Artist: Martha Grover
Martha Grover, MAINE
View Artist's Products
Martha Grover is a functional potter, living in Bethel Maine, creating thrown and altered porcelain pieces. She attended Bennington College in Vermont, where she received her undergraduate degree in Architecture. Martha received her MFA in ceramics from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She has been awarded multiple residencies and fellowships including the Fogelberg Fellowship at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis, Sage Scholarship and Taunt Fellowship at the Archie Bray Foundation , and a yearlong residency at Red Lodge Clay Center. Her work has been shown nationally and internationally, and can be found at galleries across the country. Her work has been featured in many publications including Ceramics Monthly, Clay Times, Pottery Making Illustrated, the Lark 500 series, and was the cover feature of Ceramic Monthly’s May 2010 issue.
I seek to enhance the experience of interacting with functional objects. I work toward creating a sense of elegance for the user while in contact with each porcelain piece. Reminiscent of orchids, flowing dresses, and the body, the work has a sense of familiarity and preciousness.
Direct curves are taken from the female figure, as well as the fluidity of a dancer moving weightlessly across the floor. The space between elements is electrified with anticipation and tension. I think of the fluid visual movement around a piece, as a choreographer would move dancers across a stage. Transmitting desire - there is a sense of revealing and concealing, a layering of details that serves to catch our attention immediately and then the details draw us in, to make a closer inspection.
In our lives, we often move past the objects surrounding us at a very quick pace. My work generates a moment to pause. My goal is create an undeniable presence, one that acts as an invitation to explore the work thoroughly, taking time to know all of its many facets. Only through sustained interaction we can truly know and appreciate someone or something.
EDUCATION
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth MA - Special Student, 2003-2004; MFA, 2004-2007
Syracuse University, Syracuse NY - Fifth Year in Ceramics, 2002-2003
Bennington College, Bennington VT - BA, 1998-2002
RESIDENCIES and INTERNSHIPS
Bennington College Bennington VT – March- April 2018
Pottery Workshop Jingdezhen, China – November 2013
Archie Bray Foundation Helena MT- Summer 2007 & 2008; Taunt Fellow, September 2009 – August 2011
Red Lodge Clay Center Red Lodge MT - September 2008 – August 2009
Northern Clay Center Minneapolis MN - October 2007 – May 2008
El Mono Foundation Sayulita, Mexico - February 2002
Women’s Studio Workshop Rosendale NY - January 2002
VISITING ARTIST & WORKSHOPS
The Clay School Ithaca NY, Workshop – March 2018
Bates College Lewiston ME, Visiting Artist – January 2018
Penland School of Crafts Spruce Pine NC, Workshop – November 2017
Mid Atlantic Potters Confernce Front Royal VA, Main Presenter – October 2017
Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts Maplecrest NY, Workshop – August 2017
Castle Hill Arts at Truro Art Cetner, Truro MA, Workshop – July 2017
ClayMakers, Durham NC, Workshop – July 2017
Appalachian Center For Craft, Smithville TN, Workshop – July 2017
Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village NV, Workshop – June 2017
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle ME, Workshop – May 2017
Ceramic League of Miami Miami FL, Workshop – November 2016
Lexicon Gallery and Studio Magnolia MA, Workshop – September 2016
Indiana University Southeast New Albany IN, Visiting Artist – September 2016
University of Southern Indiana Evansville IN, Visiting Artist – September 2016
Touchstone Center for Craft Farmington PA, Workshop – August 2016
The View Art Cetner Old Forge NY, Workshop – June 2016
SnowFarm Williamsburg MA, Workshop – June 2016
