
Chuck Schwall is pedagogical coordinator for The St. Michael School in Clayton, where he previously worked as atelierista (studio teacher) for 20 years. As an educator, he has extensively studied the educational system in the municipality of Reggio- Emilia, Italy, and co-edited and co-authored the book, In the Spirit of the Studio: Learning from the Atelier of Reggio Emilia. He has worked nationally as an educational consultant to schools and presented at many conferences and workshops.
In addition to his role as an educator, he is a practicing artist in the areas of painting and drawing. His paintings investigate a longstanding interest in curvilinear and organic formations found in nature connected to life, growth, and water imagery. The Bruno David Gallery in St. Louis represents his work. He holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from Washington University in St. Louis. He currently lives and maintains his studio in Mission, Kansas.
Some of his other interests including enjoying good wine, cooking, and going to contemporary art exhibitions; he also has a collection of seashells from around the world. His wife, Jill Downen, is an installation sculptor and currently is the chair of the sculpture department at the Kansas City Art Institute.