Artist: Ryan Myers
Ryan Myers, Wisconsin
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I was raised on cartoons and comic books, superheroes and villains. I grew up around Native American artifacts and American antiques. I learned to appreciate the intimate qualities of aged objects: the textures of rusty iron and crawling paint on old furniture, and even the musty smell of ripened books and magazines. Things that come with embedded narrative and a worn history have always surrounded me, and therefore, influence me. I am attracted to nostalgia and drawn to the curious - to something unusual but familiar - to something that creates a linkage across time,
Toys, Latin American ceramics, architecture, out human relationship with the environment, and the American folk face jug tradition started by early American potters, influence my work. From the very beginnings of mankind, civilizations have produced figurative works in clay. The work tells us about those peoples' everyday lives, hopes, fears, struggles, triumphs and cherished deities. The figure in art has limitless possibilities and is a subject matter that everyone can relate to.
Many of the objects I create join the realms of sculpture and utility. I am not always concerned with "pretty", though I do believe that form, color, and shape are important. The notion of function in my work is important as well, but is not the primary focus. My vessels are created using a combination of thrown and hand-building processes. Many pieces are fired multiple times to achieve my desired effect. Each object carries its own story and history that is created as the viewer relates to that vessel, and uses it in their daily life.
EDUCATION
2005
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Master of Fine Arts, Madison, WI
2001
Viterbo University, Bachelor of Art Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts, La Crosse, WI
ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2008-2011
Viterbo University, Adjunct Professor, taught beginning to advanced students in: Ceramic Sculpture and Pottery, Three Dimensional Art, and Methods in Media. La Cross, WI
2006
Verona High School, Long-term substitute (two months), taught beginning to advanced students in pottery and sculpture, advised on creation, glazing and firing of student works. Verona, WI
2002, 2005-2008
La Crosse, Holmen, and Onalaska School Districts, Substitute Teacher, grades K-12. Wisconsin
COMMUNITY BASED TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2013-Present
MSCR Pottery Coordinator and Instructor, Madison, WI
2011-2013
Midwest Clay Project, Pottery and Sculpture Teaching, teach courses for diverse communities of all ages, beginning to advanced students, Madison, WI
2012
Visiting Artist, Edgewood College, Madison, WI
Visiting Artist and Lecturer, Verona High School, Verona, WI
Visiting Artist, Lincoln Middle School, La Crosse, WI
Visiting Artist, Hamilton Elementary School, La Crosse, WI
2011
Visiting Artist, Three Rivers Waldorf Elementary, La Crosse, WI
Workshop, Bethel Horizon Art Ventures, Dodgeville, WI. "Narrative Forms" five-day intensive workshop, intermediate to advanced students
2006-2010
Pump House Gallery, La Crosse, WI. Pottery and Sculpture Teacher. Taught sculpture and pottery classes for adults, beginning to advanced students. Developed curriculum and taught classes for home school children ages 4-18 years old.
2010-Present
Workshop, Bethel Horizon Art Ventures, Dodgeville, WI. "Narrative Forms" five-day intensive workshop, intermediate to advanced students
2008-2009
Visiting Artist, Holmen School District Schools, Holmen, WI
2007
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI. Visiting Artist. Taught three-day wood fire workshop, beginning to advanced students.
Visiting Artist, Cathedral Elementary School, La Crosse, WI
Guest Lecturer, Aquinas High School, La Crosse, WI
2005
University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI. Visiting Artist, taught three-day sculpture and pottery demonstrations, beginning to advanced students.
