Artist: Ronan Kyle Peterson

Ronan Kyle Peterson, NORTH CAROLINA
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Essentially, I am dealing with affects of agents of growth and decay and how these agents shape and embellish the surfaces of stones and the skins of trees. These agents also serve key roles in interacting with my ceramic vessels. Mushrooms, seed pods, grubs and other growths serve as knobs and handles, allowing one to remove lids and discover what might be inside or underneath a covered vessel, like lifting a rock to have insects scurry in many different directions when subjected to the light of day. The vessels are not intended to be actual representations of the trees and rocks, but abstractions and stylizations of these natural phenomena. Employing an earthy background palette stretched across textured but quieter surfaces, I wanted to upset that quiet earthiness with intense splashes of vibrant color, patterns, and glossy surfaces not commonly associated with tree bark or the rough surfaces of rocks amidst fallen leaves. I am interested in inflated volume and thick line qualities that reference comic style drawings and how that can apply to interpreting the natural world. With my ceramic vessels I hope to create a comic book interpretation of the natural world with a focus on the rocks and trees and their role in the perpetual comedy of growth and decay.

BIOGRAPHY
Ronan Kyle Peterson grew up in Poplat, NC, a small community deep in the mountains of western North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and in 1996 received a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Anthropology, with a minor in Folklore. His interest in Folklore led him to John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, where he began taking classes in ceramics and other media. After working for two years with two potters in the area of Asheville, NC, he attended Penland School of Crafts. Initially, he intended to stay for a two month Concentration in Wood and Soda Fired Pottery with MacKenzie Smith, but two months turned into four years. After Concentration, he applied for and was accepted into the Core Student program. During the two-year intensive work exchange program, he had the opportunity to study with a number of internationally known artists and craftspeople.

Currently, Ronan maintains Nine Toes Pottery, a ceramics study in Chapel Hill, NC, which produces highly decorative and functional earthenware vessels. His work is drawn from processes of growth and decay in the natural world and translated into a ceramic comic book interpretation of both real and imagined phenomena. His ceramic vessels have shown in local and national exhibitions, including the 2008 Strictly Functional Pottery National in East Petersburg, PA. Ronan was also invited to participate in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Annual Potter's Market Invitational at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC, held the first weekend in September and includes some of North Carolina's most talented ceramic artists and potters. His work has been featured in both Ceramics Monthly and Clay Times, and the books 500 Bowls and 500 Platters and Chargers, which includes an image of his plates on the back cover.

Ronan's work is included in the Permanent Collections of the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, NC and the Governor Morehead School in Raleigh, NC. Recent exhibitions include solo shows at the Kiln Gallery in Fairhope, Al and Mudfire Gallery in Atlanta, GA, and invitational shows at the Artisan Gallery in Northampton, MA, Worcester Center for the Crafts in Worcester, MA, Carbondale Clay Center in Carbondale, CO and Crow Valley Pottery Festival in Eastsound, WA. Also an educator, Ronan has taught workshops at Claymakers in Durham, NC, Pocosin Arts Center in Columbia, NC, Jacksonville Arts Center in Floyd, VA, Penland School of Crafts in Penland, NC, The Kiln Studio in Fairhope, Al, and Mudfire Studio in Decatur, GA. Ronan teaches or has taught weekly adult ceramic classes at Claymakers and the Durham Arts Council Clay Studio in Durham, NC, Jordan Hall Arts Center in Cary, NC, Pullen Arts Center in Raleigh, NC, and the Arts Center in Carrboro, NC.

EXPERIENCE
2003-Present
Studio Potter, Nine Toes Pottery, Chapel Hill, NC.
Working as a studio potter producing functional and decorative earthenware vessels.

WORKSHOPS
2013
"Altered States", The Kiln Studio, Fairhope, AL
"Altered States", Pullen Arts Center, Raleigh, NC
"Scratching the Surface", 18 Hands Gallery, Houston, TX
"Scratching the Surface", Arrowmont School of Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
2012
"Cone 6 Reduction", Jacksonville Arts Center, Floyd, VA
"Scratching the Surface", The Kiln Studio, Fairhope, AL
"Scratching the Surface", Carolina Clay Guild, Greensboro, NC
2011
"Terra Cotta Throwdown", Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
"Altered States" workshop, Mudfire Studio, Decatur, GA
"Cone 6 Soda Firing" workshop, The Kiln Studio and Gallery, Fairhope, AL
Cabin Fever Reliever XI invited workshop presenter, Pocosin Arts Center, Columbia, NC
2010
"Cone 6 Reduction Firing", Pullen Arts Center, Raleigh, NC
2010-2011
"Scratching the Surface with Ronan Peterson", Jacksonville Arts Center, Floyd, VA,
2005
"Pile It On!: Low Fire Surface and Form with Ronan Kyle Peterson", Claymakers, Durham, NC

