Randall Lavender is a nationally and internationally exhibited artist whose works in oil on panel and sculptural tableaux are included in dozens of public and private collections and have been featured in numerous books, catalogues, articles, and reviews. He currently writes fiction that has received numerous awards and honors. Having served for eight years as Provost and/or Vice Provost at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles before serving as Interim President there, Lavender also consults for higher education leadership on leadership development, strategic planning, shared governance, collective bargaining, budget planning, space/facilitation development, assessment and accreditation, and organizational management. 

Professor Lavender earned his M.F.A. in Sculpture at Claremont Graduate University and a B.A. in Ceramics at California State University, Fullerton. He joined the Otis faculty in 1983 following faculty appointments at Vanderbilt University, Claremont Graduate University, and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He served as Associate Chair and Professor in Otis’ Foundation (first-year) program for more than a decade before joining the College's Senior Team and serving as Vice Provost, and later as Chief Academic Officer and Interim CEO. He has published original research, essays, and articles on art in higher education, educational psychology, contemporary culture, and best college art/design teaching practices in leading art education journals, including Studies in Art Education, Journal of Aesthetic Education, and Foundations in Art Theory Education (F.A.T.E.) in Review.

See also Wikipedia.

R.M. Lavender — Writer

Currently seeking representation for SUDDEN SISTERS, an enemies-to-friends meets tense, survival/adventure novel for young adult readers, and developing other stories.

Consulting

Bringing decades of art education experience including recent service as Interim President and eight years’ experience as Provost and/or Vice Provost at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, Lavender consults professionally for educational institutions. Recent consulting activities include work with Laguna College of Art and Design, Cornish College of Art, San Francisco Art Institute, and Kansas City Art Institute.

Please contact for more information.

CURRICULUM VITAE (download pdf)

Professor Emeritus, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, California — April 2021 - Present

CONSULTING

Bringing decades of art education and administrative experience including service as Interim President, Provost, Vice Provost at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles to advisory work with educational institutions on strategic planning, assessment/accreditation, leadership development, synthetic analysis, and writing support. Recent consulting activities include work with Laguna College of Art and Design, Cornish College of Art, San Francisco Art Institute, and Kansas City Art Institute.

EDUCATION

M.F.A., Sculpture, 1981, Claremont Graduate University                 
B.A., Ceramics, 1979, California State University, Fullerton

ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS

Otis College of Art and Design

Strategic Advisor, June 2020 – April 2021

Providing consultative advice, context/history, and continuity support to the President, Provost, and Senior Team members in preparation for a phased campus reopening and COVID-19-related recovery/fiscal measures, communications, and academic/logistical planning.

Interim President, March 2019 - June 2020

Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Trustees, providing institutional oversight, vision, and strategic direction in consultation with the campus community and senior leadership team. Major accomplishments include: 

• Led the institution’s response to the COVID-19 health crisis; closed campus for the remainder (at week 10) of the spring 2020 semester; developed a response hub microsite, disseminated dozens of community messages; moved 336 residential students out of campus housing in 4 days, developed scenario plans for numerous operational and fiscal impacts that could evolve, depending on the duration of regional social distancing requirements

• Fiscal oversight of a $42M budget, providing strategic analysis to the Board, seeking bridge-funding to help the College achieve its promising new era 

• Raised over $1.9M for unrestricted College operations and student scholarships

• Managed 12 direct reports and approximately 960 employees, including full-time and part-time faculty, staff, and student workers

• Overall responsibility for the College, its eight Divisions, and its approximately 1,160 students; aided the restoration of internal constituent groups’ stability and workplace morale following a disruptive leadership change

• Formed and led a Task Force on Shared Governance to thoroughly re-examine, align, bolster, and make readily visible the College’s robust system, and define its key tenets, branches, and elements

• Led the college community through the forming of its long-needed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Staff Councils—both inculcated as standing conferral groups of shared governance

• Formed a Tuition Discount Strategy Team and developed with it cross-divisional guidance for the College’s financial aid awarding system; met the conundrum of runaway discount rates while acknowledging the challenges of awarding merit aid upon admission, yet clarifying its budgetary impact only after its committed expenditure

• Defined with the Division heads the true role and purpose of “senior leadership” at the College; published the first Division descriptions and respective Provost/Vice President profiles as part of a re-introduction for the campus community, and beyond

• Completed and gained Board approval of the aspirational and well-informed 2019-24 Working Strategic Plan and Mission Refresh, following extensive community engagement, synthesis, feedback, and revision for plan and College success

• Developed based on the Working Strategic Plan a detailed set of funding goals for the College to serve as a base on which to launch a fundraising campaign led by the President and Board(s)

• Converted for Fall 2019 a maximum enrollment target-exceeding high-quality new student class that was also the earliest applying, depositing, and converting one in Otis’s history

• Consulted at the Board’s request on the search for a new permanent President

• Led and fulfilled successful searches for a new Vice President of Financial Services/CFO and Chief Academic Officer/Provost

• Provided continuity support during shadowing period for new President to ensure success into a promising new era.

