Since graduating from The University of Kansas in May, I have been extremely busy. After working with Israel Davis at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in June, I accepted a teaching position at South Carolina State University. In my first year as an Assistant Professor of Ceramics, I have been trying to organize the ceramics studio, write curricula, and continue to make work. The experience has been stressful, informative, and has really allowed me to grow as an educator.
In my first semester, I am teaching five classes; Ceramics I, Art Appreciation, 3D Design Fundamentals, Art Education Seminar I, and Art Education Seminar II. With a wide variety of classes, I have had to fall back on all of the education that I have received, including my past experience as a public-school educator. Prepping for this many classes has become a job of itself. I am so thankful for my education from Truman State University in really preparing me to create curricula that are interdisciplinary and required me to take the beginning sections of all of the studios in Truman’s program.
Also preparing me for my current position was all of the teaching and studio maintenance experience from the University of Kansas. Working closely with the studio technician is something that allows me to do my job both as an educator and maintaining a ceramics studio, welding area, and a woodshop. Go hang out with Joe at KU and you can learn a ton.
As far as my own work and research, I have been working on ideas of bringing the screen-printed imagery and process to the sculptural work similar to that of my thesis. I am beginning to draw more and work some of that drawing on to my surfaces as well. I am excited to get some of this work through the kilns and cannot wait to have more time dedicated to the studio as winter break approaches.
I have been lucky to have been selected in a few exhibitions but have neglected to share that information with the public. At the beginning of the semester, I was part of the Kansas City Clay Guild’s Teabowl National, and The Almighty Cup Show at Gandee Gallery, in Fabius, New York. Two of my sculptural pieces were selected for the Biennial Sculpture Exhibition at the Tryon Fine Arts Center in Tryon, North Carolina. Below is a photo from the show in Tryon and shows the slaking qualities of, A Tall Drink .
A Tall Drink. stoneware, porcelain, water. 36” x 14” x 66”, 2017.
Currently and opening on Friday, December 1st, Remnants of Sunday Meals, will be on display as part of the Fine Contemporary Craft Exhibition at Artspace Gallery, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As we move towards winter break, I plan to get a good amount of work completed, both pots and sculptural work. I am also working a few proposals for exhibitions and applications for summer residencies. I am looking forward to the next few months with great anticipation and will be sharing a good amount of images via Instagram.