Zane Miller
Graduation Year: 2005
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Type of Creative: Installation Artist and Art Preparator
What They Do: Zane Miller is an installation artist and art preparator who runs a woodworking and welding business, designing and building specialty art supplies.
Their Journey: Zane's journey in the visual arts has been a winding path of exploration and discovery. After graduating from Wellington in 2005, he attended Allegheny College, where he studied plant physiology and photography. Post-college, Zane spent six years painting in his parents' garage and photographing concerts as a freelance photographer for Out of the Blue Magazine. His early work involved using the camera to create light abstractions, which laid the foundation for his evolving creative process.
In 2017, Zane earned an MFA from Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), where he transitioned from painting to interactive installations. The interdisciplinary program at CCAD allowed him to break genre barriers and explore various mediums. Since then, Zane has been dedicated to his practice, creating shows, writing grants, and working as a contract art preparator for galleries and artists. He primarily works as a lead handler and audio-video technician at Beeler Gallery in Columbus.
Zane's creative process is akin to scientific exploration, where discoveries along the way inform the final outcome. His work often involves line, light, and reflection, challenging the perception of 2D and 3D spaces. He aims for participants to consider themselves in the space and respond to their perception of the experience.
Outside of his artistic practice, Zane has started a woodworking and welding business, designing and building large hardwood canvas stretchers, art crates, frames, and other specialty art supplies.
The Wellington Impact: Wellington gave Zane the freedom and confidence to explore and educate himself about various subjects. The school's supportive environment and the ability to work independently laid the groundwork for his artistic career. Zane appreciates the individualized attention he received, which helped him navigate his educational journey and develop a diverse skill set. He credits Wellington for instilling the understanding that progress in education often involves tackling less enjoyable subjects along the way.
One of Zane's favorite memories in the visual arts is working in the darkroom at Wellington, where he spent countless hours creating photograms and experimenting with darkroom processes. This early experience of asking "what if I do this?" and responding to the experiment with another question was foundational to his artistic development.
Zane's story highlights the importance of a supportive educational environment that encourages exploration and self-directed learning. His journey from a high school student experimenting in the darkroom to a multifaceted artist and business owner exemplifies the transformative power of education and the arts.