Provost, 2015 - 2018

Chief Academic Officer, responsible for Academic Affairs, quality of degree programs, and faculty, Assessment and Accreditation, Collective Bargaining and in close collaboration with Student Affairs all aspects of student life from first inquiry through graduation. Major accomplishments include:

• Providing strong collaborative leadership with an inclusive style that advances strategic planning and initiatives, enhances effectiveness, sustains assessment practices and accreditation status, and promotes workplace morale

• Responsible for the quality programing, distinguished faculty, and visible student learning outcomes leading to the College’s historically highest total new student enrollment (AY 2018-19)

• Led strategic planning efforts toward a 2019-24 Plan; formed a Strategic Planning Steering committee; engaged all campus stakeholders through forums, meetings, and events; developed a survey and synthesized all community input; co-authored a strategic plan outline for further community feedback toward a plan draft for further feedback and Board approval

• Oversight of institutional WSCUC off-site report and onsite review, including implementation of protocols for Chairs' and Academic Directors' annual reports, matrices aligning ILOs with PLOs and CLOs, and rubrics defining quality, College-wide leading to WASC reaccreditation for 8 years

• Researched, designed, and authored Your Creative Future:  A Signature Professional Preparation Initiative; synthesized input from across the College into a distinctive college-to-career bundle with five key components—professional preparation and business practices courses, an entrepreneurial studies minor, real-world engagement opportunities, internships for all students who want one, and individual career launch support for all undergraduate students

• Created and led a Maximum Enrollment Capacity task force to research and define the College's true maximum enrollment capacity and by-major desired enrollment levels in support of targeted recruitment efforts, efficiency of resource allocations, and a sustainable future

• Authored a proposal responsive to a Chinese international education park's invitation to deliver Otis programming in China; formulated a five year fiscal plan for expense and net revenue sharing, developer investment and return, and Otis' net revenue enhancement projections of approximately + $4M annually as of year four and thereafter

• Led the College's collective bargaining team in negotiations with the part-time faculty union toward a first collective bargaining agreement; produced comprehensive fiscal modeling of all economic implications, including absolute and cumulative total compensation increases, compression adjustment needs, and course cancellation factors over multiple fiscal years and teaching contract renewal cycles

• Implemented in coordination with Human Resources and the CFO medical benefits for all Adjunct Faculty members, a new Phased Retirement Program for full-time faculty and staff, and the most robust one-time faculty (full-time and adjunct) compensation increases in College history (avg. +12% FT; avg. +13.8% ADJ)

• Provided effective collaborative leadership with the CFO and CIO in planning for renovations of four floors of the College's main building; phasing and staging of dozens of departments, offices, programs and 105 staff members in temporary quarters over an extended period

• Planning and maintenance of 29 divisional budgets comprising approximately one-third of the College's operating budget.

Acting Provost, 2014 - 2015

Chief Academic Officer, responsible for Assessment and Accreditation and all aspects of academic and student life and leading the Division of Student Learning and Success (Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Registration & Records, Admissions, Financial Aid). Major accomplishments include:

• Leadership of an enrollment management initiative and targeted marketing campaign that raised overall College enrollment by +7.8% over two years

• Managing divisional space allocations and departmental moves related to campus expansion, ensuring in partnership with the CFO that a new $49M facility and renovation of the campus' main building will meet the needs of the community

• Testified before the California State Legislature on the Otis Report on the Creative Economy, which shows that in 2014 California's creative professions directly employed over 655,000 workers

• Implementation of B.F.A. curricular revision for credit reduction (-10), including all Foundation, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Core, and Major programs' undergraduate curricula

• Led the College through a faculty union election campaign responding to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and related NLRB filings, coordination with legal counsel, and open dialogue with the Academic Assembly and Faculty Senate

• Preparation and submission of four approved NASAD substantive change and new program reports:  B.F.A. curricular revision for credit reduction; three new Areas of Emphasis in Digital Media; one new Area of Emphasis in Fashion Design; prospective new M.F.A. in Lighting Design

• Led a successful collaboration between Otis and Stanford University's Online High School (OHS), including the development and implementation of OHS's first studio art workshop and course offerings, provided by Otis for a fee and providing key lessons for Otis' online and blended learning support staff that promise to open synchronous online teaching and learning to Otis faculty, students, and CE registrant

• Leadership in external and internal research into best practices for student advising, advising systems integration (adoption of Insight advising software), and alignment of advising practices

• Research and proposal preparation for a new interdisciplinary Figurative Institute at Otis, intended to serve as a fundraising entity, an enrollment and retention magnet, a bold distinction for the College that can enhance its reputation and market position, and a unique cross-listed suite of courses serving multiple undergraduate majors.