Kingston Potters Guild Kingston ON, Workshop – May 2016
Baltimore Clay Works Baltimore MD, Workshop – April 2016
South County Arts Association Kingston RI, Guest Juror and Workshop – April 2016
The Potters Gathering Ripley WV, Workshop – February 2016
First City Arts Center Pensacola FL, Workshop – February 2016
Alabama Clay Conference Gadsden AL, Demonstrator – February 2016
Portland Pottery Portland ME, Workshop – January 2016, March 2017
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth New Bedford MA, Visiting Artist – November 2015
Hudson River Potters Guild Ossing NY, Workshop – November 2015
Midwestern State University Wichita Falls TX, Visiting Artist – October 2015
The Studio of Francine Epstein Chester NJ, Workshop – October 2015
Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts Maplecrest NY, Workshop – August 2015
Leksands Folkhögskola Leksand Sweden, Workshop – July 2015
NCECA Providence RI, Process room demonstrator March 2015
Green River High School Green River WY, Workshop - February 2015
Duluth Art Institute Duluth MN, Workshop – October 2014
Touchstone Center for Crafts Farmington PA, Workshop – August 2014
Paducah School of Art and Design Paducah KY, Workshop – June 2014
Jackson Potters Guild Jackson MI, Workshop – June 2014
Pewabic Pottery Detroit MI, Workshop – May 2014
Pottery Workshop Jingdezhen, China, Lecture and Demonstration – November 2013
Lee Arts Center Arlington VA, Workshop - October 2013
McHenry County College Crystal Lake IL, Workshop - September 2013
Peters Valley Layton NJ, Workshop - June 2013
Mudfire Decatur GA, Workshop - June 2013
Potters Group Lafayette LA, Workshop, February 2013
18 Hands Houston TX, Workshop – November 2012
University of Central Missouri Warrensburg MO, Workshop - September 2012
“Altered Ceramics” Potters Council Conference San Diego CA, Presenter – September 2012
25th North Carolina Potters Conference Asheboro NC, Presenter – March 2012
Great Falls Pottery Great Falls MT, Workshop – February 2012
Idyllwild Arts Center Idyllwild CA, “Hot Clay” Workshop and Lecture – July 2011
The Potters Depot Buffalo WY, Workshop and Lecture – June 2011
Georgia State University Atlanta GA, Visiting Artist and Workshop - June 2011
The Clay Studio of Missoula Missoula MT, Workshop – May 2011
Montana State University Bozeman MT, Workshop and Lecture – February 2011
Carroll College Helena MT, Visiting Artist – November 2009
Kolva-Sullivan Gallery Spokane WA, Workshop and Lecture - October 2009
Northwest College Powell WY, Workshop - March 2009
Montana State University Billings Billings MT, Workshop and Visiting Artist – November 2008
Tabor Academy Marion MA, Lecture - April 2006
PUBLICATIONS
Ceramics Monthly “Exposure” March 2018
Clay and Cuisine Ceramic Publications Company, 2017
Making Good Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. Featured Artist, 2017
Pitchers, Teapots, Cups, and Mugs Ceramic Publications Company September 2016
Mastering the Potter's Wheel Benjamin Carter, included artist, photo 2016
Throwing Techniques “Lidded Forms” (Cover Photo) Ceramic Publications Company July 2015
Ceramics Monthly “Spotlight: Martha Grover - On the Move” May 2015
American iPottery Kevin Hluch, included artist, photo, 2014
Pottery Making Illustrated “Fluid Curves” September 2013
500 Teapots, volume 2 Lark Books, 2013
Pottery Making Illustrated “Flower Bricks and Tulipieres” July/August 2013
Creating Curves with Clay Ceramic Publications Company DVD, September 2012
Clay Times “19th Strictly Functional Pottery National” Exhibition Photos, Autumn 2011
2011 Clay Workshop Handbook Ceramic Publications Company “Treasure for Treasure” June 2011
American Craft “The House Bray Built” June/July 2011
Pottery Making Illustrated “Treasure for Treasure” November/December 2010
Clay Times “18th Strictly Functional Pottery National” Exhibition Photos, Autumn 2010
500 Vases Lark Books, 2010
Ceramic Arts Daily “Seamless Transitions” June 2010
Ceramics Monthly “2010 Emerging Artists” (Cover Photo) May 2010
