Rate My Professor Travis Erxleben

Travis Erxleben serves as Assistant Professor of Art and Design at Adrian College since 2020, having previously held positions as adjunct instructor from 2017 to 2020 and studio technician from 2016 to 2020 at the same institution. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Metals in 2013 and a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics in 2016, both from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Since 2021, Erxleben has been Chair of the Department of Art and Design and Director of the Institute for Innovation and Creativity at Adrian College. His earlier career includes roles as teaching assistant and instructor of record at Stephen F. Austin State University from 2014 to 2016, graduate assistant from 2013 to 2016, art instructor at the Art Academy and the Museum of East Texas in 2014 and 2015, and artist apprentice in 2012 to 2013.

Erxleben's artistic practice in ceramics and art metals stimulates thematic commentary on the lasting legacies of previous generations and the preservation of historically significant objects. His solo exhibitions include Epitaphs at the Nicolay Heritage Room Gallery, Adrian College in 2019; Repose, his MFA capstone exhibition at the SFA School of Art Gallery in 2016; Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, MFA qualifying exhibition in 2015; and Remnants, BFA exhibition at The Boyett Gallery in 2013. He has participated in numerous two-person, group, invitational, and juried exhibitions across the United States, such as Adrian College Faculty and Staff Exhibition at Hickman Gallery in 2023, Michigan Mudd Presenter’s Exhibition at Holding House Gallery in 2019, Three-Dimensional at Clinton Art Center in 2019, Biennial 600: Sculpture at the Amarillo Museum of Art in 2015, and A Show of HeART at Uptown Downtown Gallery where he received Second Place in 2015. Awards and honors include demonstrating artist at the Michigan Ceramic Art Association’s Michigan Mudd conference in 2019, Faculty Spotlight of the Game and Bulldog of the Month at Adrian College in 2020 and 2019, Piero Fenci Scholarship for Ceramic Arts and multiple scholarships from Friends of the Visual Arts and Albert K Murray Fine Arts Education Fund in 2015 and 2016, and the Asa Mahan Award for Outstanding Community Involvement in 2017. Erxleben contributes to committees including chair of the Creativity Award Advisory Committee, College of the Future Committee, Academic Status and Review Committee, and others at Adrian College, as well as Patron Development Committee for the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. He has delivered public presentations and demonstrations, such as Why am I Here? at Rovin Ceramics in 2019 and workshops at Stephen F. Austin State University.