Brandee Woleslagle Blank wears multiple hats in Social and Behavioral Sciences: academic program manager for the Sociology PhD program, program administrator for the Nursing Health Policy Programs, assistant to SBS chair, and office manager for the department. She’s as well known for her hard work as she is for her artistic leadership in the Halloween decorations that brighten the SBS office at Laurel Heights.
Years at SON: 12.5 years
What do you enjoy most about your job? What I like most is working with the students directly. There are some brilliant, enthusiastic and wonderful human beings that come through our programs. I feel great personal satisfaction when I know I was able to get someone through the administrative side of the academic process, which can be really confusing and stress-inducing.
What words of wisdom would you offer a new staff member joining SON? Talk to your colleagues and ask questions. A lot of knowledge around here is not documented, so it goes when the last person to hold that position goes. It also makes sense to learn as much as possible about the whole system, not just what takes place at the individual desk.
What crafts do you specialize in? I have dabbled in art my entire life, leaning mostly towards the sculptural side of things. In 2007-ish, I discovered the art of polymer clay. I really took to the medium as it is an amazing product — colorful, you can cure it in your home oven, you can add mixed media and there is almost no end to what you can make.
My second most-loved art form is embroidery. This past year, I made a few great pieces and framed them in polymer clay frames to match so I was able to combine those two passions.
What do you enjoy about being an artist? There is something magical about having an image in my head, spending a little time and effort (and sometimes frust
ration and pain), and seeing the object d' art become reality.
I am very fantasy-minded with an aesthetic that runs to the creepy-cute scale. Bringing fantastical creatures into reality is so fun, as is adding in insects or other less-typical concepts into an otherwise typical scene. One cannot generally walk into a local store and just find that sort of thing for sale; being able to make it myself is so delightful. If you would like to check out my work, visit BrandeeBlank.com.
In 2010, you started the Laurel Heights Artisan Guild for UCSF employees and students. Tell us a bit about the guild.
I wanted to give people who had an artistic side the ability to get their art out into the world despite having full-time jobs — which really puts a damper on being an artist, ha! — and highlight the diverse talents of people at UCSF. Our only requirements are that you are a UCSF employee or student, and what you vend is 100 percent handmade.
The guild hosts craft fairs every May (this year, it’s May 9) and December. Visit our Facebook page or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Since the Laurel Heights campus is closing at the end of this year or early next, I aim to keep the guild alive by bringing the craft fair to our new home in Mission Bay.