Artist: Eric Gorder

Eric Gorder, ILLINOIS
View work by Eric Gorder

Bio

Eric Gorder is a Professor of Art at Joliet Junior College, teaching Ceramics, 3D Design, and 2D Design. Gorder earned a BFA in Ceramics from the University of New Mexico and received a master of arts and master of fine arts in ceramics from the University of Iowa. As a clay artist, he produces both functional and sculptural objects. Gorder's work is characterized by volumetric form and texture: his dynamic clay surfaces are developed in both the building and firing processes.

Gorder has exhibited his ceramics in numerous national and international exhibitions and publications, including Lark Books' 500 Vases. The completion of a wood-fired kiln on the Joliet campus rekindled a passion for material and teaching. Professionally, Gorder is developing ideas for residency proposals to explore new working processes.

 

EDUCATION

1998-2001 M.F.A. University of Iowa

1998-2000 M.A. University of Iowa

1995-1997 B.F.A. University of New Mexico

1992-1995 General Education, Casper College

1987-1991 General Education, University of Wyoming

EMPLOYMENT

2009-Current Associate Professor of Art, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL

Ceramics: Instructor of Ceramics I, Ceramics II, Independent Study, and International Ceramic courses. Hand-building and throwing are addressed at all levels. Demonstrations and lectures are given in: handbuilding (pinch, coil, slab) construction; wheel throwing methods; ceramic history; clay and glaze theory; kiln construction; gas reduction, electric, wood and raku firing methods. PowerPoint presentations of both historical and contemporary clay objects are integrated into demonstrations and lectures. The current International Ceramics syllabus follows the historical development of ceramic form and process in Japan. Student learning outcomes are addressed and assessed in formal and informal discussions during the building process, and in group and individual critiques when work is completed. Additional responsibilities include overseeing program direction; equipment and supply budgeting, ordering and inventory; mixing clay and glazes; firing kilns; supervising work-study assistants; maintaining and repairing studio equipment. Facilities include: 3 computerized electric kilns; 1 Alpine up-draft natural gas; 1 Geil Downdraft gas kiln; wood kiln and raku area; 20 Brent electric wheels; Soldner clay Mixer; pugmill; slab roller; extruder; spray booth; glaze formulation supplies and equipment.

3-D Design: Instruction in the basic principles of three-dimensional design. Students are familiarized with working methods in a variety of materials including wire, plaster, wood, and found objects. PowerPoint presentations focusing on contemporary sculpture and design provide introduction to specific art concepts. Student learning outcomes are addressed and assessed in individual discussions and in group critiques of completed assignments. 3D design facilities include: general wood-working power/manual hand tools; compound miter saw; table saw; band saw; drill press; belt sanders; scroll saws; router station; plaster facilities; Lulzbot 3D printer.

Lead Instructor, JJC International Education Study Abroad, Japan, May-June 2015

Additional Teaching-related Activities

2015-present Art Area Student Academic Advisor

2015-present Art Club Advisor 2015-present JJC Studio Pottery Sale Faculty Advisor

2014 Assistant Instructor, JJC International Education Study Abroad, Japan 

2006-2009 Instructor, Rogue Community College, Grants Pass, OR Ceramics: Instruction of credit and adult education courses in beginning through advanced hand-building and throwing fundamentals. Responsible for facilities organization, budgeting, supply ordering, kiln firing. Drawing: Instruction of introductory drawing class emphasizing 2-D fundamentals and line emotion.

2005-2006 Instructor, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR Ceramics: Primary instructor of advanced ceramic courses, integrating both wheel and sculptural elements. Lectures in clay and glaze theory, kiln construction, and kiln firing methods. Development of Senior Capstone Projects, Independent Study Instruction for undergraduate seniors. Responsible for overseeing work-study schedules, mixing clays and glazes, firing kilns.

2005-2006 Instructor, Sacred Heart School, Medford, OR General Art/Ceramics: Instructor of general art and ceramics classes for grades K-8.

2002-2004 Instructor, Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA Ceramics: Primary Instructor of beginning and advanced ceramics in the thrown and hand-built traditions. Responsible for all aspects of ceramic studio operations: facilities, budget, materials supply, kiln firing. Lecturer: Instruction of hands-on/lecture format Introduction to Art course.

2004 Spring Instructor, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA 3-D Fundamentals: Instruction of introductory course in the theory and fundamentals of the three dimensional artistic process.

2002-2003 Adjunct Faculty, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA Ceramics Instructor: Instruction of beginning ceramics encompassing both hand-building and throwing fundamentals. Lecturer: Instruction of introductory Art Appreciation course.

2002- 2004 Studio Assistant, Eskin Studios, Iowa City, IA Assistant to Mr. Gerry Eskin in a private studio setting.

2003 Ceramic Lab Coordinator, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Temporary replacement for full-time lab coordinator on medical leave. Maintained ceramic shop equipment and tools, completed inventory and filing, stocked materials and organized university billing. Operated and maintained wood tools, hand tools, power tools, clay machines, safety devices on kilns, hazardous material collectors. Fired kilns. Assisted in supervising undergraduate and graduate classes when needed.

