Bio
Brian Nelson was born in Michigan. He attended Western Michigan University in 1985 and received his BFA in Sculpture in 1991. After receiving his BFA he moved to East Lansing, Michigan, and began working as a welder for a United States military subcontractor. While working long hours he honed his welding and fabricating skills. After working in the industry for nearly two and a half years, Nelson decided to pursue his MFA degree at Michigan State University. In 1995 he was offered a sabbatical replacement position in the art department at the Center for Creative Studies. At CCS he taught Drawing I, Drawing II, Three-D Design, Welding, Materials and process, and beginning intermediate and advanced sculpture. He also was the director of the metal-shop, and foundry.
Brian began teaching at Eastern in 2000, and is currently a Professor of Sculpture and the area coordinator of the sculpture program.  He has exhibited throughout the area, Popps Packing at the Detroit Artist Market, CAID, Elaine L. Jacobs Gallery, Gallery Project, among others.  He has shown nationally at Hall Walls in Buffalo, NY, Spaces Gallery, Cleveland, Indiana State University, Louden House, Lexington Ky., Best in show at the MACAA , Positive/ Negative at East Tennessee State University, as well as an Excellence in Teaching award from MSU, and a teaching recognition award at EMU.
Brian is known for his
unique ability to combine refined craftsmanship and complex emotional and
conceptual ideas into solid and fluid sculpture.