Artist: Brenda Lichman
Brenda Lichman, KANSAS
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Making things is important to me. It is the way that I ground myself and connect to people and the world around me. This is true, whether I am in the kitchen preparing food, or in the studio working on my pots. For me, there's great satisfaction in creating something from scratch and putting it out into the world for others to enjoy.
It is important to me that my pots carry a sense of having been touched. Working with my hands over the entire surface of the piece allows me to physically connect to it, instilling it with my own liveliness and identity. The pots begin on the wheel, and are later altered off the wheel by stretching, massaging, pulling, and pushing the clay outwards. This process creates a sense of volume that celebrates generosity and strength.
In most of my work, I accent the form with a thickly applied slip that allows me to create soft, fluid contours. These luscious lines can allude to the graceful movement of a feminine gesture or even to the rich creaminess of homemade hummus or a swirl of melting frozen yogurt. Atmospheric firing intensifies this richness, bringing out the butteriness of a glaze, or adding zest by activating the vibrant color of a flashing slip.
I strive to make beautiful pots that bring balance, energy, and enjoyment to the table.
BIOGRAPHY
Brenda Lichman grew up in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where she developed an early interest in art and the handmade object. She received her B.F.A. in ceramics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1998 and earned her M.F.A. in ceramics with a minor in drawing from the University of North Texas in 2002.
Lichman was featured as an “Emerging Artist” by Ceramics Monthly Magazine in May of 2009. Her work was also awarded “Best of Show” in the Wichita Falls Museum of Art’s 2014 and 2015 Empty Bowl Exhibitions, juried respectively by Dan Hammett of the University of Dallas and Patsy Cox of the University of California, North Ridge.
Brenda’s work has been broadly exhibited across the country in notable exhibitions, such as the “23rd Strictly Functional National” in 2015. This year she is honored to participate in“50 Women: A Celebration of Women’s Contribution to Ceramics”, and “Heartland Table”, an exhibition project pairing potters with chefs in the Kansas City area as part of the 2016 NCECA Conference.
Her work has been published in books such as “Surface Design for Ceramics” and “500 Teapots, Volume 2”, as well as in the December 2014 issue of Ceramics Monthly’s feature article “Brenda Lichman-Balance and Versatility”.
Currently, Brenda is a studio potter in Wichita, Kansas where she also teaches at Wichita State University’s School of Art, Design & Creative Industries. Brenda coordinates the annual “Empty Bowl” fundraising project with the WSU Ceramics Guild, which benefits the Kansas Food Bank. She believes that we can make a difference in our lives and our communities through art, food and pottery.
Her work is represented by Red Lodge Clay Center, AKAR, Plinth Gallery & Crimson Laurel Gallery.
EDUCATION
2002 M.F.A., Ceramics, Minor-Drawing, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
1998 B.F.A., Ceramics University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2010-Present Adjunct Lecturer/Graduate Faculty, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
2006-2010 Adjunct Lecturer, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
2005-2010 Ceramic Lab Technician, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
2003-2005 Instructional Associate & Ceramic Technician, Eastfield College, Mesquite, Texas
EXHIBITION RECORD
(Selected-Solo, Group, Invitational & Juried Exhibitions)
2016 *”Cups of Joy-Invitational” Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery, Spokane, Washington
*”Celadon Candy”, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana
Curator: Wesley Harvey
*Material Mugs: Irons in the Fire- Invitational”, Companion Gallery,
Humboldt, Tennessee
Juror: Justin Rothshank
*“Sustain – From Clay to Table”, MOCA, Jacksonville, Florida
*”Steinfest Invitational”, Claymakers Gallery, Durham, North Carolina
*“Cup: The Intimate Object XI”, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, Florida
“2016 Yunomi Invitational”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“Dallas Pottery Invitational”, The Empire Room, Dallas, Texas