2002 Ceramics Instructor, Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, Iowa City, IA Instruction of adult education in both hand-building and throwing fundamentals.

1998-2001 Teaching Assistant, Instructor of Record, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Instruction of first year undergraduate throwing and hand-building fundamentals.

1995-1997 Director, Association of Students at University of New Mexico (A.S.U.N.M.) Craft Studio Responsible for daily operations of a public craft studio on the U.N.M. campus. Supervised employees, developed fiscal budgets, ordered materials, organized annual craft fair, and oversaw all aspects of studio operations. Awarded for Outstanding Student-run Organization in 1997. 

EXHIBITIONS

2017 (upcoming) Faculty Invitational, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 2016 College Art Faculty Exhibition, Tallgrass Art Gallery, Park Forest, IL 2013 JJC Art Faculty Exhibition, Laura A. Sprague Gallery, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL New Works in Clay: An Exploration of Color and Space, Solo Exhibition, Laura A. Sprague Gallery, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL 2011 River 2 River (Regional Juried Exhibition), CSPS/Legion Arts Center, Cedar Rapids, IA JJC Art Faculty Exhibition, Laura A. Sprague Gallery, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL 2010 Clay West (International Juried Exhibition), Harrison Gallery of Art, Utah State University, Logan, UT Regional Art Faculty Exhibition, Visual Arts Gallery, Governors State University, University Park, IL JJC Art Faculty Exhibition, Laura A. Sprague Gallery, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL 2009 Regional Art Faculty Exhibition, Visual Arts Gallery, Governors State University, University Park, IL RCC Art Faculty Show, Firehouse Gallery and Art Center, Grants Pass, OR 2008 30 x 5 Legacy: Bunny McBride (Invitational), Akar Gallery and Design, Iowa City, IA Yunomi (Invitational), Akar Gallery and Design, Iowa City, IA RCC Art Faculty Show, Rogue Gallery and Art Center, Medford, OR 2007 4 th World Ceramic Biennale 2007 Korea (CEBIKO) (International Juried Exhibition), Icheon World Ceramic Center, Ichion-se, South Korea New Works (2 Person Invitational), Hanson Howard Gallery, Ashland, OR Teabowls Abloom: Ancient Themes, Contemporary Forms (Invitational), The Island Gallery, Bainbridge Island, WA Yunomi (Invitational), Akar Gallery and Design, Iowa City, IA 2006 Lynn Munns: A Life of Making And Teaching (Invitational), Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper, WY 14th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National (National Juried Exhibition), Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg, PA 2004 30 x 5 (Invitational), Akar Gallery and Design, Iowa City, IA Members Show (Group Exhibition), Arts Iowa City, Iowa City, IA Third Annual Spirit Fall Forest (Invitational), Bayo Arts and Design, Iowa City, IA Area 319 (Group Invitational), Legion Arts Center, Cedar Rapids, IA Gems From the Fire (International Juried Exhibition), Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA Go Figure ( 2 Person Invitational), Central Wyoming College, Riverton, WY 100 Teapots 2 (National Juried Exhibition), Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore MD Jars and Vessels: Wood-fired Ceramics by Eric Gorder and Samuel Johnson; (Juried Exhibition), Arts Iowa City Center and Gallery, Iowa City, IA 2003 Sets: Ceramic Work Exhibited in Pairs (Solo Exhibition), BVU Art Gallery, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA Ceramics USA 2003 (National Juried Exhibition), University of North Texas Art Gallery, Denton TX The Mighty Midwest Biennial II (Regional Juried Exhibition), New Visions Art Gallery, Marshfield, WI Members Show (Group Exhibition), Arts Iowa City, Iowa City IA 2002 Searching for Water (Solo Exhibition), Nielsen Hall Gallery, KCC, Cedar Rapids, IA Recording the Flame (Invitational), Video Premier and Group Invitational Exhibition, University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City, IA Recording the Flame, Traveling Exhibition, various U.S. galleries Gleanings (Faculty Exhibition), Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA 2001 M.F.A. Exhibition, Museum of Art, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Eric Gorder Page 4 Works in Bronze (Group Exhibition), Bridge Space, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Winter Solstice (Juried Exhibition), Summit Street Gallery, Iowa City, IA 2000 Waterloo Art Fair (Juried Sale), Waterloo Art Museum, Waterloo, IA Thieves Market (Juried Sale), University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA New Works in Bronze (Group Exhibition), Bridge Space, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Ash hole (Installation), Eve Drewloe Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Members Show and Silent Auction, Arts Iowa City, Iowa City, IA 1999 Ceramics: Iowa Graduate Students, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA All Fired Up! (National Juried Exhibition), Arts Iowa City, Iowa City, IA 1998 Graduate Ceramics, Bridge Space Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 1997 B.F.A. Exhibition, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM Summer Works With Juan Quezada, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 1995 Nicolaysen Annual Silent Auction (Invitational), Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper, WY 1994 Wyoming Works (Juried Group Exhibition), Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper, WY

WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS, RESIDENCIES, EXHIBITION JURYING 2016 Juror, Glen Ellyn Arts Festival, Glen Ellyn, IL Juror, Naperville Arts Festival, Naperville, IL 2013 Brownbag Lecture: Japan, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL 2012 Brownbag Lecture: Vietnam, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL 2011 Juror, 17th Annual Love Of Art Fine Art and Craft Show, Lemont Artists Guild, Lemont, IL 2007 Artist in Residence, January 2007 Buna Vista University, Storm Lake, IA Slide Presentation (ACES), Buna Vista University, Storm lake, IA 2006 Slab Construction Methods, Workshop, Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, NV 2004 Workshop and Slide Presentation, Central Wyoming College, Riverton, WY Traditions: Apprenticeships in Wood Firing (Exhibit Juror/Coordinator), Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA 2001 Graduate Student Slide Forum, N.C.E.C.A., Charlotte, NC 2000 Slide Presentation: Personal Work and Woodfiring Aesthetics, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen, China

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS World Ceramic Exposition Foundation and Museum, Icheon, South Korea University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Waterloo Museum of Art, Waterloo, IA Dr. Gerry and Sandra Eskin James Kasper and Lucy Hansen

AWARDS 2011 USDE Title VIA Grant (for Development of International Course) 2010 Joliet Junior College Faculty Development Grant 2007 Honorable Mention, 4th World Ceramic Biennale 2007 Korea International Competition 2001 Teaching Assistantship, University of Iowa 2000 Teaching Assistantship, University of Iowa Eric Gorder Page 5 Nelson Fellowship, University of Iowa Travel Grant, University of Iowa, Department of Art and Art History Travel Grant, University of Iowa, Graduate College Additional Funding Grant, University of Iowa, Graduate College 1999 Teaching Assistantship, University of Iowa Nelson Fellowship, University of Iowa 1998 Teaching Assistantship, University of Iowa JJC

SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM 2011-present JJC Sustainability Committee 2013-present Discover JJC—Art Area Tour Guide 2010-2011 JJC Environmental Health and Safety Committee

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM 2015-present Center for Disability Services Reedwood Community Garden Co-organizer 2013 Bluestem Earth Festival Planning Committee Consultant 2012 GR 2012 Sustainability Festival Planning Committee 2010-present Will County Fine Arts Review Committee

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Travel 2012 Japan: 10 day cultural immersion trip in spring 2012, as part of Title VIA Grant. Thailand and Vietnam: Month long tourist trip exploring culture and cuisine. 2001 North Carolina: Visits to potters: Ben Owen III, Kim Ellington, Ken Sedberry, Ruggles and Rankin, Joe Reinhart, Burlon Craig, Vernon and Pam Owen and Mark Hewett. 2000 China and Thailand: Ten weeks of extensive travel through China and Thailand focusing on cultural developments within the field of ceramics. Historical kiln development and modern production methods were researched. Working methods, design and education were also emphasized. 1997 Mexico: Two-week summer course in Mata Ortiz, Mexico. Working and firing with Juan Quezada, in the Casas Grandes hand-building tradition.

Selected Workshops Attended International Woodfire Conference: Moving Forward, Wabansee Community College, IL, October 2016 Robin Hopper, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL, September 2011 Grand Prairie Sustainability Workshop, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Wilmington, IL, 2010 Beth Cavener Stichter, Hummingbird Studios, Ruch, OR, 2008 Josh Deweese, “The Altered Vessel,” Hummingbird Studios, Ruch, OR, August 2007 J. Daniel Murphy, Jason Hess, University of Iowa, October, 2004 “The Naked Truth” 2004 International Wood Fire Conference, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA Paul Chaliff, University of Iowa, April, 2003 Marie Woo, University of Iowa, March, 2002 Lee, Kang-Ho, Oh, Hyang-Joug, (Onggi) University of Iowa, September, 2001 Eric Gorder Page 6 Peter Volkous, Notre Dame University, November, 2000 Rudy Autio, University of Iowa, October, 2000 “Different Stokes,” 1999 International Woodfiring Conference, (assisted and attended) U. of Iowa, 1999 Paul Soldner, University of Iowa, September, 1998 Koie, Ryoji, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, April, 1998

MEMBERSHIPS National Council on the Education of Ceramic Arts, (N.C.E.C.A.) The Art institute of Chicago Seed Savers Seed Exchange

BIBLIOGRAPHY “500 Vases” Lark Publications 2010 (2 submissions accepted) David McClelland, “Review: Fourth World Ceramic Biennale,” Ceramics Monthly October 2007, 18-21 “Lynn Munns: Throwing Down the Big Curve,” Footprints, Casper College Alumni Magazine, Fall 2006, 12 “Wood-Fired Art on Display in Swisher,” The Gazette, September 8, 2003, 7A Deanna Truman-Cook, “Four Days of Fire,” Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 5, 2003, 5B Elise Kendrot, “Blending Art and Craft: An Interview with Clay Artist Eric Gorder,” Artscene, December 2003, 14-15