logo - Colorado Mountain College
Request Info |
Apply | Basecamp | Español

  • space-31px-heightABOUT
      • The CMC Life
        • Locations & Campuses
        • Snapshot
        • Videos & Tours
        • Residence Halls
        • Student Life
        • Athletics
        • Sustainable CMC
        • CMC Campus Store
        • CMC News
      • About CMC
        • About Us
        • Accreditation
        • Board of Trustees
        • President’s Office
        • CMC Senior Team
        • Strategic Plan; Vision, Mission, Values & Principles
        • CMC Foundation
        • Safety & Security
        • COVID-19 Information
        • Work for CMC
    • Close
  • cmc-slash-30px-2ptACADEMICS
      • Academics
        • Academic Pathways
        • Programs / Degrees
        • Academics at CMC
        • Academic Calendar
        • Academic Catalog
        • Study Abroad
        • Business & Industry
        • College Preparation
      • Classes
        • Classes
        • Community Education
        • HSE / GED
        • ESL / Clases de Inglés
        • High School-Concurrent
        • Registering Information
      • Support
        • Student Services
        • Libraries
        • Career Services
        • Textbooks / Learning Materials Program
        • Registrar’s Office
        • Transcripts
    • Close
  • cmc-slash-30px-2ptADMISSIONS
      • Admissions
        • Get Started - Admissions
        • Admissions Events
        • Parents & Families
        • Veterans & Military
        • New Student Orientation
        • Transfer to CMC
        • Your Right to Know
      • Cost + Financial Aid
        • Tuition & Costs
        • Special Tuition Rates
        • Net Price Calculator
        • How to Pay for College
        • Financial Aid
        • Scholarships
        • Payment Plan
    • Close
  • cmc-slash-30px-2ptCAMPUSES
      • Residential
        • Leadville
        • Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs
        • Steamboat Springs
      • Commuter
        • Aspen
        • Breckenridge & Dillon
        • Carbondale
        • Glenwood Springs
        • Rifle
        • Salida
        • Vail Valley at Edwards
      • Locations
        • Central Services
        • Morgridge Commons
    • Close
  • cmc-slash-30px-2ptALUMNI
    • Alumni
    • Close

Home / Zyzda, Cynthia

Cynthia Zyzda

Cynthia Zyzda, MFA

Professor of Visual Arts and Humanities
Affiliated Faculty, Sustainability Studies

970-870-4432 | czyzda@coloradomtn.edu


Location: Steamboat Springs
Office: Academic Building 247

Education

  • Master of Fine Art, Washington State University
  • Bachelor of Fine Art, University of Iowa
  • Undergraduate Foundation Year at Minneapolis College of Art & Design
  • Currently enrolled in the Illustration Program at the Denver Botanic Gardens

Growing up in a rural environment in Northwest Iowa formed Cynthia's ambitions and personality. The setting made her completely aware of the natural environment around her. There were fifteen acres to roam, plus more uninhabited area adjacent to her family's land. It was home to deer, foxes, pheasants, raccoons, opossums, a myriad of birds and more. Most of her time growing up was spent outdoors in the garden and hills with her siblings, cousins and many pets. Cynthia used the hills for exploration and to make things. Mud, weeds, broken branches, wings from fallen butterflies — all these became part of something she made with her hands. It was no surprise that art and the environment became her emphasis. The Minneapolis College of Art and Design, the University of Iowa and Washington State University provided Cynthia with excellent fundamental skills, an unwavering work ethic, and the determination to continue a lifelong career in the arts.

Cynthia has more than one avenue of artistic work, but at the core of her work are the need, desire and curiosity of investigation. On one hand, much of her work has been influenced by research of the natural world through both traditional methods of study and through experiential approaches. Her attention has recently turned toward additional forms that hearken to the delicate ecological relationships that provide balance and diversity on our planet.  While both volunteering at and working full time for the Montana Raptor Conservation Center, she experiences first-hand the effects of the human footprint on these magnificent indicator species. Now, she is compelled to make pieces that reflect that experience, especially as it relates to the ongoing issues of mercury and lead poisoning and the balance or imbalance between humans and other species.

Intuitive work is another means of investigation. Cynthia's work is a way of thinking that is both physical and mental. The action of working inspires thinking, and a reciprocal cycle ensues. The resultant forms are the artifacts of this associative process. Cynthia often experiments with nonverbal or abstract thoughts and combines these with environmental, social or cultural issues. Tastes, smells, sounds and sometimes colors translate into shapes or three-dimensional forms in her mind. She explores the visual components that make up those sometimes absurd and sometimes profound associations. But the answer is never as important to her as the many questions and meanings that can result. Her layering of social situations, tension, awkwardness and humor reflect the confusion of the time in which we live.

The next question, the next path, the next idea, the next change, is born from investigation. Cynthia’s life, teaching and work are about making reflections on this process to induce dialogue and thought…to arrive at the next question.

 

Skip footer and return to top

@Colorado Mountain College

Contact / Campus Locations / Maps

CMC Board of Trustees

CMC Foundation

Community & Partnerships

Departments / Contact

Directory of Faculty & Staff

Donate to CMC

Employment

Website

Site Feedback

Site Login

Legal

Student Consumer Information

Report a Concern/Incident @ CMC Cares

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Privacy Policy

logo - Colorado Mountain College

© 2023 / Colorado Mountain College
Administrative Office: +1-970-945-8691
802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

logo - Colorado Mountain College

© 2023 / Colorado Mountain College
Administrative Office: +1-970-945-8691 / 802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601