Artist: Sara Alfieri
Sara Alfieri, MISSOURI
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ARTIST BIO
Sara Alfieri is a design-driven ceramic artist and educator currently based in Kansas City, MO. Originally from Rochester, NY, she received her MFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, completed a post-baccalaureate program at Colorado State University, and her BFA from Illinois State University. Alfieri has been featured in various publications and has received several awards/recognitions for her ceramic work, such as the “Studio Potter Merit Award” in the 2023 NCECA Student Juried Show, “Best in Show” in the 2023 Art Students League of Denver Biennial Exhibition, and is a selected artist in the 2026 American Pottery Festival through Northern Clay Center. Alfieri has exhibited her work nationally in several recognized galleries and remains committed to supporting and engaging with gallery representation through the creation of both her ceramic vessels and sculptures.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I examine theories of perceptual psychology in design, architecture, and accessibility through the creation of ceramic objects. These objects are designed to be both visually stimulating and functionally engaging. This is realized through an exploration of spatial relationships and diagrammatic surface information, inviting users to navigate the shifting dynamics between design and function. Handling each piece prompts a deeper awareness of how we experience and navigate space, both visually and physically.
The historical relationship between ceramics and architecture informs my use of both digital fabrication and traditional hand-building techniques. Moving between these processes allows me to emphasize their differences while connecting their potentials. The digital fabrication process within my work allows for more form manipulation that corresponds with the language of architecture and design. C.A.D. (Computer Aided Design) software allows me to develop a design for a plan. Through a series of planes, segments, and shapes, my designs are thought out and redrawn across a constructed grid. This designing process also corresponds with the surface application on my cups. What once was a grid, is now deconstructed. Each line is intuitive yet implicit. I am creating a plan, a system, a blueprint that generates a unified compositional relationship between form and surface. I am both the designer and the artist.
I am interested in pottery as a means of entry to an experience. Like architecture, a pot solicits interaction, not just viewing. The meaning of the vessel changes through experience, gaining content through use. By exploring the intersections between craft and design, I hope to enhance the art and act of dining with an emphasis on interaction, intention, and play in each piece’s form and surface.
EDUCATION
2025 M.F.A. Ceramics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
2022 Post-Baccalaureate Ceramics, Colorado State University, Department of Art and Art History, Fort Collins, CO
2021 Graduate Student-At-Large, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2020 B.F.A. Ceramics, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University. Graduated Magna Cum Laude and Dean’s List
PROFESSIONAL AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2025- Present
Ceramics Instructor & Foundation Resident, Belger Crane Yard Studios, Kansas City, MO
- Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced Wheel Throwing (Fall 2025-Present)
Handbuilding Group Experiences (Fall 2025-Present)
Intro to Plaster, Moldmaking, and Slip-casting (Spring 2026)
2025-2023
Instructor of Record, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Beginning Ceramics: Handbuilding for Majors & Non-Majors
(Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, & Spring 2025)
2023
Instructor of Record, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- 3D Design/Foundations, ARTP152 (Spring 2023)
2022
Graduate Teaching Assistant for Margaret Bohls, Beginner Handbuilding, University Nebraska-Lincoln
- Co-taught undergraduate hand-building and 3D foundations courses for both majors and
non-majors.
- Assisted with instructional materials, attendance, grading, and helped students execute
assignments.
Graduate Teaching Assistant for Allison Arkush, 3D Design, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Studio Intern & Teaching Assistance: Waubonsee Community College, Sugar
Grove, IL
- Supported ceramics instruction and studio management in a community college setting.
- - Assisted faculty with demonstrations, student guidance, studio maintenance, kiln
loading, and repairs. - - Helped facilitate a collaborative and inclusive studio environment, contributing to the
college’s mission of accessible arts education.
2021-2022
Teaching Assistant & Work Study Recipient for CSU Pottery Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
- - Assisted with both introductory and advanced undergraduate ceramic courses:
- - Teaching demos, grading, and helping students execute projects.
- - Performed daily studio maintenance: unloading & loading kilns, kiln repair, mixing of
clay, along with cleaning a large classroom environment.
