Michael Wertz : CV

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Illustration

1995-present • I specialize in Poster Design, Book Publishing, Music Industries, and Product. As an Illustrator, I am
tasked with creating culture as I respond to it. Our skills as culture-and-object makers is vitally important to cities in
need of revitalization. It is my goal to carry forward the skills of Arts and Crafts practitioners and inspire community.
I love the feel of ink on paper, and can spend a whole day in the studio mixing ink to get the perfect blue.

Education

1995 • BFA with Distinction, Illustration, California College of Arts and Crafts
1990 • BA, French Language and Culture, University of California, Santa Cruz

Teaching

2022-2027 • Chair, Illustration, California College of the Arts
2022-2027 • Associate Professor, Illustration, California College of the Arts
2016-2022 • Assistant Professor and Assistant Chair, Illustration, California College of the Arts
2025 • Faculty, Illustration, California College of the Arts Study Abroad in Paris
2024, 2026 • Instructor, Modern Mandalas, Mountain Yoga
2023 • Faculty, Illustration, California College of the Arts Study Abroad in Paris and London
2021-2022 • Assistant Professor, Pre-College Summer Session, California College of the Arts
2018-2019 • Screenprinting Workshops: Reach Ashland Youth Center
2012-2016 • Adjunct Professor, Illustration, California College of the Arts
2005 • Instructor, San Francisco Arts Education Project
1998-2002 • Lecturer, Illustration, California College of Arts and Crafts

Recent National Awards

2025 • American Illustration 44 (Published)
2024 • American Illustration 43 (Published)
2023 • American Illustration 42 (Chosen)
2022 • American Illustration 41 (Chosen)
2021 • American Illustration 40 (Published)
2020 • Society of Illustrators 32
2020 • 3x3 International Illustration Annual
2019 • American Illustration 37 (Chosen)
2019 • Society of Illustrators 31
2018 • American Illustration 36 (Chosen)
2018 • 3x3 International Illustration Annual
2018 • Society of Illustrators 30
2016 • 3x3 International Illustration Annual
2013 • Communication Arts Illustration Annual

Recent Exhibitions

2026 • “It Could Be Wertz” performance at Artists Television Access and Shapeshifers Cinema
2026 • Solo Print Show at The Academy, SF
2021, 2024, 2025 • Group Show. American Illustration, New York City
2025 • Group Show: Fairyland @ 75, Oakland Museum of California
2024 • Solo Show. Bona Vada, San Francisco
2024 • Take Action: Group Show, Novack Gallery, San Francisco
2024 • Art + Pride: Group Show, Harvey Milk Photo Center, San Francisco
2023 • “Pet Parade” Group Show at Disney Family Museum, San Francisco
2023 • Print Show. Hey There Projects, Joshua Tree
2023 • “Stories of Us” Group Show, CCA Campus Gallery, San Francisco
2022 • Group Show. Hey There Projects, Joshua Tree
2022, 2025, 2026 • Post-It Show, Giant Robot, Los Angeles
2021 • Solo Show. Mars Records, Oakland
2021 • Group Show. Harvey Milk Photo Center, San Francisco

Selected Clients

Products: Google, Bay Area Bookfest, Bay Area Rapid Transit, Fort George Brewery, Lollapalooza,
VoteVoteVote, Nike, Camelbak, Converse, John Prine, Pottery Barn, Levi Strauss, Equator Coffees,
Rickshaw Bagworks, Oaklandish, Hostelling International, Temporary Residence, Ltd.

Institutions: California Academy of Sciences, The Grove Restaurant, City of Oakland, Children’s Fairyland,
DeYoung Museum, Exploratorium, SFMOMA, Oakland Museum, SF International Film Festival, The United Way,
National Park Service, Fillmore Auditorium, The Warfield, Driveway Follies (Oakland),
Oakland Marathon, 826 Valencia, The Castro Theatre

Editorial: Storycorps, ESPN, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The San Francisco Chronicle,
Los Angeles Times, Mills College, Wired UK

Publishing: West Margin Press, HeyDay Books, Farrar Strauss Giroux, Chronicle Books, Zest Books,
Developmental Studies Center, San Francisco Center for the Book

Bibliography

2020 • Golden Gate Park, an A to Z Adventure, West Margin Press
2017 • ABC Oakland, HeyDay Books
2015 • A Spectacular Selection of Sea Critters, Millbook Press
2011 • A Dazzling Display of Dogs, Random House
2011 • Dog Dreams, Gingko Press
2009 • A Curious Collection of Cats, Tricycle Press

Artist Residencies

2021, 2026 • In Cahoots Printmaking Residency
2024, 2025, 2026 • Winslow House, Vallejo, CA

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