Visiting Artist, West High School, Madison, WI
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
2005-Present
Studio Artist, Ceramic Pottery and Sculpture
2004
Adamah Ceramic Facility, Bethel Horizons, Dodgeville, WI. Studio and Teaching Assistant to Don Hunt
2000-2003
Studio Assistant, Chicken Ridge Studio, La Crescent, MN. Helped construct studio and fire wood and salt kilns for Mike Knox
2002
Mural Installation, Brighton, CO. Delivery and Installation of Mural with Bruce Howdle
PA & WORK STUDY POSITIONS
2004-2005
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI. Project Assistant for Ceramic Department, Provided technical assistance to students during class, implemented maintenance and safety programs in the studio, and provided standard repair and maintenance to studio equipment
2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI. Spring Semester work-study position. Provided kiln and studio maintenance, and taught students about clay and glaze productions
1996-2001
Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI. Work-Study Position. Provided gallery set-up and maintenance, sent mailings, provided kiln room maintenance and repair, produced clays, slips, and glazes for the pottery and ceramic sculpture classes
CURATED EXHIBITIONS
2012
3-D Figurative Ceramics, Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
2010
The Super Fantastic Cup Show, The Root Note, La Crosse, WI
2008
All Together Now, The Pump House Gallery, La Crosse, WI
2007
Myres Family Show, Lincoln Gallery, La Crosse, WI
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2013
Ancient Modern, Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
Two Person show Edgewood College, Madison, WI
2012
3-D Figurative Ceramics, Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
Contemporary Landscape, Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
Generations, VHS Gallery, Verona, WI
One of a Kind, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
2011
8th Annual Ceramics Invitational, Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
Form and Function, Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau, WI
One of a Kind, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
Works in Clay: Tom Meuninck and Ryan Myers, Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Pottery, Sculpture, and Music, VIVA Gallery, Viroque, WI
2010
7th Annual Ceramics Invitational, Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
In the Cooler: Ryan Myers, Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
One of a Kind, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
Super Fantastic Cup Show, The Root Note, La Crosse, WI
2009
6th Annual Ceramics Invitational, Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
One of a King, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
Pots, Paintings, and Prints: Ryan Myers and Nadine King, Outside the Lines Gallery, Dubuque, IA
2008
All Together Now, The Pump House Gallery, La Crosse, WI
35th Annual Toys Designed by Artists, Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AK
2007
Myers Family Show, Lincoln Gallery, La Crosse, WI
2005
Urban Sprawl, WHS Gallery, Madison, WI
MFA Show: Steps, 7th Floor Gallery, Madison, WI
Bottoms Up: A Celebration of Cups, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
Think Tank, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI
77th Annual Student Art Show, Union Galleries, Madison, WI
International Orton Cone Box Show, Holt-Russell Gallery, Baldwin City, KS
International Orton Cone Box Show, Presented at NCECA Conference, Baltimore, MD
Third Year Review Show, 7th Floor Gallery, Madison, WI
2004
Kailyn and the Cactus, EHS Gallery, Madison, WI
Intimate Objects, VHS Gallery, Madison, WI
Iron Works, The Goodman Center, Madison, WI
International Orton Cone Box Show, Holt-Russell Gallery, Baldwin City, KS
Ceramic Graduate Show, 734 Gallery, Madison, WI
2003
Fragments, 7th Floor Gallery, Madison, WI
First Year Review Show, 7th Floor Gallery, Madison, WI
31st Annual Toys Designed by Artists, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AK
2002
NCECA Juried Student Show, Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, KS
2001
FIgurative Ceramics, Gallery 109, La Crosse, WI
BFA SHow, Viterbo University Gallery, La Crosse, WI
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
AWARDS
2013
Top Ten Percent, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN
Best of Show, Iowa City, IA
College Hill, Purchase Award, Cedar Falls, IA
Honorable Mention, Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair, Sturgeon Bay, WI
2012
Featured Artist, Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Honorable Mention, Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Best 3-D Art in the Park, Appleton, WI
2011
Best of Show, Tempe Fall Festival of the Art Fair, Tempe, AZ
Honorable Mention, Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair, Peoria, IL
Best of Show, Art at the Park, Appleton, WI
Best Display, Cambridge Pottery Festival, Cambridge, WI
Honorable Mention, Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair, Milwaukee, WI
2010
Honorable Mention, Midsummer Festival of the Arts, Sheboygan, WI
Best 3-D, Powderhorn Art Fair, Minneapolis, WI
2009
Sculpture Best of Show, Midsummer Festival of the Arts, Sheboygan, WI
2007
Purchase Award, Art Fair on the Green, La Crosse, WI
Best of Show, Art Fair on the Green, La Crosse, WI
Best of Show, Mt. Horeb Art Fair, Mt. Horeb, WI
2005
Wisconsin Union Directorate Art Committees Choice Award, Union Galleries, Madison, WI