Artist: Jenn Cole
Jenn Cole, TENNESSEE
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Jenn Cole is a ceramic artist and curator from Lancaster, Ohio. She graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics in 2012. Following graduation, Jenn pursued residencies at The Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio in Iowa, The Appalachian Center for Craft in Tennessee, and the Red Lodge Clay Center in Montana. Jenn has exhibited her pottery and curated shows in galleries across the country and has worked as the Gallery Manager at The Appalachian Center for Craft and most recently as the Curator of Exhibitions and Gallery Coordinator for the Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, MT. Jenn currently lives in Cookeville, TN where she works as a full-time potter.
I believe that connections between people are best facilitated over a good meal using objects designed to beautify everyday rituals. I am interested in familial connections and creating a dialogue between the past and present through the catalyst of handmade pottery, specifically dinnerware. I am inspired by a quilt meticulously crafted by my great grandmother, finished by my grandmother and stories of the past, stories about my relatives and how their history shapes my own. I believe memory is preserved through the tactile experience and archival process. A handmade quilt acts as a representation of family and shows the wear and tear of everyday life. Every stain, every frayed fiber, and every patterned square on the quilt tells a story and gives insight to questions that I cannot ask my deceased kin. I use clay as my vehicle of making because as a material, it acts as a retention of memory in a similar manner, remembering and preserving every detail throughout the making process.
I approach my handmade pottery as a blank canvas to apply my watercolor and embroidery inspired floral motifs. As my imagery progresses across a vessel I think about how the surface of a pot can transcend a cloth canvas. My pottery allows me to move fluidly between traditional ceramic techniques such as sgraffito and mishima, quilting and sewing techniques and painting. My recent imagery comes from the idea of blurriness and faded memories. For me, watercolor painting has a softness and fluidity that lends itself to bleeding, blurring, and distortion that feels like memories from long ago. Embroidery patterns, vintage motifs, and floral drawings create an internal dialogue for me that I hope evokes a sense of nostalgia for my viewer.
EDUCATION
2012 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Ohio University, Athens, OH
Dean’s List, Other areas of study: Sculpture, Installation Art, and Performance Art
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2015— Studio Potter, Redbird Studio, Cookeville, TN
2015— Gallery Consultant, Cookeville, TN
2018 Short-Term Resident, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT, AIA Resident Host
2016—2017 Curator of Exhibitions/ Gallery Coordinator, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
2012—2016 Assistant to the Gallery Director, Santa Fe Clay, NCECA “La Mesa” Show
2013—2015 Gallery Manager, The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN
2013—2014 Artist in Residence of Exhibitions, The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN
2012—2013 Artist in Residence, Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
2011—2012 P.A.C.E. Student Employee, Assistant to Brad Schwieger, Ohio University, OH
SELECT EXHIBITIONS AND CRAFT SHOWS
2019 Tennessee Craft Handmade Holiday Crawl, Jerry’s Artarama, Nashville, TN
In-Flux Nashville Holiday Sale, Nashville, TN
Terra Nova: 10 Years, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA
Tennessee Craft- Fall Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
Tennessee Craft- Spring Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
Summer Invitational, Swan Coach Gallery, Atlanta, GA, Invited Artist
NCECA Boutique-A Showcase, Silverwood Park, Minneapolis, MN, Invited Artist
The Mother of All Confessions, Project Space: NCECA, Minneapolis Convention Center, MN, Invited
Collaborator with The Both Artist and Mother Collective
Ware/Wear, Pocosin Arts, Columbia, NC, Jurors: Tom Bartel and Kathleen Browne, Invited Artist
2018 Jenn Cole: Artist Showcase, Brentwood Library, Brentwood, TN, Solo Exhibition
Tennessee Craft- Fall Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
All Ohio Contemporary Ceramics Show, PSZ Clay Center, Zanesville, OH, Invited Artist
A Formed Community: Current Works of Past Residents, Chadima Gallery, Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass
Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, Invited Artist
