CANTON, Mo. — Jennifer Bock-Nelson, assistant professor of studio art at Culver-Stockton College, has been named a recipient of the Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities, a highly competitive honor that recognizes one artist from each of nine states that are members of the Arts Midwest organization.
The award, supported by the James Edward Scherbarth and Paul Francis Mosley Giving Fund, celebrates mid-career artists who embody creativity and resilience. For Bock-Nelson, who lives with Tourette’s Syndrome, the recognition affirms both her artistic journey and her role as a mentor to students.
“I was hesitant to apply because I know others face larger obstacles,” she said. “Tourette’s is something I’ve often sought to hide, but naming my disability embraces my neurodiversity and speaks to the challenges I’ve faced. I don’t know if I would be an artist if I didn’t have Tourette’s; it shaped how I see the world and gave me the ability to hyperfocus on details, time, and perspective.”
Bock-Nelson’s work explores perception, balance, and the tension between order and chaos. She draws on satellite images and underwater recordings to offer viewers a fresh perspective on the world around them. Recently, she has begun experimenting with light and prisms, inspired by her travels to places like Alaska’s glaciers.
In addition to her own artistic practice, Bock-Nelson is dedicated to helping Culver-Stockton students find their creative voices. She encourages a growth mindset in the studio and often shares her own missteps as part of the learning process.
“I hope all my students, especially those who are neurodivergent, feel valued for what they contribute to art and society,” she said.
Earlier this year, she also received an individual artist grant from the Illinois Arts Council. With the support of these honors, Bock-Nelson is entering a new chapter in her career, pursuing exhibitions, residencies, and new creative projects.
“Challenges can be obstacles or opportunities for growth,” she said. “This award recognizes that art continues in spite of, and often because of, our differences. I hope my story inspires others to embrace their own unique perspectives.”
See Bock-Nelson’s work at https://www.bock-nelson.com/. For more information about majoring in art at Culver-Stockton College visit, https://culver.edu/majors/art/.
Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.
NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person’s name (i.e. Jane Doe ’18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton.