Artist: Paul S. Briggs
Paul S. Briggs, NEW YORK
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I am engaged in a process I call “pure pinching,” that is, making the goal of my practice to be present to the largely intuitive process of growing a form, most often, out of one piece of clay—it becomes a mindful practice. My process is neither additive nor subtractive but expansive. In one sitting I develop the form, intuitively sculpt it, and the moment ends with a contemplative object due to the visual mystery of the process, an object that is vessel-like. Though the work recalls natural objects and I do reference nature, for example flowers and sea anemone, these were not the initial impetus for the work. Currently I'm taking inspiration from the distinctive vessels of the Jomon period of ancient Japan combined with dividing a form using the golden section. Finally, I am meditating on the idea of the refuted pot and balancing usability and aesthetics in functional pieces such as bowls and yunomi.
Select Exhibitions:
2023 Noble and Greenough School, (Solo) Foster Gallery (Solo), Dedham, MA. 2022 “Thee Architects,” Saratoga Springs Art Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY. 2022 “Unadorned” (Solo) Lucy Lacoste Gallery, Concord, MA.
2022 Jason Jacque Gallery, New York, NY.
2022 With Giselle Hicks at Spartan Shop, Portland, OR.
2022 Ornate Simplicity, (Solo) Harvard Ceramics Program, Cambridge, MA. 2022 “Material Shapes in Clay,” List Gallery (Solo), Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA. 2021 A New Realism” (Curator: Glenn Adamson) Friedman Benda Gallery, Chelsea, NY.
2021 “Cell Personae,” Marsh Gallery (Solo), Herron School of Art and Design, Cincinnati, OH. 2021 “Intuitive Responses: Poetic Justice in Clay” (Solo) Lucy Lacoste Gallery, Concord, MA. 2021 “Calling to Who We Are,” NCECA Concurrent Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH.
2021 “Alternate Endings 3: Ceramic Bookends" NCECA-Virtual, Cincinnati, OH. 2020 “America(s)” Design Miami, Friedman Benda Design/Podium, Miami, FL. 2020 “Strange Fruit” September Gray Fine Art Gallery, Atlanta, GA.
2020 “What Might Have Been,” Friedman Benda Gallery, Chelsea, NY.
2020 “Color Network: Voices for Change,” University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 2020 “Empowering Voices,” Lucy Lacoste Gallery, Concord, MA.
2020 “Clay National,” The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA.
2020 “Off the Table: Clay for the Wall,” Missouri Western State University Clay Guild. 2020 “Color Network: Voices for Change,” Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami, FL. 2020 “Constructors, Presented by The Color Network,” at Alma’s RVA, Richmond, VA.
2019 “Cell Persona: Incarceration’s Impact on Black Lives,” (Solo) Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Cincinnati, OH.
2019 “Terra Incognita,” Plant Seven Gallery, High Point, NC.
2019 “Constructed ClayScapes,” San Angelo Museum of Art, San Angelo, TX. 2019 Eutectic Gallery (With Elliot Kayser) Portland, OR.
2019 “The Good Making of Good Things: Craft Horizons Magazine 1941-1979” Minnesota Museum of American Art, St. Paul, MN.
2019 “More Than That” (Juror: Roberto Lugo) Flaten Museum of Art, Northfield, MN.
2019 “Cell Persona: Incarceration’s Impact on Black Lives” (Solo) Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN. Official NCECA exhibit. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from MSAB thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
2019 “Sin: The Seven Deadlies in Clay” Perlman Teaching Museum at the Weitz Center for Creativity Carleton College, Northfield, MN.
2018 “Other People’s Eyes” Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art (ICA MECA) Portland, ME.
2017 “Northern Clay Center Members Exhibition” (Jurors: Amy Smith, Ron Gallas) Minneapolis, MN.
2018 "MassArt 28th Annual Auction" (Juried), Bakalar-Paine Galleries, Boston, MA. 2018 International Ceramic Artists Network 2018 Wall Calendar – Pots with Flowers. 2017 Potters Council Juried Show at NCECA 2017, Portland, OR.