“Familiar Comforts”, PSZ Clay Center, Zanesville, OH, Solo Exhibition
Material Mugs III: UNDERGLAZE, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN, Juror: Renee LoPresti
Cup: The Intimate Object XIV, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
Cups of Conversation, Everyday Cafe, NCECA Pittsburgh, PA
In the Forefront: Emerging Ohio Artists Exhibition, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH, Invited Artist
2017 Meet Influx: Arts at the Airport, Nashville International Airport, Nashville, TN
First Annual Mug Show, Eye of the Dog Art Center, San Marcos, TX, Juror: Renee LoPresti
Red Lodge Clay Center NCECA Expo Show, Oregon Convention Center, OR
11th Annual Simple Cup Show Invitational, KOBO Gallery, Seattle, WA, Invited Artist
Connecting Through Clay: Influx Collective, Julia Martin Gallery, TN
The Art of Utility: Carbondale Clay National XII, Carbondale Clay Center, CO, Juror: Linda Christianson
Red Lodge Clay Center Presents, Northwest Gallery, NW College, WY
Irons in the Fire, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN, Juror: Justin Rothshank
Clay Review 3 Invitational, Abernathy Arts Center, GA, Invited Artist
2016 Jenn Cole Ceramics, Ingram Arts Center Theater Gallery, Nashville, TN, Solo Exhibition
Cups of Conversation: Montana Representative, Honey’s Cafe, MT
Art 321 Ceramics Invitational, Art 321 Gallery, WY
12x12: Influx Collective, Dozen Bakery, Nashville, TN
Off the Beaten Path Tour, Dowelltown, TN
Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Arts Festival, Smithville, TN, Best Appalachian Craft Award
Watertown Music and Arts Festival, Watertown, TN
2015 Well-Crafted, Artist Showcase: Jenn Cole, The Cookehouse, Cookeville, TN, Solo Exhibition
Jenn Cole: Artist Showcase, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Members’ Show, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY
Art Prowl Studio Tour: Artist Showcase, Brad Sells & Bark Studios, TN
2014 The Holiday Festival, The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN
Celebration of Craft, The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN
Artist-in-Residence Exhibition, The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN
2013 Roses Are Red, Pots Are Brown, The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN
River-to-River, Juried Exhibition, CSPS Gallery, Cedar Rapids,IA, Juror: Clary Illian
Residents Exhibition: Iowa Clay Conference, Coe College, IA
Exquisite Tea Party, Chadima Gallery, Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
Two Person Show with Anne Wendland
Altered Egos: Resident Exhibition, Chadima Gallery, Iowa Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Marion Arts Festival, Marion, IA
Brucemore Art and Garden Show, Cedar Rapids, IA
2012 Ohio University Student Exposition, Convocation Center, Athens, OH, 1st Place Best Presentation
Watershed’s Cups and Coffee, Fuel Coffee, NCECA Seattle, WA
Undergraduate Student Juried Exhibition, Ohio University Seigfred Gallery, Athens, OH
Senior Showcase, Ohio University Cube 4 Gallery, OH
2011 Undergraduate Student Juried Exhibition, Seigfred Gallery, OH
Advanced Ceramics Showcase, Cube 4 Gallery, Athens, OH
Constructs of Space, Cube 4 Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, OH
2009 Drawing Synthesis, Cube 4 Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, OH
COLLECTIONS
The Green Hills Library, Nashville, TN
The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA, Permanent Collection
Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN
Mercy Hospital, “Organ and Tissue Donor Wall”, Cedar Rapids, IA, Permanent Installation
Cookeville Regional Hospital, “Art for Healing”, Cookeville, TN, Permanent Collection
Tennessee Governor’s Mansion, “Tennessee Landscapes”, Nashville, TN
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester , Rochester, NY
Plough Gallery, Tifton, GA
The Copper Fox Gallery, Leiper’s Fork, TN
Todd’s General Store, Boone, NC
The Holter Museum Store, The Holter Museum, Helena, MT
Bricolage Art Collective, Paducah, KY
The Morean Center for Clay, St. Petersburg, FL
VISITING ARTIST LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS
2020 The Morean Center for Clay, St. Petersburg, FL, “Florida Heat Wood Fire Workshop”, Assistant to Matt Long,
Brad Schwieger and John Balistreri
2018 The Clay Lady Campus, Nashville, TN, Tennessee Craft Midstate Chapter- Lecture Series “Gallery Etiquette and
Professional Practices”, Public Lecture
2015 Ensworth Academy, Nashville, TN, “Addressing the Surface”, Visiting Artist Workshop and Lecture
The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Wheel-Thrown and Altered Pots” Summer Workshop,
Assistant to Brad Schwieger
