Artist: Janel Jacobson
Janel Jacobson, MINNESTOTA
Short Bio:
Janel began making pottery in 1970 and started being a life-long self-employed artist in 1972 after college graduation. For the first twenty-five years her focus alternated between making useful stoneware pots and porcelain, then shifting to focusing on shallow-relief carved surfaces that were enhanced with celadon glazes. As her interest in carving clay grew, she then explored small sculptural porcelain pieces. These explorations in carving led her to change carving materials to wood. Small, sculptural wood and netsuke were her focus from 1995 to 2015. She returned to making pots full time in 2016 using porcelain for useful pots, and for further exploration of shallow-relief carved, decorative surfaces with celadon based glazes, tenmoku and lively carbon-trapping shino glazes.
Statement
Pottery making was my first, and enduring love. My return to making pots full time in 2016 after a twenty-year deep affair with carving small wood sculptures has been a remarkably interesting period of growth for me. Studio ceramics has changed and blossomed a great deal since I began making pottery in 1970 and carving porcelain from the mid 1980’s to 1995. There is so much more now to learn about and to try!
I currently enjoy using porcelain clay while making useful pots, and continue to pursue developing forms that may be gently reshaped, carved and textured to be enhanced with celadon glazes; or to serve as a canvas for active, responsive carbon trapping glazes.
Education
B.A. Degree in Art from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa 1972
Ceramics Department Assistant, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa 1970-1972
Marguerite Wildenhain – Three sessions at Pond Farm, Guerneville, CA 1972, 1974, 1977
Self directed growth: pottery making, porcelain carving, small sculptural wood 1972-present
Employment
Self-employed: Ceramics and Wood 1972-present
Fellowships & Grants
Creative Support for Individuals: Minnesota State Arts Board and State Legislature 2022
Creative Support for Individuals: Minnesota State Arts Board and State Legislature 2021
Enduring Vision Award – Bush Foundation (A major, five-year fellowship) 2008
The Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant 2004
Individual Artist Grant: East Central Arts Council 2000
The Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship Grant 1998
Individual Artist Grant: East Central Arts Council 1995
The Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship Grant 1991
(Bush Artist Fellows Program Finalist, but not recipient 2004, 2006 & 2008)
Awards
Exhibitor’s Choice Award, Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, DC 2015
Directors Choice Award, American Craft Exposition, Evanston, Illinois 2011
Overall Excellence, American Craft Exposition, Evanston, Illinois 2005
Excellence In Wood, American Craft Exposition, Evanston, Illinois 2004
Artist of Distinction, Minnesota Crafts Council 2003
Merit & Craftsmen’s Choice Awards, Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, D.C. 2003
Artists’ Choice Award, CraftBoston, Boston, Massechussets 2002
First Prize Award, Philadelphia Museum Of Art Craft Show 2000
Second Prize Award, Philadelphia Museum Of Art Craft Show 1999
Juror’s Award, A celebration of Sierra Woods, Invitational: Objects of Art and Utility, CA 1997
The Broken Thumb Award, International Netsuke Society Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1997
Excellence in Ceramics, Philadelphia Museum Of Art Craft Show 1995
Honorable Mention, Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, D.C. 1995
Juror’s Award, Crafts National 27, Pennsylvania State University 1993
Excellence In Ceramics, Philadelphia Museum Of Art Craft Show 1992
Honorable Mention, Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, D.C. 1991
Excellence In Clay: ACC Craft Fair, Minneapolis, MN Purchase Award 1990
Juror’s Award The Phipps Center For The Arts, Hudson, WI 1990
Schwarzschild Award for Decorative Object, Richmond, VA Craft And Design Show 1989
Best In Ceramics, American Craft Exposition, Evanston, IL 1989
Third Place Award, Monarch Tile National Ceramic Competition, San Angelo, TX 1989
Purchase & Merit Awards, S.I.U.E. Clay National, Edwardsville, IL 1988
Purchase Award, Lincolnwood Art Festival, Chicago, IL 1973
Collections
Renwick Gallery, The National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
Philadelphia Museum of Art, PA
Scripps College, Fred Marer Collection, Claremont, CA
Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, CT
Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Smithsonian Washington, D.C.
