Artist: Jessica Wilson
Jessica Wilson, TENNESSEE
Human beings are composed of many layers, created by life experiences. Our “human layers” can be likened to the layers of surface built up on the walls in an old home. Some layers covered and hidden, some revealed through wear, age, and time. I strive to show these “human layers” through my glazing palette. The use of heavy, cracking slip conveying a guarded layer, covering an area that was once beautiful or adorned. The two contrasting elements allow the viewer to question whether the piece is being covered or revealed; if layers are being accumulated or shed.
In May of 2014, my sister, Denise, tragically and unexpectedly passed away. For years after her death, I was consumed with grief. I found it difficult to find happiness and connect with others. During the first few months, nothing made sense. I didn’t understand how to cope with the sorrow, anger, and fear that I felt. Stuck in the grieving process, I did the only thing that made sense to me- make work. Working in clay has always been the one constant that brings me peace and gives me a sense of purpose. As I worked, I subconsciously started processing the feelings that I had about her death. This body of work I call the “Layers Series”.
MFA-Ceramics, Rhode Island School of Design; BFA- Crafts with a Concentration in Ceramics, The University of the Arts. Jessica Wilson was born and raised in New Jersey. Jessica was a studio technician at The Penland School for Crafts, The Brambleton Center, The Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts and Main Line Arts Center. She completed residencies at both Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts and St. Petersburg Clay Company. Jessica worked as an Adjunct Instructor of Ceramics at The State College of Florida and Eckerd College’s Program for Experienced Learners. From 2013-2017, she was Assistant Professor of Ceramics at Western New Mexico University located in Silver City, N.M. Since 2018, she has been working at Tennessee Tech University as Assistant Professor of Ceramics. She maintains an active studio practice and exhibits her work nationally.
EDUCATION
MFA with Honors Ceramics- Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
- RISD Graduate Fellowship
Collegiate Teaching Certificate, Brown University, Providence, RI
- Year long program in reflective teaching practices with seminars, workshops, micro-teaching session, and teaching consultation videotape.
BFA with Honors Ceramics- The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Awards and Honors:
- Promising Artist Award
- Philadelphia College of Art and Design Student Award
- Zeldin Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Ceramics
- William Daley Studio Achievement in Crafts Award
- Eastech Chemical Company Award for Excellence in Ceramics
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Tennessee Tech University
Assistant Professor of Ceramics August 2018-present
- Instruct 9 credit hours per semester in:
- Introduction to Ceramics
- Introduction to Wheel Throwing
- Intermediate Handbuilding
- Intermediate Wheel Throwing
- Advanced Ceramics
- 3D Design
- Special topics in kiln building
- Independent Study
- Senior Thesis
Western New Mexico University, Silver City, NM
Assistant Professor of Ceramics August 2013-May 2017
- Instruct 12 credit hours per semester in:
- Appreciation of Clay
- Clay II-Clay IV-Wheel throwing and hand building- beginner to advanced ceramics courses
- Independent Study/Directed Study: Ceramic sculpture
- BFA Portfolio- Development of portfolio, resume, cover letter, artist statement, artist bio
- Seminar- Lecture course on contemporary art/art practices
- Expressive Arts Representative for College of Arts and Sciences Vision and Goals Committee
- Faculty representative for WNMU Salary and Benefits Committee
- Faculty representative for WNMU Curriculum Development Committee
