Artist: Ryan Caldwell
Ryan Caldwell, MONTANA
View Artist's Products
A red striped pole,
A sparsely painted concrete wall,
The yellow and white
patterning of painted street lines.
I am intrigued by the visual compositions hidden within the environment of everyday life.These references are brief aesthetic moments in time which are recorded in my memory. As I strip down these compositions to their essential elements they become part of a lexicon of formal decisions that are translated onto my utilitarian forms through patterns, colors, and configurations. Through this translation my work inspires a sensory response, visually and tactilely, that offer instances of interaction between the maker, object, and user.
Pottery facilitates relationships in personal daily rituals as well as larger communal gatherings. I am motivated by the way pottery activates memory and gains sentiment through use. As vessels for food and drink, pottery also has the ability to support larger emotional connections with others and within ourselves.
By utilizing wheel-thrown forms, I am able to create a conversation between pattern and
purpose. Beginning with a set of geometric parameters such as shape, line, and
repetition, my process evolves into an intuitive action and reaction with each pot. As I alter and refine each form, I am able to reflect upon the referenced composition and transform it through my own intuition of pattern and design. The layering of these elements creates a conversation between the domestic and the industrial landscape.
EDUCATION
2017-2020 MFA Candidate, Ceramics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
2015-2016 Post-Baccalaureate, Independent Studies, Washburn University, School of Arts and Sciences, Topeka, KS
2015 BFA in Ceramics and Sculpture, Washburn University, School of Arts and
Sciences, Topeka, KS
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2019 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Intro to drawing, University of Montana, Spring Semester.
Ceramics Teacher, The Kiln Studio and Gallery, Fairhope, AL ( Beginning Throwing and Advanced Throwing Classes.)
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Ceramics for Non-Majors, University of Montana,
Fall Semester.
2018 Teaching Assistant, 3-D Design, University of Montana.
RESIDENCIES
2018 Short Term Artist in Residence, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red lodge, Montana
2018 Artist in Residence, Medalta, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
2017 Artist in Residence, NOTO ArtsPlace/Studio 831, Topeka, Kansas
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2019 11th Annual Cup Show: Form and Function, Amelia Center Gallery, Panama City, FL (Juror Adam Field )
Plate & Platter National Juried Ceramics Exhibition, Artspace 304, Carbondale, IL (Juror Chandra Debuse)
2018 33rd Annual UMECA Holiday Show Exhibition, Off Center Gallery, Missoula, MT (Juror Chris Ricardo)
24th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, Gallery of Visual Arts, Missoula, MT
9th Annual KC Clay Guild Teabowl National, Bredin-Lee Gallery, Kansas City, MO (juried by Kevin Snipes)
24th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, Gallery of Visual Arts, Missoula, MT
2017 University of Montana Emerging Ceramic Artist Holiday Show, Missoula, MT (Juror Beth Lo)
Shimpo Juried Teabowl Show, National, Shimpo booth: 2017 NCECA
Conference, Portland, OR (Juror Kazu Oba)
Vessels: Interpretations and Iterations, National, MANTLE Gallery, Louisville,
Kentucky (Juror Bill Wilkey)
2016 The Cup, The Mug, National, Main Street Arts Gallery, Clifton Springs, New York (Juror Peter Pincus, Rochester ceramic artist)
Half Empty Half Full: Annual Three Wheel Studio Ceramic Show, National, Three Wheel Studio, Providence, RI
2016 Juried Ceramics Exhibition, Regional, Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS
(juror Robert Herrison), In correlation with NCECA
2015 Washburn University Student Show, Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS
(jurors Larry Petters, and Barbra Waterman-Petters)