Takamado Netsuke Collection, Tokyo, Japan
Brooklyn Museum Of Art, Brooklyn, NY
Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, AZ
The International Museum of Ceramic Art Alfred, NY
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
Art In the Embassies Program, American Embassy Wellington, New Zealand
Tweed Art Museum, Duluth, MN
Numerous, strong, private collections ~ Clients prefer to remain unnamed
Museum Exhibitions (Porcelain & Wood)
This Present Moment: Crafting A Better World, Renwick Gallery of the 2022
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI 2019
Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA 2018
Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota 2017
Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin 2012
Ohio Designer Craftsmen-Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, Ohio 2011
Renwick Gallery, The Bresler Collection, Washington, D.C. 2010
Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin 2010
Renwick Gallery, Permanent Collection, Washington, D.C. 2008
Museum of Art and Design, New York City, NY 2007
Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA 2006
Celebrating Nature, Craft & Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA 2004
Arizona State University Ceramics Research Center, Tempe, AZ 2002
Minnesota Museum Of American Art, Saint Paul, MN 2002
Chiba City Museum Of Art, Japan 2001
The Inaugural Renwick Invitational: Five Women in Craft, Washington, D.C. 2000
The Renwick Invitational: Symposium, presenter, Renwick Alliance, Wash., D.C. 2000
Santa Barbara Art Museum, Santa Barbara, CA 2000
H F Johnson Museum, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 1999
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN 1998
Bowers Museum Santa Ana, CA 1997
Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI 1995
Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, AZ 1994
Artspace - John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI 1994
Mitchell Museum, Mount Vernon, IL 1993
Evansville Museum Of Arts And Science, Evansville, IN 1993
Blanden Memorial Art Museum, Fort Dodge, IA, Solo Exhibition 1990
Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA 1989
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX 1989
Minneapolis Institute Of Art, Minneapolis, MN 1988
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX 1986
Solo, Featured Artist, Invitational, Group Exhibitions In Galleries
Wood
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI 2019 Center for Furniture Craftsmanship – Messler Gallery, Rockport, ME 2016
SOFA/Chicago, Chicago, IL 2016
YAMADA – Netsuke Exhibitions, Japan 2015
Katherine E. Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, 2014
American Association of Wood Turners – POP Exhibition, Landmark Center, St Paul, MN 2013
YAMADA – Netsuke Exhibitions, Japan 2013
Center For Art In Wood, Philadelphia, PA 2012
YAMADA – Netsuke Exhibitions, Japan 2012
American Association of Wood Turners – POP Exhibition, Landmark Center, St Paul, MN 2012
The Grand Hand Gallery, Saint Paul, Minnesota 2011
YAMADA – Netsuke Exhibitions, Japan 2011
Woodturning Center, Philadelphia, PA 2010
Architectural Digest Home Show, New York, NY 2010
YAMADA – Netsuke Exhibitions, Japan 2010
del Mano Gallery – SOFA/Chicago 2009
The Grand Hand Gallery, Saint Paul, Minnesota 2009
del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2009
Hida Museum of Art – Takayama, Japan 2009
YAMADA – Seibu: Netsuke Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan 2009
Pritam & Eames, East Hampton, New York 2009
In The Palm Of Your Hands, Rockport, Maine 2008
del Mano Gallery – Small Treasures, Los Angeles, CA 2007
del Mano Gallery – SOFA/Chicago 2002
del Mano Gallery – Small Treasures, Los Angeles, CA 2002
Carleton College Library, Northfield, MN, Porcelain & Wood exhibited 2002
del Mano Gallery, Minneapolis, MN 2001
A Celebration of Sierra Woods, Nevada City, CA 1997
Porcelain
Yunomi Invitational – Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA
Inspired By Malcolm: A Passion for Shino, Sandy Spring Museum, Sandy Spring, MD 2021
Breakfast – The International Museum Of Dinnerware Design, Ann Arbor, MI 2021
Craft In America – A humble Legacy 2020
Ohio Designer Craftsmen – Functional Ceramics Exhibition, Wooster, OH 2020
Raymond Avenue Gallery – Exquisite Artisanship (two-person show), Saint Paul, MN 2019 Raymond Avenue Gallery – Yunomi, Saint Paul, MN 2019 Phipps Center for the Arts-Porcelain & Stoneware, Hudson, WI 2018
Raymond Avenue Gallery – Yunomi, Minneapolis, MN 2018
