Education
TYLER SCHOOL OF ART / TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
73 CREDITS TOWARDS BFA, PAINTING 2008-2011
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Edna Weinstein Portfolio Merit Scholarship Recipient
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Doylestown Art League Portfolio Scholarship Winner
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Doylestown Chamber of Commerce Portfolio Scholarship Winner
Skills & Experience
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EDIBLE WILD PLANT AND ETHNOBOTANICAL LECTURER - HOSTING AN ONGOING SERIES OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPS & WALKING TOURS FOCUSED ON FORAGING, WILD PLANT IDENTIFICATION, AND PLANT BASED CRAFTS INCLUDING BASKETRY, CORD & FIBER MAKING, AND PROCESSING NATURAL DYES . CONDUCTED INDEPENDENTLY AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING WILD FOODIES of PHILADELPHIA, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION of DELAWARE COUNTY, AND THE PENN STATE EXTENSION SERVICE. CLASSES HAVE SERVED UP TO 40 INDIVIDUALS AT A TIME
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1ST DEGREE BLACK BELT JIU-JITSU/MIXED MARTIAL ARTS - UNDER SENSEI M. MARCHAND, 15+ YEARS EXP.
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TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMAN - LEATHERWORK / WOOD CARVING / BOWYERY / AND KNIFE MAKING
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FLUENT IN RUSSIAN
Alexander Polyakov
Fine Gardener + Craftsman
About Me
A Ukrainian born designer, horticultrualist, and maker of things. When given the option, I usually choose the painstaking archaic approach. This either builds character & depth or makes everything take three times longer than it should... I tell myself the former to sleep better at night. When I am not making sure the migratory birds have a more refined placed to sit (they can be quite picky), I like to collect mushrooms and teach people how to make use of the plants around them. You can find me in Philadelphia if you look under the right shrub.
Work Experience
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HEAD GARDENER, KYLIN ARTS LLC
PHILADELPHIA, PA MARCH 2015 - PRESENT
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OVERSEE THE DESIGN & INSTALLATION OF ORNAMENTAL PERENNIAL GARDENS, PREDOMINANTLY FOCUSED ON NATIVE SPECIES, NATURALISTIC AESTHETICS, AND THE USE OF TRADITIONAL HAND TOOLS
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COORDINATE TEAMS OF 3-8 EMPLOYEES THROUGH UP TO 5 MAINTENANCE VISITS A DAY
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HIRE & TRAIN EMPLOYEES ON PROPER TOOL USE, PRUNING, AND PLANT CARE TECHNIQUES
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IDENTIFY ISSUES RELATED TO DISEASE, PESTS, OR NON-OPTIMAL GROWING CONDITIONS; REMEDY AS NEEDED
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ASSURE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF AESTHETIC AND HORTICULTURAL QUALITY ARE CONSISTENTLY MET
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ANSWER CLIENT QUESTIONS, AND CONSULT REGARDING BOTH SEASONAL & LONG TERM PLANS FOR THE GARDEN
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PURCHASE & TRANSPORT ALL NECESSARY PLANTS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR PROJECT COMPLETION
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MAINTAIN ACCURATE DOCUMENTATION OF PROJECT PROGRESS, MATERIAL COSTS, AND INVENTORY
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EVALUATE TEAM PERFORMANCE AND CO-LEAD QUARTERLY MEETINGS FOCUSED ON IDENTIFYING OPERATIONAL BOTTLENECKS AND STREAMLINING COMPANY PROCEDURES
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FINE GARDENER, GARDEN GALLERY DESIGN
PHILADELPHIA, PA MARCH 2014 - NOVEMBER 2014
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INSTALL, PRUNE, FERTILIZE, AND CARE FOR WOODY PLANTS, HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS, & DECORATIVE ANNUALS
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ACCURATELY IDENTIFY WEEDS AND EXECUTE THE PROPER TECHNIQUES FOR THEIR REMOVAL
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ASSIST IN THE COMPOSITIONAL LAYOUT OF NEW PLANTINGS
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SERVICE AND SHARPEN GARDEN TOOLS AS NEEDED
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WHOLE FOODS MARKET, GROCERY TEAM MEMBER
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PHILADELPHIA, PA AUGUST 2012 - MARCH 2014
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OVERSEE PRODUCT STOCK AND DISPLAY OF THE BULK FOODS DEPARTMENT
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COMPLY WITH ALL CLEANING AND FOOD HANDLING SAFETY GUIDELINES
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ASSESS AND ANTICIPATE INVENTORY NEEDS AND PLACE ORDERS DIRECTLY TO SUPPLYING VENDORS
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PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXHIBIT THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF AVAILABLE PRODUCTS
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AFTERSCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM LEADER,
ZHANG SAH MARTIAL ARTS
PHILADELPHIA, PA 2011 SCHOOL YEAR
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LEAD MARTIAL ARTS BASED AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR A GROUP OF 10-15 ELEMENTARY AGED STUDENTS
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DEVELOP PROJECT BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES & PROVIDE ACADEMIC TUTORING
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COORDINATE WITH OTHER GROUP LEADERS DURING MARTIAL ARTS LESSONS, SCHOOL WIDE PROGRAMS, & TRIPS
