhibit, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, CO
2007 I Am A Man Ironton Gallery, Denver, CO
The Tribe. 910 Arts, Denver, CO
2006 Corporate Collections, Denver, Co
The Nitto Files. 910 Arts, Denver, CO
Minimalism, Flash Gallery, Denver, CO
Faculty Exhibit, Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, Denver, CO
The Figure Explored. Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs, CO
2003 Corporate Collections. Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
Members Select. Spark Gallery, Denver, CO
Love For Sale Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver
Trances. Funky Buddha, Denver, CO
2002 Artists of Choice Art Students League of Denver
2001 New American Talent 16, Jones Center for Contemporary Art, Austin,TX
Figuration, Carson Masuoka Gallery, Denver, CO
National Prize Show, Cambridge Art Center, Boston, MA
New American Talent 16, Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, Texas
Dream Mill, Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood, CO
Past/Present, Carson Masuoka Gallery, Denver, CO
2000 Searching for Balance, DeLeon White Gallery, Denver, Co
THE NO ZONE, Market Street Gallery at Guiry's, Denver
1999 Black & White, Perspectives in Contrast, Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
Intro II, Carol Keller Gallery, Denver
AAA Open Studios, Alternative Arts Alliance, Denver
1998 The Bob Newart Show, Ron Judish Gallery, Denver
Co=Excellence 1998
Emmanuel Gallery, Denver
Eleanor Biss Center for the Arts, Steamboat Springs, Co
University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo, Co
Intro I, Carol Keller Gallery, Denver
Spark Open, Spark Gallery, Denver
1997 Colorado Contempo, Republic Plaza, Denver
Photo Colorado, Core New Art Space, Denver
1994 Native Peoples, Our ways Shall Continue, Denver Art Museum
Thrive, Works of Innovation in Architecture, Emmanuel Gallery, Denver, CO
Architectural Landscapes, Harvard School of Design, Cambridge, MA
Sections