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN 2018 Raymond Avenue Gallery – Yunomi, Minneapolis, MN 2017
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN 2016
American Craft Museum, Museum Shop Gallery 1999
The Hand and The Spirit/Joanne Rapp Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ, Feature exhibition 1996
Douglas-Baker Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, Contemporary Clay, Feature exhibition 1995
The Hand and The Spirit/Joanne Rapp Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ 1994
Zoller Gallery, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, “Crafts National 27” 1993
Ariodante Contemporary Craft Gallery, New Orleans, LA 1993
Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA 1993
Craft Alliance, St. Louis, MO, A Celebration Of Decoration: 100 Ornamental Containers 1992
Northern Clay Center, Saint Paul, MN, “Minnesota Blues”, Small feature exhibition 1992
Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA 1992
Chicago International New Art Forms Exposition, Chicago, IL 1992
Indianapolis Museum Of Art, Indianapolis, IN, One Person Feature 1991
The Hand and The Spirit/Joanne Rapp Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ, Feature exhibition 1991
Blue Spiral One, Asheville, NC 1991 San Angelo Museum of fine Arts, San Angelo, TX 1990
Grand Avenue Frame and Gallery, Saint Paul, MN 1990
James A. Michener Arts Center, Doylestown, PA, 1990
Gallery Fair, Mendocino, CA, Two person show 1990
The Phipps Center For The Arts, Hudson, WI 1990
Minnesota Traveling Exhibition, Bloomington Art Center 1990
Minnesota Traveling Exhibition, Tweed Museum: Duluth, MN 1990
Minnesota Traveling Exhibition, Northfield, MN 1990
Central Park Gallery, Kansas City, MO 1989
Le Poudre Gallery, Minnetonka, MN 1989
Grand Avenue Frame and Gallery, Saint Paul, MN 1989
National Museum of Ceramic Art 1989
Grand Avenue Frame and Gallery, Saint Paul, MN 1989
International Design Center, Minneapolis, MN 1989
Artspace - John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI 1989
Killian Gallery, Sharon Arts Center, Sharon, NH 1989
Lee Sclar Gallery, Morristown, NJ 1989
Aart Vark Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 1989
Grand Avenue Frame and Gallery, Saint Paul, MN 1989
Lee Sclar Gallery, Morristown, NJ 1988
International Design Center, Minneapolis, MN 1988
S.I.U.E. Clay National, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL 1988
College of Saint Benedict, Saint Joseph, MN, “Six Women Working In Porcelain” 1987
Lill Street Studios, Chicago, IL 1987
International Design Center, Minneapolis, MN, “Contemporary Crafts For The Home” 1987
Lill Street Studios, Chicago, IL, “Minnesota Invitational Show” 1987
The Craftsman’s Gallery, Scarsdale, NY, “Minnesota Connection: Invitational Exhibit” 1985
Art Center of Minnesota, Minnetonka, MN, “Clayworks ‘81” 1981
University of Minnesota, Duluth, Duluth, MN, “Lake Superior: 1981 National Craft Exhibition” 1981
Rourke Gallery, Saint Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, MN, Ceramics Invitational 1981
Presentation: Shows & Sales (Porcelain & Wood)
Saint Croix Valley Pottery Tour / Minnesota Potters Tour – Annual Event 1993-2023
Fall Sale at Sunrise MN Pottery – Annuala group event in early October 2012-2019, 2021-2023
Hilltown 6 Pottery Tour, Worthington, MA 2018-2019, 2021-2023
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Philadelphia, PA 2021, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
American Craft Exposition, Evanston, IL 2021, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 1990, 1989
16 Hands Studio Tour, Floyd, VA 2017
Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, D.C. 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2008, 2003, 1995, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1989
ACC Craft Fairs
Saint Paul, MN 2015
Baltimore, MD, Minneapolis, MN, Atlanta, GA, San Francisco, CA 1990
Baltimore, MD, San Francisco, CA 1989
ACC Craft Fairs continued: Minneapolis, MN 1988 Washington Craft Show, Washington, D.C. 2013, 2012
CraftNEWYORK, New York, NY 2012, 2011
CraftBoston, Boston, MA West Palm Beach Fine Craft Show, West Palm Beach, FL 2004, 2003, 2002
International Netsuke Society 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2001, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1993
Original Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI 1989, 1988
Richmond Craft and Design Show, Richmond, VA 1989
Crafts At The Castle, Boston, MA 1988
Stoneware To Early Porcelain Years: Regional Art/Craft Fairs & 1975 – 1985
Exhibitions: Stoneware and porcelain pottery, carved porcelain vessels.