- Faculty representative for WNMU Education Development Committee
- Art Club Advisor
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice Campus, FL
Adjunct Ceramics Instructor 2007 – 2013
- Instruct 4-6 classes each semester in:
- Clay I- Beginner hand building
- Clay II- Beginner wheel throwing
- Advanced Hand Building
- Advanced Wheel throwing
- Organize Annual College-wide ceramics sale to incorporate a portion of benefits to Breast Cancer Awareness
- Serve as SCF Venice Campus Art Club Co-Advisor
- Supervise Lab Assistant and Student Assistant staff
Eckerd College-Program for Experienced Learners, St. Petersburg, FL
Adjunct Ceramics Instructor 2007 – 2011
- Instruct 2-3 courses each semester on both St. Petersburg and Dunedin Campus in:
- Wheel throwing
- Hand building
- Ceramic sculpture
- Alternative firing
- Faculty member on senior thesis committees
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Ceramics Instructor/Technician, Graduate Assistantship 2003-2005
- Taught introductory courses in ceramics five of six semesters at RISD
TECHNICIAL EXPERIENCE
Brambleton Center, Roanoke, VA
Ceramics Technician/Instructor 2017-2018
- Loaded/repaired/fired all electric
- Ordered all materials including clay and glaze materials/ managed budget
- Maintained clean, organized studio environment for over 200 students weekly
- Taught Advanced Wheel throwing course
Main Line Arts Center, Haverford, PA
Ceramics Instructor/Technician 2005-2007
- Served as Head of Ceramics Department
- Organized and liaised for instructor/ staff meetings
- Loaded/repaired/fired all electric and gas kilns
- Ordered all materials including clay and glaze materials/ managed budget
- Maintained clean, organized studio environment for over 200 students weekly
Main Line Arts Center, Haverford, PA
Ceramic Technician 2002-2003
- Loaded/repaired/fired all electric and gas kilns
- Ordered all materials including clay and glaze materials/ managed budget
- Maintained clean, organized studio environment for over 200 students weekly
Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts and Sciences, Long Beach Island, NJ
Ceramic Technician/Artist-in-Residence, 2000-2001
- Loaded/repaired/fired all electric and gas kilns
- Ordered all materials including clay and glaze materials/ managed budget
- Maintained clean, organized studio environment
RESIDENCIES
Penland School for Crafts, Penland, NC
Ceramic Technician 2002
- Assisted Jenny-Lou Sherburne and Janice Strawder for two-month concentration
- Managed all firings including low-fire, high fire, salt, and soda
Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC
Artist-in-Residence 2001-2002
St. Petersburg Clay Company, St. Petersburg, FL
Artist-in-Residence, 2007-2009
- Studio in exchange for twelve hours of work per week for Company
- Assist in visiting artists’ workshops
WORKSHOPS
Appalachian Center for Craft, Silver Point, TN
Alternative Firing Methods: May 2021, weekend workshop focusing on:
- horsehair firing
- Raku firing
- Pit firing
Appalachian Center for Craft, Silver Point, TN
Clay for Educators: June 2019, week-long workshop focusing on:
- teaching ceramic basics to K-12 art educators including handbuilding, wheel throwing, glaze application and kiln firing basics.
PUBLICTIONS
“Exposure” Ceramics Monthly Magazine, October 2021
500 Bowls, Lark Books, 2003
MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS
Blue Ridge Potters Guild, 2018
LECTURES
Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
Guest Artist Lecture, 2018
JUROR
Tennessee Craft Fair, Nashville, TN, 2019
EXHIBITIONS
|
Exhibition |
Location |
Year |
|
Two-person exhibition with Hunter Stamps |
Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville, TN |
2022 |
|
Strictly Functional Pottery National |
Lancaster, PA |
2021 |
|
Workhouse Clay International |
Lorton, VA |
2021 |
|
“SIP”- National Juried Show |
Savannah Clay Community, GA |
2021 |
|
“Clay Canvas” |