Vice Provost, 2011 – 2014

Officer of the College, member of the Senior Team and President's Cabinet responsible for divisional operations, budgets, new program research, development, and NASAD accreditation approvals, academic personnel, undergraduate faculty, and space planning and allocation. Major accomplishments include:

• Leadership in undergraduate B.F.A. curricular revision for credit reduction (-10), related data management and analysis, budget modeling, and preparation of required materials and reports for internal faculty governance and NASAD approval processes

• Collaborative leadership in strategic planning, curricular initiatives, graduate education, academic programming and policy, accreditation, continuing education, enrollment management, advising, student conduct, and student success

• Wrote with input from campus experts and gained internal and accreditation approvals for a new M.F.A program in Lighting Design, to launch upon securing of promised external funding

• Leadership of a college-wide student workload taskforce whose research and resulting recommendations led to a comprehensive curricular revision (B.F.A. degree requirements reduced by 10 credits) producing significant curricular and student success enhancement and anticipated ongoing budget efficiencies

• Co-leadership in College-wide Campus Expansion Planning: designed and developed space needs inventory instruments and affinity group workshops focused on existing occupancies, forward-looking adjacency requirements, facility needs assessment, and change management/communications planning

• Oversight of special initiatives in support of blended and online learning course development, existing course conversions to hybrid delivery, and online certificate program development

• Developed, implemented, and received external grant-funding for S.A.M. (Self-efficacy/Attribution/Motivation), a unique research-based faculty development program focused on   cognitive/affective interventions shown to enhance student success

• In collaboration with the CFO and Human Resources, researched and modeled possible phased retirement program options with specific attention to the needs and factors surrounding academic chairs', directors', and faculty members' needs.

Interim Co-Provost, 2010 – 2011

Responsible for all administrative and operational aspects of academic affairs, faculty issues, space planning, budgets, academic personnel, and undergraduate programs. Major accomplishments include:

• Collaborative leadership in academic policy, core and graduate programs, curricular matters, and student issues

• Developed an international exchange opportunity through Otis’ Integrated Learning program in collaboration with students, artists, and government officials toward the creation of a freedom memorial in the island nation of Palau

• Revised the College's undergraduate Academic Mentoring program, including development of an advisee tracking system, enhanced adviser invoicing, and assessment tools

• Synthesized external and internal research, as part of the Otis Faculty Workload Task Force, to identify themes that illuminate faculty workload conditions warranting possible revision in accordance with the Strategic Plan

• Collaborated with the Faculty Development Committee on a Strategic Plan milestone inviting analysis and recommendations of possible sabbatical leave policy revision

• Contributed to revisions of the annual budget planning process, including the introduction of specific new elements supporting long-term academic fiscal planning.

Interim Provost's Support Team, 2009 – 2010

Advised and served by invitation the Interim Provost on matters of faculty development, budget planning, academic policy, teaching excellence awards, sabbaticals, and research of external grants/funding opportunities for Otis faculty. Major accomplishments include:

• Researched and implemented a new Teaching Excellence Awards program, featuring three cash awards, articles in College publications, recognition at Commencement, and celebration at Faculty Convocation

• Created a comprehensive guide to External Funding Support Opportunities for the faculty, providing access to over 500 pre-filtered arts-related grants, fellowships, and residencies

• Organized and enhanced College Faculty Development activities and Faculty Development Committee effectiveness in support of WASC recommendations, and leading to a WASC report commendation

• As an invited standing member of the 403(b) Committee (and a Fiduciary Officer of the College) contributed to Otis’ pro-active compliance with IRS regulations governing retirement plans and institutional transition to a more service-rich plan and provider

• Contributions as Academic Assembly Representative to the Board Finance and Audit Committee.

