Information
Aaron C. Packard has scuba-dived in the desert, been lost and found
his way in Tokyo, lived on nothing but room service and airplane food,
been a Navy squid, spent a summer playing a pirate, flipped burgers for
the rich, famous, and flamboyant, been a bike messenger, and has
habitually hung off the back of motorcycles facing the wrong direction…
Aaron began his photographic career in the time of film, Polaroid,
and chemistry, moving with the industry into the digital world. He has
been a working commercial and editorial photographer in Southeast
South Dakota since 2002. Previously Aaron had been a photographer’s
assistant, producer, and photographer in the commercial market of San
Francisco, California for 10 years. As an assistant he learned the
commercial photographic industry from some of the best in the business
and became highly sought after in the region.
Along with his production of fine art work, Aaron continues taking
commercial and editorial commissions.
Aaron C Packard Productions
7 Center St Vermillion, SD 57069
aaron@aaronpackard.com
Education
2017 MFA, Photography, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
2014 BFA, Photography, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
Solo Exhibitions
2020 Networks of Noise, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins, MN
2016 Networks of Noise, 7 Center Street Studio, Vermillion, SD
2014 Camera Obscura, LumoStudios & Gallery, Vermillion, SD
2014 Self Portrait, Gallery 110, Vermillion SD
2012 Fortieth, LumoStudios & Gallery, Vermillion, SD
Two Person Exhibitions
2017 Networks of Ambiguity, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD (with Kasey Prudhomme)
Group Exhibitions
2020 6x6x2020: International Small Art Phenomenon, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester, NY
2020 PO-MO II, Selçuk University, Selçuk, Turkey
2020 Odyssey, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD (Juried by Cory Knedler, Lisa McElrath, and Becky McElroy)
2019 VAAC 1st Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition, First Dakota National Bank Coyote Gallery, Vermillion, SD
2019-20 South Dakota Governor’s 8th Biennial Art Exhibition, South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings; Dahl Arts Center, Rapid City; John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, and Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD (Juried by Lynn Verschoor, Denise Du Broy, Meagan Dion, and Kate Skelly)
2019 Greetings From, Squirrel Haus Arts, Minneapolis, MN
2019 Correspondance, Lien d’Art Contemporain, Strasboug, France
2019 6x6x2019: International Small Art Phenomenon, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester, NY
2019 Celebrate, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
2018 Glass Kosmos, Gallery 110, Vermillion, SD
2018 Benefit, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha, NE
2018 Escape, Red Garage Studio, Minneapolis, MN
2018 Benefit, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha, NE
2016-18 South Dakota Governor’s 7th Biennial Art Exhibition, Dahl Arts
Center, Rapid City; South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings, John A.
DayGallery, Vermillion, and Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
(Juried by Lynn Verschoor, Denise Du, Broy, Megan Dion, and
Michelle St. Vrain)
2014-16 South Dakota Governor’s 6th Biennial Art Exhibition, Dahl Arts
Center, Rapid City; South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings, John A.
Day Gallery, Vermillion, and Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
(Juried by Christopher Atkins)
2017 30th Annual Stilwell Exhibition, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD
2016 15th Annual Lessedra World Art Mini-Print Exhibit, Lessedra
Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria (Juried by Kalli Kalde, Anita Klein, Luce,
and Jan Welles)
2016 29th Annual Stilwell Exhibition, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD
(Juried by Larry Schuh)
2016 MFA Graduate Student Exhibition, Bede Art Gallery, Yankton, SD
2015 28th Annual Stilwell Exhibition, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD
(Juried by Liz Bashore Heeren)
2015 University Invitational, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
2015 The ND/SD Photography Survey, Jamestown Art Center,
Jamestown, ND; University of Mary, Bismarck, ND; Ellendale Opera
House, Ellendale, ND; James Memorial Art Center, Williston, ND;
Northwest Art Center, Minot, ND; Memorial Union Gallery, Fargo,
ND; Dickinson State University Gallery, Dickinson, SD; Northern
Lights Gallery, Mayville, ND; Mount Marty University, Yankton, SD;
Cultural Heritage Museum, Pierre, SD; University of Sioux Falls,
Sioux Falls, SD; Over Museum, Vermillion, SD; Dahl Art Center,
Rapid City, SD
2012 The 50 States Project, Online Exhibition,
www.stuartpilkington.co.uk/50states (Juried by Stuart Plinkington)
Awards and Grants
2016 Graduate Academic & Creative Research Grant, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
2015 Honorable Mention Professional: Advertising Other_AD, International Photography Awards, Los Angeles, CA
2015 Elements of Advertising Silver, National American Advertising Awards Silver, Las Vegas, NV
2015 Campaign Gold, American Advertising Federation District 8, Minneapolis, MN
2013 Campaign Silver, American Advertising Federation District 8, Minneapolis, MN
2011 Campaign Gold, American Advertising Federation District 8, Minneapolis, MN
2009 Point-of-Purchase Silver, South Dakota Advertising Federation, Sioux Falls, SD
2008 Elements of Advertising Silver, South Dakota Advertising Federation, Sioux Falls, SD
Presentations
“The Palladium Print,” Art, Presentation, IdeaFest, Vermillion, SD, April 15, 2015
“S.T.E.M. Versus S.T.E.A.M.,” Art, panelist, IdeaFest, Vermillion, SD, April 15, 2015
Teaching Experience
2010-Present Adjunct Instructor, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, (Courses Included Digital Photography I & II, Alternative Processes, and Drawing)
2010-2012 Adjunct Instructor, University Center Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD, (Digital Photography I)
Professional Experience
2002-Present Commercial/Editorial/Fine Art Photographer, Aaron Packard Productions, Vermillion, SD
(The Legendary Buffalo Chip, Black Hills Ammunition, New York Times, Huffington Post, GuidePosts, Bloomberg News, Mount Marty College, University of St. Thomas, Family Circle, Out Door Life, Avera McKennan Health Systems, Sanford School of Medicine, eWEEK, Government Technology, Stamats, University of South Dakota, Bank of the West, First National Bank, and numerous private individuals)
2005-2007 Information Specialist/Photographer, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
2000-2002 Professional Freelance Photographer/Producer, Aaron Packard Photography, San Francisco, CA
(CDW, Mervyn’s California, HSI Design, Antenna Audio, Juin Ho Design, and Buzzabaloobeez Recording Compan)
1997-2000 First Assistant, Menuez Pictures, Mill Valley, CA
(IBM, Microsoft, Sysco Systems, Disney, General Motors, Kia, Saturn, Champion USA, and numerous editorial publications)
Selected Bibliography
Panerio, Mary. “A Photo Adventure of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip® by Aaron Packard,” Sturgis Rider News, Buffalo Chip, SD. August 21, 2017.
Laughton, Jean. “Aaron C. Packard: The States Project: South Dakota,” Lenscratch, Los Angeles, CA. Febraury 24, 2016.
Goldman, Barbara, “Aaron Packard Wins Addy for Black Hills Ammunition Campaign,” PhotoServe, New York, NY. June 17, 2015.
Smith, Jeff, “Too Hot to Handle: 7 Smokin’ Pics of Poster Model Jesyca,” Sturgis Rider News, Buffalo Chip, SD. May 25, 2017.
Goldman, Barbara, “Aaron Packard Shoots for Buffalo Chip Gazette,” PhotoServe, New York, NY. July 31, 2011.
Professional Organizations
Chamber of Commerce, Vermillion, SD
Nikon Professional Services, Melville, NY
South Dakota Advertising Federation, Sioux Falls, SD