2016 International Ceramics Exhibition University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL.
2016 State of Clay 2016 (Juror: Wayne Higby, NYSCC at Alfred) Lexington Arts and Craft Society, Lexington, MA – My piece was featured in Clay Times Volume 22 No. 101 Spring/Summer 2016. pg. 12.
2016 "MassArt 27th Annual Auction" (Juried), Bakalar-Paine Galleries, Boston, MA. 2016 "Art Show Bedford" (Juror: Peter MacGill, Pace/MacGill Gallery, NY) Bedford, NY.
2015 Work selected for display in Rio/McMillen room design in the 43rd Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The Arthur Sachs Mansion, New York, NY.
2015 "MassArt 26th Annual Auction" (Juried), Bakalar-Paine Galleries, Boston, MA. 2015 "Work/2015" Art Education Faculty Show, MassArt Arnheim Gallery, Boston, MA. 2014 "Art at the Library Series" (Invitation) Julia L. Butterfield Library, Cold Spring, NY. 2014 "Scotchie Crown Classic" (Juried) Redbird Studio Gallery, Columbia, SC.
2013 “Selections from the Permanent Collection: Abstraction”. University of Tennessee Ewing Gallery, Knoxville, TN.
2012 “Revealed” (New Ceramic Sculpture, with Pat Badt) University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
2012 “Art Show Bedford” (Juror: Neil Watson, Director-Katonah Museum of Art) Bedford, NY, Honorable Mention.
2011 CaFa 13th Tokyo-New York Friendship Ceramic Competition (Juror: Toshio Ohi, 10th Generation Ohi Potter) Nippon Gallery, New York, NY.
2011 “Art Show Bedford” (Juror: Walter Leidtke, Curator, Metropolitan Museum of Art) Bedford, NY, Honorable Mention.
2010 “Art Show Bedford” (Juror: Neil Watson, Director-Katonah Museum of Art) Bedford, NY.
2009 Katonah Museum Artists Association Juried Exhibition.
2009 “Beaux Arts Exhibit” (Juried) Katonah, NY, 2nd Place Sculpture Prize. 2008 “Tactile Clay” (Invitation) Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
2007 “Ecstatic Skin of the Earth” National Juried Ceramics Exhibition (Juror: Paulus Berensohn) Xiem Clay Center, Pasadena, CA.
2007 “Evolution” The 5th Cheongju International Craft Biennale” (Juried) Cheongju City Korea, Honorable Mention.
2007 “Beaux Arts Exhibit” (Juried) Katonah, NY, 1st Place Sculpture Prize. 2007 “Ceramic Sculpture,” James Gallery, Bedford Hills, NY.
2006 “Art Show Bedford” (Juror: Neil Watson, Director-Katonah Museum of Art, Juror) Bedford, NY, Bjorlin Sculpture Prize.
2006 “Showtime at the Schoolhouse Gallery” Katonah Museum Artist Association. (Juried) Croton NY.
2006 Storm King School Vladimir Center for Art (solo, invitation) Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. 2005 “Black History Month Exhibit” (Invitation) Northern Westchester Center for Art. 2004 “Spiritual in Art” (Ceramic Sculpture-Invitation) Stonehill College, Easton, MA. 2000 “Symbionts” (Juried, Two Person, with Sarah Glass) Newton Art Center, Newton, MA. 1999 “ Origins in Clay” (Juror: Eddie Dominguez) Hill Country Arts Foundation, Ingram, TX. Select Presentations:
Noble and Greenough School, Visiting Artist, Dedham, MA, 2023.
University of Iowa, Visiting Artist, 2022
Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Visiting Artist, Snowmass Village, CO, 2022 Snow Farm-New England Craft, “Workshop: Mindful Pinching,”, 2022.
Tufts University GLAD Center Consultation on listening, panel (virtual), Medford, MA 2021. Fuller Craft Museum Collection Spotlight presentation (virtual), Brockport, MA 2021. Cranbrook Academy of Art, Visiting Artist (virtual), Bloomfield Hills, MI, 2021. Commonwealth School, Visiting Artist/talk (virtual), Boston, MA 2021.