Associate Department Chair, Foundation Program, 2004 - 2010

Co-managed the College's largest studio program; managed all departmental budgets, co-authored annual department budget proposal materials, created effective departmental budget tracking tools for expenditure monitoring supporting balanced budgets. Teaching comprised one-third time in this position. Major accomplishments include:

• Supervised Elective course faculty, key participation in the development of Elective course goals and objectives, leadership in the organizing and conducting of learning assessments and final review processes as well as coordinator of Elective courses, faculty scheduling, and faculty development

• Planned, coordinated, and supervised the annual Foundation Forward event, an annual luncheon for up to 300 students, faculty members, and department Chairs

• Researched and authored a white paper on Faculty Development, commissioned by the President for the Strategic Plan

• Supervised Foundation faculty in enhancing teaching effectiveness and the attainment of educational goals and objectives: supported the development of effective strategies for level-appropriateness and effective classroom teaching methodologies

• Coordinated and supervised Foundation Teaching Associates, the Foundation Summer Program, departmental survey research, and preparation of resulting data in support of College planning needs

• Oversight of departmental Accreditation and External Program Review materials, including documentation and supportive materials utilized by Foundation’s Review teams

• Key contributions to the development of new Foundation course offerings, including course descriptions, educational goals and objectives, faculty coordination, and space planning

• Coordinated program Academic Advising functions and provided academic advising to students; service as an Academic Mentor in Otis’ four-year developmental Academic Mentoring program

• Student evaluations consistently reflected teaching excellence; recipient of the 2005 Eddy Award for Excellence in Education.

Area Head:  Form and Space Curriculum - Foundation Program, 2001 – 2010

Oversight of a core curricular area of the Colleges' first-year program. Major accomplishments include:

• Leadership in developing consensus among faculty members on and authoring course learning outcomes for the area, supervision of all area faculty and facilities, curriculum development, faculty mentoring and development, and curatorial oversight for five exhibitions of student work, rotating annually.

• Produced key curricular support presentations for classroom and students’ use, reinforcing and instructing on Form and Space fabrications, student efficiency, life cycle analysis and related sustainable practices in art and design.

Assistant Activity Director - Title III Federal Grant, 2004 - 2008

Co-administered Title III Strengthening Institutions and Programs grant ($2 million over 5 years). Major accomplishments include: 

• Created and maintained multiple years' Time and Effort reports and Activity Records for dozens of faculty and staff positions attendant to 3 new programs launched under this Federal funding.

• Authored response to Category 1, Standard 1 of “Factors to Consider in Otis’ application for Institutional Approval of proposed Teacher Training Certificate Program from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing” (ACT program).

Acting Department Chair - Foundation Program, Spring 2002

Managed all departmental area heads, faculty, student support services, curricular planning, budgets and budget proposal materials (through the term of Chair sabbatical leave).

Assistant Department Chair, Foundation Program, 1998 - 2004

Conducted research and reported to Senior Team on credit hour distribution in ten comparably accredited independent Colleges of Art and Design for use in ad hoc committee investigating options for first-year Liberal Arts and Sciences credit hour reduction. Major accomplishments include:

• Co-authored, proposed, and drafted adopted College policy for implementation of new Faculty Development opportunity:  FleX (Faculty Learning Exchange)

• Chaired a Rank & Promotion Subcommittee that researched and reported to the Personnel Committee on Rank and Promotion policy and procedure, outlining the adopted two-track system

• Collaborated with the President in coordination efforts between Otis and local independent high schools; served as organizational point-person for Toy Design and Fashion Design Department Chairs in outreach activities with Turningpoint School in Culver City

• Leadership in service to the College:  Coordinator - Faculty Constituency for Presidential Search; Education Policy Committee; Student Life Committee; Assessment Committee; Ad Hoc Committee for Credit Hour Reduction; Planning Steering Committee - BFA Programs Team; College Program Review Committee.

Faculty Appointments

Otis College of Art & Design
    Professor - Foundation Program, 2004 – 2010
    Associate Professor - Foundation Program, 2000 - 2004
    Assistant Professor - Foundation Program, 1998 - 2000
    Adjunct Assistant Professor - Foundation Program, 1997 - 1998
    Instructor - Foundation Program, 1983 - 1987; 1994 - 1996

Claremont Graduate University
    Sabbatical Replacement, Spring 1987
    Visiting Artist, Spring 1986

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
    Lecturer - Fine Arts, Spring 1984

