Artist: Machiko Erhard
Machiko Erhard, MISSOURI
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My grandparents owned a farm with chickens, pigs and rice fields. I spent a lot of time playing there . At the pre-school I attended, kids chased chickens whenever they escaped. Monkeys came down from the mountain to steal some food in the colder season. Growing up in the country side of Japan, I was exposed to the life of those animals and the hardship of a farmer’s life.
Within my work, I illustrate stories of animal lives with a touch of humor. Farmer chicken drives a red truck filled with flowers to trade in for pigs. A vegetarian fairy-pig flies over gardens with wings, while a squirrel steals all the tomatoes. My functional wares are made to bring people laughs and joy at the table with my silly stories.
EDUCATION
2008 Master of Fine Arts, Ceramics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
2005 Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
2004 Bachelor of Art, Studio Art, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS
EMPLOYMENT
2010- present Ceramic Artist, Kansas City, MO
2016 Gallery Assistant, Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City Missouri, MO
2013-16 Artist Mentor, MyARTS, Independence/ Kansas City, MO
-A non-profit organization to support teens’ creativity in Jackson County.
2009 Ceramics Instructor, Aims Community College, Greeley, CO
2006-08 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
-Instructor of Record- Ceramics 1, 2dimensional Design, Art for Elementary Ed
-Teaching Assistant- Ceramics 2
EXHIBITIONS
2019 Featured Artist, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2018 The Thanksgiving Table: The Butter Dish, CLAYAKAR, Iowa City, IA
Cup: The Intimate Object XIV, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
Material Mugs III: Underglaze, Companion Gallery, Humboldt TN
The Functional Canvas, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2017 Cup: The Intimate Object XII, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2016 Featured Artist, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2nd Annual Dirty South Mug Show, River Oaks Square Arts Center, Alexandria, LA
Sprouting- Duo Exhibition, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS
WORKING POTS, James May Gallery, Algoma, WI
Yoshi & Friends, Thornhill Gallery, Avila University, Kansas City, MO
Flourishing- Ceramic Legacy of KSU, Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
“Earth>Water>Fire: The Art of the Mug.” Phoenix Gallery, Lawrence KS
SIP- A CERAMIC CUP SHOW, Non-Fiction Gallery, Savannah, GA
Drink Me: cups, mugs & tumblers. Mariani Gallery UNC Greely, CO
2015 Public Hanging, Kansas City Artists Coalition, Kansas City, MO
Cup: The Intimate Object XI, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
The Maverick Pottery Invitational, Salida CO
2014 Only the Best, Strecker-Nelson Gallery, Manhattan KS
2013 International Orton Cone Box Show, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence KS
2012 Cups & Coffee, Watershed International Juried Cup Show, NCECA, Seattle, WA
Colorful Clouds, Solo Exhibition, Holt Russel Gallery, Baldwin City KS
2010 Juried International Cone Box Show, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence, KS
Multi-Cultural Art Contest, Juror: Melanie Yazzie, Aims Community College,
Greeley, CO
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2015-16 Board of Director Kansas City Artists Coalition
2013-16 Volunteer, Kansas City Artists Coalition
2012 Artist in Residence, Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas
2011-16 Exhibition Assistant, International Orton Cone Box Show, Baldwin City, KS
2009 Artist in Residence, PauKune Wanner Art Haus, Severance, CO
Student Advisor, Aims Art in Action (Student Club) Aims Community College,
Greeley, CO