The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville TN, “One Day Workshops: Wheel-Throwing”, Workshop Instructor
2014 The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Artist in Residence Introduction”, Public Lecture
The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Cut, Paste, Process” Workshop, Assistant to
Martina Lantin
The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Casting from Wooden Forms” Workshop, Assistant to
Hiroe Hanazono
Lakeside Resort, Smithville, TN, Hand Painting Tiles Workshop, Instructor
The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Slip Casting” Workshop, Assistant to Nick Bivins
The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville TN, “One Day Workshops: Wheel-Throwing”, Instructor
2013 — 2015 The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN, F.A.C.C.T. Outreach Program, Instructor
Glass Etching, Clay Mask Making, Wheel Throwing
2013 Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Making Art After College”, Visiting Artist Workshop and Lecture
Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, Staff Instructor
“Soda and Salt Firing” 8-Week Course
“Understanding Glazes and Kilns” 8-Week Course
“High-Fire Glazing Techniques” 8-Week Course
“Anatomy of the Mug” 8-Week Course
“Screen-printing on Clay” 8-Week Course
2012 Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Graduate Preparedness”, Visiting Artist Workshop and
Public Lecture
Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Artist in Residence Introduction”, Lecture
Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Wheel Thrown Techniques”, Demonstrator
Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, Staff Instructor
“Beginning Wheel” 8-Week Course
“Imagery on Clay” 8- Week Course
PUBLICATIONS
Podcast interview: Tales of a Red Clay Rambler, Interview by Ben Carter. Episode #294: Audry Deal- McEver and Jenn
Cole Compare the Art Fair Circuit to Selling in Galleries. July 18th, 2019. https://www.talesofaredclayrambler.com/
episodes/294-audry-deal-mcever-and-jenn-cole-compare-the-art-fair-circuit-to-selling-in-galleries
Culbertson, Kyla. Ceramics Monthly. October 2019 issue. “Clay Culture: Bursting Cupboards.” https://
ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramic-art-and-artists/functional-pottery/clay-culture-bursting-cupboards/
Walsh, David. “Painter, Potter are Exhibiting this Month at the Friends of the Brentwood Library.” Franklin Home Page.
Web. 9 Nov 2018. https://www.williamsonhomepage.com/franklin/community/painter-potter-are-exhibiting-this-monthat-the-friends-of/article_85141c78-18a7-54e0-a970-68bc36f6518e.html
Catalog: “All Ohio Show”, PSZ Clay Center, Zanesville, Ohio, 2018
Morehead, Elizabeth. “Familiar Comforts.” WHIZ. Web. 21 Sept 2018. https://whiznews.com/2018/09/21/familiarcomforts/
Catalog: “Material Mugs III: UNDERGLAZE”, Companion Gallery, 2018
Tonguette, Peter. “Show exposes emerging Ohio artists to public, gallery owners.” The Columbus Dispatch. 18 Feb 2018: n.
pag. Print. The Columbus Dispatch. Web. 18 Feb 2018. https://www.dispatch.com/entertainmentlife/20180218/showexposes-emerging-ohio-artists-to-public-gallery-owners
Adams, Alexis Marie. “Fire and Clay Beneath the Big Sky.” Big Sky Journal. Winter 2016: n. pag. Print. Big Sky Journal .
Web. Winter 2016. https://bigskyjournal.com/fire-and-clay-beneath-the-big-sky/
Catalog: “Irons in the Fire”, Companion Gallery, 2016
Edible: Nashville Magazine. “12x12 Exhibit at Dozen Bakery.”Amuse Bouche Section. Issue 10. Sept/ Oct 2016
Nashville Scene Magazine. Crawl Space. pg. 39, Vol 35 Num 34. Sept 29—Oct 5, 2016
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2019 Tennessee Craft Member Scholarship, Tennessee Craft Mid-State Chapter, Nashville, TN
$250 merit-based craft scholarship to attend The Red Handed Clay Symposium
2018 Influx Collective- “Check Out” Influx: Borrowing Bowls, The Green Hills Library, Nashville, TN
Most Innovative Event Concept Award- American Craft Week Council
2017 Influx Collective- Connecting Through Clay, Julia Martin Gallery, Nashville, TN
Most Innovative Event Concept Award- American Craft Week Council
2016 Influx Collective- 12x12, Dozen Bakery, Nashville, TN
Most Innovative Event Concept Award- American Craft Week Council
2012 Public Undergraduate Research Fund (P.U.R.F) Grant, Athens, OH
PROFFESIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2015— In-Flux Artist Collective, Nashville, TN, Member
2014— The Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY, Member
2012–2013 Iowa Clay Conference, Cedar Rapids, IA, Committee Member
2013— Tennessee Craft, Nashville, TN, Mid-State Member
2011— The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Member