Vanderbilt University
    Assistant Professor - Fine Arts, 1981 - 1983

Authored Publications

Foreword, Ralph Bacerra:  Exquisite Beauty, exhibition catalog edited by Jo Lauria, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, 2015, 12.
“Teaching the Whole Student:  Perceived Academic Control in College Art Instruction,”Studies in Art Education: A Journal of Issues and Research, 2010, 51(3), 198-218 (Selena T. Nguyen-Rodriguez and Donna Spruijt-Metz, co-authors).
“Pedagogy Visited:  What Exactly Is Teaching Excellence?” O Teaching Matters, tlc.otis.edu, Oct. 18, 2007 (Part A), Nov. 14, 2007 (Part B).
“My Jeans, Myself, and I,” in Garb:  A Fashion and Culture Reader, Edited by Parme Giuntini and Kathryn Hagen, New Jersey; Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007, 80-92, illus.
“Art and Design Education:  Get it Right,” Associated Content; The People's Media,www.associatedcontent.com, October 2, 2006
“Finding Solid Ground,” Global Study Magazine, Issue 3.1, Spring 2005, 12-15.
“The Subordination of Aesthetic Fundamentals in College Art Instruction,” Journal of Aesthetic Education, Vol. 37, No. 3, Fall 2003, 41-57.
“The Art/Design Schism, An Abstract,” Alumni Newsletter, Otis College of Art and Design, Fall 2003, 5.
“Teaching and Supporting an Authentic Three-Dimensional Design Curriculum,” FATE in Review:  Foundations in Art: Theory and Education, Vol. 23, 2001, 12-19.

Professional Activities

2017 Panel Guest:  The Myth of "The Starving Artist:" Reimagining a Career in the Arts, KPCC Live Stream Event, March 30, KPCC.org
2016 Assistant Chair, WSCUC Special Visit Team, Academic of Art University, San Francisco, CA
2015 Presenter of testimony before the California State Legislature:  Joint Committee on the Arts, The Arts and Creative Industries: An Updated Assessment of California’s Creative Economy
2014 Consultant:  Graduate Program Review, Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, California
Guest Speaker, Mentoring Workshop, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California
2011 Consultant:  First Year Program Review, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, California
Consultant:  Art Program Review, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, Washington
2010 Facilitator/Consultant, Foundation Program Revision, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
2009 Guest Speaker, Graduate Program Pedagogy course, Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, California
Consultant:  Foundation Program Review, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
Session Chair, “Toward a Pedagogy for the 21st Century,” College Art Association Annual Conference, Los Angeles, California
Presenter, “Teaching the Whole Student,” College Art Association Annual Conference, Los Angeles, California
2008 Consultant:  Foundation Program, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
Presenter, “Strategies for Teaching Millennial Students,” Annual Convocation, Otis College of Art and Design
Health Sciences Investigators Conducting Research Training, completed in 2008, University of Southern California Curriculum, CITI Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
Principal Investigator:  Research study on perceived academic control in college art students, funded by U.S. Department of Education:  Title III-Part A
2007 Presenter, “Looking Deeper--Creating a Basis for Understanding Our Students,” AICAD Symposium, NY, New York
2006 Presenter, “An Assessment Inventory as the Basis for an Institutional Assessment Plan, ”Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Annual Meeting, Irvine, California
2005 Juror, 21st Annual Student Art Exhibition, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California
2004 Presenter, “Interdisciplinarity in Foundation Studies,” Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
2003 Consultant:  Faculty Development Workshops and Curriculum Development for new Foundation Program, Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1998 Painting Commission, Michael & Patti Marcus, Los Angeles, California
1995 Speaker, Nevada Institute of Contemporary Art, Las Vegas, Nevada
Slide Lecture, Women Painters West, Burbank, California
1994 Gallery Talk, Breaking the Code of Contemporary Music, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, California
1990 Slide Lecture, Rancho Santiago College, Santa Ana, California
1989 Gallery Talk, Looking At Art With Artists; Archaic Traditions & Discarded Styles, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California
Gallery Talk, Painting as Process, County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California
1988 Slide Lecture, Evenings for Educators; Meet the Artist, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California
1986 Panel Speaker, Current Art in L.A., University of California, Los Angeles
1985 Guest Artist, Painting Colloquium, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California
Slide Lecture; Post Modernism and Survival as an Artist, Chaffey Community College, Alta Loma, California
Slide Lecture, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
1983 Slide Lecture, The Fine Arts Center at Cheekwood, Nashville, Tennessee
Slide Lecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
1982 Juror, Fine Arts Exhibition, Sponsored by Nashville Symphony, Nashville, Tennessee
Stage Prop Design/Fabrication, Program in Dance, University of California, Riverside
1981 Slide Lecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
1980 Shop Technician, Art Department, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California
1979 Slide Lecture/Demonstration, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
1978 Slide Lecture, California State University, Los Angeles

Solo Exhibitions

1995 Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
1993 Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
1991 Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
1990 Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, California
1989 Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
1987 Jan Turner Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1984 Art Gallery, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, California
1983 Conflicting Ideals, Fine Arts Center, Cheekwood, Nashville, Tennessee
1981 Frames of Mind, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California

