Artist Statement and CV
Artist Statement
I have long held the past in high standing in my life in hopes to learn from it. Cultures, legacies, heirlooms, and traditions permeated my mind and reasons for making art. Clay presented the perfect medium for my intentions, and gave me breath to add my voice to the symphony of history. Ceramics itself is an anthropomorphic process, possessing lips, necks, shoulders, waists, bellies, and feet. Allowing for ceramics to reflect its makers both past and contemporary.
I make ceramics with a clear intention whilst channeling my whimsy and love of the unexpected variation. Function always leads form in my work, allowing for the special and individual nature of handmade ceramics to fill a person’s life and not just gallery halls. My ceramic process is not in the least consistent. The act of creating each piece could be seen as repetitive – but this leads my intuitive experimentation. Giving sublet changes to each work and imbuing it with its own life essence.
My work like my mind is split between a duality in making. Producing work with a deliberate adherence to tradition and its antithesis, work with a wild, serendipitous, and even challenging in nature. This split in thinking and making is a quintessential part in my work. Leading to my passion for making items mired in history and ritual like tea bowls, storage jars, and teapots. Equally with work such as asymmetrical vases, heavily textured forms, and natural item incorporation – balancing my body of work.
It is an honor and a joy to be able to make items that can be used and cherished, then passed on to the next generation. Permitting me to have a connection with all those that come into contact with my work, while I am here and long after I am not.
SleeplessNightsCeramics@gmail.com
Tel: (407)-595-5346
https://sleeplessnightsceramics.com
Education
2023 BFA Ceramics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2020 AA Ceramic Studio Art/Fine Art, Valencia College, Orlando, FL
Personal Experience
2022 - 2023
Woodshop Assistant/Monitor
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2020 - 2023
Ceramic Studio Assistant/Monitor
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2018 -
Freelance Ceramic Artist
Orlando, FL
2018
Established Sleepless Nights Ceramics
Orlando, FL
Teaching Experience
2022 - 2023
3D Art Professor
Orlando Fine Arts Academy, Orlando FL
2021 -2023
Ceramic Studio TA
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2019
Workshop Assistant
Laguna Clay Co. (Axner Pottery Supply), Oviedo, FL
2019
Workshop Assistant
Valencia College, Orlando, FL
2018
Workshop Assistant
The Alison Palmer Studio, South Kent, CT
Awards & Honors
2022 J.R. Hopes Art Grant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2022 Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Grant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2021 J.R. Hopes Art Grant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2021 Altrusa Club Eleanor J. Mathews Grant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2021 Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Grant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2019 Altrusa Club Eleanor J. Mathews Grant, Valencia College, Orlando FL
2019 Peter Voulkos Award, Valencia College, Orlando FL
2018 Valencia College Art Faculty Grant, Valencia College, Orlando FL
2018 Potters Guild Award, Valencia College, Orlando, FL
2018 Potters Guild Award, Valencia College, Orlando, FL
2015 1st Place 3D Art, Under the Stars Maitland Art Festival, Maitland, FL
2015 Honorable Mention, Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL
2014 1st Place 3D Art, Central Florida Fair, Orlando, FL
Exhibitions & Shows
2023 Midnight Shift: Spring 2023 BFA Exhibition, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2022 The Ceramics Congress: Virtual Markers Market Invitational, Orlando, FL
2022 UCF Ceramics Exhibition, City Arts Orlando, Orlando, FL
2022 Benefit Cup Show, Good Earth Pottery, Bellingham, WA
2021 Young Artist Show, City Arts Orlando, Orlando, FL
2021 Solo Exhibition, Faith Arts Village Orlando, Orlando, FL
2021 Solo Exhibition, Faith Arts Village Orlando, Orlando, FL
2021 SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show, Savannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA
2019 Valencia College Juried Student Art Show, Valencia College, Orlando, FL
2018 Valencia College Juried Student Art Show, Valencia College, Orlando, FL
Publications
Valencia College Phoenix Magazine, Published by Valencia College, 2019
The 33rd Student Art Competition, Published by The League for Innovation in the Community College, 2019
Web Publications
Caldwell, Brittany. “Spring Pottery Sale Brings Student Artists Together after a Year of Covid-19.” NSM.today. Nicholson Student Media, April 5, 2021. http://www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/life/spring-pottery-sale-brings-student-artists-together-after-a-year-of-covid-19/article_93e1715c-92f1-11eb-b18d-b7e6f861ba65.html?fbclid=IwAR3lSToiJVI-XBvnFa3GRTFFux5hPJh9Z8Hv56YDbQgejIIL6umrINLaAxo
Caldwell, Brittany. “Spring Pottery Sale Brings Student Artists Together after a Year of Covid-19.” NSM.today. Nicholson Student Media, April 5, 2021. http://www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/life/spring-pottery-sale-brings-student-artists-together-after-a-year-of-covid-19/article_93e1715c-92f1-11eb-b18d-b7e6f861ba65.html?fbclid=IwAR3lSToiJVI-XBvnFa3GRTFFux5hPJh9Z8Hv56YDbQgejIIL6umrINLaAxo