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David Carroll Orr
Writer. Artist. Architect.
Accolades
Debut Novel

2025 publication

Soft Cover: ISBN 979-8-34-993267-0
Hard Cover: ISBN 979-8-34-993249-6

Sneak Peaks: Neon Poetry Readings

AND NOW, fade away (2:16)
We did not joke about the sun (2:02)
The lack of a fundamental (4:04)

Exhibitions
MFA Thesis Exhibition
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, SAIC Galleries, 33 E. Washington St., Chicago
July 7-27, 2025
The Next Big Thing 23
Honorable Mention Award
Juried group exhibition, August 5 - September 30, 2023, Studio Channel Islands, Camarillo, California; Shana Nys Dambrot, art critic Los Angeles Times, juror.

"Leo Tolstoy's Pants," digital media, 30" x 48", with homage to Russian artists Ilya Repin and Nakiz Bunin.

Official exhibition photograph by W. Scott Miles.
Online Exhibition Catalog
Home
Juried group exhibition, June 1 - 30, 2023, HMVC Online Gallery and Times Square Jumbotron, New York, New York.

"Rocky Hill East Elevation: Home is Where I Drink Coffee," digital media, 2023;
architectural design, 2021; construction, 2022.
Online Exhibition Catalog
The Next Big Thing 22
Juried group exhibition, August 6 - September 24, 2022, Studio Channel Islands, Camarillo, California; David Pagel, art critic Los Angeles Times, juror.
Online Exhibition Catalog
Illustrated Arkansas: The Art of Comics
Juried group exhibition, Oct. 14, 2022 - Jan. 28, 2023, CALS Roberts Library, Library Square, 401 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, Ark.; Randy Duncan, juror.
Art Résumé Arch. Résumé Tech Résumé

Self Portrait as a Lounge Singer

Hobby Genealogy
Royal librarians, Colonial legislators, Horse thieves. O my!

© 2025, David C. Orr
Updated 15 June 2025

A tapestry of beguiling complexity, weaving the familiar into something breathtakingly new. The threads of language ignite passion, revealing raw power and meaning in a singular, potent way. This challenges and touches hidden spaces, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, making you believe the impossible. A truly beautiful and passionate experience, destined to be shared.
—Signed with the love that will now see light, Aphrodite.

The deeper you delve, the greater the rewards. Beautifully crafted, this story touches your heart, revealing hidden truths. It's a journey beyond crude ideas, where human limitations meet boundless potential. Chaos, darkness, and beauty blend, offering a poignant and authentic experience. The responsibility, and transformation, now lies with you.
—With a nod and wink at how easy it was, James Agee, with an ever watchful heart, I remain yours truly, Apollo.

'Challenges hidden spaces', 'touches your heart'... It did make me think. Primarily about whether defrosting a woolly mammoth takes longer before or after you've fully contemplated the inevitable heat death of the universe. Seems like one eternal problem should inform the other, you know? But frankly, neither feels particularly solvable right now. Guess it's all just... background noise to the pouring, eh? More wine?
—Dionysus, idly swirling his cup and contemplating freezer logistics.

"Self-portrait as a Lounge Singer," 2005, colored pencil. Other available projections include Enthusiast, Adventurist, Observer, Thinker, and Doer.

The Easton art community challenge, May 7, 2020
Beto, born April 28, 2007, Bogota, Colombia, South America, died April 2, 2023, Galena, Illinois, USA
Bull terrier
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Street photography, abstract, lost and found; Wolf Point Plaza, Chicago, USA
Art Résumé

Solo Exhibitions

2009
"Falling Water," Stone House Gallery and Pottery, Galena, Illinois
2008
"Falling Water," Galena City Hall, Galena, Illinois
"Mountains & Mist," Clair E. Smith Art Gallery, Barrington High School Campus, Barrington, Illinois

Duo Exhibition

2009
"Riparia: Flow Art," Brother-Sister show; Henderson State University, Arkadelphlia, Arkansas; digital media, photography, and acrylics on canvas
Installation partial view
Press Release Henderson State University

