Artist: JoAnn Axford
JoAnn Axford, NEW YORK
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JoAnn Axford lives and maintains her studio in Glenmont, New York. She received her bachelor degree at the University of Bridgeport, Conn. and her masters from The College of Saint Rose. Her interest in botanical imagery led her to post-graduate study in Botanical Illustration at The New York Botanical Garden.
It was during her studies in the Skidmore College studio that she developed her unique technique for carving bas-relief porcelain pottery. She looks to Sung dynasty Chinese porcelains and American Arts and Crafts period artist Adelaide Robineau for her carving inspiration. Unlike these influences, she does not glaze her porcelain vessels, choosing rather to retain the sculptural quality of un-glazed porcelain enhanced by hand polishing.
JoAnn finds inspiration in balancing her studio practice with teaching. She has taught in public schools, art centers, and colleges, most recently at Sage College in Albany, NY.
JoAnn’s work has been included in invitational and juried exhibits throughout the United States, including the prestigious “Strictly Functional Pottery National”, Potter’s Council exhibit at the National Council on Education for The Ceramic Arts conference, and locally “The Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region”. Her work has appeared in Ceramics Monthly and Clay Times magazines, Surface Design for Ceramics by Maureen Mills, Lark Books, 500 Raku, Lark Books, and she was recognized as an Emerging Artist by Ceramics Monthly Magazine Online Showcase in 2006.
EDUCATION
2000 -Masters - Art Education, concentration Ceramics,The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY (Graduate Honors
Award)
1974 –Bachelors- Art Education,The University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT (Summa cum laude)
Post Graduate Studies- Regis Brodie,Skidmore College, Saratoga, NY
Botanical Illustration Studies- The New York Botanical Garden
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2019
“Adaptation to Extremes-An Art/Science Collaboration“ ,Lake George Arts Project, Courthouse Gallery, Lake George, NY
“Cup: The Intimate Object“ Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainseville, FL
“Upstate Artists“, Laffer Gallery, Schuylerville, NY
2018
“Exquisite Forms“, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainseville, FL
“Tranquility“, The Laffer Gallery, Schuylerville, NY
“Cup: The Intimate Object“, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainseville, FL
2017
“The Evocative Garden“ ,NCECA, Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, Portland, OR
“Smithsonian Craft Show“, National Building Museum, Washington, DC
“Cup: The Intimate Object“, Charlie Cummings Gallery Gainesville, FL
2016
“Cup: The Intimate Object“, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainseville, FL
“KC Clay Guild Teabowl National“, Kansas City, MO
“6th Annual Workhouse Clay International“ , Lorton VA,
“Craft Forms“, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
“Shippensburg University Ceramics Invitational“, Shippensburg, PA
“Small Favors“, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
2015
“All About Porcelain“, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
“Distilled Essences“, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
“Potters Council 2015 Juried Show“, NCECA, Providence, RI
“Strictly Functional Pottery National“, Lancaster, PA
“Cup: The intimate Object“, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
“3rd Annual Upstate Invitational“, Laffer Gallery, Schuylerville, NY
2014
“Upstate Artists Juried Show“, Laffer Gallery, Schuylerville,NY- Best in Show award
“Cup: The Intimate Object“, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
“Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region“, The Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany, NY,
“Inspired by Nature“, Pine Hollow Arboretum, Slingerlands, NY
“Nurtured Nature“, mt burton Gallery, Surf City, NJ
“Vasefinder Nationals 2014“, www.Vasefinder.com honorable mention
“Art of the Heirloom“, The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, NY
“Sage College Faculty Exhibit“, Sage College, Opalka Gallery, Albany, NY
2013
“Upstate Artists“, Laffer Gallery, Schuylerville, NY
“10x10=$100“, Mimosa Gallery, Saratoga, NY
“Monmouth County Festival of the Arts“, Red Bank, NJ
“Strictly Functional Pottery National“, Lancaster, PA
2011
“The Shoulders We Stand On“- NCECA ,Nancy Markoe Gallery, St. Pete Beach, FL
“10x10=$100“, Mimosa Gallery, Saratoga, NY
“In Bloom“, Warm Springs Gallery Charlottesville, VA
“Faculty Exhibit“, Small Gallery, Sage College, Albany, NY
“Saratoga Clay Arts Center Member Show“, Saratoga, NY
2010
“Of a Botanical Nature“- Mills Pond House Gallery,St. James, New York
“Carved Vase Contest“- Clayscapes Gallery , Syracuse, New York
“The Scarab Vase- Celebrating 100 Years“, Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, New York
“Jersey Shore Clay National“, m.t.burton gallery, Surf City, NJ
2009
“Strictly Functional Pottery National“, Lancaster, PA
“Albany Saratoga Pottery Trail“, Guest Artist, Saratoga, NY
2007
“Laura Von Rosk and JoAnn Axford“, Gallery 100, Saratoga, NY, Invitational
2006
“Ceramics Monthly,Emerging Artist Online Showcase 2006“, www.ceramicsmonthly.org
“Journeys in Clay 2006“, Mountaintop Gallery, Windham, NY,
“Faculty Exhibit“, The Arts Center of The Capital Region, Troy, NY
2005
“Red Heat: Contemporary Work in Clay“, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa OK
“JoAnn Axford and D. Jack Solomon“, Firlefanz Gallery, Albany, NY, , Invitational Show
“Clay on The Wall 2005 Clay National“,Landmark Arts Gallery, Lubbock, TX
“Pots: Objects of Virtue“, Bedford Gallery, Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA
“Winter Ceramics Invitational“, Firlefanze Gallery, Albany, NY
2004
“Jersey Shore National “, m.t. gallery, Surf City, NJ
“Winter Ceramic Exhibit ’04 “,Firlefanz Gallery, Albany, NY,
“Summer in Winter“, Mt Scott Art Center, Portland, OR
2003
“ Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region“, University Art Museum, University at Albany, NY
“Crafts National 2003“,Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA
July National Exhibition Franklin Square Gallery, Southport, NC
2002
“Fourteenth San Angelo National Ceramic Competition“, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX
“Northeast Fine Crafts Exhibit“, Schenectady Museum, Schenectady, NY
2001
“Strictly Functional Pottery National “, Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA
Public Collections:
The Schenectady Museum, Schenectady, NY
Skutt Kiln Ceramics Collection
PUBLICATIONS
Pottery Making Illustrated ,“Beauty & Challenges in Nature“, 2019
Ceramics Monthly Magazine, “Drink Up“, 2018
Ceramics Monthly Magazine,“From Idea to Finished Form“, September 2015
Clay Times Magazine, December 2009
Surface Design for Ceramics by Maureen Mills, Lark Books, published 2008
500 Raku, Lark Books, 2011
AWARDS
Skutt Ceramic Products Acquisition Award, Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster, PA
Best in Show, “Upstate Artists“, 2014, Laffer Gallery, Schylerville, NY
Honorable Mention, Vasefinder Nationals 2014
Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist On-line Showcase, 2006
2003 Picotte Companies Juror’s Award ,“Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Regional“, Albany NY
Schenectady Museum Purchase Prize, 2003“ Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Regional“,Albany, NY
First Place $2000 Purchase Award, “Summer in Winter“, Mt Scott Art Center, Portland OR
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Sage College of Albany, Albany, NY, 2010-2014
Russell Sage College, Troy, NY, 2002-2014
The College of Saint Rose, Albany NY, , 2001-2002, 2004
Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY, 2002-2007