St. Susanna, Lecture: Art, Faith, Icons and Images (virtual), Dedham, MA, 2021.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Artist Talk (virtual), Chicago, IL, 2021. “Strategies for Bridging Identity and Politics in Clay Communities,” panel member, NCECA, Richmond, VA, online video. 2021.
Massachusetts College of Art, Artist Talk (virtual) Boston, MA, 2020.
Clay Art Center Webinar presentation, Portchester, NY, 2020.
Clay Arts Center, Black Artists Panel Discussion (virtual), Portchester, NY, 2020. Arlington High School, Artist Talk (virtual), Arlington, MA, 2020.
Windsor School, Artist Talk and One Day Workshop, Boston, MA, 2019.
“Art Making as Spiritual Practice,” Panel Moderator, NCECA, Cincinnati, OH. 2021.
“The Art of Radical Mentorship” Panel (members: Lauren Sandler, Sana Musasama, Courtney Leonard, Jigna Desai) NCECA, Minneapolis, MN, 2019.
“Unpacking, Reframing, Engaging” Panel (members: Janna Longacre, Shelia Pepe, Jasmine Baetz) NCECA, Pittsburgh, PA, 2018.
“Race, Class and Spirituality,” First Presbyterian Church of Katonah, NY, 2007.
“Art Making and the Spiritual Lives of Children,” NAEA Convention New York, New York, 2001.
“School Art and Art Making: Big Difference” NAEA Convention New York, New York, 2001. “Art Making as Spiritual Practice,” Munroe Center for the Arts, Lexington MA, 1998.
“Marginalization as a Site of Resistance and Pedagogy,” NAEA Convention, Houston Texas,1995.
“Art Education and Religion in the Common School,” NAEA Convention, Houston, Texas,1995. “Multiethnic Art Education: A Lack of Antecedents,” PAEA Conference, Philadelphia PA, 1994.
“Art and Society,” NAEA Convention, Baltimore, Maryland, 1994.
“Our Iconoclastic Heritage,” Penn State Graduate Research Exhibition. This presentation received second place in College of Arts and Architecture by vote of the college’s faculty, 1993.
Select Collections:
The Legacy Museum, Equal Justice Initiative, Montgomery AL.
Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, Alfred, NY.
Fuller Craft Museum, Brockport, MA.
Pizutti Collection, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, OH.
Flaten Art Museum, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN.
San Angelo Museum of Art, San Angelo, TX.
University of Tennessee, Ewing Gallery, Knoxville, TN.
Wellesley College Multifaith Center, Wellesley, MA.
Various Private Collections
Select Curation:
Louisiana State University, 8 Fluid Ounces, Baton Rouge, LA, 2022
Northern Clay Center Members Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN 2022
Clay Art Center, Concepts in Clay: Artists of Color, Portchester, NY 2020
NCECA Cup Show with Linda Christianson, St. Paul, MN 2019
Northern Clay Center Members Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN 2019
Publications:
Sculpture Magazine
Ceramics Monthly, February 2021, cover image and article, A Delicate Balance by Leigh Taylor Mickelson.
The Studio Potter August 2020, Interview: Reclaiming the Potter, by Erin Shafkind.
Harvard Gazette 2020, Interview: Ceramics Program Reboots Courses through Virtual Instruction, by Meera S. Nair.
Review: Robert Arneson’s “I have My Eyes on Me Endlessly,” 1992, Sculpture, bronze. Exhibition: “Eye to I: 3,000 Years of Portraits,” Katonah Museum of Art Catalogue, Katonah, NY, 2013.
“Concerning the Religious in Art Education,” In Contemporary Issues in Art Education, (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001) ed. by Yvonne Gaudelius and Peg Speirs.
“Art Education Through Ceramics: From Clay to Culture”, The Studio Potter, vol. 29(1): 43-48 (December 2000).