“Pour it Up”, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana
Curator: Wesley Harvey
“Form-Fire- Flux: New works by the WSU Ceramics Department”,
Reuben Sanders Gallery, Wichita, Kansas
“50 Women: A Celebration of Women’s Contribution to Ceramics”, American Jazz
Museum, Kansas City, Missouri
Curators: Anthony Merino & Alex Kraft
“Heartland Table”, NCECA, Tom’s Town Distillery, Kansas City, Missouri
Curator: Robbie Lobell
“Across the Table”, Charlotte Street Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri
Curators: Michael Strand and Namita Wiggers
“La Mesa Invitational”, NCECA, Central Exchange, Kansas City, Missouri
“Salt & Pepper Shaker Exhibition”, NCECA, Ladybird Dinner, Lawrence, Kansas
Curator: Ben Ahlvers
“To Set the Table”, Mary G Harding-Center for Cultural Arts, Gadsden, Alabama
2015 “Contemporary Ceramics 2015”, The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, Ohio
Curators: Brad Schwieger & Chuck McWeeny
“The 23 rd Strictly Functional Pottery National”, Market House Craft Center, E. Petersburg,
Pennsylvania, Juror: Matt Long
“Brenda Lichman-Solo Exhibition”, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, North Carolina
“Americano Invitational” AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“Cups: Hundreds of Cups!”, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, New Mexico
“MFA-Ceramics: Students & Faculty from KSU, WSU &UNL”, Vernon Filley Museum,
Vernon Filley Museum, Pratt, Kansas
Juror: Marshal Maude
“We’re Not in Kansas Anymore”, The Arts Council, Evansville, Indiana
“Empty Bowls Invitational Exhibition”, Wichita Falls Museum of Art, Wichita Falls, Texas
Juror: Dan Hammett
“Cup: The Intimate Object XI”, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, Florida
“La Mesa Invitational”, NCECA Exhibition, Providence, Rhode Island
“2015 Yunomi Invitational”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“20th-Faculty Biennial”, Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita, Kansas
2014 “Shino On”, 18 Hands Gallery, Houston, Texas
“Stoked, Wood Fired in Tool”, (American Craft Week), Craft Guild of Dallas, Dallas, Texas
Curator: Louise Rosenfield
“Paper Plate”, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence, Kansas
Curator: Kyla Strid
“Empty Bowls Invitational Exhibition”, Wichita Falls Museum of Art, Wichita Falls, Texas
Curator: Steve Hilton
“Ted Adler & Brenda Lichman”, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana
“Cup: The Intimate Object X”, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, Florida
“La Mesa Invitational”, NCECA Exhibition, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“2014 Yunomi Invitational”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
2013 “Cup: The Intimate Object IX”, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, Florida
“Dallas Pottery Invitational”, The Gallery-Addison Visitor Center, Addison, Texas
“Endless Variations II: Shino Extravaganza”, NCECA, North Harris-Lone Star College,
Houston, Texas, Curator: Malcolm Davis
“La Mesa Invitational”, NCECA Exhibition, Houston, Texas
“Texans & Ex’s”, NCECA, Winter Street Studios, Houston, Texas
Curator: Wesley Harvey & Kate Fisher
“2013 Yunomi Invitational”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“New Perspectives”, Artworks Gallery, Wichita, Kansas
“Empty Bowls Invitational Exhibition”, Wichita Falls Museum of Art, Wichita Falls, Texas
Curator: Steve Hilton
2012 “Handle with Care”, Santa Fe Clay Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
“Cup: The Intimate Object VIII”, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, Florida
“Three Cups”, White, Green, Black, Durango Arts Center, Durango, Colorado
Curator: Adam Field
“Cups, Invitational”, Lawrence Art Center, Lawrence, Kansas
Curator: Ben Ahlvers
“Dallas Pottery Invitational”, The Gallery-Addison Visitor Center, Addison, Texas
“Atmospheric Invitational”, Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, Ellensburg, WA
Curator: Stephen Robinson
“La Mesa Invitational”, NCECA Exhibition, Seattle, Washington
“2012 Yunomi Invitational” AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
2011 “Cup: The Intimate Object VII”, Charlie Cummings Gallery
“30 X 5 Soda/Salt”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“American Pottery Festival Exhibition”, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