Ceramics Monthly “Exhibitions” June/July/August 2009
500 Platters and Chargers Lark Books, (Title Page Image) 2008
500 Pitchers Lark Book, 2006
Clay Times “Steamin’” Exhibition Photos, September/October 2004
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Artist of Honor Show, Owen Art Gallery, Bethel ME, June 2017
Featured Artist Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT February 2017
Finding Pattern Juanita Harvey Gallery, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls TX September 2015
Featured Artist Companion Gallery Humboldt, TN June 2015
Featured Artist Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville NC May 2015
Martha Grover: New Work Pewabic Pottery, Detroit MI May 2014
Martha Grover: New Work Mudfire Gallery, Decatur GA July 2013
Martha Grover Bliss on 19th, Houston TX March 2013
Martha Grover: New Work The Clay Studio, Philadelphia PA June 2012
Curvature Mudfire Gallery, Decatur GA January 2012
Featured Artist Schaller Gallery, Red Lodge MT April 2010
Featured Artist Newport Potters Guild, Newport RI April 2010
Featured Artist 18 Hands Gallery, Houston TX December 2009
Solo Exhibition Stretch Gallery, Pineville NC March - June 2006
Solo Exhibit Gallery 8 x 10, Star Store, New Bedford MA November 2003
Wonderland’s Remnants Sarah Coyne Gallery, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY February 2003
Five Days Visual Arts Performing Arts Overlook, Bennington College, Bennington VT December 2001
JURIED SHOWS
From the Ground Up Muskingum County Community Foundation, Zanesville OH
Sherman Hall, Brad Schwieger, Angelica Pozo October 2014
21th Strictly Functional Pottery National Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg PA,
Jim Connell - Juror October 2013
19th Strictly Functional Pottery National Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg PA,
Many Barringer - Juror October 2011
The Shoulders We Stand On Nancy Markoe Gallery, St. Pete Beach FL March 2011
Teapots V Baltimore Clay Works, Baltimore MD January 2011
18th Strictly Functional Pottery National Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg PA,
Bill van Gilder - Juror October 2010
Dining In III: An Artful Experience 18 Hands Gallery, Houston TX August 2010
Clay on the Wall: 2010 Clay National Texas Tech Univ. School of Art, Lubbock TX
Elaine Henry – Juror January 2010
Objects of Virtue Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek CA, Julia Galloway – Juror December2009
Dining In II: An Artful Experience 18 Hands Gallery, Houston TX August 2009
5th World Ceramic Biennale World Ceramic Exposition Foundation, Icheon Korea April 2009
State of Clay Lexington Arts & Craft Society, Lexington MA, Jim Lawton – Juror April 2009
International Cup Missoula Clay Studio, Missoula MT, Patti Warashina – Juror February 2009
Cups Galore JFH Studios, New Haven MO, Jeri Au – Juror November 2008
ArtWorks! Holiday Exhibition Artworks!, New Bedford MA, ArtWorks! Staff – Juror November 2008
Emerging Potters Exhibition Vessels Gallery, Boston MA, Irina Okula & Richard Aerni Jurors May 2007
16th San Angelo Nat’l Ceramic Competition San Angelo Museum of Fine Art, San Anglo TX
Ann Lancaster – Juror June 2006
“Funk”tional National Stretch Gallery, Pineville NC November 2005
Marge Brown Kalodner Graduate Student Exhibition The Clay Studio, Philadelphia PA
Jeff Guido, Stanley Shapiro, & Marge Brown Kalodner – Jurors June 2005
NCECA Regional Student Juried Show MICA, Baltimore MD March 2005
Use It or Lose It Attleboro Museum, Attleboro MA September 2004
Steamin’ Gallery Materia, Scottsdale AZ July 2004
EXHIBITIONS
Critical Function Framehouse and Jask Gallery, Pittsburgh PA – March 2018
Salmon House Invitational Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT – November 2017
Porcelain, Please Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI – September 2017
SteinFest ClayMakers, Durham NC – September 2017
Beasts and Blooms (2 person show) Lexicon Gallery, Magnolia MA September 2016