RELATED EXPERIENCE
2003-Present
Adult Ceramics Instructor/Studio Assistant, Pullen Arts Center, Raleigh, NC
2013
Invited Presenter, Clayworks Guild, Durham, NC
Invited Presenter, Carolina Preserve Pottery Club, Cary, NC
2012
Invited Presenter, 25th Annual North Carolina Potter’s Conference, Asheboro, NC
Invited Presenter, Blue Ridge Potter’s Guild, Roanoke, VA
2009
Invited Guest Artist by Mark Burleson, Advanced Ceramics Summer Series, Georgia State University
2007-2008
Adult Ceramics Instructor, Jordan Hall Arts Center, Cary, NC
2006-2010
Adult Ceramics Instructor, The Artscenter, Carrboro, NC
2005-2006
Adult Ceramics Instructor, Lincoln Arts Center, Chapel Hill, NC
2005
Teaching Assistant, “Working Wet” with Gay Smith, Haystack School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME
2004
Guest Artist/Demonstrator, Central Carolina Community College, Siler City, NC, Dan Rhode’s Ceramics Program
2004-2005
Studio Manager, Claymakers, Durham, NC
2003
Teaching Assistant, “Basic Glaze Chemistry and Raw Materials” with John Britt, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
Adult Ceramics Instructor, Claymakers, Durham, NC
2002
Teaching Assistant, “Using the Potter’s Wheel” with Kent McLaughlin, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC
2002-2003
Sales Associate, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
2000-2002
Studio Assistant for Cynthia Bringle, Penland, NC
1997-1999
Studio Assistant/Apprentice for Steven Forbes-deSoule, Weaverville, NC
Studio Assistant/Apprentice with Voorhees Pottery, Flat Rock, NC
1997
Student Host, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

EDUCATION
2000-2002
Core Student, Penland School of Crafts, Penalnd, NC.
Non-degree, intensive work exchange program
1992-1996
Bachelor of the Arts, Anthropology/Folklore, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2013
Spotlight Show, Mudfire Gallery, Decatur, GA
Spotlight Show, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
Solo show, Charlie Cummings Gallery, (online) Gainesville, FL
Solo show and workshop, 18 Hands Gallery, Dallas, TX
Solo show and workshop, The Kiln Gallery, Fairhope, AL
2012
Spotlight show, 18 Hands Gallery, Dallas, TX
Solo show, NC Craft Gallery, Carrboro, NC
"Woodland Humor", The Art Cellar, Banner Elk, NC
2011
Solo show, Mudfire Gallery, Decatur, GA
Solo show, Claymakers, Durham, NC
Solo show, The Kiln Gallery, Fairhope, AL
Featured potter, Lark and Key Gallery/Boutique, Charlotte, NC
2010
"Stumps and Stones", solo show, Nature Art Gallery, Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC
"Contextures", solo show with guest artist Gillian Parke, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC
2009
"Hollerin’: My Appalachia in Ceramica”, Durham Arts Guild, Durham, NC
2007
"Altered Feast: Altered Earthenware Vessels for Food and Fancy by Ronan Kyle Peterson", NC Craft Gallery, Carrboro, NC
2005
"Earth and Stone: New Pottery by Ronan Kyle Peterson", NC Craft Gallery, Carrboro, NC
"Pottery by Ronan Peterson", Sertoma Arts Center, Raleigh, NC
2004
"Pottery by Ronan Kyle Peterson", Pullen Arts Center, Raleigh, NC
"Soft Science or How I Came to Love the Worm: New Ceramics by Ronan Kyle Peterson", Durham Arts Guild, Durham
2002
"Ronan Peterson’s Field Guide: Ceramics by Ronan Peterson", Pullen Arts Center, Raleigh, NC

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2013
2013 Yunomi invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
NCECA Gallery Presentation, showing with The Kiln Gallery, Fairhope, AL
"Teatime II", invitational, NC Pottery Center, Seagrove, NC
NC Potters, invitational, Barton College, Wilson, NC
"Containment All-Stars", invitational, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC
Summer Showcase Series, dow Studio, Deer Isle, ME
2012
"Cup Invitational", Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
"Holiday Festive Tableware and Small Works Invitational", Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
"Source/Material: Water", cup show invitational curated by Lindsay Rogers, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC
"Cup Show VIII", invitational, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
"Consider the Cup 2012", invitational, The Artisan Gallery, Northampton, MA
"Generosity of Spirit: Invitational Show to benefit Penland School of Crafts", Signature Shop Gallery, Atlanta, GA
"Shirts and Skins", Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD
"Ceramic Surface", Marlboro College, Marlboro, VT
"Spring Vase Invitational", Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
"Summer Swan Invitational", Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, GA
"By Example: 20 NC Potters and Their Mentors", Greenhill Center for NC Art, Greensboro, NC
"Pirates vs. Zombies", Mudfire Gallery, Decatur, GA
"Pocosin Arts Cabin Fever Quenched", Maria V. Howard Arts Center, Rocky Mount, NC
"Cool Atmospheres", Claymakers Gallery, Durham, NC
Featured Artist, Summer Showcase Series, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"Fired Works", invited artist, Macon Arts Alliance, Macon, GA
"Ronan Peterson with guest Amy Sanders", 2 person show, The Kiln Gallery, Fairhope, AL
8th Annual Potter’s Market Invitational, Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
10th Annual Three Guys* and Some Pottery Sale, Doug Dotson Pottery, Pittsboro, NC
10th Annual Soda Chix with Chet Sale, Fork Mountain Pottery, Bakersville, NC
"Artist Plates", invitational, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
"North Carolina Potter’s Conference Presenters Exhibit", Moring Arts Center, Asheboro, NC
2011
"Pairings", Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
"Sharing the Stage: Vase Invitational", The Artisan Gallery, Northampton, MA
"Spring Vase Invitational", Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
"Tea Time: Series I, Teapot Invitational", NC Pottery Center, Seagrove, NC
Featured Artist, Lark and Key Gallery, Charlotte, NC
"Containment II, Box Invitational", Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC
National Teapot Show VIII Invitational, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
Crow Vallery Pottery Festival Summer Series, featured artist, Eastsound, WA
7th Annual Potter’s Market Invitational, Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
"Cup Show VII", Charlie Cummings Gallery, FL
"Interpreting the Cup", curated by Jason Burnett, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC
9th Annual Three Guys* and Some Pottery Sale, with guests Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish, Doug Dotson Pottery, Pittsboro, NC
"Consider the Cup 2011", invitational, The Artisan Gallery, Northampton, MA
2010
Featured Artist for November, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"Carolina Designer Craftsmen Members Showcase", Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"Art of the Cup", invited artist, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans, LA
8th Annual 3 Guys* and Some Pottery Sale, Doug Dotson Pottery, Pittsboro, NC
"Colors", FRANK Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC
Piedmont Craftsmen New Members Show, Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery, Winston Salem, NC
"Home Sweet Home" Summer Invitational Exhibition Series, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"The Cup", Southeastern Invitational Exhibition, The Kiln Gallery, Fairhope, AL
"6th Annual Potter’s Market Invitational". Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
"The Cup Show", Maralyn Wilson Gallery, Birmingham, AL
"Consider the Cup", invitaitional, Artisans Gallery, Northampton, MA
"Containment", invitational box show, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC
2009
"37th Annual Outdoor Art Show", juried sale, Eastern Shore Arts Center, Fairhope AL
"Parke-Peterson", two-person exhibition, Mudfire Gallery, Atlanta, GA
"The Great Vase", invited artist, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"What’s New", invited artist, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
"Art of the State", invited artist, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"Drawn to Clay: Vessels Emblazoned", invitational, Claymakers, Durham, NC
Featured potter, Lark and Key, Charlotte, NC
"Summer of Love", featured artist,, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"5th Annual Potters Market Invitational", Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
7th Annual Three Guys* and Some Pottery Sale, Pittsboro, NC
Invited artist, The Circle Autumn Sale, Charlotte, NC
Box Show, invitational, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
Winter Show,invitational, Green Hill Center, Greensboro, NC
Consider the Cup, invitational, Artisans Gallery, Northampton, MA
"100 Under 1000", invitational, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
Piedmont Craftsmen Crafts Fair, Group Booth, Winston-Salem, NC
"Season of Lights", invitational, Claymakers, Durham, NC
"Go Ask Alice, Mad Tea Party" Teapot Invitational, Hillsborough Arts Council, Hillsborough, NC
Holiday Studio Show, invitational, Mudfire Gallery, Decatur, GA
2008
"Turning Points", invitational, Claymakers, Durham, NC
"Fine Contemporary Crafts", juried by Tom Spleth, Artspace, Raleigh, NC
"100 Under 500", Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
"Mug’s and More", River Gallery, Chatanooga, TN
"Consider the Cup", Artisans Gallery, Northampton, MA
"4th Annual Potters Market Invitational", Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
"Sticks and Stones", two person show with Peg Bachenheimer, Craven Allen Gallery, Durham, NC
"National Teapot Show VII", invited artist, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"Is That Supposed to be Funny?: Wit and Humor in Craft", invited artist, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
"It’s Pouring", invitational, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"Go Green", invitational, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"Duets/Pairs", invitational, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"2008 Strictly Functional Pottery National", juried by Linda Arbuckle, Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg, PA.
"The Cup Show", invitational, Cone 10 Studios, Charleston, SC
"Paradise City, Springtime in Paradise", juried sale, Northampton, MA
"North Carolina Artists Exhibition", juried by Dr. Lawrence J. Wheeler, Raleigh Fine Arts Society, Raleigh, NC
"36th Annual Outdoor Art Show", juried sale, Eastern Shore Arts Center, Fairhope
2007
"The Winter Show", invited artist, Greenhill Center, Greensboro, NC
"Cornucopia of Craft", Grove Arcade Arts and Heritage Gallery, Asheville, NC
"Soda Chicks 2007", invited guest artist, Fork Mountain Pottery, Bakersville, NC
"The Cup Show", invitational, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"Annual Clay National", invitational, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"Down East/Down South", invitational, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"Tea", invitational, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
2006
"Emerging Clay of the South", juried, Blue Spiral I, Asheville, NC
December Show, invited artist, River Gallery, Chattanooga, TN
"The Southern Landscape", invitational, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
"July Potters Showcase", invitational, dow studio, Deer Isle, ME
"Forms and Shapes 2006: The Useful Teapot, Juror: Ron Meyers", AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
"Connections", Invitational Exhibit showing the work of 10 potters, Southside Gallery, Oxford, MS
"Growing Through Crafts: Emerging Artists from Penland School of Crafts’ Core Student Program", invitational, Grove Arcade Arts and Heritage Gallery, Asheville, NC
"Beasties: Animals in Translation", invitational, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
"New Ceramics by Ronan Kyle Peterson and Handmade Photographs by Rob MacDonald", Preservation Society of Chapel Hill, Horace Williams House, Chapel Hill, NC
"HGTV’s Crafters Coast to Coast", Sertoma Arts Center, Raleigh, NC
2005
"One Hundred Under 500", invitational, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
"2005 Winter Show", Invitational Exhibition, Green Hill Center for N.C. Art, Greensboro, NC
American Craft Council Retail Shows 2005, Atlanta and Charlotte
"National Teapot Show VI", invitational, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"Refraction and Flux: Eight Rising Young Potters", JC Self Research Center, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC
"Dinnerware Invitational Show", Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"Point of Departure", Northern Ohio University, Ada, OH
2004
"Horace Williams House 2004 Open Juried Competition", Preservation Society of Chapel Hill, Horace Williams House, Chapel Hill, NC
"Call of the Wild: Fine Crafts Inspired by Nature", Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"Gather ‘Round the Table", Hodges Taylor Gallery, Charlotte, NC
"Sight Unseen", Durham Arts Guild, Durham, NC
"Self-Portrait Project 2004", Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission. Chapel Hill, NC
"100 Teapots 2", Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD
"Via Penland", Rebus Works, Raleigh, NC
2003
"Wall Works", Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD
2002
"RSVP: The Dinnerware Invitationa"”, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
"National Teapot Show V", Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
"Three Rivers Arts Festival Juried Exhibition: Three Dimensional Art", Pittsburgh, PA
"Emerging Artist", Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL
2001
"The Hand Held Cup Show", Odyssey Gallery, Asheville, NC
"Emerging Artists of the US", Vermont Clay Studio, Waterbury Center, VT
"North Carolina Clay: Past and Present", North Carolina traveling exhibit
2000
"Under the Influence", two-person show, Saxapahaw, NC
Annual Penland Core Student Show, Penland, NC
"Unearthed Treasures: Ceremonial Vessels in Clay", Loudon House Gallery, Lexington, KY
"Four Rooms", Grovewood Gallery, Asheville, NC
1999
"Made in Penland", Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
"Back from Penland", Green Tara Gallery, Carrboro, NC

CURATED EXHIBITIONS
2012
"Mentoring: Stoneware Pots by Marsha Owen and introducing Ceramic Vessels by Roberta Wood", Claymakers Gallery, Durham, NC
"By Example: 20 North Carolina Potters and Their Mentors", Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art, Greensboro, NC
2011
at Claymakers Gallery, Durham, NC:
"Quiet/Loud, New Work by Sasha Bakaric, Ronan Peterson, and Noah Riedel”
"Flash, Flame, Peel: Soda Fired Pottery by Gay Smith, Doug Dotson, and Jo Lovvorn"
"Creatures Comfort, featuring work by Dina Wilde-Ramsing, Corinne Fox, Shannon Bueker, Charles Evergreen, Jill Medford, and Maready Evergreen”
"Exchange, featuring work by Deborah Harris, Marsha Kitkowski, Teresa Pietsch, and Joy Tanner”
2010
"Drawn to Clay”, Claymakers, NC included work by Bruce Gholson and Samantha Heneke, Michael Kline, Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish
2005
"Refraction and Flux: Eight Rising Young Potters”, JC Self Research Center, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC

GUILDS & MEMBERSHIPS
2009-2011
Exhibiting Member, Piedmont Craftsment, Inc
2008
Exhibiting Member, Carolina Designer Craftsmen
2006-2008
Art Committee, Chapel Hill Preservation Society, Horace Williams House, Chapel Hill, NC
2005
Exhibiting Member, American Crafts Council

HONORS & AWARDS
Purchase Award, 36th Annual Outdoor Art Show, Eastern Shore Arts Center, Fairhope, AL,
Featured Artist on Crafters Coast to Coast, HGTV, June 27, 2005, episode 265, “Beesbox”.
Durham Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant 2005. Project Proposal: Purchase a new electric kiln for glaze exploration and higher firing temperatures.
Ruth J. Manire Memorial Award, Best In Show, HWH 2004 Open Juried Competition, Preservation
Society of Chapel Hill, Horace Williams House, Chapel Hill, NC.
One of thirteen Emerging Artists chosen by and featured in Ceramics Monthly, May 2004.

COLLECTIONS
-Permanent Collection, “Forest Floor Caterbead” purchase and donation by Lisa Brown, Governor Morehead School, Raleigh, NC.
-North Carolina Pottery Center Permanent Collection, Contemporary North Carolina Ceramics, Seagrove, North Carolina.

GALLERY AFFILIATIONS
Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC
Lark and Key Gallery/Boutique, Charlotte, NC
NC Museum of Art Museum Shop, Raleigh, NC
Zenland Gallery, Penland, NC
The Kiln Gallery, Fairhope, AL
The Artisan Gallery, Northampton, MA
Heartwood Gallery, Saluda, NC

PUBLICATIONS
"Exposure” front section, Ceramics Monthly, December 2012
Surfaces, Glazes, and Firing, by Angelica Pozo, Lark Books, Asheville, NC, 2010
500 Plates and Chargers, edited by Susan J.E. Tourtillott, Lark Books, Asheville, NC, 2008.
"Three Guys* and Some Pottery”, Clay Times, September-October, 2007
"From Past, Potter Shapes Present”, by Diane Daniel, Who & Ware, Raleigh News and Observer, March 17, 2006.
Best of Artists: North Carolina, Kennedy Publications, April 2006.
"Refraction and Flux”, Clay Times, July-August, 2005.
“Walks in Woods Inspire Local’s Pottery”, by Rebecca Bailey, Arts and Entertainment, Chapel Hill Herald, A1, Friday, June 17, 2005
"Upfront: Point of Departure”, Marty Fielding, Ceramics Monthly, March 2005
"Emerging Artists, 2004”, Ceramics Monthly, May 2004.
The Complete Guide to High Fire Glazes, by John Britt, Lark Books, Asheville, NC, 2004.
500 Bowls, edited by Suzanne J. E. Tourtillott, Lark Books, Asheville, NC, 2003.