Group Exhibitions

2010 Selections from the Permanent Collection, Groves Gallery, Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, California
2002 New Romantics, Greenwood Chebithes Gallery, Laguna Beach, California
2001 Representing L.A.; Pictorial Currents in Contemporary Southern California Art, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas; Laguna Beach Art Museum, Laguna Beach, California
2000 Representing L.A.; Pictorial Currents in Contemporary Southern California Art, Frye Museum of Art, Seattle, Washington
Face Value; The Portrait and the Formulation of Identity in Art, Fine Arts Gallery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
1999 Journey into Art; 11th Annual Awards Benefit, L.A. ArtCore, Los Angeles, California
1998 Night of One Hundred and One Cups, Corinth Ceramics Studio, Los Angeles, California
1996 Imaginary Realities: Surrealism Then and Now,  Louis Stern Fine Arts, Los Angeles, California
Natural Inclinations, Eva Cohon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
Gallery Artists, Guest Artists, Recent Acquisitions, Evans/Willis Gallery, San Francisco, California
1995 Vistas, Eva Cohon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
In Their Own Image, Art Institute of Southern California, Laguna Beach, California
Beyond Appearance, Oliver Art Center, California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, California
Contemporary Works by Los Angeles Artists, Nevada Institute of Contemporary Art, Las Vegas, Nevada
Intimate Images, Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
1994 Beyond Appearance, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, California
The Committed Image, Fine Arts Galery, Mt. San Jacinto College, San Jacinto, California
1992 Small, Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
1991 Aspects of Figural Painting in Southern California, Tatistcheff Gallery, Santa Monica, California
1990 Contemporary Landscapes, Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
Art & Soul 1990, Pence Gallery, Santa Monica, California
1989 California Artists from the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation Collection, Phinney Gallery, Annenberg Art Wing, Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs, California
Gallery Artists, Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
Madden Harkness, Randall Lavender, Duncan Simcoe: Figures, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California
Inside the L.A. Artist, I.S.D. Interiors, Los Angeles, California
1988 From Main to Santa Fe: A Downtown Art Odyssey, Gallery at the Plaza, Security Pacific Corporation, Los Angeles, California
1987 Contemporary Humanism: Reconfirmation of the Figure, Visual Arts Center, California State University, Fullerton
The Inland Empire Strikes Back, Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, California
1986 Selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation Collection, Centre National des Arts Plastiques, Paris, France
The Frederick R. Weisman Foundation Collection, Museo Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisbon, Portugal
The Magic of California Assemblage, University Art Gallery, California State University, Dominguez Hills
1985 Randall Lavender/John Frame, Fellows Gallery, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
L.A. Artists’ Lofts: The Firestone Building, Rex W. Wignal Museum, Chaffe Community College, Alta Loma, California
Group Exhibition, Cobalt Blue Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1984 David Amico, Carole Caroompas, Mary Fish, Randall Lavender & Brian
Longe, Art Gallery, California State University, Fullerton
In Celebration, Tortue Gallery, Santa Monica, California
California Bookworks: The Last Five Years, Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, California
California Dreamin’, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1983 Red Herrings, Biola University, La Mirada, California
Objects/Imagery, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California
Eccentrics, Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
California Dreamin’, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1982 Faculty Exchange, The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee
Dangerous Works, Cohen Gallery, Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
1981 Sculpture Invitational, Riverside Art Center and Museum, Riverside, California
Graduate Exchange, University of California, Irvine
1980 Exotic Objects, Saddleback College Gallery, Mission Viejo, California
1979 Newcomers ‘79, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California
10 Ceramists, Anhalt/Barnes Gallery, Los Angeles, California
National Clay - Form, Function & Fantasy, Long Beach Art Gallery, Long Beach, California
Ink & Clay No. 6, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
1978 The First Biennial Juried Exhibition, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California
Ink & Clay No. 5, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
1977 Purchase Prize Exhibition, Riverside Art Center and Museum, Riverside, California

Fiction
Literary Representation:  The Mitchell J. Hamilburg Agency, 2006 - 2010
Option for First Right of Refusal, 2003, The Martindale Group, Santa Monica, California, No Turning Back (original screenplay, Ned Nalle, executive producer)
Fiction and Screenwriting Honors and Awards:
Semi-Finalist, William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, 2012, No Turning Back (novel)
Third Place, 5th Annual IndieProducer Screenwriting Competition, 2007, The Golden Boy (original screenplay)
Finalist, SCBWI Kimberly Colen Memorial Grant, 2006, No Turning Back (novel)
Semi-Finalist, William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, 2006, No Turning Back (novel)
Quarter-Finalist, 11th Annual Writers Network Screenplay & Fiction Competition, 2004, Latude (adaptation screenplay)
Finalist, 1st Annual IndieProducer Screenwriting Competition, 2002, No Turning Back (original screenplay)
Quarter-Finalist, Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting Competition, 2002, No Turning Back (original screenplay)
Finalist, Malcolm-Vincent Screenwriting Contest, 1992, Latude (adaptation screenplay)