Intandem Gallery, Bakersville, NC |
2020 |
|
“Twin Cups” |
MWSU Clay Guild, St. Joseph, MO |
2020 |
|
“Off the Table” |
MWSU Clay Guild, St. Joseph, MO |
2020 |
|
“Small Favors” |
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA |
2020 |
|
“SIP”-National juried cup show |
Savannah Clay Community, GA |
2020 |
|
Imagery and Illustration |
Clay Center of New Orleans, LA |
2020 |
|
SCA&D Faculty Show |
Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN |
2019 |
|
SOFA Chicago- Appalachian Center for Craft/TTU |
Chicago, IL |
2018 |
|
Strictly Function Pottery National 2018 |
Lancaster, PA |
2018 |
|
Workhouse Clay International |
Lorton, VA |
2018 |
|
Visiting Artist |
Market Gallery, Roanoke, VA |
2018 |
|
International Cup 2018 |
Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula MT |
2018 |
|
LinDor Gallery- retail sales |
Roanoke, VA |
2017 |
|
Strictly Functional Pottery National 2017 |
Lancaster, PA |
2017 |
|
Tile and Vessel Exhibition |
Silver City, NM |
2017 |
|
Solo Show |
Blue Dome Gallery, Silver City, NM |
2017 |
|
Twin Cups: National Ceramics Exhibition 2017 |
NWSU Department of Art, Saint Joseph, MO |
2017 |
|
“The Art of Drinking” |
Silver City Clay Festival, Blue Dome Gallery |
2016 |
|
“International Orton Cone Box Show” |
Exhibited during NCECA 2016, Kansas City, MO |
2016 |
|
“Small Favors” |
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA |
2016 |
|
International Cup 2016 Exhibition |
Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT |
2016 |
|
“At Your Service” |
Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD |
2016 |
|
“Off The Wall” National Ceramics Exhibition 2015 |
Missouri Western State University Clay Guild, St. Joseph, MO |
2015 |
|
Eighth Annual Texas International Teapot Tournament |
18 Hands Gallery, Houston, TX |
2014 |
|
Seventh Annual Cup Show: Form and Function |
Gulf Coast State College Amelia Center Gallery, Panama City, FL |
2014 |
|
Dab's Art 2014 International Juried Show |
HUD Gallery, Ventura, California |
2014 |
|
Tile and Vessel Exhibition |
Silver City, NM |
2014 |
|
14th Annual Juried Cup Show |
Kent State University, School of Art, Downtown Gallery, OH |
2014 |
|
Blue Dome Gallery, Retail Gallery |
Silver City, NM |
2014 |
|
Twin Cups: National Ceramics Exhibition 2014 |
NWSU Department of Art, Saint Joseph, MO |
2014 |
|
13th Annual National Juried Cup Show |
Kent State University, School of Art, Downtown Gallery, OH |
2013 |
|
Florida Craftsman, Retail Gallery |
St. Petersburg, FL |
2012-2014 |
|
Dancing Crane, Retail Gallery |
Bradenton, FL |
2011, 2012 |
|
19th Annual Downtown Craft Festival |
Dunedin, FL |
2011 |
|
“Small Works” |
Towles Court, Sarasota, FL |
2011 |
|
“A.I.R. Support”, Artist-in-residence show past and present residents, NCECA Exhibition |
St. Petersburg Clay Company, St. Petersburg, FL |
2011 |
|
PEL Faculty and Alumni Exhibition, NCECA Exhibition |
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL |
2011 |
|
SCF Faculty Exhibition |
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, FL |
2010 |
|
PEL Faculty Exhibition |
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL |
2010 |
|
“WOWman Exhibition”-Women in Art |
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL |
2009 |
|
“Connections”, Solo Show- Exit Show from Residency |
St. Petersburg Clay Company, St. Petersburg, FL |
2009 |
|
“Reitz, Balistreri, and Friends”- wood fired ceramics Tim Salem Gallery |
St. Petersburg Clay Company, St. Petersburg, FL |
2008 |
|
“10’x 10’”-Installation |
Lake Worth Storage Facility, Lake Worth, FL |
2008 |
|
CraftArt |
St. Petersburg, FL |
2007, 2008 |
|
Holiday & Summer Art Shows |
St. Petersburg Clay Company, St. Petersburg, FL |
2007 |
|
“Viewpoint: Ceramics 2006” |
Grossmont College- Hyde Gallery, El Cajon, CA |
2006 |
|
MFA Thesis Exhibition |
RISD Museum, Providence, RI |
2005 |
|
MFA Thesis Ceramics Exhibition |
Albert Angel House, Providence, RI |
2005 |