Artist: Bradley Klem
Bradley Klem, PENNSYLVANIA
View Artist's Available Products Here
ARTIST BIO:
Bradley Klem is a Denver-based ceramic artist whose work navigates the complexities of environmental change through material inquiry and metaphor. Drawing from a lifelong reverence for water, wildlife, and the natural world, his porcelain vessels serve as contemplative objects; surfaces for painting that merge historical aesthetics with contemporary ecological discourse. Often employing dark humor, irony, and visual dissonance, his work examines the entangled systems of industry, consumerism, and climate collapse.
Bradley holds an MFA from Penn State University and teaches ceramics at the University of Denver. He is a board member of La Serra Collective, a growing arts organization rooted in community and sustainability. His work has been exhibited nationally and is held in private and institutional collections.
Grounded in both scholarship and lived experience, Klem’s recent projects reflect on ecological grief, the persistence of beauty, and the contradictions inherent in modern life. He lives in Denver with his wife and daughter, whose curiosity and joy continually renew his sense of purpose.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
My work draws on the long tradition of ceramic vessels, which have symbolized sustenance and permanence across cultures and time. Today, I use these forms as a foil to the transient, petroleum derived materials that dominate modern life.
I engage with the aesthetics of waste through a blend of beauty and confrontation. Graphic, vibrant surfaces draw viewers close, only to reveal imagery of petro-capitalism embedded within forms traditionally associated with care, ornament, and tradition. These vessels act as Trojan horses, quietly carrying conversations about our planetary fate.
My recent work has expanded to critique the petroleum industry and the systems supporting it. I'm interested in how fossil fuel corporations shape not only our physical world but also our moral and aesthetic perceptions, using sustainability rhetoric and tools like carbon footprint calculators to obscure harm and shift blame onto individuals.
Should we find beauty in pollution? Can decoration serve as indictment? Through humor, irony, and the rich history of ceramic decoration, I provoke viewers into recognizing their complicity without sacrificing hope. My aim is not simply to advocate for sustainable practices but to sustain attention; to create space for reflection, contradiction, and meaningful change.
These are the pots of the Anthropocene: beautiful, damning, and necessary.
EDUCATION:
Master of Fine Arts
Ceramics
Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16801
Graduated May 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Art Studies
Focus in Ceramics and Painting
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
Graduated May 2014
Associate in Arts Degree
Glendale Community College, Glendale, AZ 85302
Graduated December 2006
TEACHING EXPERIANCE:
(2021 – present) Adjunct Professor The University of Denver, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Ceramics, Denver, CO.
(2024 – present) Adjunct Professor Arapahoe Community College, Art and Design Center, Ceramics, Littleton, CO.
(2018 – 2020) Adjunct Professor Pennsylvania State University, School of Visual Arts, Ceramics and Foundations, University Park, PA.
(2017) Instructor of Record Pennsylvania State University, School of Visual Arts, Ceramics; University Park, PA.
(2016) Instructor of Record Pennsylvania State University, School of Visual Arts, Sculpture; University Park, PA.
(2014 – 2016) Instructor Mesa Arts Center, Teen Wheel, China Painting, Soda Firing, Beginning Wheel Throwing; Mesa, AZ.
TECHNICAL and PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
(2020 – present) La Serra Collective - Board Member and Collaborator La Serra Collective; Denver, CO.
(2015 – present) Founder/Director of GrowlerFest
(2017 - 2018) Ceramics Studio Technician Penn State University, ceramics studio; University Park, PA.
(2014 – 2016) Ceramics Studio Manager Mesa Art Center, ceramics studio; Mesa, AZ.
(2015) Ceramics Studio Technician Phoenix College, ceramics studio; Phoenix, AZ.
(2014 – 2015) Ceramics Studio Technician Mesa Art Center, ceramics studio; Mesa, AZ.
