Gianna Masi (b. 2004)
Artist Statement
Connection through imagery is something I strive to attain most. Using self portraiture, vibrant palettes, and perhaps unusual imagery I attempt to connect with my audience and provide commentary on life's abnormalities and mysteries.
Most of my work explores my inner self, often featuring the parts of the world that are overlooked or considered undesirable.
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Artist and honors student completing Bachelors in Visual Arts at Montclair State University with effectiveness in fine art mediums, art history, a working proficiency in digital platforms, and experience in the education field within assistant teacher and studio positions. Thorough volunteer experience at various artist galleries and main contributor to forming OCC Art Club at Ocean County College. Striving to become a fine arts professor while maintaining involvement in creative communities and freelance art making.
SKILLS
Community Outreach, Fine & Digital Arts, Creativity & Innovation, Working Knowledge of Adobe Programs, Canva, & Procreate, Teaching & Guiding Others
EXPERIENCE
Freelance Artist, July 2021 – Current
Produced clientele-based artwork on a consistent basis, engaging in custom creative requests
Created portraiture, murals, graphic designs (logos, flyers, apparel) appeasing to the clients’ requests efficiently and realistically
Featured in various publications, college exhibitions, guest on artist podcast, community murals, thesis collaborations
Education & General Museum Intern, May 2026 – August 2026
Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University; Noyes Arts Garage, Atlantic City NJ
Assisted with planning and implementation of art classes for adults and children (5-13 years) in the Arts Garage & the Noyes Art Camp while supporting students as they navigate new materials and learning objectives
Researched and composed exhibition museum guides and created educational, artistic activities in relation to the museum’s history and exhibits
Aided in exhibition installation, label creation, and staging the gallery to be ready for reception while managing museum collections, streamlining decoy displays
Preschool Assistant Teacher, June 2023 – August 2026
Farmingdale Christian Daycare Center, Farmingdale NJ
CPR Certified; American Heart Association
Pre-Kindergarten: Assisted and educated within activities (storytelling, arts & crafts, STEM, real-world applications, motor skills, communication), supported lead teacher in classroom management.
Daycare & Summer Camp: Attended to children (2-12 years), provided safety, care (diaper changing, feeding, naptime, cleanliness), basic education, teach values, safety, health, and ethics. Used effective classroom management tools, as well as consistently and proficiently communicating with parents/guardians.
Studio Assistant, Sept. 2024 – May 2025
Ocean County College Fine Arts Department, Toms River NJ
Tutored and guided fine arts and graphic design students through critiques, material technique, and navigating studios helping excel their artistic needs
Maintained three studios’ cleanliness, organization and performed required studio tasks: Hanging artwork, creating class examples, attending and arranging events, curating flyers, assisting within classes, and helping organize exhibitions and events
Connected with high school students as a Teen Arts Festival Student Adjudicator and Presenter, provided advice as a transitioning art student and advocating for community college as a valuable educational option
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s of Arts Degree, Visual Arts, May 2028
Montclair State University: College of the Arts
GPA 4.0; NJ STARS II, Phi Theta Kappa, John Martinson Honors EDGE Program
Associate’s Degree, Fine Arts, December 2025
Ocean County College
GPA 4.0; NJ STARS, Phi Theta Kappa, Psi Beta Honor Society, Sigma Kappa Delta
Honors by Contract Program: Curated Independent Artistic Research
Art Club Student Advisor: Helped relaunch Art Club and curate online community of 90+ members. Club activities involved product creation, conducting community outreach, workshops, flyers & design work, tabling events, collaborations, participate in student panel discussion, club projects, & social media management
Achievements: President’s Honors List 4/4, Awarded & Displayed in Summer Artwork Exhibitions, Excellence Honors by Contract 2nd Place Presentation
Jackson Art Academy, June 2023
GPA 4.72; Class Rank 7
National Art Honor Society President, AP Scholar Award, Senior Art Department Award, Teens Arts Festival Exhibition, Academy Internship teaching an oil pastel workshop
ACTIVE ARTS ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT
Ocean County Artists’ Guild Executive Board Recording Secretary; Member and Volunteer, gallery sitting, assisting at events, custom designs, recording secretary meeting minutes, flyer creation & goal to advocate for youth and diverse artist communities
TRAC Toms River Artist Community Volunteer and Member; assisting children’s art classes, maintenance of studio, role in Community Medical Center “Kindness” Mural
Ocean County Artist Network Member; attending artist networking events, assisting at events, community outreach
AWARDS, INSTALLATIONS/DISPLAYS, & FEATURES
2026
Awarded in the Ocean County College Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit, "Maggot Migraine Pt. 1-3," & "Mini Me;" "Hooked" & "Rotten Candy also displayed
Awarded Scholarships: Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Art Scholarship, Who's Who Among Students at Ocean County College Elected & Scholarship, Dr. Blackwell Sawyer Memorial Scholarship (OCC Foundations)
Displayed in Over the Moon Art Studio's "(Not) A Surrealist Show," "Crash" & "Charred"
Displayed in Ocean County College Student Run Photography & Fine Art Gallery, "Rotten Candy"
Featured in Ocean County College Seascape Art & Literary Magazine, "Set The Table;" "Whole;" "Perfect"
Featured in Paradox Flesh #2 Zine by IG: @endo__, "A Salt"
2025
Awarded 1st Place in the Ocean County College Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit, "A Salt;" "Deficient" also displayed
Excellence Award & 2nd Place Scholarship in recognition for "The Impact of Goya's Artwork" Honors Project at Ocean County College, followed by a presentation of the project to the college
Awarded Scholarship: Joseph And Lydia Cilento Memorial Art (OCC Foundations)
President's Honors List x4 (2024-2025) at Ocean County College
Installation: Toms River Artist Community (TRAC) Collaborative "Kindness Grows" Mural at RWJBarnabas Health's Community Medical Center
Featured Cover of Ocean County College Seascape Art & Literary Magazine, "We Are Beautiful Too;" "Gust" & "The Perfect Tool" also featured
Featured in Ocean County Artists' Guild Art & Literary Magazine, "Mute"
Featured Interview on Sherri Keikilani's "Artist Talks"
2024
Awarded Scholarship: William Hess Scholarship (OCC Foundations)
Displayed in Ocean County College Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit, "Abstract Portrait," "Negatively Happy," "Body," "Hands In Action," "Underwater Passport," & "Crash"
Displayed in Allaire State Park Photography Exhibit
2023
Awarded 2nd Place in Ocean County Mental Health Creative Expressions Art Contest, "Falling Out"
Awarded 3rd Place in Ocean County Advanced Placement Art Contest
Awarded as an AP Scholar
Senior Art Department Award at Jackson Memorial High School
Outstanding Academic Achievement x4 (2019-2023) at Jackson Memorial High School
Displayed in Ocean County Teen Arts Festival Exhibit
