Mr. Lies has been teaching Visual Arts at Century High School in the Bismarck Public Schools since he began his teaching career over 20 years ago.  He graduated from The University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Visual Art Major and an Athletic Coaching Minor.  Mr. Lies also serves as the Boys’ Cross Country coach and as an assistant coach for Boys’ Track.

Mr. Lies’ artist statement is the following:  “As a North Dakotan through and through, I like to incorporate and use objects from the state to produce combine paintings.  Combine paintings incorporate various objects into a painted canvas surface, creating a sort of hybrid between painting and sculpture.  The term combine was first used to describe Robert Rauschenberg's works of art.  I enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being able to use multiple techniques when producing my works of art.”

Mrs. Jacobson has been teaching visual arts at Century High School in the Bismarck Public Schools since she began her teaching career over 7 years ago.  She graduated from Bismarck State College and earned an Associate’s Arts Degree in 2005.   After BSC she pursued her desire for painting and enrolled in the visual arts program at North Dakota State University.  She graduated in the fall of 2007 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting.  After NDSU she pursued her teaching license from Dickinson State University.  Mrs. Jacobson is also the Art Club advisory.

Mrs. Jacobson’s artist statement is the following:  "I am fascinated by the similarities found in the fluid lines, graceful movements, and diverse forms of the female figure and organic forms. In my oil pastel drawings and acrylic paintings I use the human figure and tree forms to express my life experiences and emotions through the use of color, texture, and light.

Mrs. Ruchti is in her third year at Century High School. This year is her first year teaching since her graduation from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts Education. Mrs. Ruchti grew up in Bismarck and is eager to be here and continue to build connections throughout the school and her community. 

Mrs. Ruchti’s artist statement is the following: “I’m inspired by the creativity within students and their drive to learn new ways of making art. From this inspiration, I find myself changing mediums frequently and learning new ways to create. I am drawn to hand built and sculpted forms along with the relaxing nature of drawing and painting. I find new hobbies frequently to allow myself to continue learning. Those hobbies include weaving, soldering, decorative painting, etc.”