Artist: Jon Stein
Jon Stein, OHIO
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ARTIST BIO
Jonathan Stein is a potter and educator from Cincinnati, Ohio. He found clay and the potters wheel at fifteen and has never looked back. Before completing his BFA at Northern Kentucky University he traveled to Japan to study the firing kilns with wood. After receiving his degree he worked with artists with developmental disabilities. He continues to believe that creative experiences with clay improve a persons quality of life and works to provide them to as diverse a community as possible. A desire to further his understanding of atmospheric firing led Jonathan to Utah State University where he completed his MFA. Teaching opportunities and artist residencies have allowed Jonathan to travel throughout the country. He recently returned to Cincinnati to serve as director of professional development at Queen City Clay while maintaining an active studio practice.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My ceramic vessels function as both utilitarian and cultural objects. Throughout history we find similarities in form and surface embellishments of vessels that not only accentuate aesthetic qualities, but also elevate certain actions. I find inspiration in similarities drawn between works created by dislocated and sometimes disparate cultures. I am interested in the diasporic implications of common forms found throughout the world, that can be distilled, blended and melded to illuminate foundational human stories. The process of firing with wood imparts a deeper connection to ancient traditions which are a common thread in many cultural histories. To this process I add a colorful glaze palette which blankets historically imbued motifs and forms in more contemporary sensibilities. The resulting objects travel in time and space as functional landmarks in a complex and interconnected world.
EDUCATION
2017 MFA Ceramics, Utah State University, Logan, UT
2012 BFA Ceramics, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2024 Short Term Resident Artist, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge Montana
2022 Short term Resident Artist, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge Montana
2019-Current Director of Professional Development, Queen City Clay, Cincinnati, OH
2017-2019 Lecturer, State University of New York, Oneonta, NY
2017-2019, Clay Studio Manager, The Smithy, Cooperstown, NY
2017 Resident Artist, Buffalo Creek Art Center, Gardnerville, Nevada
2016 Resident Artist, Banff Centre for the Arts, Alberta, Canada
2012-2014 Studio Coordinator, Visionaries & Voices, Cincinnati, OH
2009-2012 Ceramics Work Study, Northern Kentucky University
2009 Summer Intern, Potter Fujimi Tsunichi san, Bizen, Japan
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & PRESENTATIONS
2026 Imbibition, Flower City Arts Anniversary exhibition, NCECA, Ellen Kayrod Gallery, Detroit, MI
2026 Feats in Clay, Art League of Lincoln, Lincoln, CA
2026 Best of Ohio, Ohio Designer Craft Museum, Columbus, OH
2025 127th Annual Exhibition of Indiana and Ohio Artists, Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN
2025 Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster Museum of art, Lancaster, PA
2025 Exquisite Forms, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Orlando, FL
2025 Functional Ceramics Exhibtion, Ohio Designer Craftsmen Guild, Wooster, OH
2024 Holidays at the Belger Crane Yard, The Belger Crane Yard Gallery, Kansis City, MO
2024 Small Favors, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
2023 Philadelphia Museum of art craft show, Philadelphia, PA
2023 Flowery City Pottery Invitational, Rochester, NY
2023 Wichita Ceramics National, Reuben Saunders Gallery, Wichita, KS
2023 Rites and Responsibilities, 2 person NCECA Exhibition, Happen Inc., Cincinnati OH
2023 Ebb and Flow, NCECA Exhibition, Kennedy Heights Art Center, Cincinnati, OH
2023 Queen City Survey, NCECA Exhibition, Queen City Clay, Cincinnati, OH
2023 Southern Crossing Pottery Invitational, Louisville, KY
2020 Serve it up, Clay Art Vegas, Las Vegas NV
2020 Influential, Caza Sikes Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
2020 Pottery Palooza, Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN
AWARDS
2025 Richmond Art Museum Purchase Award
2025 Clifton Cultural Arts Center Golden Ticket Exhibition 3rd Place
2025 Strictly Functional Pottery National 2nd Place
2023 Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist