Concerning this Concern
Dan Ibarra is a seritypographipedagogephemeraudioscribist.
Ibarra began his creative career at the conclusion of the twentieth century, earning recognition as a young graphic designer with a recording package design Grammy nomination in 2000 — ultimately losing to Madonna.
From 2000 through 2016 he was co-owner of Aesthetic Apparatus, a studio defined by its blend of hand-printed posters, graphic design, and entrepreneurism. In his tenure there, the studio was highlighted in publications including Communication Arts Magazine, Creative Review, Swindle, and Rolling Stone, and featured in dozens of published poster and design anthologies. His poster work has been selected in numerous art and design competitions, including a silver medal and a "Special Recognition For Excellence In Handcrafted Posters" in the 2008 and 2010 Chicago International Poster Biennial. Ibarra has lectured internationally, and exhibited in solo, group, and touring exhibitions, most notably the Walker Art Center's curated 2011 exhibition "Graphic Design: Now in Production."
In 2015, Ibarra's entrepreneurial concern merged with his growing interest in art eduction to produce Schoolhaus; an experimental community art school blending continuing arts education, storefront schools, and peer mentorship.
In 2024 he earned his Creative Writing MFA with a focus in creative nonfiction from Augsburg University.
Currently, Ibarra is an Assistant Professor in Art & Design at Augsburg University, where in 2022 he was awarded the Lyz Wendland honorary "My Laptop Was Stolen" Award. He is also custodian of Thriving Concern, his self-publishing arm for creative projects, and co-owner of the design + branding studio Face of the Earth. He lives in Minneapolis with his daughter, his dog, her cat, and their thirty-nine plants. He is captivated by the creative process.
Additional Concerns
Designer: Face of the Earth (2018–PRESENT)
Assistant Professor: Augsburg University, Dept. of Art and Design (2016–PRESENT)
Notable Past Concerns
Principal: Aesthetic Apparatus (1999–2016)
Adjunct Faculty: MCAD (2005–2010)
Exhibitions
“Garnish” (Solo Show) Gage Gallery, Augsburg University • 2019
POP MUSIC 1967-2017 Graphism & musique (Group Show) Cité Internationale Des Arts, Paris, Fr · 2018
East Coast Screenprint Biennial (Group Show) Arts Center, Troy, NY · 2014
NORTHERN SPARK (Print Workshop/Performance) MCBA, Minneapolis, MN · 2014
NATIONAL POSTER RETROSPECTICUS (Group Show) Touring Exhibition· 2013
“D.I.Y. PRINTING (Group Show) MMAA, St. Paul, MN · 2013
“GIG!” Rock Poster Exhibition (Group Show) Warner Brothers Studios, Los Angeles, CA· 2012
“Graphic Design: Now in Production” (Group Show) Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN ·2012
“PRO/CONFETTI” (Solo Show) Rotofugi Gallery, Chicago, IL · 2012
“Dead Wood” Print Folio (Contributor/Organizer) MAPC Conference, Minneapolis, MN · 2011
“Canktankerous Hellfighter” (Collaboration with Delicious Design League) The Family Room, Chicago, IL · 2010
“AAXI: Ten Years of Aesthetic Apparatus, One Year Late” (Solo Show) Minneapolis College of Art and Design · 2010
Art Crank (Group Show) Minneapolis, MN · 2009-2011
“Whose Piss Is This?” (Solo Show) First Amendment, Minneapolis, MN · 2008
“Cheap and Derivative” (Solo Show)OX-OP Gallery, Minneapolis, MN · 2006
“Poster Retrospective” (Solo Show) Subliminal Galley, Los Angeles, CA · 2006
“Poster Retrospective” (Solo Show) 9th St. Entry Gallery , St. Paul, MN · 2006
“Graphic Noise: Posters at 1,000 dBs” (Group Show) MCAD · 2006
“The Birthday Show” (Group Show) SSCA, Minneapolis, MN · 2005
“ENORM-O-PRINTS”, Foundation Gallery (Solo Show) Chicago, IL · 2005
“Almost Elegant”, Carlsten Gallery (Solo Show) UW, Stevens Point · 2004
“Plaster the Town”, Back Alley Gallery (Group Show) Minneapolis, MN · 2004
OX-OP Gallery (Solo Show) Minneapolis, MN · 2004
Flatland Gallery (Solo Show) Minneapolis, MN · 2003
Wendy Cooper Gallery (Two Person Show) Madison, WI · 2002