The University of South Dakota

Design and Painting Professor Emeritus M.F.A., Wichita State University e-mail: dnavrat@usd.edu

Professor Navrat taught design and painting in the Department of Art until his retirement in 2005. He was honored by his 40-year retrospective exhibition IMAGING THE EDGE OF WHIRL, shown in the John A. Day Gallery during January 2005. The major 100-artwork exhibition featured early art from 1960-66, and examples from 11 series of artworks he completed from 1974-2005.

Dennis Navrat joined the faculty of the art department in 1989 as Professor and Chair, serving as department head through 1997. During this period, he led planning and writing of comprehensive art department policies and essential curriculum change leading to national re-accreditation. 

From 1998-2005, he was involved in the development of Internet classroom instructional materials relating to art fundamentals and K-12 teaching, the development of international opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni, and served as a team leader and visitor for the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). During his career, Dennis taught over 3,000 students in the United States and England.

Since 1962, Navrat's artwork has been shown in nearly 400 state, regional, national, and international exhibitions, including 48 solo exhibitions. He specializes in mixed media paintings, originating from handmade paper created at his Hummingbird Mill and Studio located near Vermillion. Navrat received his Master of Fine Arts from Wichita State University and his Bachelor of Arts from Kansas State University.

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