ClayFest Northwest Northwest Pottery, Seattle WA September 2016
Porcelain Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI July 2016
The Clay Way Invitational The Clay Lady’s Campus, Nashville TN May 2016
Sexy Pots The Clay Studio, Philadelphia PA February 2016
Winter White Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI January 2016
Ode to Bowls Trackside Gallery, Spokane WA December 2015
Forms Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI September 2015
Taboo: Sexuality and Sexual Identity in Ceramics Signature Gallery, Atlanta GA September 2015
The Maverick Potter The Maverick Potter Gallery June 2015
5 x 5 Trax Gallery, Berkley CA May 2015
Meant For Use Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI April 2015
Dot. Dot. Dot. Pawtucket Armory, NCECA Providence March 2015
The Uncommon Object University Gallery, UMass Dartmouth February 2015
The Cup Show Artisan Gallery, Paoli WI March 2015
The Plate Show Mudfire Gallery, Decatur GA November 2014
What are you Thinking? University Gallery, UMass Dartmouth November 2014
Steinzeugkrug: Present Day Interpretations Clay Makers, Durham NC October 2014
Cup: The Intimate Object X Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainsville FL October 2014
50 from 6 Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, Southern Utah University, Cedar City UT September 2014
American iPottery Exhibition Montgomery College, Rockville MD August 2014
Flora and Fauna The Brinton Museum, Big Horn WY June 2014
2nd Biennial Mint Julep Invitational Mary Anderson Center for the Arts, Mt. St. Francis IN April 2014
Hide ‘n’ Seekah NCECA, Milwaukee WI March 2014
Longing for Spring Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI February 2014
Mineral and Animal Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainsville FL November 2013
Porcelain Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI November 2013
This is Helena Free Ceramics Gallery, Helena MT November 2013
Cup: The Intimate Object VIII Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainsville FL October 2013
Elements Ceramic Show: Dinner Place Settings University of Northern Colorado, Greeley CO October 2013
Steinzeugkrug: Present Day Interpretations Clay Makers, Durham NC October 2013
Ceramics Invitational Artisan Gallery, Paoli WI September 2013
Faculty Exhibition Peters Valley Craft Center, Layton VA June 2013
Assemblage Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI March 2013
Box Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI December 2012
Behold! 26th Invitational of Fine Art + Craft Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin FL November 2012
Cup: The Intimate Object VIII Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainsville FL November 2012
Hot Montana Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI November 2012
Mugs for Jugs Mudfire Gallery, Decature GA October 2012
Prototype Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT September 2012
Ceramics Invitational: Innovation Creation University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg MO August 2012
Containment III: A Nesting Instinct Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville NC April 2012
Figurative Ceramics Artisan Gallery, Paoli WI April 2012
Mint Julep Exhibition Mary Anderson Center for the Arts, Mt. St. Francis IN April 2012
His and Hers Gallery 16, Great Falls MT April 2012
Small Favors The Clay Studio, Philadelphia PA March 2012
Libations Arabica Lounge, Seattle WA March 2012
Made for Each Other Studio 550, Manchester NH February 2012
42nd Annual Ceramics Exhibition Crossman Gallery, UW-Whitewater WI January 2012
Contemporary Ceramics The Mud Room, Emerson Center, Bozeman MT November 2011
The Intimate Object VII Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville FL November 2011
30 x 5 AKAR, Iowa City IA November 2011
Small Works Artisan Gallery, Paoli WI November 2011