PUBLICATIONS
2025 Low Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors – Pages 126-129, by Ben Carter
2019 Ceramics Monthly – May 2019; Emerging Artist and Cover Photo
2017 Studio Potter Journal – August 2017; Hands Up, I’m addicted to Social Media; by Adriana Christianson
2017 NCECA NSJE Catalog – March 2017
2016 Ceramics Monthly – September 2016; Clay Culture: GrowlerFest; by Amanda Barr
2016 Ceramics Monthly – September 2016; Tips and Tools: Growler Lids; by Bradley Klem
2016 The Growler – July 2016; Art and Artists
2014 Ceramics Monthly – September 2014; Undergraduate Showcase
EXHIBITIONS
2026 Convergent – (Juror) Light Art Space: Silver City, NM
2026 Divergent – Light Art Space: Silver City, NM
2026 Lush 4 – (Juror and Invited Artist) Lighthouse Art Center Gallery, Lighthouse Art Center: Tequesta, FL
2026 Yunomi Invitational – AKAR Gallery: Iowa City, IA
2026 Protest Cup – Huntington Place Convention Center: Detroit, MI, NCECA 2026
2025 Meltdown: A Changing Climate – Arts Westchester: White Plains, NY
2025 Treading Lightly: Walking the Talk – MICA, Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts: Salt Lake City, UT, NCECA 2025
2024 Atmosphere: Moods and Minerals – Archie Bray Benefit Auction; Archie Bray Foundation: Helena, MT
2024 Cuptopia – Artstream Nomadic Gallery: Carbondale, CO
2024 Faculty Exhibition – Vicki Myhren Gallery; University of Denver: Denver, CO
2024 Yellow Springs Ceramics National – Historic Yellow Springs Gallery: Chester Springs, PA
2024 Yunomi Invitational – AKAR Gallery: Iowa City, IA
2023 49th Old Church Pottery Show – The Art School at Old Church; Demarest, NJ
2023 8 Fluid Ounces: Mud and Midnight Fusion – Glassell Gallery, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, LA
2023 Faculty Exhibition – Vicki Myhren Gallery; University of Denver: Denver, CO
2023 The Shape of Now – 2023 Ceramics Invitational – Todd Art Gallery, Middle Tennessee State University: Murfreesboro, TN
2023 DelecTable – Art Students League of Denver: Denver, CO
2022 Future Fossils – Davis Gallery, DU Museum of Anthropology: Denver, CO2022 Above Board www.aboveboardceramics.com: Online, NCECA 2022
2021 Material Mugs IV – Companion Gallery: Humboldt, TN
2021 Above Board – www.aboveboardceramics.com: Online, NCECA 2021
2020 Bray Days – Robert and Gennie DeWeese Gallery: Bozeman, MT
2020 Products of the ‘80s – Eric Fischl Gallery: Phoenix, AZ
2019 Archie Bray Artists in Residence Exhibition – Kolva-Sullivan Gallery: Spokane, WA
2019 The 10th Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale – Icheon Cerapia: Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2019 Americano Invitational – AKAR Gallery: Iowa City, IA
2019 Plastic and Gold – Blue Dome Gallery: Silver City, NM
2019 Yunomi Invitational – AKAR Gallery: Iowa City, IA
2019 Terra Incognita: 21st Century Ceramics – Plant Seven Gallery: High Point, NC
2019 What We Left Behind – Dairy Barn Arts Center, Chaddock-Morrow Gallery: Athens, OH
2019 Unfolding Epoch – Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, NCECA 2019: Chaska, MN
2018 “Out of the Mold” Carbondale Clay National XIII – Carbondale Clay Center Gallery: Carbondale, CO
2018 Plasti·cene – Solo Exhibition; Edwin W. Zoller Gallery: University Park, PA
2018 Kitchen Sink – The Mesa Contemporary Art Museum: Mesa, AZ
2018 The Functional Canvas III – Charlie Cummings Gallery: Gainesville, FL
2018 Yunomi Invitational – AKAR Gallery: Iowa City, IA
2018 Coffee and Clay Invitational – Pottery Northwest Gallery, WA
2018 SocialMud – Standard Ceramics: Pittsburgh, PA
2018 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition – Pittsburgh Center for the Arts; Pittsburgh, PA – Mudtools Merit Award
2017 5econd – Borland Project Space: Pennsylvania State University; University Park, PA
2017 Ceramics of Bradley Klem – Solo; HUB Gallery: University Park, PA
2017 Americano Invitational – Clay Akar Gallery: Iowa City, IA
2017 Crafted – Society for Contemporary Craft: Pittsburgh, PA
2017 Summer Gallery Open House – Ferrin Contemporary: Cummington, MA
2017 Yunomi Invitational – AKAR Gallery: Iowa City, IA
2017 Graduate Exhibition Showcase – Borland Project Space: Pennsylvania State University; State College, PA
2017 Graduate Research Exhibition – HUB Gallery: Pennsylvania State University; State College, PA
2017 Images on Clay – Victor F. Keen Gallery: Las Vegas, NV
2017 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition – Oregon College of Art and Craft: Hoffman Gallery; Portland, OR – Graduate Award for Excellence 2nd place, Aardvark Purchase Award
2017 Small Favors XI: Think Inside the Box – The Clay Studio Gallery: The Clay Studio of Philadelphia: Philadelphia, PA
2017 Last Call 2 – Companion Gallery; Humboldt, TN
2017 5irst – Zoller Gallery: Pennsylvania State University; University Park, PA
2017 Twin Cups – Potter Fine Arts Gallery: Missouri Western State University; St. Joseph, MO
2017 Particularly Political – Humpday gallery; Pennsylvania State University; State College, PA
2017 Mugshot Monday – Lillstreet Art Center: Lillstreet Gallery; Chicago, IL
2016 Hand Candy: A Ceramics Lending Library – Penn State University: Patterson Gallery; State College, PA
2016 Cheers – Medalta: Yuill Family Gallery; Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
2016 Clay National XI: Intimacy of Scale – Carbondale Clay Center Gallery; Carbondale, CO
2016 The Second Annual Dirty South Mug Competition – River Oaks Square Arts Center: Bolton Davis Gallery; Alexandria, LA
2016 GrowlerFest NCECA– Lawrence Arts Center: Free State Brewing Company, NCECA 2016; Lawrence, KS
2016 Last Call – Companion Gallery; Humboldt, TN
2016 Twin Cups – Potter Fine Arts Gallery: Missouri Western State University; St. Joseph, MO
2016 Drink Me – Mariani Gallery: University of Northern Colorado; Greeley, CO 2016 2nd Biennial Wings and Water – River Arts Gallery; Prairie Du Sac, WI
2016 15th Annual ASU Ceramics Research Center Studio Tour and Exhibition – ASU Art Museum: Ceramics Research Center; Tempe, AZ
2015 GrowlerFest 2015 East – Featured Artist – Project Art Summer Gallery; Cummington, MA
2015 GrowlerFest 2015 West – Featured Artist – Eutectic Gallery; Portland, OR
2015 Graphic Clay: A Survey of Illustrated, Printed and Innovative Surfaces – Baltimore Clayworks; Baltimore, MD
2014 Seventh Annual Cup Show: Form and Function – Amelia Center Gallery; Panama City, FL
2014 Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics – Michael Seiler Studios; Zanesville, OH
