Baker Artist Portfolios

William (Will) Jude Niebauer earned his high school degree in Anne Arundel County Maryland in 1993. Upon graduation, he was accepted at the Maryland Institute College of Art and Towson University. Unsettled about his future, he looked into community colleges as an option. That fall he took his first step toward higher education as a freshman at Catonsville Community College.

After two years at Catonsville, Will transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Sculpture. Will was awarded the coveted Full-time Teaching Assistant in Sculpture position at the University of Maryland (UMD) where he earned his Master of Fine Art degree and taught undergraduate sculpture and design classes.

After graduating, Will continued teaching at UMD while also teaching part-time at the newly established Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Catonsville. Will was then asked to revive the defunct ceramics and sculpture programs at CCBC’s Essex campus, where he continued teaching as an adjunct instructor until 2001.

In 2001, Will was hired as the Coordinator of Arts at CCBC, Essex, where he led the department through various faculty and staff hirings, studio and gallery renovations, programmatic changes including the formation of CCBC’s Associate of Fine Arts degree and the College’s accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). CCBC holds the distinction of the first community college in Maryland to have earned NASAD accreditation.

Will’s early life started in Philadelphia before moving to Baltimore in the early 1980’s. His formative years were spent in Alice Springs, Australia, before returning stateside for middle school. He reflects fondly on memories of Judo, BMX biking, his kangaroo, and roaming the outback. Will affectionately borrows the Aboriginal term Dreamtime to describe his youth-time in the Northern Territory.

Back in the States, Will was captivated by the music and skateboarding culture of the ‘80s. He sought additional outlets for expression – eventually leading him to the fine arts. For the past couple decades, he has produced sculpture and prints – some leading to national and international exhibitions and permanent public art commissions.

Will Niebauer now serves the Department of Art and Design at CCBC as its chair. He stives for excellence at every level of arts administration and enjoys his students and colleagues. Outside of school, Will cherishes time with his two sons. He enjoys making art, traveling, working on his automobiles, and living an active life.