Vertical: An Exhibition of Platters Sagebrush Community Art Center Gallery, Sheridan WY October 2011
Porcelain: Function, Figuration, and Architectural Form Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula MT October 2011
Archie Bray AIR Exhibition Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, Spokane WA October 2011, ’10, ’09, ’08, &’07
Ceramics Invitational Artisan Gallery, Paoli WI September 2011
Teapots: Formal to Fanciful Quincy Art Center, Quincy IL September 2011
Thrown Altered: Vessels Out of Round College of Lake County Wright Gallery August 2011
Conflux Gallery V, Valley Ford CA August 2011
Farewell Exhibition Archie Bray Foundation North Gallery, Helena MT August 2011
Connections and Beyond Red Lodge Clay Center, offsite in Helena MT June 2011
Resident Exhibition Archie Bray Foundation Warehouse Gallery, Helena MT June 2011, June 2010, & June 2008
5th Annual Invitational Teapot Show Craftsman House, St. Petersburg FL May 2011
National Teapot Show VIII Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor NC April 2011
White Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI April 2011
New Work by New Artists Artisan Gallery, Paoli WI April 2011
For The Table The Clay Studio, Philadelphia PA March 2011
2011 Functional Ceramic’s Exhibition Wayne Center for the Arts Wooster OH March 2011
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Clay Arts Center, Port Chester NY, January 2011
Teapots Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula MT January 2011
Holiday Show Gandee Gallery, Fabius NY November 2010
Simple Cup KOBO Gallery, Seattle WA November 2010
SOFA Archie Bray Foundation Booth, Chicago IL November 2010
Gravy Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill CA, November 2010
National Ceramics Invitational University of St Francis, Fort Wayne IN November 2010
Cup-o-rific Schaller Gallery, Benton Harbor MI, October 2010
Cups Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence KS October 2010
Ceramics Invitational Artisan Gallery, Paoli WI September 2010
Three cups of Tea Mississippi State University, Mississippi State MS September 2010
Fellowship Exhibition Archie Bray Foundation Warehouse Gallery, Helena MT August 2010
Make Home Sweet Dow Studio, Deer Isle ME June 2010
Yunomi AKAR, Iowa City IA April 2010
Cups Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe NM December 2009
Where the Wild Things Are Red Star Studios, Kansas City MO November 2009
30 x 5 AKAR, Iowa City IA November 2009
Residents Farewell Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT July 2009
Featured Artist Holter Museum, Helena MT July/August 2009
Butter Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT June 2009
Buckets & Baskets Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT May 2009
Archie Bray Foundation Residents Monorchid Gallery, Phoenix AZ April 2009
Box Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge MT March 2009
Round Two Northwest College Gallery, Powell WY February 2009
Fogelberg Fellowship Exhibition Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis MN January – March 2009
Momentum Northcutt Steele Gallery, MSU Billings, Billings MT November 2008
2007 Artists in Residence Exhibition 3rd Street Gallery, Carnegie PA March 2008
MFA Thesis Exhibition University Gallery, Star Store, New Bedford MA March – May 2007
14th Annual Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show RI Convention Center, Providence RI, February 2007
Gifted Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester MA December 2006
Creating a Home Gallery 244, Star Store, New Bedford MA November 2005
Altered Egos Gallery 244, Star Store, New Bedford MA February 2005
Glimpse Gallery 244, Star Store, New Bedford MA September 2004
Compilation 815 Purchase Street, New Bedford MA April 2004
Glass Case Show Group Six, UMass Dartmouth, North Dartmouth MA October – November 2003, 2004
Group Show Ceramics Graduate Gallery, Star Store, New Bedford MA September 2003
