AN ARTIST AMONG US BY:
Danielle Hoopaugh
Cody Heinrichs
Artist Cody Heinrichs poses for a photo during an interview with Pioneer PBS.
From the nearby city of Luverne, Minnesota hails an artist and teacher at USF, Cody Henrichs. Cody attended USF as an English Education Major, though he mostly came to play football. Cody’s stay at USF was cut short when he decided to join the army after his first year. After two years in the army, he decided to return to school, but this time as an Art Education major at Northwestern College where he received his undergraduate degree. Heirichs later graduated with his Masters in Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. After schooling, Cody returned to Minnesota. Despite taking what was supposed to be the temporary role of the Washington Pavillion’s Curator back in 2019, he still fills that position today. Heinrichs taught sculpture last semester and will be teaching art history to next year’s art enthusiasts. Heinrichs didn’t apply for any of these jobs, but was offered the positions by those who think fondly of him. Last year, Associate Professor of Art Ceca Cooper jokingly asked Heinrichs, “Would you like to teach sculpture?” She had several classes to teach already. Cooper was surprised when Heinrichs agreed. There is some irony in the fact that he now works here, as Heinrichs will tell you, he was not the best student when he attended. “I’ve been given many second chances,” he explained. Heinrichs feels that many of the second chances were undeserved, which is one of his striving forces to work hard. 12