Grants

2009 Faculty Development Grant, Otis College of Art and Design
2007 Research Grant, Otis College of Art and Design, U.S. Department of Education: Title III, Part A
Faculty Development Grant, Otis College of Art and Design

Bibliography

Alter-Gilbert, Gilbert.  “A New Enigmatism: The Artists of beyondappearance”  Asylum Annual, 1995, 112 (illus).
Anderson, Ross.  “Randy Lavender:  It’s Animal Day.”  Panik, #7, 1999, 19, (illus.)
“Art Scan.”  Images & Issues, May/June 1984, 47 (illus. only).
ArtScene, February 1984, 8 (illus. only).
Ballatore, Sandy.  “The Next Generation - 1986 Critics’ Picks.”  L.A. Weekly, 5 December, 1986, 33 (illus).
Barnes, Molly.  "Art News" (radio interview).  KCSN Radio, Northridge, California, 4 February, 2008.
Bartholomew, Caroline.  “Artists, Galleries & Museums.”  The Banner, Nashville, Tennessee, 28 March, 1983, B-1 (color illus).
Bulmer, Marge.  “Critic’s Choice: Randall Lavender - Panel Paintings.”  Los Angeles Reader, 23 January, 1987, 20 (illus).
Bulmer, Marge.  “Four Neo-Classical Painters.”  ArtScene, November 1987, 17.
Bulmer, Marge.  “Randall Lavender.”  Artweek, 23 May, 1991, 14 (illus).
Butler, Brian.  “Diversity and Congruity.”  Artweek, 17 September, 1988, 5 (illus).
“California Art Review.”  American References Publishing Corporation, l989-90, 90, 104, 723, 724 (color illus).
Cline, Mary Alice.  ‘The Big Picture’ in more ways than one.”  The Press Enterprise, Riverside, California, 11 November, 1990, D2.
Curtis, Cathy.  “The Bland Leading the Bland at CSF.”  Los Angeles Times (Orange County Edition), 27 November, 1987, 14.
Curtis, Cathy.  “Figure Painting With an ‘80s Spin.”  Los Angeles Times, 30 November, 1987, 14 (illus).
Folk, Lin.  “Arts Feature” (radio interview).  WPLN Radio, Nashville, Tennessee, l4 September, 1981.
Frank, Peter.  “From Main to Santa Fe.”  L.A. Weekly, 30 September, 1988, 45.
Frank, Peter.  “Art Picks of the Week.”  L.A. Weekly, 24 May, 1991, 128 (illus).
Frank, Peter.  “Beyond Appearance, The World of Tomorrow.”  L.A. Weekly, 4 March, 1994, 114.
Geer, Suvan.  “Humanist Exhibit is Lifeless Resurrection.”  The Orange County Register, 20 November, 1987, (illus).
Geer, Suvan.  Los Angeles Times, 15 September, 1989, 21.
Harris, Scott.  “L.A.’s Art Colony.”  Los Angeles Times, 9 March, 1986, G58 (illus).
Hemmerdinger, William.  “Sculpture Invitational.”  Artweek, 18 July, 1981, 6.
Hieronymus, Clara.  “Art Exhibit Combines Divergent Works.”  The Tennessean, 2 September, 1981, 1 (color illus).
Lucie-Smith, Edward.  “Zoo: Animals in Art.”  Watson-Guptill Publications, 1998, 40, 71, 150, 210, 213 (color illus).
Mallinson, Constance.  “A Harvest of Newcomers.”  Artweek, 13 October, 1979, 8 (illus).
Marrow, Marva.  “Inside the L.A. Artist.”  Gibbs M. Smith, Inc., Peregrine Books, 1988, 63 (color illus).
Mendenhall, Lauri.  “Art Access:  The New Romantics.”  Coast Magazine, January 2003, 100.
Moure, Nancy Dustin Wall.  “California Art; 450 Years of Painting and Other Media,” Dustin Publications, Los Angeles, CA, 1998, 445.
“New Year! New Talent!”  ARTnews (advertising supplement), January 1987, (illus).
"Noteworthy.”  The Press Enterprise, Riverside, California, 22 April, 2005, B3.
O’Brien, Draza Fratto.  “L.A. Beyond Recognition.”  Las Vegas Weekly Reader, Las Vegas, Nevada, 10 May, 1995.
Obten, Vanessa.  “Guide to Artists in Southern California.”  ART Resources Publications, Santa Monica, CA, November 1994, 37, 97 (color illus).
Odello, Marilyn.  “Art Center Sculpture Exhibit.”  The Press Enterprise, Riverside, California, 25 June, 1981, C-10.25.
Pincus, Robert L.  “California Bookworks: The Last Five Years.”  ArtScene, February, 1984, 8.
Pincus, Robert L.  “‘Bookworks’ Exhibit at Otis/Parsons.”  Los Angeles Times, 6 January, 1984, 2.
Pincus, Robert L.  “Mixed Sculpture Bag at Riverside Museum.”  Los Angeles Times, 6 July, 1981, 1.
Renardson, Fay.  “Lavender’s Sculptural Tableaux at Cheekwood.”  The Register, Nashville, Tennessee, 8 April, 1983, 6 (illus).
Simon, Hazel.  “Ceramic Artist Takes Leap to Three-Dimensional Painting.”  The Press Enterprise, Riverside, California, 22 February, 1987, C-2 (illus).
Trust, Linda.  “Growing Up in Art.”  Inland Empire Magazine, September 1981, 73.
Walsh, Daniella.  “Art for Many Preferences.”  Orange County Register, December 15, 2002, 28 (illus).
Welzenbach, Michael.  “From Main to Santa Fe.”  ArtScene, October, 1988, 25.
Wilson, William.  “‘Newcomers’ . . . Promises to Keep.”  Los Angeles Times, 23 September, 1979, 98 (illus).
Wilson, William.  “CSF Exhibition in Search of a Theme.”  Los Angeles Times, 2 October, 1984, 1 (illus).
William Wilson.  “The Art Galleries.”  Los Angeles Times, 16 January, 1987, 14.
Wilson, William.  “The Shock of the Old.”  Los Angeles Times, 27 March, 1988, 5 (illus).
Wilson, William.  “Inside Out.”  Los Angeles Times, 3 May, 1991, F14 (illus).
Wilson, William.  “Ruminations on the Resistance to Nature.”  Los Angeles Times, 28 January, 1994, F28.
Wilson, William.  “Christian, Millennial Hopes in ‘Lights’.”  Los Angeles Times, 12 November, 1994, F11.

