David J. Winsch
Visual Artist | Art Educator | Arts Advocate
David J. Winsch is a Wyoming-based visual artist and dedicated art educator with over 17 years of experience fostering creativity in the classroom and beyond. Specializing in printmaking, drawing, and ceramics, his work explores the natural world through an abstract and textural lens, with a particular focus on strappo monoprinting.
David’s passion for art education is evident in his leadership roles within the Wyoming Art Education Association (WYAEA), where he has served as President, Treasurer, and Media Coordinator, among other positions. He is also a strong advocate for choice-based learning, technology integration in the arts, and interdisciplinary curriculum development. His expertise has led him to present at state and national conferences, contribute to curriculum standards, and mentor future art educators.
Beyond education, David actively participates in the Wyoming arts community, serving on advisory councils and contributing to public art initiatives. His artistic practice is deeply influenced by the landscapes and ecosystems of the American West, using layered textures and organic forms to evoke themes of transformation, resilience, and the delicate balance of life.
David continues to explore new techniques, expanding his artistic voice while remaining committed to inspiring the next generation of artists and educators.
Artist Statement
My artistic journey began long before I ever called myself an artist. Years spent guiding and inspiring students in the art classroom sparked a creative fire within me—one that eventually evolved into my own artistic exploration. With over 17 years in art education, I've developed a deep respect for the transformative power of art: its ability to communicate, to heal, and to connect us to something greater. This foundation, combined with my passion for printmaking, forms the heart of my creative practice.
I am endlessly inspired by the intricate beauty of the natural world—a beauty often overlooked in our fast-paced, digital lives. My work seeks to honor the fragile ecosystems surrounding us, capturing the delicate patterns of insect wings, the weathered surfaces of animal bones, the silent strength of landscapes, and the vibrant energy of flora and fauna. I am fascinated by the cyclical nature of life and death, creation and decay—an ongoing rhythm that informs both my subject matter and my process.
Primarily working in printmaking, drawing, and ceramics, I am particularly drawn to the strappo monoprinting technique. This method, which involves layering pigment on a surface and transferring it to paper or fabric, allows me to capture the fleeting, often unpredictable essence of nature. It’s a process that balances control with spontaneity—much like nature itself.
My style leans toward abstraction. I’m not interested in replicating the natural world as it is, but in conveying the emotion and awe it evokes. Through layered textures, dynamic composition, and the interplay of light and shadow, I aim to create work that invites contemplation—work that stirs memory, feeling, and connection. I hope viewers find a sense of wonder in my pieces and are encouraged to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world.
Living and working in Wyoming, I draw immense inspiration from the vast landscapes and wild beauty of the American West. The high plains, rugged mountains, and resilient ecosystems of this region profoundly shape my artistic vision. Influences like Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe—artists who intimately captured the soul of the landscape—continue to resonate with me.
Looking forward, I’m committed to pushing the boundaries of my practice—experimenting with new techniques, exploring fresh mediums, and deepening my dialogue with nature. In a world increasingly defined by technology and consumerism, I strive to create art that speaks to our universal desire to feel connected and alive. I believe art has the power to awaken our awareness, remind us of the beauty and fragility of life, and inspire a renewed reverence for the natural world. My goal is to create work that not only reflects this moment but also envisions a future where art and nature exist in harmony.
Artist CV
EDUCATION
2005 Bachelor of Arts in Art Education — University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
2002 Associate of Arts in General Studies — Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, Wyoming
ARTISTIC PRACTICE
Primary Mediums — Printmaking (Strappo Monoprinting), Drawing, Ceramics, Mixed Media
Artistic Focus — Nature-inspired abstraction, ecological themes, life cycles, transformation, and the relationship between creation and decay
2010–Present Professional Art Practice — Visual Artist & Printmaker
EXHIBITIONS
2026 Cheyenne Art Walk — Cheyenne Civic Center, Cheyenne, Wyoming – SOLO
2025 INSCETS - Cheyenne Creative Center, Cheyenne, Wyoming
2024 New Year, New You — Cheyenne Creative Center, Cheyenne, Wyoming
2005 UW Student Art League — Salon de Refuses — Laramie, Wyoming
2004 Interpreting Nature — University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
2004 UW Student Art League — Salon de Refuses — Laramie, Wyoming
COLLECTIONS
Printmaking Department — University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2014–Present Wyoming Art Education Association (WyAEA) Spring Conference — Participant
2018 National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Convention - Participant
2026 Microwave Raku Firing Workshop – WyAEA Spring Conference Presenter
2022 Strappo Printmaking Workshop — WyAEA Spring Conference Presenter
2019 Gelli Plate Workshop— WyAEA Spring Conference Presenter
2008–2015; 2019–2020 Transforming Learning: Summer Teacher Institute — University of Wyoming Art Museum
2014–2015 University of Wyoming Art Museum — Transforming Learning — Presenter and contributor to institute blog
2019, 2021, 2023, 2025 National Art Education Association Pacific Region Leadership Conference — Participation
2014, 2018, 2020, 2022, National Art Education Association Leadership Conference — Participation
2017 Wyoming Art Council Arts Summit — Participation
2004 Colorado Art Education Association Fall Conference — Participation
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & LEADERSHIP
2013–Present Wyoming Art Education Association (WYAEA) — Board Member
2013–2017 WYAEA — Treasurer
2017–2018 WYAEA — President-Elect
2018–2020 WYAEA — President
2013–Present WYAEA — Member Chair
2013–Present WYAEA — Media Coordinator
National Art Education Association (NAEA) - Professional Member
Wyoming Art Education Association – Professional Member
Colorado Art Education Association — Professional Member
National Education Association — Professional Member
East Laramie County Education Association — Professional Member
Cheyenne Teachers Education Association — Professional Member
2010–2013 Greater Cheyenne Art Advisory Council (GCAAC) — Council Member
ARTS, STANDARDS & COMMUNITY SERVICE
2023 National Art Education Association Pacific Region Summer Leadership Conference Steering Committee — Committee Member
2023 Wyoming Fine and Performing Arts Standards Audit Committee — Committee Member
2019–2022 Wyoming Fine and Performing Arts Standards Review Committee — Committee Member
2013–Present WYAEA Spring Conference Steering Committee — Member
2024 Cheyenne Art Celebration — Volunteer
2017 Wyoming Art Council Arts Summit — Contributor
2016–Present Cheyenne Animal Shelter— Volunteer
AWARDS & HONORS
2023 Wyoming Art Education Association Contribution Award
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2023–Present Stagehand & Production Crew, Cheyenne Presents / City of Cheyenne — Stage design, rigging, lighting, and set construction
2005–2022 Art Educator LCSD 1 & 2 — K–12 art education in Wyoming; choice-based learning, interdisciplinary curriculum, technology integration, and contemporary art practices
ONLINE
Website — dwinschdesigns.com mrdwsartroom.com
Instagram — @artwithdw / @mrdwsartroom