Catherine Schrenker
Educated as a graphic designer, Catherine Schrenker, taught color theory and graphic design for almost twenty years, including nine years at the University of Notre Dame. She received her Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) from the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Her research while at Notre Dame led to her work with color, emotions, and behavior and she became a distinguished pioneer in color theory and the integral role color plays in our emotions and behavior.
Internationally, Catherine has lived and worked as a graphic designer in Den Haag, Netherlands. She has lived and worked in Warsaw, Poland and taught “The Philosophy of Color” at Warsaw University. In 2004, Catherine moved to Southwest Virginia and co-founded Integrated Health Concepts (IHC) of Bristol, Tennessee with her brother, James H. Schrenker M.D primarily working with education, marketing, and community outreach; helping the public to understand the importance of an emotional connection in the healing process and pulling in her expertise with color and emotions. IHC remains a prominent medical resource center for the region. In 2010 Catherine was the national spokesperson for “The Color Prescription” campaign for Freshaire Choice paint brand, carried exclusively at The Home Depot, which gave her the opportunity to travel and speak throughout the United States.
In 2014, The Town of Marion, Virginia, hired Schrenker to serve in the Department of Community and Economic Development and runThe Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts, a 501c3 organization. As founding director, she has envisioned and implemented music, craft and art programs that reach a national level, and highlight the rich cultural heritage of our southern Appalachian region.
She serves on the Board of Directors for The Henderson Music Festival , and is president of The Art League of Marion (which sponsors The Hungry Mother Festival), Round The Mountain, and Friends of Mount Rogers. She is a member of New Traditions Quilt Guild, Marion, Virginia and The Hamilton Type Museum, Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
She also serves on the grant review panel for Area 1 with The Virginia Commission of the Arts and works with the Mid-Atlantic Arts Council.
Education
Cranbrook Academy of Art / Bloomfield Hills, MI / 1987 / MFA
Indiana University / Bloomington, IN / 1984 / BFA
Teaching
Emory & Henry College / Department of Art / Department of Social Sciences / 2022 - Present
Executive Director / The Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts / 2014- Present
University of Notre Dame / Assistant Professor of Design / 1991-2001
Indiana University / Assistant Professor of Design / 1987-1991
Eastern Michigan University / Instructor / 1985-1987
Research
Faculty Exchange Program / 1996 / Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland
Exchange with Philosophy Department, taught Doctorate and Graduate level courses regarding “The Philosophy of Color”.
Summer Research Grant / 1994 / The Fine Art of Design: Polish Poster Art Warsaw, Poland
Color and Subliminal Communication in Advertising / March 1996 / Warsaw University, Department of Aesthetics / Warsaw, Poland
Explorations in Color Therapy / February, 1996 / The American School of Warsaw / Psychology Department / Warsaw, Poland
Color as Non-Verbal Communication / March, 1996 / The American School of Warsaw / Psychology Department / Warsaw, Poland
Utilizing Color for Successful Product Design / April, 1996 / Caersbach and Associates / (German Company based in Warsaw) / Warsaw, Poland
Experiential Learning in the Classroom / October, 1995 / Center for Social Concerns / University of Notre Dame (invited speaker)
Partners in Education: Statewide Conference / April 1995 /Bringing Together K-12 and Higher Education / Speaker and Workshop Leader: Experiential Learning and the Arts / IUPUI Department of Philanthropy
Professional Experience
National Spokesperson / The Freshaire Choice Brand Paint / The Home Depot / 2010-2011 / National media tours and interviews regarding Freshaire Choice “Color Perscription Campaign”
Faculty Member in Good Standing / National Guild of Hypnotists / 2007-2013
Co-Founder/Marketing Director / Integrated Health Concepts, LLC / 2003-2008
Director of Education / Integrated Health Concepts, LLC / 2007-2008 / Created IHC’s Continuing Education Program: Authored, implemented certification program with IACET specifications. (International Association of Continuing Education Training)
Bristol, Tennessee
Consultant/Author/Designer / Catherine Poole Communications / 2001-2014 / Published the book Everyday Lessons, 2004 Traveled, spoke, presented workshops on color and emotions.
Open gallery