Publications
Reviews, Books, Periodicals, Radio Interviews, Web e-zines & Catalogs
This Present Moment: Crafting A Better World, Catalog, Renwick Gallery of the 2022
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC
Clay, Glaze & Firing: Minnesota, Kyle Jacobson-Madison Essentials 2021
What Makes A Potter, Janet Koplos, cover photo 2019
The Woodcarvers Gazette Winter issue 2014-15, Vol. 3-Issue 7, pp 12-14 2014
SNAG Technical Article Online: Small Scale Carving, September 2014 2014
Woodcarving Feature & Cover Photo, UK May/June 2014 No.138. pp 37-41 2014
Ornament: Smithsonian Craft Show 2014, Vol 37 No. 2, April 2014, pp 40 2014
Ornament: Smithsonian Craft Show 2013, Vol 36 No. 3, April 2013, pp 33-34 2013
American Woodturner, Fishing The Outer Reaches, Vol. 27, No. 6, December 2012. pp 60 2013
Woodworker’s Journal eZine, Janel Jacobson: Netsuke Carvings and New Directions,
Issue 281, 8/9/2011 by Joanna Werch Takes 2011
100 Midwest Artists, Ashley Rooney 2011
Fine Woodworking magazine: Readers Gallery, December 2010, No. 215. pp 77 2010
A Revolution in Wood: The Bresler Collection, Nicholas R. Bell, 2010: p. 76, 77, 123 2010
Wood Art Today 2, Jeffrey B. Snyder, 2010: p. 91-93:: 2010
Princess Takamado Netsuke Classes: Transcription/Book, Osaka, Japan 2010 2010
Princess Takamado Netsuke Classes: Transcription/Book, Osaka, Japan 2009 2009
Luther College Alumni Magazine, Vol. 42, No. 1, (Fall 2008) p. 24-25:: 2008 2008
FineWoodworking.com: Small Scale Wood Sculptor, Janel Jacobson, Wins Award 2008 2008
Minnesota Public Radio: Three artists recognized for their enduring vision, by Marianne Combs
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/09/enduringvisiongrants/ 2008
Star Tribune: Metro Section: Mature Artists Revel In New Award…, June 10, 2008 2008
Pioneer Press: Section B: 3 Artists Win $100,000 Bush Awards, June 10, 2008 2008
Star Tribune: Travel Section: St. Croix River Valley; Happy Holiday Trails, Nov 25, 2007 2007
Minnesota Public Radio: Grand carving on a small scale, Interview with Janel Jacobson, 2007
by Marianne Combs: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/07/25/netsuke/
Fine Woodworking magazine: Readers Gallery, October 2007, No. 193. pp 84 2007
10,000 arts: Minnesota’s Creative Quarterly, a supplement to the Rake and MN artists.org, 2007
Winter 2007. p. 22::
ZOOM IN a+E Issue 11: Carver Janel Jacobson 2007 2007
Fuld's Netsuke and Ojime Index 2006
Craft Arts International, Celebrating Nature, Kevin Wallace, Issue 62, 2004, pp 106:: 2004 2004
International Netsuke Society Journal, Robert O. Kinsey, Twenty-First Century Netsuke, 2004
Vol 24, No. 3 (Fall 2004) pp. 35
Sculptural Pursuit, By Janel Jacobson~Artful Business: Carving Time From Wood Sculptures to 2004
Take Care of Business Vol. 3 No. 1, (Winter 2004) pp. 31-33::
Sculptural Pursuit, Diana Dietvorst, Janel Jacobson: Celebrates Nature’s Smaller Treasures 2003
Vol. 2 No. 4, (Fall 2003) pp. 25-29:: Written interview. 2003
Wood Art Today, Dona Z. Meilach, 2003: p. 232:: 2003
Ornament: Smithsonian Craft Show 2003, Pat Worrell, Vol. 26, No. 2 (Winter 2002/03), pp. 22-27:: 2002
Ceramics Monthly: “Ripples”, Marguerite Wildenhain and her Pond Farm Students, 2002
Billie Sessions, Vol. 50, No. 10, December 2002: p. 48:: 2002
Woodworkers Journal: “Shop Talk” Lee Gilchrist, an online articleVol. 26, No. 5,
October 2002: p.18:: 2002
Woodworkers Journal eZine: “Today’s Woodworker” 2002
Contemporary Netsuke:“The Kinsey Collection”, Chiba City Museum Of Art Catalog, 2001
Chiba, Japan:2001: p 42::
Gallery, Women In Woodworking "Janel Jacobson: It's a Small World After All" an online article. 2001
American Craft: “Five Women in Craft”, Sarah Tanguy, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Dec. 2000/Jan. 2001): pp 70-71:: 2001
American Style: “East Meets West”, Lee Lawrence, (Spring 2001): pp 72-75:: 2001
Minnesota Monthly: Fair-Weather Nomads, Katy Reed, (May 2001), pp. 40-43, 149-150:: 2001
Woodworking.com Natural Netsuke: Tiny Carvings Have Big Impact, by Lee Gilchrist ~ 2000 2000
Smithsonian: The Torch, The Renwick Invitational: Five Women In Craft, No. 00-3 2000
March 2000: p.1 & p.8::
East Central Arts Quarterly: Vol. 21, No. 2 (August 2000): p. 1:: Joanne Frank. 2000
American Craft: “Contemporary Netsuke”, Joyce Lovelace, Vol. 60, No. 3 (June/July 2000): 2000
- 46-49, 68-69::
American Craft: “Gallery.” Vol. 58, No. 4 (August/September 1998): p. 82:: 1998
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN, Netsuke: The Japanese Art 1998
Of Miniature Carving, 1998
East Central Arts Quarterly: Vol. 19, No. 1 (June 1998): p. 1,4:: 1998
Arts Board News: Vol. 12.4/13.1 (Summer Fall 1998) p:5::
Star Tribune: “Fine Arts, Hot off the Press: Artists with local links”, 1998
(Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998):p. F4:: Mary Abbe.
