Information
Aaron C. Packard is a mad scientist who manipulates the aesthetic of personal perception… In other words, he is an innovative artist who specializes in traditional and alternative photography in order to create epic compositions. Despite earning his MFA in Photography and teaching at the University of South Dakota, Aaron’s adventures influence his work. He used to scuba-dive in the desert, he lost and found his way in Tokyo, lived on nothing but room service and airplane food for years, was a Navy squid, spent a summer playing a pirate, flipped burger for the rich and flamboyant, was a bike messenger, and he habitually hangs off the backs 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. Since 2002, he’s been a working commercial and editorial photographer based in Southeast South Dakota. Previously, Aaron was a photographer’s assistant, producer, and photographer in the commercial market of San Francisco, California.
Currently, Aaron specializes in photographing corporate/editorial portraits and lifestyle, as well as product based still-life imagery. While he employs the latest in digital capture technology for his clients, Aaron greatly enjoys combining traditional analog photographic processes with digital production in the creation of truly unique images in his commercial work. With these creative processes Aaron has regularly produced award-winning projects for clients including Jackalope, the University of South Dakota, Black Hills Ammunition, Avera Health, and Moon House Studio.
Aaron C Packard Productions
Packard Group LLC
7 Center St Vermillion, SD 57069
(605) 670-2601
aaron@aaronpackard.com
Education
2017 MFA, Photography, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
2014 BFA, Photography, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
Certifications
2019-Present Part 107 UAV/Drone Pilot Certified
Professional Experience
2017-Present: Visual Editor, Marketing & University Relations, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
2002-Present: Commercial/Editorial/Fine Art Photographer, Aaron C. 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)
1989-1993: US NAVY (enlisted) Opticalman
Professional Organizations
ASMP - American Society of Media Photographers
NPPA - National Press Photographers Association
Sony Professional Services, New York, NY
Vermillion Area Arts Council, Vermillion, SD
Chamber of Commerce, Vermillion, SD
South Dakota Advertising Federation, Sioux Falls, SD
Solo Exhibitions
2022: Hyper-Photomontage, Johnson Fine Arts Center Gallery, Aberdeen, SD
2020: Networks of Noise, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins, MN
2020: Aaron C. Packard, The Beard Gallery, Frotone, Italy
2016: Networks of Noise, No. 7 Center, 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
2020: Klaire Skull Goth-o-Rama, No 7. Center, Vermillion, SD (with Klaire A. Lockheart)
2017: Networks of Ambiguity, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD (with Kasey Prudhomme)
Group Exhibitions
2022: Femininity in the Post-Apocalypse, Washington Street Arts Center, Vermillion, SD
2022: Alumni Art Exhibit, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD
2022: Boosting the Signal, Nickle Plate Arts, Noblesville, IL
2022: Care, Muenster University Gallery, Vermillion, SD
2022: ARTcetera 2022, Sioux City Arts Center, Sioux City, IA
2021: Packard Group National Exhibition 2021, No. 7 Center, Vermillion, SD
2021: Pandemic: The Art of Survival, Center for Western Studies, Sioux Falls, SD
2021: 75% Packard 25% Lockheart, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD (with Ahna Packard, Phyllis W. Packard, and Klaire A. Lockheart)
2020: 6x6x2020: International Small Art Phenomenon, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester, NY
2020: PO-MO II Selçuk University, Selçuk, Turkey
2020: Project Ms. Assembled Reformation, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD
2020: Odyssey, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD (Juried by Cory Knedler, Lisa McElrath, and Becky McElroy)
2020: Subversive Celebration: International Altered Card Exhibition, Gallery 110, Vermillion, SD
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
2016-18: South Dakota Governor’s 7th 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 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, (Juried by Stuart Plinkington)
Awards and Grants
2020: Honorable Mention Fine Art: Portrait, International Photography Awards, Los Angeles, CA
2020: Best of Show, American Advertising Federation-Black Hills, Rapid City, SD
2020: Elements of Advertising Still Photography Gold, American Advertising Federation-Black Hills, Rapid City, SD
2020: Print Advertising Magazine Silver, American Advertising Federation-Black Hills, Rapid City, SD
2020: Sales & Marketing Catalog Gold, American Advertising Federation-Black Hills, Rapid City, SD
2020: South Dakota Artist Emergency Relief Fund, Arts South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD and Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, MN
2020: Merit Award, Project Ms. Assembled Reformation, John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion, SD
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)
Selected Bibliography
Miles Amende, “Packard Exhibition held as drive-in event,” Volante, Vermillion, SD, April 06, 2021
Anson Mareus, “Popular artists offer new exhibits in visual arts center,” KELO, Sioux Falls, SD, March 22, 2021
Riva Sharples, “Artwork By Vermillion Family On Display At Washington Pavilion,” Plain Talk, Vermillion, SD, February 26, 2021
Dave Holly, “Episode 68,” Dave Holly Hour, February 25, Sioux Fall, SD, 2021
Stephen Thurman, “Aaron Packard’s Epically Masked Photos Win International Award,” Arts Alive, Sioux Falls, SD, February 2021
Riva Sharples, “Have Fun Tonight, Friday The 13th, At Lockheart, Packard Art Reception,” Plain Talk, Vermillion, SD, March 13, 2020
Katy Beem, "Southeast South Dakota Creates," SDPB Magazine, Vermillion, SD. February, 2020
Panerio, Mary. “An Insider's View of the Outsiders: The Sturgis Buffalo Chip through Aaron Packard's Lens,” Sturgis Rider News, Buffalo Chip, SD. August 21, 2019
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
Goldman, Barbara, “Aaron Packard Shoots for Buffalo Chip Gazette,” PhotoServe, New York, NY. July 31, 2011
Exhibition Juried and Curated
2021: Morningside Student Art Show, Eppley Gallery, Sioux City, IA
2021: Scholastic Art Awards for South Dakota, Gallery 110, Vermillion, SD
2020: All Geared Up and Nowhere to Go, Washington Street Arts Center, Vermillion, SD
2020: Vermillion's Private Collection, First Dakota Coyote Gallery, Vermillion, SD
2020: Vermillion Area Arts Council Solo Exhibition Series, Washington Street Arts Center, Vermillion, SD
2020: Scholastic Art Awards for South Dakota, Gallery 110, Vermillion, SD