KCAC ( Kansas City Artists Coalition) Undergraduate College Student Exhibition, Kansas City, MO (Juror Sonie Joi Ruffin, Visitor Curator of the American Jazz Museum)
2014 5th Annual KC Clay Guild Teabowl National, Thornhill Gallery, Kansas City, MO (jurors Delores Fortuna, and Bill Farrell)
Washburn University Student Show, Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS
(juror Dan Kirchhefer, professor of drawing and printmaking at Emporia
State University)
2013 Washburn University Student Show, Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS
(juror Dylan J. Beck, Assistant professor and ceramics area chairman,
Kansas State University)
2012 Washburn University Student Show, Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS
Dreams and Nightmares, Warehouse 414, Topeka, KS
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2019 Clay AF, Group Exhibition, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
2018 Every Day Everyday, Solo Exhibition , Fine Arts Gallery, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
2017 University of Montana Graduate & Post-Bachelorette Student Exhibit, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
2016 Five Friends Exhibition, NOTO Arts Center, Topeka, KS, In correlation with
NCECA
2015 Continuum, BFA senior Exhibition, John R. Adams Gallery, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
2013 Ryan Caldwell Solo Exhibition, SoHo Interiors, Topeka, KS
Selected Artists Group Exhibition, Bottega 235 Art Gallery, Topeka, KS
2012 Ryan Caldwell and Cameron Wright Two-Person Exhibition, Ramada Hotel
Gallery, Topeka, KS
SCHOLARSHIPS and AWARDS
2019 Best in Show, 11th Annual Cup Show: Form and Function, Amelia Center Gallery, Panama City, FL, (Juror Adam Field )
Third Place Award, Plate & Platter National Juried Ceramics Exhibition, Artspace 304,
Carbondale, IL, (Juror Chandra Debuse)
2018 School Of Art Award, Awarded by University of Montana, Missoula, MT
MMAC Purchase Award , “Composition Plates”, Awarded by the Montana Museum of Art
and Culture, Missoula, MT
MMAC Purchase Award , “Sill Life #6”, Awarded by the Montana Museum of Art and Culture, Missoula, MT
Fell-Oskins Scholarship, Awarded by University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Marion Boyer Scholarship, Awarded by University of Montana, Missoula, MT
2017 Honorable Mention, Awarded by Beth Lo, University of Montana Emerging Ceramics Artist Show, Missoula, MT
2015 Charles A. and Margaret Pollak Art Purchase Award, Washburn University,
Topeka, KS
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award,
Washburn University, Topeka, KS
2014-2015 Washburn Transformational Experience Study Abroad: Peru Scholarship, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
2014 "Out of the Box" purchase award, Awarded by Susan Speck, KC Clay Guild Tea bowl National 2014, Kansas City, MO
Griffen Grip Honorable Mention, Awarded By Delores Fortuna, and Bill Farrell,
KC Clay Guild Tea bowl National 2014, Kansas City, MO
Mulvane Women's Board Scholarship, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
Art Department Scholarship, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
2013 Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Grant, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
2012 Second Place Award, Student Show, Topeka Art Guild, Topeka, KS
PUBLICATIONS and INTERVIEWS
NCECA Journal Volume 40. 2019, Panel: Ringside Seats: Pots VS. MFA, p87-90, 2019.
ArtAxis, https://artaxis.org/ryan-caldwell/
Main Street Arts Gallery, Web Article, “Inside the artist’s studio with Ryan Caldwell”, December, 13th, 2016, http://mainstreetartsgallery.com/blog/
Emily DeShazer, “Artist goes back to what he loves,” The Topeka Capital-Journal, April, 1, 2015, CJ Extra, p1- Continue p8
Kenzie McCoy, "Becoming artist ready, story of WU upcoming artist," Washburn
Review, October 8, 2014. p14
The Kansas City Star, exhibition announcement with photograph, Kansas City,
MO, September 7, 2014. pD6.
Inscape Magazine 2013, full page photo, p94.
Ralph Hipp, Interview, WIBW News, Topeka, KS, December 7, 2012.