“Russell Wrankle-Artist Invite Artist Exhibition”, RLCC Gallery, Red Lodge, Montana
“Dallas Pottery Invitational”, Janette Kennedy Gallery, Dallas, Texas
“La Mesa Invitational”, NCECA Exhibition, Tampa, Florida
“Atmosphere”, NCECA Exhibition, Tampa, Florida
“2011 Yunomi Invitational”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
2010 “La Mesa Invitational”, Santa Fe Clay Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
“Cups, Invitational”, Lawrence Art Center, Lawrence, Kansas, Curator: Ben Ahlvers
“Featured Artist”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“Luscious, Invitational”, Schaller Gallery, Red Lodge, Montana
“Potsketch, Invitational”, The Clay Studio of Missoula Gallery, Missoula, Montana
“Art of the Pot Invitational”, Ryan McKerley Studio, Austin, Texas
“Dallas Pottery Invitational”, Janette Kennedy Gallery, Dallas, Texas
“2010 Yunomi Invitational”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“La Mesa Invitational”, NCECA Exhibition, Marriot Downtown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“FILL-adelphia”, NCECA Exhibition, Show of Hands Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Juror: Sherman Hall
“Texas Teapot Tournament”, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas
Juror: Cindi Strauss
2009 “Featured Artist”, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana
“Featured Artist”, 18 Hands Gallery, Houston, Texas
“Cups and Pouring Vessels-Cup Invitational”, Santé Fe Gallery, Santé Fe, New Mexico
“30 x 5 Ceramics Invitational”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“Strictly Functional”, Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg, Pennsylvania
Juror: Pete Pinnell
“2009 Six Pack, Texas Clay Arts Exhibition”, Live Oak Art Center, Columbus, Texas
Juror: Bridget Hauser
“Drink It In, Juried Cup Exhibition”, Jared Michael Branfman Memorial Gallery,
Needham, Massachusetts
“National Juried Cup Exhibition”, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, Nebraska
Juror: Pete Pinnell
“UNT Reunion Exhibition”, Practical Art Gallery, NCECA Exhibition, Phoenix, Arizona
“Dallas Pottery Invitational”, Janette Kennedy Gallery, Dallas, Texas
“Starbrick Clay National Cup Show 2009”, Starbrick Clay Gallery, Nelsonville, Ohio
Juror: Matt Long
“UNT Ceramics”, Frost Center for the Fine Arts, Abilene, Texas
Curator: Steve Neves
“2009 Yunomi Invitational”, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
“International Cup”, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, Montana
Juror: Patti Warashina
“University of Dallas Regional Juried Ceramic Competition”, Beatrice M Haggerty Gallery,
Irving, Texas, Juror: Dick Hay
2008 “Ceramic Symposium Exhibition: Jake Allee & Brenda Lichman”,
V2 Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
“Clay & Glass Invitational 2008”, Atrium Gallery, Corning, New York
Curator: Fred Herbst
“2008 Ceramics Biennial Exhibition”, New Hampshire Institute of Art,
Manchester, New Hampshire, Juror: Lucy Breslin
“Soda Salt National IV”, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, Montana
Juror: Jim Koudelka
“Clay Space 3, National Juried Ceramics Exhibition”, IBEW Gallery, Warrenville, Illinois
Juror: Simon Levin
“Utilitarian Clay V: Celebrate the Object Invitational”, Sandra J. Blain Gallery,
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Invited by Presenter, Daphne Hatcher
“University of North Texas Faculty Exhibition”, College of Visual Arts and Design Gallery,
Denton, Texas
“A South Texas Ceramic Showdown: Extending Influence”, STC Library, McAllen, Texas
“Happy Trials: Wichita State University and UNT Exchange Exhibition”, Shiftspace
Gallery, Wichita, Kansas
“The North American Ceramic Cup Show”, Siena Heights University Gallery,
Adrian, Michigan, Juror: Andy Brayman
“Big Fish Small Pot 3: The Third International Small Teapot Competition”
Saddleback College Art Gallery, Mission Viejo, California
Juror: Guangzhen Po Zhou (Director of the Chinese Ceramic Art Council)
JUROR
2010 San Antonio Potter’s Guild 17 th Annual Juried Exhibition: “Thoughts about Tea”,
Parchman Stremmel Gallery, San Antonio, Texas
CURATOR
2014 “Conscious Clay”, Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita, Kansas
2010 “Multifarious”, Group Ceramic Exhibition, Visual Arts League Gallery, Lewisville, Texas
2008 “Vessels 2008” CSC F Gallery, McLennon Community College, Waco, Texas
2007 “Line to Volume”, NCECA Exhibition, Indiana University Southeast, Barr Gallery,