Juried Group Exhibitions

2023
"The Next Big Thing 23," Studio Channel Islands, Camarillo, California; August 5 - September 30; Shana Nys Dambrot, juror.
"Comic Crossing: The Art of the Graphic Narrative," UNCLE Credit Union Gallery at the Bankhead Theater and Livermore Valley Arts Comic Con, Livermore, California; July 13 - October 8, 2023; a graphic memoir two-page spread, die sublimation print on aluminum.
"Home," HMVC Gallery, New York, New York; June 1 - 30, 2023; Heini Miku and Vincent Chang, jurors; exterior elevation of a realized architectural design with enriching digital media.
2022
"The Next Big Thing 22," Studio Channel Islands, Camarillo, California; August 6 - September 24; David Pagel, juror.
Awake (Gallery Inaugural Exhibition), HMVC Gallery, New York, New York; September 1 - 30, 2022; Heini Miku and Vincent Chang, jurors.
"Illustrated Arkansas: The Art of Comics," Oct. 14, 2022 - Jan. 28, 2023, CALS Roberts Library, Library Square, 401 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, Ark.; Randy Duncan, juror.
2020
"Photo Shoot: 2020," Black Box Gallery, Portland, Oregon; September 1-20; Todd Johnson, juror; photography with digital post-production processes
"The Still Life," Praxis Photo Arts Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Ann Jastrab, juror; August-September; photography with digital post-production processes
"Artosphere," Walton Art Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas; Rebecca Drolen, Assistant Professor of Photography, University of Arkansas, juror; May-June; photography of personally constructed land art
"Open Theme," Praxis Photo Arts Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Ann Jastrab, juror; April-May; photography of personally constructed land art
2018
"Found Objects," juried photography group exhibit, Praxis Photographic Arts Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Laura Migliorino, juror; August-September, 2018; street art photography
2011
53rd Annual Delta Exhibition, Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas; digital photographic media
2010
52nd Annual Delta Exhibition, Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas; juror: Martha Tedeschi, head of Print Department, Art Institute of Chicago; digital photographic media
2007
"30th Harper College National Juried Art Exhibition: Small Works," Harper College, Palatine, Illinois
Biennial Juried Art Show, Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, Iowa; juror: Alan Aiches, Adjunct Curator, National Building Museum, Washington, DC; digital media.
Regional Juried Art Show, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, Indiana; juror: T. L. Solien, Assoc. Professor of Painting, University of Wisconsin at Madison; juror's award of special merit; digital media.
Upstream People Gallery, Omaha, Nebraska; juror: Larry Bradshaw, Professor of Art, University of Nebraska at Omaha; digital media
"Natural Wonders," Stone House Pottery and Gallery, Galena, Illinois
"3rd Annual National Self-Portrait Exhibition," 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago, Illinois; juror: Matthew Cherry, Dean of Fine Arts, English and Humanities at South Suburban College, South Holland, Illinois; digital media.
2006
Dangenart Gallery, Nashville, Tennessee; digital media
2005
Water Street Gallery, Kent, Ohio; digital media
2004
47th Annual Delta Exhibition, Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas; juror: Katherine Degn, Kraushaar Galleries, New York; acrylics on canvas, pastoral
47th Annual Art Show, Rocky Mount Arts Center, Rocky Mount, North Carolina; juried exhibition; acrylics on canvas
"Natural Wonders 2004," Old Market House, Galena, Illinois; acrylics on canvas
2002
"Expressions of a Lifetime," Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky; digital media.
"Natural Wonders 2003," Old Market House, Galena, Illinois; digital media.
2003
"Natural Wonders," Ingersoll Nature Center, Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge, Thomson, Illinois; acrylics on canvas.

Publications

2020
"CitiScapes", Northwest Arkansas' longest running and most widely circulated monthly city/regional lifestyle magazine; July; Riparian Stick Serpent photography and land art.

Honors/Awards

2007
Juror's Award of Special Merit, Regional Art Show, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, Indiana

Licensing of Art Images

2006
Staatsballett Berlin for promotional material developed by Sign (agency) Berlin, Germany

Education

2023
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts, Year 1 Cohort
2022
Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Master of Liberal Arts, Media and Popular Culture
1979
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, Master of Architecture
1974
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, B.A., Natural Science Area Major
Architecture Résumé

Employment

1989-2008
Corporate Architect, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and predecessor companies Bank One, First Chicago NBD, First Chicago, and 1st National Bank of Chicago; on-site consultant 1986 –1989, employee 1989 – 2008
1987-1988
Computer Drafting Applications Specialist, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago, Illinois
1986
Commercial Architectural Designer, Swanke Hayden Connell, Chicago, Illinois
1985
Commercial Architectural Designer, Metz, Train & Youngren, Chicago, Illinois
1981-1984
Residential Architectural Designer, Bruce Gregga Interiors, Chicago, Illinois
1979-1981
Commercial Architecture Intern, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago, Illinois
1979-1981
Restoration Intern, Westminster Company, St. Louis, Missouri
1978
Landscape Architecture Intern, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, St. Louis, Missouri