Summer Arts Festival Town Meeting House, Sweden ME August 2003
Dirt Conversion Sarah Coyne Gallery, Syracuse University, Syracuse NY October 2002
Senior Exhibition Usdan Gallery, Bennington College, Bennington VT May – June 2002
Summer Architectural Theory Exhibit Barn East Gallery, Bennington College, Bennington VT
June – August 2001
AWARDS
Artist of Honor, Bethel Art Fair, July 2017
Harrisburg Area Community College Student Ceramics Club Award Strictly Functional, October 2011
Purchase Award Strictly Functional, Clay Times & Skutt Kilns, October 2010
People’s Choice Award 2010 Emerging Artists, Ceramic Arts Daily, May 2010
NCECA Emerging Artist NCECA, Philadelphia PA, April 2010
NCECA Cups of Merit NCECA, Philadelphia PA, April 2010
First Prize “Clay on the Wall: 2010 Clay National” Texas Tech Univ. School of Art, Lubbock TX, January 2010
Taunt Fellowship Archie Bray Foundation, Helena MT, September 2009
Best in Show “Dining In: An Artful Experience” 18 Hands Gallery, Houston TX, August 2009
Honorable Mention “5th World Ceramic Biennale” WCEFO, Icheon Korea, April 2009
Bill and Stirling Sage Scholarship Archie Bray Foundation, Helena MT, June 2008
Fogelberg Fellowship Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis MN, October 2007 – September 2008
Jurors Award 3rd Place “Emerging Potters Exhibiton” Vessels Gallery, Boston MA, May 2007
Technical Assistant Scholarship Liz Quackenbush, Mathias Ostermann, Michael Connelly - Haystack 2006
Solo Show Award “’Funk’tional National” Stretch Gallery, Pineville NC, November 2005
Technical Assistant Scholarship Chris Staley at Haystack July 2005
Jurors Award 3rd Place “Use it or Lose it” Attleboro Museum, Attleboro MA, September 2004
COLLECTIONS
American Ceramic Society Columbus, OH
Archie Bray Foundation Helena, MT
Belger Art Center Kansas City, MO
Clay Times Hamilton, VA
Dwight Holland Asheboro, NC
Jim Kolva and Pat Sullivan Spokane WA
Midge and Jerry Golner Phoenix, AZ
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Erie, CO
Red Lodge Clay Center Red Lodge, MT
Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI
Sidney Swidler The Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
Skutt Ceramic Products Portland, OR
Standard Ceramics Carnegie, PA
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Artisan Gallery Paoli, WI
Asheville Ceramics Gallery Asheville NC
Bespoke Global New York, NY
Cedar Creek Gallery Creedmoor, NC
Ceramic Art and Perception Gallery Sheridan, WY
Companion Gallery Humboldt, TN
Crimson Laurel Gallery Bakersville, NC
Charlie Cummings Gallery Gainesville, FL
Lexicon Gallery Magnolia MA
MudFire Gallery Decatur, GA
Mojo Gallery Minneapolis, MN
The Clay Studio Philadelphia, PA
The Clay Studio of Missoula Missoula, MT
Peters Valley Gallery Layton, NJ
Plinth Gallery Denver, CO
Red Lodge Clay Center Red Lodge, MT
Schaller Gallery St. Joseph, MI
EMPLOYMENT
Potter – Self Employed 2007 - present
Gould Academy Ceramics Faculty 2016 – present
Archie Bray Foundation Education Coordinator 2013 - 2015
Carroll College Adjunct Professor 2010 - 2012
Archie Bray Foundation Ceramics Instructor 2008 - 2015
Archie Bray Foundation Gallery Assistant 2011 -2012
Red Lodge Clay Center Ceramics Instructor, Gallery Assistant September 2008 – August 2009
Muddy Lamb Studios Ceramics Instructor Spring 2009
Northern Clay Center Ceramics Instructor, Sales Gallery Assistant 2007 - 2008
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Technical Assistant Summer 2005, 2006
UMass Dartmouth Ceramics Instructor, Summer Studio Technician 2004 - 2006
Jennifer Gandee Studio Assistant 2002 - 2003
Earth and Fire Pottery Artist’s assistant and production Summer 2002
Crisp Architects Draftsman and model builder Winter 2000
Bennington College July Program Residential Advisor Summer 2000
Bennington College House Chair 1999 - 2002
Bardavon 1864 Opera House Technical crew and business intern Winter 1999
Grover Gundrilling Inc. Machine operator and part time secretary Summer 1998