Catalogues

2000 Representing L.A.; Pictorial Currents in Contemporary Southern California Arts, Frye Museum of Art, Seattle, Washington (color illus).
1999 Venice Art Walk ‘99, Venice Family Clinic, Los Angeles, California (illus).
1998 1998 Venice Art Walk, Venice Family Clinic, Los Angeles, California (illus).
1995 art3, Nevada Institute for Contemporary Art, Las Vegas, Nevada (illus).
1994 Beyond Appearance, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, California (color illus).
1993 Art Walk ‘93, Venice Family Clinic, Los Angeles, California (illus).
1992 Art Walk 1992, Venice Family Clinic, Los Angeles, California (illus).
1990 Artists of Art Forum, Rancho Santiago College, Santa Ana, California, 1989-90 (illus).
1987 Contemporary Humanism: Reconfirmation of the Figure, California State University, Fullerton (color illus).
The Inland Empire Strikes Back, Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, California (illus).
1986 The Magic of California Assemblage, California State University, Dominguez Hills (illus).
1984 David Amico, Carole Caroompas, Mary Fish, Randall Lavender & Brian Longe, California State University, Fullerton (color illus).
California Bookworks: The Last Five Years, Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles, California
1983 Objects/Imagery, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California (illus).
Red Herrings, Biola University, La Mirada, California (illus).
Conflicting Ideals, The Fine Arts Center, Cheekwood, Nashville, Tennessee (color illus).
1980 The Marietta National, Grover M. Herman Fine Arts Center, Marietta, Ohio (color illus).
1979 Ink & Clay No. 6, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
National Clay - Form, Function & Fantasy, Department of Recreation, Long Beach, California (illus).
1978 The First Biennial Juried Exhibition, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, California (illus).

Public Collections (hold 15 works)

Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, California
Cedars Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, California
Laguna Art Museum Trust, Laguna Beach, California
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Law Firm of Fulbright & Jawarsky, Los Angeles, California
Southern California Gas Company, Los Angeles, California
Frederick R. Weisman Foundation, Los Angeles, California
White, Zuckerman, Warsavsky & Luna, Sherman Oaks, California

Private Collections (hold 52 works)