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Mark Hanf received a BA in Visual Arts from Davidson College in 2000, with a special focus on Science, Religion, and Environmental Architecture. While still in school, he researched, designed, and drew blueprints for a passive solar, off-grid, earth-sheltered home that incorporates key elements of geometric design like the golden ratio, as well as rain water cisterns, recycled materials, solar panels, and a bio-diesel generator. With the help of family and friends, he has been building and living in that house for the last six years.
In 1995, he was nominated to attend the NC Governor’s School in Science, Art, and Mathematics, and ultimately chose to study Fractal and Non-Euclidean Geometry. While at Davidson College he continued to explore Math and Science through astronomy, chemistry, and physics, and integrated these topics into his art.
From 2001-2007, Mark taught at the Rainbow Mountain Children’s School in Asheville, NC, where Multiple Intelligence theory and a holistic approach are blended to create an interdisciplinary, experiential, life-long learning environment. He taught middle school math and science and developed a unique curriculum that integrated environmental science, astronomy, cosmology, synergetic and ancient geometry. During his tenure at RMCS, Mark also taught physical education to second through eighth graders with an emphasis on teamwork, courage, and play. The experience of teaching a broad range of ages and subjects has given him insight into developmental appropriateness and differing learning styles. He has also designed and directed summer camps and after-school programs for elementary and middle school students, giving him over 12 years of combined experience working with this age group.
In 2006, he was a participant in the Design Science Lab in Asheville, a ten-day international think-tank inspired by Buckminster Fuller and sponsored by the United Nations that addressed global sustainability with an emphasis on energy, environmental, health, and educational issues, where he co-founded Earth Voyage. Earth Voyage is an interdisciplinary education program that integrates Geography, Science, Geometry, and Service Learning on a gymnasium-sized Dymaxion World Map. For the past 3 years he has served as program director for Earth Voyage where he has been designing the curriculum and producing tools and materials. He has presented Earth Voyage programs locally and regionally to a wide range of groups including elementary school, middle school, college students, and adults. He has also produced community events in collaboration with the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center and The Elumenati, celebrating the work of Buckminster Fuller.
Since 2007, Mark has also been designing and teaching a series of hands-on synergetic geometry courses with Geometry of Nature co-founder Marnie Muller. Together they have presented numerous lectures, classes, and workshops in collaboration with a variety of schools and organizations including AB Technical College, NCCAT (The North Carolina School for the Advancement of Teaching) and the AIA (American Institute of Architects). Mark is on the faculty of the Academy of Sacred Geometry along with some of the world’s leading teachers in the field. He is also on the faculty of the New York School of Feng Shui, where he recently taught a four-day course entitled The Tao of Geometry that explores the relationships of chinese sacred symbols and fractal geometry.
Mark is also a professional artist and creates work that weaves together his wide range of interests including science, math, and history. His paintings examine Nature’s architecture and symmetry and recently he has been using CNC (Computer Numeric Controlled) routers and lasers to create a body of sculpture and prints that explore fractal Geometry. His studio is part of Marshall High Studios, a complex located on a tiny island in the French Broad River in the Mountains of NC
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