“Challenges for Art Education in the Iconoclastic Controversy,” In History of Art Education: Proceedings of the Third Penn State International Symposium (1997), ed. by Albert A. Anderson, Jr., and Paul E. Bolin.
“The Influence of Unitarianism on the Public Schools of Massachusetts, 1825-1870” (Doctoral Dissertation, Pennsylvania State University, 1995). (This work was cited in Graeme Chalmers “Learning from Histories of Art Education: An Overview of Research and Issues.” Part 1 of Handbook of Research and Policy in Art Education By Elliot W. Eisner and Michael D. Day. New York: Taylor and Francis, 2004.
Teaching/Educational Leadership:
Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC. 2023
Alison Palmer Studio, CT. Summer 2023.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, Colorado, Workshop. 2022
The Winsor School, Boston, MA Visiting Artist Demonstration and Workshop, 2020.
The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT.
Artist in Residence, 2021
Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill, Truro, MA. Weeklong workshop, 2020
Mass College of Art and Design, Boston, MA.
Associate Professor of Art Education Director of Saturday Studios. 2019-
present.
Harvard University Ceramics Program, Pinch-forming course, Cambridge, MA. 2019-2020
Harvard University Ceramics Program, Cambridge, MA.
Artist in Residence. 2019-2020.
St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN.
Assistant Professor of Art and Art History (Ceramics).
Courses (six per year): Ceramics—Intro to Clay Culture, Ceramic Art; Art Making as Spiritual Practice; Methods in Art Education; Supervise Student Teachers; Senior Studies. Ongoing advising, committee and service duties. 2016-2019.
Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC.
Pinch-forming: A Mindful Approach (2-week session). Summer 2018.
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Graduate MFA Critiques – Invited Participant.
Outside ceramics reviewer for 2nd year MFA students working in ceramics, 2017.
Mass College of Art and Design, Boston, MA.
Art Education Adjunct and Ceramic Studio Technician Assistant. 2014-2016.
Storm King High School, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY.
Visual Arts Director.
Art Instructor in all mediums. I taught an advanced placement course and revitalized the ceramics program. While at Storm King School I organized a number of community exhibitions; developed and arranged for a life drawing class to take place at the art center for seniors with parental approval, 20002004.
The College Board, Princeton, NJ.
Advanced Placement Studio Art Portfolio Reader and AP Art
Teacher Trainer, 2000-2004.
Harvard University Ceramics Program, Cambridge, MA.
Ceramics Symposia Education Faculty.
Supervised veteran public school teachers in developing curriculum based on workshops by visiting international ceramic artists including Chinese, Peruvian and Hopi Tewa. Coordinated class firings and museum visits. Facilitated the interchange of creative ideas as rich and valuable pedagogically and culturally. 1999-2001.
Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA.
Assistant Professor of Art Education.
Courses: Materials and Processes, Human Development, Curriculum Ideas; Directed the Saturday Studios Program (a pre-service teacher curriculum development practicum); Supervised Student Teachers; Liaison between the Art Education Department and Professional and Continuing Education: I developed and evaluated art education courses to be offered through the PCE, 1996-2000.
South Carolina State University, Chair of Art Education, 1995-1996.
Pennsylvania State University, Art Education Faculty (TA), 1992-1995.
Newburgh Enlarged City School District, K-12 Visual Arts Teacher, 1986-1989. Community Work:
Empty Bowls, Carleton College—Ceramics Donation, Northfield, MN. Arranged for a donation of bowls to Empty Bowls Fundraiser, 2017-2019.
Haley House and Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA.
Soup-er Bowl Volunteer.
Made bowls and volunteered for set up and facilitation of Souper Bowl fundraiser for Haley House, a nonprofit organization based in Boston's South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. haleyhouse.org, 2014-present.
Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Bedford Hills, NY.
