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Melting Mountain Pottery
I work in a home studio that my family and I built here on our land in Madison County, North Carolina.  My functional and sculptural pottery is highly influenced by my natural surroundings of the Blue Ridge Mountains 
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Artist Statement

I began my explorations in clay almost 14 years ago.  I was seduced by the material and the wheel, and the idea that I could create something beautiful and useful at the same time.  My interest then fell into surface and color, using textural porcelain slips and layered glazes to create bright, flowing, and volatile surfaces.  As I have grown and matured in life, my work has followed.  I am still fascinated by glaze and surface, but with a higher understanding of form and flow.  I am deeply influenced by classical shapes and why and how they were made.  I attempt to embrace these studied forms but with a contemporary twist.  In my current method of firing in a large two chamber wood kiln, I am exploring the interaction between form and fire; building a relationship in each piece between the function, the surface, and the story of the firing process.  Each pot is made and placed in the kiln conscientiously with an expectation and openness.  A desire for success, and a pupil’s acceptance of result.


Resumé

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Art (Ceramics), May 2006
Virginian Polytechnic Institute and State University
QCA:  3.8/4.0

Ceramic Experience:

  • Studio Potter, Owner/Founder: Melting Mountain Pottery, Feb. 2008-current
  • Owner/Founder Asheville Ceramics Gallery, Asheville, NC 2013-2018
  • Studio Technician, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Oct. 2008-2009
  • Resident Artist, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC; Sept. 06-08

Coursework

  • 18 credits ceramic study under professor David Crane
  • 3 credits ceramic study under potter Richard Hensley
  • Familiarization with electric, gas, wood-salt, reduction, anagama, and noborigama kilns

Workshops:

Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts
  • Assistant, one week throwing workshop with Connor Burns

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
  • Two week work-study March 2006            
  • One week throwing workshop with Steven Hill, March 2006
  • Two week anagama workshop with Jim Brashear and David Hiltner, July 2005

Jacksonville Center for the Arts, Floyd, VA
  • Weekend workshop with Ellen Shankin, August 2005

Awards:

  • Membership Peidmont Craftsmen Guild 2008
  • Membership Southern Highlands Craft Guild 2014

  • Regional Artist Project Grant  2015
  • Best in 3-D, Montford Arts Festival Asheville, May 2000
  • Best in Craft, Henderson Arts Council RAD Show, April, 2009
  • Second Place, Bakersville Creek Walk, Sept. 2008
  • Dean and Rosina Carter Sculpture Scholarship, 2005-2006
  • BFA Magna Cum Laude, VT, 2006
  • Most Outstanding Graduating Senior in Studio Art, VT, 2006

Teaching Experience:

  • John C. Campbell Folk School, NC, week gas fire workshop 2019 and 2022
  • The Bascom, Highlands, NC, 1 week workshop 2018
  • The Bascom, Highlands, NC, 3 day workshop, 2014
  • Western Carolina Community College, guest workshop series, 2014
  • Highwater St. Pete, FL, weekend demo workshop, 2013
  • Highwater Asheville, NC, Open house demo workshop 2012
  • 7 week altered forms class, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Fall 2008
  • 9 week slip and ash class, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Winter 2008
  • Private lessons, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, 2007

Shows/Exhibits:

  • Cabarrus Arts Council, "Clay", Nov-Dec. 2018
  • Baltimore Clayworks, “Winterfest” December 2014
  • Alamance Arts Winter Invitational, “Christmas at Captain White’s”  Dec. 2014
  • Mudfire Gallery, “Plate Show” Nov 2014
  • Worcester Center for Arts, “Mug Show” and “Bowl Show” Winter 2014
  • Akar Gallery, “Yunomi Show”  Spring 2014 and 2015
  • Hambridge Winter Show 2013-2014
  • Baltimore Clayworks, “Southern Hospitality” 
  • 2013Carrabus Arts Council 2013
  • Crimson Laurel “99 bottles” 2013
  • Pump Gallery, Asheville, solo show, “Decompression” 2012
  • Odyssey Gallery, “Table Settings” 2011
  • Marilyn Wilson Gallery, “Cup Show” March 2010
  • Mudfire Gallery, “Mug Shots” 2009
  • Odyssey Gallery, “Growth and Renewal,” March 2009
  • Odyssey Gallery, “Favorites,” February 2009
  • Big Crafty, Asheville, December 2008
  • Mudfire Holiday Sale, GA, December 2008
  • Odyssey Gallery, ”Transitions,” November 2008
  • Bakersville Creek Walk, September, 2008
  • Asheville Area Arts Council, April 2008
  • Asheville River District Studio Stroll, 2006-2008
  • Southern Highland Craft Guild Fair, 2006-2008
  • Asheville Area Arts Council, November 13-December 15, 2006
  • Senior Show, Armory Art Gallery, VT, May 2006
  • Senior Show, Armory Art Gallery, VT, December 2005



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