2021
Studio Assistant for ceramic Artist Tyler Lotz, clay and glaze formulation technician, Illinois State University
Studio Assistant for ceramic Artist Erin Furimsky, Craft Takeout, Bloomington, IL
2020
Intern: art curator assistant, researcher, and grant writer. McLean County Art Center, Bloomington, IL
2019
Teaching Assistant, Normal Community High School, Normal, IL, Teaching Assistant, Chiddix Middle School, Normal, IL
National Art Education Association (NAEA) Conference, John B. Hynes
Convention Center, Boston, MA
Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) Conference, Marriot Hotel and
Conference Center, Normal, IL
2018
Teaching Assistant, Normal Community High School and Normal West High School, Normal, IL
Teaching Assistant, Metcalf School, Normal, IL
EXHIBITIONS
2026 (UPCOMING)
LUX Annual Art Auction, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
Belger Resident Artist Exhibition, Belger Crane Yard Studios, Kansas City, MO
Yunomi Invitational, Clayakar Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Tessellate, Vulpes Bastille Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Last Call XI, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN, juried by Juan Barroso
American Pottery Festival (APF) Invitational, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
APF Preview Show, NCECA, Huntington Place Convention Center, Detroit, MI
APF Winter Exhibition, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
2025
Strictly Functional Pottery National Exhibition 2025, Lancaster Museum of Fine Art, Lancaster, PA, juried by Mark Hewitt
Gifted 2025, Lux Arts Center, Lincoln, NE
Blueprints, M.F.A. Thesis Solo Exhibition, Eisentrager-Howard Gallery, University of
Nebraska-Lincoln
Small Favors 2025, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA, juried by Joe Page and Jennifer Zwilling
2024
BEMIS Contemporary Art Center Art Auction Exhibition, Omaha, NE
Strictly Functional Pottery National Exhibition 2024, Lancaster Museum of Fine
Art, Lancaster, PA, juried by David MacDonald
A Memorable Toast, Graduate Exhibition, Eisentrager-Howard Gallery, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Parametric Patterns: From Code to Crafted, Solo Exhibition, Medici Gallery,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Small Favors 2024, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA, juried by George Rodriguez
Last Call IX, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN juried by Andrew Clark
Blue Horizons, Graduate Exhibition, Eisentrager-Howard Gallery,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2023
Consortium for Intercollegiate Research in the Ceramic Arts (C.I.R.C.A.), University of Colorado-Boulder Invitational, Boulder, CO
Making History, Group Graduate and Undergraduate Exhibition
Eisentrager-Howard Gallery, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
delecTABLE: The Fine Art of Dining: Sixth Biennial National Functional Ceramics
Exhibition, Denver, CO juried by Andrew Clark
Past Curfew Pop-Up Show, Somerset Bar, Cincinnati, OH
Crip Clay NCECA Invitational, NCECA, Solway Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
NCECA Juried Student Exhibition, DAAP Galleries, Cincinnati, OH juried by Wesley Brown and Natalia Arbelaez
Touch: An Exploration of Feeling, Focus Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2022
It’s Only Clay Exhibition, Watermark Art Center, Bemidiji, MN, juried by Delores Fortuna
Charlie Cummings, The Intimate Cup XVIII, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
Brush, Dip, Pour Ceramic Exhibition, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, juried by Minsoo Yuh
Strictly Functional Pottery National 2022, Lancaster Museum of Fine Art, Lancaster, PA, juried by Jack Troy & Carolanne Currier
(C.I.R.C.A.), The University of Iowa Ceramics Invitational Exhibition, Iowa City, IA
SIP, A Cup Show, Savannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA, juried by Kevin Snipes
2021
Strictly Functional Pottery National 2021, Lancaster Museum of Fine Art, Lancaster, PA, juried by Roberto Lugo, Margaret Kinkeade, & Brooks Olive
Student Annual, Curfman Gallery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
SIP A Cup Show, Savannah Clay Community Online Exhibition
Student Annual, Illinois State University, Normal, IL juried by Renee Lopresti
2020
B.F.A. Solo Thesis Exhibition, University Galleries, Illinois State University
B.F.A. Collaborative Fall Show, Transpace Gallery, Illinois State University
Student Annual, University Galleries, Normal, IL
2019
B.F.A. Collaborative Fall Show, Transpace Gallery, Illinois State University
2018
Art 211 Art Teacher Education Show, Transpace Gallery, Illinois State University
2016
Shared Spaces, Margaret Colacino Gallery, Nazareth College, Pittsford, NY
Summer Art Session Group Exhibition, Margaret Colacino Gallery, Nazareth College, Pittsford, NY
2015
Summer Art Session Group Exhibition, Margaret Colacino Gallery, Nazareth College, Pittsford, NY
AWARDS/ACADEMIC RECOGNITION
2023
Consortium for Intercollegiate Research in the Ceramic Arts
(C.I.R.C.A.) Residency Recipient, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in partnership with
Penn State University
“Best in Show” Award, delecTABLE Exhibition, Arts Students League of Denver,
Denver, CO, juried by Andrew Clark
“Studio Potter Merit” Award, NCECA Student Juried Annual Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH
2023
Graduate Scholarly and Creative Activity Grant Recipient, University of Nebraska- Lincoln
2023 NCECA National Juried Student Exhibition Catalogue
Ceramics Partnership Scholarship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Ceramics Club Award, “Artistic Merit”, University Galleries, Normal, IL
2020
Alcorn Ceramics Scholarship, in partnership with Anderson Ranch, Illinois State
University
Selected student for I.S.U.’s search committee interview process for video Professor candidate, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Selected student for representing student body and faculty of Wonsook Kim College of Fine Art in an inaugural Public Speech with Illinois Governor and Legislature, J.B. Pritzker on large money donations for new arts facilities’ renovations, Illinois State University
2016
Redbird Scholarship Recipient, Illinois State University
PUBLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS
2025
Featured in Strictly Functional National Pottery Exhibition Catalogue
2024
“Cultivating Networks,” Ceramics Monthly interview, C.I.R.C.A Residency Exchange by Andrew Casto
2023
Featured in 2023 NCECA National Juried Student Exhibition Catalogue
“UNL Clay Club Provides Opportunities to Ceramics Students,” Interview, The Daily Nebraskan
2022-2021
Featured in Strictly Functional National Pottery Exhibition Catalogue
2021
Featured in “Exposure” section of Ceramics Monthly
VISITING ARTIST & DEMONSTRATIONS
2026
American Pottery Festival, Artist Talk, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Res Pres at Belger Crane Yard Studios,-Panelist, Belger Crane Yard Studios, Kansas City, MO
2025
“Holding Space,” Hand-building workshop, Belger Crane Yard Studios, Kansas
City, MO
First Friday Demonstrations, Belger Crane Yard Studios, Kansas City, MO
Invited Visiting Artist, Art Teams UNL, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
“Blue prints,” MFA Thesis Artist Talk, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
2023
C.I.R.C.A Resident Artist, Artist Talk, Penn State University, State College, PA
2020
BFA Thesis Artist Talk, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2016
“Surface & Subject,” Artist Demonstrations, Pittsford Mendon School, Pittsford, NY
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
2026
Clayakar Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Belger Crane Yard Studios, Kansas City, MO
Present
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE