Artist: Sam Scott

Sam Scott, WASHINGTON
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I have been a ceramic artist in Seattle since 1968 and have worked predominately in porcelain on the potter’s wheel. My forms are defined by functional simplicity and the white surface of each piece is decorated with abstract brushwork in blues, browns and grays.

I also utilize the contrast of the white porcelain surface with a black matte glaze. The development of this glaze has allowed me to employ new forms of decoration on the clay surface, juxtaposing biomorphic poured shapes in contrast to the dense white porcelain. These drips create a graphic tension that is enhanced by orienting the directional flow of the glaze from both rim and foot of the piece. The shape of the pot informs the pouring process creating overlapping patterns which integrate the form, surface, and decoration, unifying the overall design.

More recently I have been exploring my interest in science and technology and their impact on society, in a series of plates. Impressions of various objects are made in the soft clay becoming contemporary fossils. The contents of each plate are meant to “serve up” commentaries or provoke observations of the ideas, decisions, and developments that impact our actions and leave an “impression” on our society.

My goal is to blend technique and intuition in both form and surface treatment while working in the vessel format.

I was born and raised in Seattle, WA and began working with clay at High School in 1968. I went to the University of Washington to work with Robert Sperry, Patti Warashina and Howard Kottler. Receiving my BFA in 1975, I proceeded to set up my studio in the Seattle area. Over the years I’ve taught at the University of Washington and Everett Community College and have given numerous workshops. I currently teach at Shoreline Community College.

My work has been shown in important national and international exhibitions, and has won various awards. A few of the exhibitions include: NCECA Invitational 2012, Seattle, WA; NCECA Invitational 2010, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Objects of Virtue 2009, Walnut Creek, California; Craft Forms 2008, Wayne, Pennsylvania; 2007 Biennial Exhibition of North American Functional Clay, Guilford, Connecticut; 2007 NCECA Clay National Biennial Exhibition, Louisville, Kentucky; 14th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National 2006, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Looking Forward Glancing Back, Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, Washington.

I have had work published in magazines including Ceramics Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated and Clay Times. And I am mentioned or my work is included in various books, such as: Robert Sperry Bright Abyss by Matthew Kangas, Making Marks by Robin Hopper, China Paint and Over Glaze by Paul Lewing, 500 Cups: Ceramic Exploration of Utility and Grace (Lark Books), 500 Pitchers: Contemporary Expressions of a Classic Form (Lark Books), 500 Plates and Chargers (Lark Books) and The Best of 500 Ceramics (Lark Books).

I’ve also written several articles, two were published in Pottery Making Illustrated in 2012 and Porcelain Artist Magazine in 2011. In 2012 I wrote a chapter for the book Surface, Glaze and Form (The American Ceramic Society) edited by Anderson Turner.

My work is also included in corporate and public permanent collections. These include: The International Museum of Contemporary Ceramics, Buenos Aires, Argentina; The Dee Roy and Mary M. Jones Permanent Collection at Cal Poly, Pomona, California; The American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, California; The Nidec-Shimpo Tradition of Excellence Corporate Collection, Itasca, Illinois; The Harborview Northwest Collection of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Seattle, Washington; and The Edmonds Collection to Hekinan, Hekinan, Japan.

Selected awards include: Objects of Virtue Guild Award, California (2009); 4th International Biennial of Contemporary Ceramics Special Jury Award, Buenos Aires (2009); Ink and Clay 35 Honorable Mention, California (2009); Clay on the Wall First Place, Texas (2007); 2007 Vasefinder Nationals First Place, Nevada (2007); and 14th Strictly Functional Pottery National Founders Award, Pennsylvania (2006).

In 2012 Linda Ganstrom, NCECA curator, wrote “Sam Scott is known for his elegantly crafted vessels and socially engaged content”.

EDUCATION
1975
Phi Beta Kappa Alpha of University of Washington
B.F.A. University of Washington

AWARDS
1975-1975
Lambda Rho Alumni Memorial Scholarship

MEMBERSHIPS
Northwest Designer Craftsmen
Washington Potters Association
NCECA- National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts

TEACHING POSITIONS
1999-Present
Shoreline Community College
1977
University of Washington, Summer and Fall Qtrs
1975-1998
Everett Community College

GALLERY AFFILIATIONS
AKAR. Iowa City, IA
Lillstreet Art Center. Chicago, IL
Museum of Northwest Art (MONA). La Conner, WA
Earthworks Gallery. Yachats, OR
Northwest Craft Center. Seattle, WA
KOBO Capitol Hill. Seattle, WA
Penn Cove Pottery. Coupeville, WA
Red Lodge Clay Center. Red Lodge, MT
Allied Arts Gallery. Richland, WA

JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2012
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA. NCECA International Exhibition: Push Play
2010
Show of Hands Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, “Fill-adelphia” NCECA Show
Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA, “NCECA Invitational 2010”
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA, “Let’s Table This” Exhibition from the museum’s collection
Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA, “Objects of Virtue” Cash Award
2009
Davenport Gallery, Wayne, PA , “Craft Forms 2008”
2007
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville, KY, “2007 NCECA Clay National Biennial Exhibition” Shimpo Purchase Award
W. Keith and Janet Kellogg Univ. Art Gallery, Cal Poly, Pomona, CA, “Ink and Clay 33”
2006
The Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA, “By The Hand: A National Exhibition of Traditional and Innovative Craft"
Market House Craft Center, Lancaster, PA “The 14th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National” (Founders Award)
2005
Contemporary Crafts Gallery, Portland, OR, “Looking Forward Glancing Back: Northwest Designer Craftsmen at 50”
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA, “Looking Forward, Glancing Back: Northwest Designer Craftsmen at 50”
2004
Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Bellingham, WA, “Looking Forward, Glancing Back: Northwest Designer Craftsmen at 50"
2003
Oregon College of Arts & Crafts, Craft Bi-Annual—“A Review of NW Arts & Crafts” (Portland, OR)
1993
Smithsonian Institution Museum, Renwick Gallery, “NW Artists Show”
1973, 1977
NWCC Exhibition, Henry Gallery, Seattle, WA. Jury Accepted

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
2012
Virginia Mason Hospital Art Collection, Seattle, WA
2010
L&L Kiln Manufacturing Corporate Collection
2009
CA State Polytechnic University Collection, Pomona
2008
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA
Northwest Collection of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA
2007
Nidec-Shimpo Corporate Collection, Itasca IL
2006
Pottery Northwest Permanent Collection, Seattle, WA
1991
Edmonds Collection to Hekinan, Japan for the Hekinan Cultural Association (Hekinan, Japan)
1977
Edmonds Art Festival Purchase Award, Edmonds, WA

PUBLICATIONS & REVIEWS
2012
The Best of 500 Ceramics, Lark Books (book, page 283)
Surface, Glaze & Form (book, page 6), American Ceramic Society
Pottery Making Illustrated Magazine, Jan/Feb, Cover Story
2010
Ceramics Today by Jeffrey B. Snyder (book, pages 200-201)
2009
Robert Sperry: Bright Abyss AMOCA, (book, page 42)
2008
500 Plates and Chargers, Lark Books (book)
2007
China Paint and Over Glaze, by Paul Lewing, (book)
2006
500 Pitchers: Contemporary Expressions of a Classic Form (Editor Suzanne Tourtillott, Lark Books) (book)
2005
500 Cups: Ceramic Explorations of Utility and Grace (Editor: Suzanne Tourtillott, Lark Books) (book)
2004
Making Marks, by Robin Hopper (book)
2003
Ceramics Monthly, Upfront Section (magazine)
2002
Clay Times Magazine, Cover Story (magazine)
1990
Ceramics Monthly, Upfront Section (magazine)
1973
Ceramics Monthly, (magazine)