Marvin Jonason has a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Dickinson State University. His major was Art and English. He taught junior and senior high Art and Theater for five years before earning a Master’s degree in Theatrical Design. He taught in the theater departments at Oberlin College, Baldwin Wallace College, Ohio University, and Dikinson State University. He also taught Art and Design courses at North Dakota State University.

Working academically, semi-professionally, and professionally he has designed, toured, and directed numerous shows around the midwest. Wanting to live in Minneapolis, he moved there to search for an academic job. He found nothing available, so he started his own design company, Renaissance 1 Design. The company did projects in commercial, residential, and theater designs, including murals.

He then moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas to help his daughter design and light her dance productions at her company “Ethios”. While in Arkansas he designed two murals for a children’s shelter, a Moroccan themed office, and a CBD Kava bar. His paintings were also on display in the Mel Shipley Gallery and The Space in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

He has recently moved back to Ohio and had his first gallery show at Carlisle Nature Center. He works in a variety of styles including realism, abstract expressionism, and impressionism. He is excited to be a member of The Elyria Arts Council.