New Albany, Indiana
AWARDS RECEIVED
2015 “Best of Show”, “Empty Bowls Invitational Exhibition”, Wichita Falls Museum of Art,
Wichita Falls, Texas, Juror: Dan Hammett
2014 “Best of Show”, “Empty Bowls Invitational Exhibition”, Wichita Falls Museum of Art,
Wichita Falls, Texas, Juror: Patsy Cox
2013 “Honorable Mention”, “Empty Bowls Invitational Exhibition”, Wichita Falls Museum of
Art, Wichita Falls, Texas, Juror: Josh Green
2009 “Emerging Artist”, Ceramics Monthly, May 2009
“Merit Award” “University of Dallas Regional Juried Ceramic Competition”
Beatrice M Haggerty Gallery, Irving, Texas, Juror: Dick Hay
2007 “Emerging Artist”, Texas Clay Festival, Gruene, Texas
“Outstanding Service Award”, Studio Technician Group, UNT, Denton, Texas
“Star Performer Award”, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
2002 “Emerging Artist Scholarship Merit Award”, The Official Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair
2001 “Griffin Grip Tec Inc. Award”, From the Ground Up Exhibition
The Richardson Gallery, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Juror: Doug Jeck
PUBLICATIONS
2015 2015 Strictly Functional Pottery National, Clay Times, Volume 21, No. 100, 5
2014 “Brenda Lichman-Balance and Versatility”, Ceramics Monthly, December 2014,
2013 500 Teapots-volume 2, Lark books, 229
2012 Yunomi Invitational 2012, Akar Design Catalog, 32
2009 Focus: Emerging Artists, Ceramics Monthly, May 2009 Issue, 40
Clay Times, December 2009, 14
2008 Maureen Mills, Surface Design for Ceramics, Lark Books, Asheville, NC, 19 & 114
2007 The Gallery, Clay Times, July/August 2007, 47
VISITING ARTIST LECTURES
(Lectures, Workshops, Demonstrations, Critiques)
2016 “Empty Bowls-Topical Discussion”, NCECA Conference, Kansas City, Missouri
2015 Workshop& Artist Lecture, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Indiana
“Creative Rush”, Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita, Kansas
“WAM Chatter”, Lecture, Wichita Art Museum, Wichita, Kansas
2014 “Empty Bowl & Hunger Awareness Panel”, Moderator, Ulrich Museum of Art,
Wichita, Kansas
“Brenda Lichman-Slip & Soda”, Workshop & Lecture, Arvada Center, Arvada, Colorado
2013 “Thick Slip & Altered Pots”, NCECA Process Room Presentation, Houston, Texas
2012 Workshop & Artist Lecture, NE Tarrant County College, Hurst, Texas
2011 Ted Adler & Brenda Lichman Workshop & Artist Lecture, Collin County College,
Plano, Texas
2010 Workshop, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas
Workshop & Artist Lecture, Richland Community College, Dallas, Texas
Slip Workshop & Artist Lecture, Krueger Pottery, St. Louis, Missouri
Gallery Talk-“Multifarious Ceramic Exhibition”, Visual Arts League, Lewisville, Texas
Workshop, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
2009 Kiln-Building Workshop-Built a 12 cubic Foot up-draft kiln
Fort Worth County Day School, Fort Worth, Texas
2008 Workshop & Visiting Artist Lecture, Desoto Art League, Desoto, Texas
Workshop & Visiting Artist Lecture, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
Workshop & Visiting Artist Lecture, Clay on the Wall Ceramic Symposium,
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
artaxis.org, an evolving independent network of artists (juried), Member and Juror
National Conference for the Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), Member
Wichita State University Ceramics Guild-Advisor
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Empty Bowls Coordinator at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
Kansas Food Bank-Volunteer
Girl Scouts of Kansas-Troop Leader
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, Montana
Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, North Carolina
AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Dallas Pottery Invitational, Dallas, Texas
Reuben Sanders Gallery, Wichita, Kansas
COLLECTIONS
Institutional:
Mercer University Art Collection, Macon, Georgia
Baylor University Ceramic Collection, Waco, Texas
Eastfield College Library Collection, Mesquite, Texas
Private:
Don Reitz-Ceramic Artist, Arizona
Leila Koeppe-Arts Director, Fort Worth Country Day School, Fort Worth, Texas
Stan Cowen & Valerie Knaust, St. Petersburg, Florida
Doctor Robert & Louise Arnold, Lubbock, Texas
David and Louise Rosenfield, Dallas, Texas
Dewayne E. Perry, Austin, Texas
David & Maggie Hiltner
Reuben Sanders
Bob & Liz Workman