CANTON, Mo. 鈥 Jennifer Bock-Nelson, assistant professor of studio art at 91直播, has been named a recipient of the Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities, a highly competitive honor that recognizes one artist from each of nine states that are members of the Arts Midwest organization.
The award, supported by the James Edward Scherbarth and Paul Francis Mosley Giving Fund, celebrates mid-career artists who embody creativity and resilience. For Bock-Nelson, who lives with Tourette鈥檚 Syndrome, the recognition affirms both her artistic journey and her role as a mentor to students.
鈥淚 was hesitant to apply because I know others face larger obstacles,鈥 she said. 鈥淭ourette鈥檚 is something I鈥檝e often sought to hide, but naming my disability embraces my neurodiversity and speaks to the challenges I鈥檝e faced. I don鈥檛 know if I would be an artist if I didn鈥檛 have Tourette鈥檚; it shaped how I see the world and gave me the ability to hyperfocus on details, time, and perspective.鈥
Bock-Nelson鈥檚 work explores perception, balance, and the tension between order and chaos. She draws on satellite images and underwater recordings to offer viewers a fresh perspective on the world around them. Recently, she has begun experimenting with light and prisms, inspired by her travels to places like Alaska鈥檚 glaciers.
In addition to her own artistic practice, Bock-Nelson is dedicated to helping Culver-Stockton students find their creative voices. She encourages a growth mindset in the studio and often shares her own missteps as part of the learning process.
鈥淚 hope all my students, especially those who are neurodivergent, feel valued for what they contribute to art and society,鈥 she said.
Earlier this year, she also received an individual artist grant from the Illinois Arts Council. With the support of these honors, Bock-Nelson is entering a new chapter in her career, pursuing exhibitions, residencies, and new creative projects.
鈥淐hallenges can be obstacles or opportunities for growth,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his award recognizes that art continues in spite of, and often because of, our differences. I hope my story inspires others to embrace their own unique perspectives.鈥
See Bock-Nelson鈥檚 work at . For more information about majoring in art at 91直播 visit, /majors/art/.
Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.
NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person鈥檚 name (i.e. Jane Doe 鈥18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor鈥檚 degree from Culver-Stockton.