Teaching

1981-1984
Architect-in-Residence, Urban Gateways, Chicago, National Arts Council grants with field assignments in a diverse array of public elementary and secondary schools, Chicago metropolitan region
1980
Architect-in-Residence, Iowa and National Arts Council grants with field assignment in public elementary and secondary schools, Ottumwa, Iowa

Design Awards and Publications

1983
Gold Medal, Illinois-Indiana Masonry Council awards program, Mr. Lube oil change station prototype, Michigan City, Indiana
"Mr. Lube," Chicago Tribune, June 5
"Mr. Lube," Inland Architecture, May

Architectural License

1987
State of Illinois

Education

1979
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, Master of Architecture
1974
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, B.A., Natural Science Area Major
Tech Résumé

Self Employment: David Orr Design Studio, 1993-present
Creative studio blending experience in art, architecture, landscape design, and technology from both corporate and studio realms.

2019-present
Projects in residential design, landscape and land art design, art installations, and web media.
2017
Kauai Vacation Rental, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
2015-2016
Hypercision, Oak Park, Illinois
2014
Meadowbrook Insurance, Southfield, Michigan
Perfect Ambient Music, Chicago, Illinois
2011
Boston Media Group, Boston, Massachusetts
Jones Lang Lasalle, San Francisco, California
2010
HPZS Architects, Chicago, Illinois
2018-2019
American College Testing (ACT), Iowa City, Iowa
2017-2018
CVS Pharmacy, Northbrook, Illinois
2016-2017
Peapod/Ahold Delhaize, Chicago, Illinois
2016
Gogo Inflight Services, Chicago, Illinois
2014-2015
SurePayroll, Glenview, Illinois
2014
John Deere, Intelligent Solutions Group, Urbandale, Iowa
2010-2013
State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, Illinois
2010
American Society of Anesthesiologists, Mount Prospect, Illinois
2009-2010
Health Care Service Corp. (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois), Chicago, Illinois
2008-2009
Allstate Insurance, Northbrook, Illinois

Teaching

2001-2002
Curriculum Advisor, web project management certificate program, Graham School of Continuing Education, University of Chicago

Pro Bono Web Design & Development

1998-2013
Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Elizabeth, Illinois

Education

2022
Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Master of Liberal Arts, Media and Popular Culture
2001
University of Chicago, Graham School of Continuing Education, Chicago, Illinois, Web Project Management Professional Certificate
1991
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, Continuing Education, Computer Programming
1979
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, Master of Architecture
1974
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, B.A., Natural Science Area Major
1972
National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Participation Program, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
1969
National Science Foundation Research Participation Program for High Ability Secondary School Students, University of Texas, Austin, Texas
Tiger Swallowtail, April 2020, Riparia USA
Wood Sorrel, April 2020, Riparia USA
Lost #52, Street Photography, December, 2018, Chicago USA
Two-Digit Taxi, Visual Acuity Exercise, October 2018, Chicago USA
River Walkers, February 2020, Caddo River, Arkansas
"Time," 60x60 digital print on flag cloth
Photography from Iguazu Falls, Argentina
2011 Delta Show, Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas
Riparian Stick Serpent, Right Cranial
Riparia, USA, land art installation, February 2020
Praxis Photographic Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 2020, Group Exhibition
Walton Art Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas, May 2020, Group Exhibition
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, Indre-et-Loire, France
Big Bend National Park, Texas, February 2020
Zambesi River, Zambia, at the brink of Victoria Falls, 2006
Licensed to State Ballet of Berlin, Germany
Devil's Throat, Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina, 2008

April 27, 2022
Annual Mud Puddle Mania

August 23, 2020
When the Bottom Falls Out

July 27, 2020
Solitude

June 29, 2020
Faith

June 8, 2020
Social Unrest
Our spirit endures above a flood of emotion.

May 25, 2020
Unconditional Love.
We are part of it; it is part of us.

June 8, 2020
Living in wilderness beyond the border of any physical community, my creative process shows little effect from the quarantine. I just walk around my house until I find something curious to photograph. Today, I shot an elephant in my mask. How he got into my mask I'll never know.

Update July 2020
This image juried into "Still Life," a group exhibit, Praxis Photographic Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 20-September 20, 2020

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