2014 KC Clay Guild Teabowl National 2014 – Thornhill Gallery; Kansas City, MO
2014 American Potters – For the People; Phoenix, AZ
2014 Ceramics Showcase – Art One Gallery Inc.; Scottsdale, AZ.
2013 Bound & Combined: Variable Figuration with Rose Simpson – (group) Combine Gallery; Phoenix, AZ
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE EXPERIENCE
2025 The Studio School – Short-term resident artist; Thornton, CO
2023 Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts – Invited Resident Artist, session 2; Edgecomb, ME
2019 Archie Bray Foundation – Spring Resident; Helena, MT
2015 Project Art 01026 – Short Term Resident, October 2015; Cummington, MA
2015 Mesa Arts Center – Resident Artist; Mesa, AZ
2015 Project Art 01026 – Short Term Resident, March 2015; Cummington, MA
ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS / LECTURES
2026 Archie Bray Foundation – Workshop; Helena, MT2026 Western New Mexico University – Workshop; Silver City, NM
2026 RMCAD – Visiting Artist; Denver, CO
2026 Morean Workshop Space – Workshop; St. Petersburg, FL
2025 University of Denver – Workshop; Denver, CO
2024 La Serra Collective – Demonstrator; Denver, CO
2022 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Guest Lecturer; Edwardsville, IL
2021 Pennsylvania State University – Guest Lecturer; State College, PA
2019 Silver City Clay Fest – 4-day Workshop; Silver City Clay Festival, Syzygy Tile, Silver City, NM
2016 Artaxis Presents: A Day of Periscope Conversations – Presenter; National Clay Week, online
2016 Xavier College Preparatory – Visiting Artist; Phoenix, AZ
2016 Mesa Arts Center – Artist Workshop; Mesa, AZ
2016 Phoenix College – Visiting Artist and Lecturer; Phoenix, AZ
2016 NCECA 2016 – Presenter, Blinc 20/20: GrowlerFest; Kansas City, MO
2016 University of Iowa – Guest Artist and Lecturer; Iowa City, IA
2015 Harvard Ceramics – Guest Lecturer; Boston, MA
2015 Project Art 01026 – Guest Lecturer; Cummington, MA
2015 Arizona Clay Guild – Guest Lecturer; Phoenix, AZ
2015 Phoenix College – Visiting Artist; Phoenix, AZ
2015 Queen Creek High School – Visiting Artist; Queen Creek, AZ
2014 ASU Ceramics Research Center – Tempe Festival of the Arts event; Tempe, AZ
COLLECTIONS
Archie Bray Foundation; Helena, MT
Aardvark Clay; Santa Ana, CA
Mesa Contemporary Art Museum; Mesa, AZ
AWARDS
2018 Creative Achievement Award; The Pennsylvania State University, College of Arts and Architecture; University Park, PA; nominated by Shannon Goff and Tom Lauerman
2018 Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award; The Pennsylvania State University; University Park, PA; nominated by Liz Quackenbush
2018 Mudtools Merit Award; NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition; Pittsburgh Center for the Arts; Pittsburgh, PA
2017 NCECA Graduate Award for Excellence 2nd Place; NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition: Oregon College of Art and Craft, Hoffman Gallery; Portland, OR
2017 Aardvark Clay Purchase Award; NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition; Oregon College of Art and Craft, Hoffman Gallery; Portland, OR
2017 Graduate Teaching Assistantship; Pennsylvania State University; State College, PA
INTERVIEWS
2025 Tales of a Red Clay Rambler – Interviewed by Ben Carter; Episode 539
2024 La Serra Collective Featured Artist – Interviewed by John Domenico; laserracollective.org
2017 The Potters Cast – Interviewed by Paul Blais; Episode 362
2017 Jonescast – Interviewed by Brian R. Jones; Episode 71
REPRESENTATION
La Serra Collective - Denver, CO
Archie Bray Foundation – Helena, MT
Clay Akar – Iowa City, IA
Plinth Gallery – Denver, CO
Artaxis.org – Online