Independent School Art Instructors Association

Brief Biography of our Artist-Educator Keynote Speaker

Near this year’s ISAIA host (Brooks School), Jim Dow was born in Boston. He received both his BFA and MFA in the region as well, respectively earning his Graphic Design and Photography degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design. Between his school days and now, Dow has enjoyed noteworthy exhibitions, awards and book publications. One of his recent solo exhibitions, entitled “Eat and Drink,” was showcased at Janet Borden Gallery in Manhattan. Recent Groups Shows have included Dow’s work at the Barbican in London and the Brooklyn Art Museum. He has received recognition and support from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Griffin Museum of Photography has awarded Jim Dow with a Lifetime Achievement Focus Award - in his dual roles as photographer and teacher. He has recently retired from a long career instructing and inspiring many artists; SMFA at Tufts awarded Dow with the title of Emeritus in 2020. His work can be viewed in the school’s collection, many museums, and in books; the two he has authored are titled Marking the Land and American Studies.

A list of member schools in attendance of the 2024 Conference:

• Rutgers Preparatory School

• Milton Academy

• Brooks School

• Hotchkiss

• Deerfield Academy

• Trinity-Pawling

• Rowland Hall

• Pomfret

• St. Sebastian

• Moses Brown

• Princeton Day School

• Friends School of Baltimore

• Dexter Southfield