Star Tribune: “Entertainment: Visual Arts, “Japanese Carving Show: Nothing But Netsuke”, 1998
(Sunday, June 7, 1998): p. F3:: Mary Abbe.
Wood Shop News: Craft Fair Circuit, Daniel Mac Alpine, (February 1997), p. 22:: 1997
Ornament: “Janel Jacobson. Stirring The Dawn”, Carolyn L.E. Benesh, Vol. 20, No. 3 1997
(Spring 1997) Twentieth Anniversary Issue, pp. 42-47, cover photo and feature story::
This article describes Janel Jacobson during the years of her change from carved porcelain to
wood carving.
Contemporary Netsuke, “Miniature Sculpture from Japan and Beyond”, 1997
Robert & Miriam Kinsey, 1997:p.29:: Bowers Museum Exhibit Catalog, Santa Ana, California::
Contemporary Netsuke, “Miniature Sculpture from Japan and Beyond” CD, The Shin’en Kan 1997
Foundation, 1997
The Best Of Pottery: Jonathan Fairbanks & Angela Fina, 1996: p 73, Janel Jacobson 1996
“Autumn Aria” carved porcelain photograph, Rockport Publishers, Quarry Books
Ceramics Monthly: “Up Front.” 44, No. 2 (February 1996): p. 12:: 1996
Minneapolis/Saint Paul: “Living Art”, 23, No. 6 (June 1995): p. 46-48:: 1995
Ceramics Monthly: “Up Front.” 41, No. 9 (November 1993): p. 20:: 1993
Ceramics Monthly: “Up Front.” 40, No. 1 (January 1992): p. 22:: 1992
American Craft: “Gallery.” Vol. 50, No. 6 (December 1990/January 1991): p. 76:: 1991
Ceramics Monthly: “Calendar. Solo Exhibitions.” 39, No. 3 (March 1991): p. 60:: 1991
Ceramics Monthly: “Up Front.” 39, No. 3 (March 1991): p. 16:: 1991
Ceramics Monthly: “Philadelphia Craft Show: Ceramics Monthly Portfolio.” 38, No. 5(May 1990):p. 39:: 1990
Ceramics Monthly: “News and Retrospect.” 38, No. 1 (Jan. 1990): p. 70:: Wm. Hunt 1990
Ceramics Monthly: “Monarch National: A Ceramics Monthly Portfolio.” 37, No. 9 (Nov. 1989):p. 45:: 1990
Web Sites & Web Forum
Created and maintained these web sites and one forum.
Janel has owned and administered The Carving Path Forum: 2005-to its retirement in 2023, though it remains accessible online for people who seek and share knowledge about carving in the small scale. https://janeljacobson.com https://sunriseMNpottery.com https://minnesotapotters.com https://www.thecarvingpath.net
Notes:
Sunrise, Minnesota has been my home since 1975. I purchased an old house at the age of 24, creating a studio in the downstairs. At age 34 I married Will Swanson who has been my companion and confidant in life and with our work in the pottery studio. Together we raised one child who is now an adult. When he joined our lives we built a studio that is separate from the house.
Will and I are host potters for the Saint Croix Valley Pottery Tour that occurs annually over the Mother’s Day weekend.