Pastoring was primarily teaching and administration. I commenced shared responsibilities for men and women on the Deaconate ministry; revitalized Youth Program*, established Social Action Committee, Interfaith Bible Study and the Arts Ministry. Antioch is an active community church celebrating its 119th year September 2013. Known for humorous, passionate, succinct homilies, in addition to Sunday services, I personally often spoke or taught publicly to diverse audiences at upwards of 15 functions each year. 2004-2014.
Interfaith Study Facilitator, Bedford Village, NY.
With the Rabbi of a reformed temple, I conceived and developed a Jewish, Christian fellowship and study group. We engage in quarterly Biblical/Talmudic discussions. In 2012 we were joined by the local Muslim fellowship. 2004-2014.
North East Westchester Domestic Abuse Alliance (NEW-DAA), Katonah, NY. NEW·DAA is a consortium of survivors, concerned citizens, community leaders, trained professionals and clergy committed to making connections that stop domestic violence, Founding Member, 2012-2014.
Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital, Katonah, NY.
Led “Spirituality” sessions using African Drumming and creative means bimonthly for youth and adults and gave individual patient counseling, 2008-2014.
African American Men of Westchester, My Sister’s Place Women’s Support Services Purchase College, Purchase, NY.
Panel: “Men Speaking to Men to Stop Violence Against Women Seminar.” 2010.
Unity Made Visible (UMV), Mt. Kisco, NY.
Founding member of UMV, an interfaith group promoting enduring religious cooperation. (www.digitaluniverse.net/unitymadevisible) 2004-2013.
The Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY.
Visiting Artist, Ceramics, 2009.
“View to A-HOME”, North Salem, NY.
Conceived and chaired Art Exhibition fundraiser for A-HOME, Affordable Housing Group, Gallery@121, 2008.
Taconic Women’s Correctional Facility, Media Literacy Course, Bedford, NY. Using Visual Culture, I dialogued with the women about how to identify references to art history and race and representation issues in the media to deconstruct the content of images, 2007.
Convener: Northern Westchester Interfaith Council, Bedford, NY.
I helped to reconvene this council serving as its first coordinator and as such was a founding partner of the Emergency Shelter Partnership began in this diverse group of 40 religious institutions and community organizations working in cooperation to provide shelter for area homeless population. 2004-2007.
Director, Mont Lawn Camp, Bushkill, PA.
As director I was tasked with hiring, supervising and coordinating all camp activities for a summer camp staff of 100 persons to serve 200 New York urban youth four sessions each summer. I created the budget and participated on facilities committee from 1993-1995. I was the Art Director, 1984-1986 and a Counselor from 1982-1984.
Interests:
Art Making as Contemplative Practice; Visual Culture Literacy; Race and Representation in the Media; Iconology of Byzantine Icons; Holistic Health and Fitness; African Drumming and Dance; Graphic Design.
Awards:
Donald J. Gordon Visiting Artist and Lecturer, Swarthmore College, 2021–2022. Missouri Western State University Off the Table: Clay for the Wall, First Place, 2020. South Eastern Minnesota Arts Council Advancing Artist Grant, 2018.
Student Support Services Outstanding Teacher Award, St. Olaf College, 2017.
Interfaith Dialogue Awardee from the American Jewish Committee and Westchester Jewish Conference for American Pluralism, November 2009.
Received the Outstanding African American Men Award for Religious Outreach to Youth (Contemporary Activities) Alpha Kappa Alpha (Xi Chi Omega Chapter) October 2006.
Education:
MFA, Ceramics/3D, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, 2016.
PhD, Art Education/Educational Theory and Policy, Penn State, 1995.
MSEd, Art Education/Ceramics, Alfred University, 1992.
MA, Rabbinic Literature, Oral Roberts University, 1991
BSEd, Education/Ceramics, The City College of New York, 1986.
Social Media: www.paulsbriggs.com • @psbriggs3.0 •
Gallery Representation: Lucy Lacoste Gallery, Concord, MA; Liz O’Brien Gallery, New York, NY; Spartan Shop, Portland, OR and occasionally Friedman Benda, New York.
Member: National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), College Art Association (CAA), National Art Education Association (NAEA), National Education Association (NEA)