Artist Statement and Curriculum Vitae
Artist Statement
I aspire to make pottery that is poised, practical, and functional, while engaging the viewers’ emotion and environment through aesthetics and form. I am constantly drawn to how an object feels in our hands - how a mug can feel cozy and reassuring -when cradled with both hands. The familiarity that can be gained when an object is repeatedly used. My desire is for the user to have an intimate moment or physical connection with a pot, for my piece to be that favorite mug they pull out on a rainy day. Reinforcing the sense of comfort through soothing colors, my palette is soft and reassuring. The addition of patterns and floral motifs in underglaze adds finer detail and extends the time in which the user is visually engaged with the work. My recent work has incorporated shellac resist, which raises the surface of the floral patterns and creates a subtle texture. It is visually evident, but it is soft enough that the user is surprised when they feel the topographical differences in the form.
I enjoy the process of creating objects in clay, the ability to mold the form, refine the surface, and the unique connection it offers the user. Overall, I endeavor to create vessels that will be used on a regular basis, and bring comfort and joy to the user.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2021 Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), Edwardsville, Illinois, Expected graduation in May of 2021
2018 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Bachelor of Art in Art History, Indiana University Southeast (IUS), New Albany, Indiana, Cum Laude
2012 Associate of Arts, Fine Art Studio concentration, Vincennes University, Vincennes, Indiana, Magna Cum Laude
SELECT EXHIBITIONS
2020 Juried Student Show, SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois
2019 Raise A Toast: Exhibition of Ceramic Cups, Juror: Mark Arnold, Edwardsville Art Center, Edwardsville, Illinois.
Juried student show, SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois
Small Works Show, Juror: Ryan Horvath, Wood River Museum, Wood River, Illinois
2018 Summer of Ceramics, July’s Featured Artist, Open Gallery, Vincennes, Indiana
OH+5: Ohio Border Juried Exhibition, Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, Ohio
Juried Student Show, Barr Gallery, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, Indiana. Juror: Amethyst Beaver
2017 Louisville Visual Arts Open Studio Juried Exhibition, Cressman Center for Visual Arts, Louisville, KY
Juried Student Show, Barr Gallery, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, Indiana
Bread and Roses: Recent Works from IUS Ceramics, Arts Council of Southern Indiana, New Albany, Indiana
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2021-2022 St. Louis Community College Meramac, Adjunct Professor
Teach Ceramics 1, Ceramics 2, and Advanced Ceramics.
Students learn hand building, wheel throwing, glazing, surface decorating, the history of ceramics, and are introduced to art theory and current artists.
2019-2020 SIUE, the University Museum, Edwardsville, Illinois Graduate Assistant
• Inventory art objects and update information and photographs in the digital file within Past Perfect Database
• Assist preparer in install and de-install of artwork on the SIUE campus
2019 SIUE, Art department, Edwardsville, Illinois, Teaching Assistant: Primitive Class and Studio technician
• Assist students with building and firing work
• Provide assistance to all art departments as needed.
2018-2020 SIUE, Ceramics department, Edwardsville, Illinois, Graduate Assistant
• Maintain inventory of dry materials: order and restock as needed
• Maintain order and cleanliness of the studio
2018 1972 Community Center, Vincennes, Indiana, Art Teacher and Front Desk Attendant
• Program development for community and public classes. Plan curriculum for various mediums, predict cost, and provide
• Teach art classes for KCARC participants and the public through private and group lessons.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2019-2020 SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois, President for the Wagner Potters Association
• Schedule large events: contact visiting artists, arrange transportation, and apply for third party funds.
• Schedule and lead bi-weekly meetings and fundraising events.
2018-2019 SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois, Treasurer for the Wagner Potters Association
• Accounting work for fundraisers and sales. (Fall and Spring sale each gross $15,000 - $19,000)
• Maintain dues and cut checks to members
2017-2018 IUS, Art department – Gear Lab, New Albany, Indiana, Student worker
• Manage large format printing service: receive and print orders, track ink and paper levels, clean printhead as needed.
• Oversee rental equipment: track inventory, keep records, and maintain equipment
2017 Intern at Kentucky Mudworks, Louisville, Kentucky
• Mix new clay recipes, create test tiles, record notes on plasticity/workability of the clay body
HONORS, AWARDS, and GRANTS (SELECT)
Research Graduate Grant, SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois, 2021
John H. Pohlman Memorial Scholarship, SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois, 2018 & 2019
Martha Holden Award for Excellence, SIUE, Edwardsville, Illinois, 2018
Art History Research Paper Award, IUS, New Albany, Indiana, 2017
ART SKILLS
Ceramics: Wheel throwing, slab and coil building, glaze and clay mixing and testing.
Atmospheric firing: soda, salt, wood, saggar, raku, pit, manure, and sawdust.
Painting: Watercolors, Acrylic, and Oil paints
Printmaking: Mono Print, Collo-graph, Aquatint, Soft-ground, Dry Point, lithograph, Intalgio, screen printing.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Banner MBS POS Systems ARC Advantage Suite
InSite Past Perfect Database Word (office, excel, power point)
Lightroom Blackboard