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
The Kiln Studio and Gallery, Fairhope, AL
COLLECTIONS
Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS
Shimpo Permanent Collection
Montana Museums of Art and Culture Permanent Collection, Missoula, MT
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
2019 Visiting Artist Workshop, Fairhope, AL.
Studio Manager, The Kiln Studio and Gallery, Fairhope, AL, June-August.
2018 Co-Director, FrontierSpace Gallery, Missoula, MT
2015 Contributing Artist, 35th Annual Designers’ Show-house, Stately Elegance,
Washburn University President’s Home, (Kitchen Tile)
2014-2015 Conference Coordinator, Washburn Art Team of United Potters (WATUP),Topeka, KS
2014 Artist Speak Exhibition, Curated, Organized, Installed, Publicized; NOTO art district, Topeka, KS
Dia De Los Muertos Exhibition, Coordinated Installation, NOTO Arts
Center, Topeka, KS
2011-2015 WASA/WATUP Art Sales, Coordinator, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
2013-2015 WATUP Throwing Night, Assisted, Demonstrated Wheel Throwing, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
High School Art Day, Assistant Coordinator, Washburn University,
Topeka, KS
2012-2013 Vice President, Washburn Art Student Association (WASA), Topeka, KS
2011-2012 Painting and Drawing Studio Technician, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
ART FAIRS, FESTIVALS, and OTHER EVENTS
2016 Mother Earth News Fair, Ceramic Demonstrations and Artist Talk, Kansas Expo-center, Topeka, KS
Mulvane Art Fair 2016, Demonstrating Artist : Wheel Throwing, Topeka, KS
Makers Faire KC 2016 , Demonstrating Artist : Pinch/Coil Hand-building, Print
making Project for Kids : Assistant, Union Station, Kansas City, MO
NCECA 2016 Project Space : Glenda Taylor Memorial Mural, Assistant, Kansas
City Convention Center, Kansas City, MO
2015 Mother Earth News Fair, Coordinated and demonstrated wheel
throwing workshop, Kansas Expo-center, Topeka, KS
2014 Mother Earth News Fair, Coordinated artist booth and demonstrated wheel
throwing, Kansas Expo-center, Topeka, KS
Aaron Douglas Art Fair, Exhibited, Topeka, KS
2011-2016 Mulvane Art Fair, Exhibiting Artist, Washburn University, Topeka, KS
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Clay Bodies
Earthenware, Red and White ^04, Porcelain ^5-6,^10, Stoneware ^5-6,^10, and ^13
wood-fire ,Sculptural Clays both Purchased and Custom Recipes. I have done multiple
experimentations with melting clay bodies with colorants and adding combustibles into
the clay to achieve a range of effects.
Building Techniques
Pinch, Coil, Soft and Hard Slab, Slum and Hump Molds, Onggi ( Researched Traditional
Korean Techniques)
Throwing Methods
Traditional Kick-wheels, Electric Potters Wheels, Homemade Large Onggi Inspired
Korean Kick-wheel
Casting and Mold Making
Plaster Molds used for slip casting and press molds, Poured aluminum casting, Silicon
Mold Making, Live casting.
Kiln Experience
Propane Raku, Oxidation Electric ^08-04, ^5-8, Gas Reduction ^6-8, Homemade Soda
Kiln, Small Wood Kiln.
Glaze
I have used commercial glazes, Studio Recipes, and have done hours of my own
research into glaze chemistry and firing ranges. I have done line blends, triaxial blends,
quad-axial blends to formulate different glazes and color effects. I have done flux and
clay substitutions alongside many colorant tests using mason stains, underglazes, and
traditional colorants.
Teaching
Demonstrations- Fairs and for College Undergraduate Students at Washburn University
TA for 3D Fundamentals, Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Drawing and Ceramics.
Other Studio Skills
Welding, Woodworking, Framing, Lighting, Photo-studio setup, Painting (oil and acrylic), Drawing (Charcoal), Printmaking, Photography (Digital, Darkroom)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
National Conference for the Education in the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)
ArtAxis (https://artaxis.org/ryan-caldwell/)