Artist: Mariana Baquero
Mariana Baquero,
Artist Statement
Making objects by hand that are commonly mass-produced may seem like an irrational act. But for me it is a deliberate rebellion, a way to create more opportunities for physical and emotional connection.
Clay is the perfect medium for making connections. In its raw state it is plastic, recording every touch. Heat transforms it into an archival material through which the past speaks to the present.
I make objects that are used for everyday rituals of eating and drinking. These objects transcend barriers of language, culture, and time by connecting people through shared experiences.
Biography
Mariana Baquero was a corporate lawyer until she re-discovered the pleasures of working with clay. She graduated from the University of Florida with an MFA in ceramics in 2016. She is currently the Arts Specialist at the J. Wayne Reitz Union Arts & Crafts Center at the University of Florida.
EDUCATION
2016
MFA, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2001
Juris Doctor, New York University School of Law, New York, NY
1996
BA, magna cum laude, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2012-2013
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (post-baccalaureate study in ceramics)
2009-2012
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT (ceramics courses)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2016-Present
Arts Specialist, J. Wayne Reitz Union Arts & Crafts Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2019
Workshop Instructor, Arbutus Folk School, Olympia, WA
2016
Master Class Instructor, Gator Global Initiative Conference: Creative Minds Igniting Social Change, Gainesville FL
Demonstrating Artist, Florida Makers' Residency, Gainesville, FL
2015
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Instructor of Record, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, Fall 2015 ART 2750c Ceramics for Non-Majors
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Instructor of Record, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, Spring 2015 ART 2934c Throwing for Non-Majors
2014
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Instructor of Record, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, Spring 2014 ART 2752c Throwing Skills and Concepts
Demonstrating Artist, Fort Walton Beach High School, Fort Walton Beach, FL
2013
Demonstrating Artist, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
2010-2012
Studio Assistant, Southern Connecticut State University Ceramics Department, New Haven, CT
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2022
Aboveboard Ceramics 2022 Exhibition, www.aboveboardceramics.com
2021
Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA, 2021Strictly Functional Pottery National
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL, Cup: The Intimate Object XVII
Aboveboard Ceramics 2021 Exhibition, www.aboveboardceramics.com
2020
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL, The Functional Canvas V
Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY, Biblio Spectaculum
2019
The Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center at Stetson University, Deland, FL, Clay Legacies
2018
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL, Cup: The Intimate Object XIV
2017
Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD, People of Color, People of Clay
2016
MFA Thesis Exhibition, University Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Florida Makers' Residency Exhibition, Gainesville, FL
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL, Cup: The Intimate Object X
2015
MASS Visual Arts, Gainesville, FL, MASS 5
SEC 2015 Symposium, Atlanta, GA, Art Exhibition (One visual artist from each SEC member institution was selected to show work in this exhibit)
Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA, Clay National 2015
The Art League, Alexandria, VA, Tabletop
Sweetwater Center for the Arts, Sewickley, PA, Sips, Shots & Gulps
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL, Cup: The Intimate Object XI
University Gallery, Gainesville, FL, College of the Arts Annual Student Juried Exhibition
Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, FL, Access Art Community Installation
2014
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL, Cup: The Intimate Object X
4MOST Gallery, Gainesville, FL, SA+AH Studio Art Graduate Invitational Exhibition
AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA, 2014 Yunomi Invitational
South Gallery, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, All-Florida Ceramics Invitational
4MOST Gallery, Gainesville, FL, One-Third Full
2013
Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL, Let There Be Light! 38th Annual Holiday Show and
Sale
the gallery, Reitz Union, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, Eutectics
University of Florida Genetics Complex, Gainesville, FL, Codified III: Art and Genetics
4MOST Gallery, Gainesville, FL, SA+AH Studio Art Graduate Invitational Exhibition
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL, Cup: The Intimate Object IX,
Ice House Studios, McIntosh, FL, Variations in Clay
2012
Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL, The Perfect Plate
Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg, PA, 20th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, Student Arts League Spring Show 2012
Studio 550 Arts Center, Manchester, NH, Made for Each Other
2011
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, Wishful Drinking
Barrett Clay Works, Poughkeepsie, NY, 3rd National Cup Show
Firehouse Gallery at Genesee Pottery, Rochester NY, College Clay Collective 2011
LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln NE, National Juried Cup Exhibition 2011
Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights IL, Words & Numbers (Juried)
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, Student Arts League Spring Show 2011
2010
Sierra Nevada College, Truckee CA, A New Decade of Clay, 2010,
m.t.burton gallery & 19th St. Clay Studio, Surf City NJ, Jersey Shore Clay National 2010
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, Student Ceramic Exhibition
AWARDS, GRANTS AND RECOGNITION
2019
Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Professional Development for Artists Workshop, Panama City, FL
2016
The Arrowmont Pentaculum, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
Albert K. Murray Scholarship Grant, The Albert K. Murray Fine Arts Educational Fund, Adamsville, Ohio
2015
Open Studio Residency, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME
Technical Assistant Scholarship, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME
Albert K. Murray Scholarship Grant, The Albert K. Murray Fine Arts Educational Fund, Adamsville, Ohio
School of Art and Art History Graduate Travel Scholarship, with matching award from The School of Graduate Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Student Arts Advocacy Award, presented by the Florida Higher Education Arts Network, Tallahassee, FL
2014
School of Art and Art History Graduate Travel Scholarship, with matching award from The School of Graduate Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Technical Assistant Scholarship, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME
Paul Hayden and Ginger S. Duensing Scholarship, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
Student Scholarship, Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN
Student Finalist, NICHE Awards, Functional Ceramics Category, NICHE Magazine, Baltimore, MD
2013
School of Art and Art History Graduate Travel Scholarship, with matching award from The School of Graduate Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Material and Fabrication Grant, Codified III: Arts and Genetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2012
Purchase Award, Bailey Pottery Equipment Corp, 20th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg, PA
The Mary Sekas Ceramic Award, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, awarded to an art major for outstanding achievement in the area of ceramics
First Place, Visual Arts Category, Folio Literary Magazine MMXII, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT
First Place, Ceramics Category and Honorable Mention, Printmaking Category, Student Arts League Spring Show 2012, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT
2010
First Place, Student Category, A New Decade of Clay, 2010, Village at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, Truckee CA (Juror: Richard Shaw)
PUBLICATIONS
2016 Ceramics Monthly, November 2016, Spotlight: Mariana Baquero, p.80.
2013 500 Prints on Clay, Lark Books, Asheville, NC, Juror: Paul Andrew Wandless, color image, citation pp 229, 248.
2012 Ceramics Monthly, v.60, no.7, September, Exposure, show citation, color image, p.20.
Folio Literary Magazine MMXII, Issue MMXII, color image, citation, pp. 41, 57.
2011 Folio Literary Magazine MMXI. Issue MMXI, color image, citation, p. 27.
2010 Clay Times, v. 16, no. 88, Autumn, A New Decade of Clay 2010, color image, citation, p. 30.