Artist: Tom Coleman
Tom Coleman, NEVADA
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I really enjoyed putting together my pieces for “Partners in Porcelain” (October 2021) show. I have so many styles and glazes to share, this is what keeps me loving and interested in ceramics. I’ve been writing artist statements for many years and for the most part I find the experience much like a self - massage. Recently when asked to repeat this task someone said just tell us what your about, what do you believe in? It didn’t take me long to think about this since I talk about it in every workshop I give. First and foremost I believe one must have a true love of the medium. Second, I believe in quality, the highest one can achieve to their ability. Third, since I was trained in the classic Japanese tradition I think that pure composition and balance must be learned before one can attempt such things as sculpture or a-symmetrical pieces.
Starting off as a functional potter with a degree in fine art helped me to advance to the position I’m in today. Money helps pay the bills but it can’t be the sole reason one becomes involved with any art form. My true love of clay, glazes and the process of finishing my pieces have helped me to stay just as excited about my art as I was when I started over fifty years ago.
EDUCATION & TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2000-2012
Studio Potter, Henderson, NV
1994-2000
Coleman Clay Studio & Gallery, Las Vegas, NV
1974-1993
Studio Potter, Oregon and Nevada
1973-1974
Portland State University, OR
1969-1973
Head of Ceramics, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR
1988-1991
UNLV, Las Vegas, NV
1968-1987
Studio Potter, Canby, OR
1964-1968
The Museum of Art School, Fine Arts Degree, Portland, OR
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL GROUP & SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020 WOOD FIRE, COMMUNITY ART CENTER, PA
2012
Peninsula Fine Arts Center, VA
2011
Santa Fe SOFA, Sherrie Gallerie
The Craftsman House, Saint Petersburg, FL
2010
Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
Art Spirit Gallery, “Clay Invitational”, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho
AKAR Design, Iowa City, Iowa
2009
SOFA, Sherrie Gallery, Chicago
Sherrie Gallery, Columbus, OH
“Simply Formal”, NCECA Conference, AZ
2008
Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Grand Junction
“On River Through the Valley of Fire” Tom Coleman and Frank Boyden collaboration Exhibition, AMOCA Gallery, Pomona, CA
2007
NCECA Conference, “The Firm;Inspiration and Evolution”, KY
Red Star Studio, “Porcelain” Kansas City, MO
Saint Petersburg Clay, FL
2006
“Covering The Surface, XIEMS Studio and Gallery, Pasadena, CA
Baltimore Clay Works, “Porcelain Three Ways”, MD
2005
Academy Art Museum, “Particles and Passion: The Art of Clay”, Easton, MD
“Endless Variations: Shino Review 2005”, Baltimore Clayworks NCECA, MD
2003
Contemporary Crafts Museum, “The Soul of the Bowl”, Portland, OR
Nevada Art Council Exhibition, “Desert Landscape”, Las Vegas, NV
2002
San Angelo Art Museum, “San Angelo Invitation”, TX
NCECA Conference “Another Touch of Porcelain”, Kansas City
2001
Northern Clay Center, “Surface Tensions: Shino Exhibition”, MN
1999
Ferrin Gallery Teapot Exhibition, Northampton, MA
1998
“The Cambridge Invitational”, Cambridge, WI
1995
Victorian Clay Group Conference, Melbourne, Australia
Montash University, Frankston Campus, Melbourne, Austraia
1993
“The Year of Crafts”, McVeety Gallery, Salesian, OR
1992
Chicago International New Art Forms Exposition, Chicago, IL
“International Clay Today”, Posio, Finland
1991
American Crafts Museum, A Teapot Show”, New York
“Clay Today”, Gammel oDk, Odense, Denmark
“Galerie Van Aslant”, iBest-houtakker, Holland
Museum Mensinghe in Roden, Holland
Hollufgard Exhibition and Symposium, Dense, Denmark
PUBLICATIONS
2009
“More Glazes I Use” glazes, clays and ideas by Tom Coleman
2008
“On the River through the Valley of Fire: The Collaborative Ceramics of Frank Boyden and Tom Coleman”
2004
“500 Cups, Ceramic Explorations of Utility & Grace”, Lark Books
“Making Marks, Discovering theCeramic Surface”, by Robin Hopper
2003
“The Soul of a Bowl” Tom and Elaine Coleman, Don Reitz, Frank Boyden, Jenny Lind
“Studio Porcelain”, second edition by Peter Lane
“The Mud Pie Dilemma, A Master Potter’s Struggle To Make Art And Ends Meet”, Second Edition by John Nance
Tom and Elaine Coleman, Ceramics Monthly Magazine, January issue
“Experience Clay” by Maureen Mackey, cover
“Staying Alive, Survival Tactics For The Visual Artist by Robin Hopper
2002
Clay Times Magazine, March/April issue, “Copper Red King & Celdadon Queen
2001
“Smashing Glazes” by Susan Peterson
“Ceramics Spectrum”, by Robin Hopper
2000
“With A Little Help From My Friends” by Tom Coleman
1998
“Glazes I Use” by Tom Coleman
1996
“The Craft and the Art of Clay”, second edition by Susan Peterson
1995
“Contemporary Porcelain” by Peter Lane
1994
American Crafts Magazine, April/May issue, cover
1993
“The Complete Potter’s Companion” by Tony Birks
1991
Design Crafts Magazine, “Tradition and New Work”, Soul Korea
1983
“American Crafts: A source Book for the Home” by K. Pearson
1981
“American Porcelain: New Expressions” by Lloyd Herman
1978
“The Mud Pie Dilemma” by John Nance
LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS
2020 PRESENTER AT CLAYCON CONFERENCE, ST GOERGE, UTAH
2020 REITZ RANCH SODA FIRE WORKSHOP WITH MATT LONG, AZ
2018 CASD WORKSHOP, SAN DIEGO, CA
2018 BOULDER MOUNTAIN CLAYWORKS WORKSHOP, KETCHUM, IDAHO
2019 GLAZE AND FIRE WORKSHOP WITH KLINE GLAZE SERVICE, PHOENIX, AZ
2019 WOOD FIRE WITH CHRIS GUSTIN, FINCH POTTERY, NC
2017 POTTERY WEST WORKSHOP, LAS VEGAS
2012
The Clay Art Center, NY
Pottery West, Las Vegas, NV
Jackson Pottery and Clay Guild, Jackson, MI
2011
The Craftsman Gallery, Saint Petersburg, FL
Aardvark Clay Supply, Santa Ana, CA
2010
Potter’s Council Conference, San Diego, CA
Fine Arts Center, Paul Geil and Tom Coleman, Chicago IL
Red Lodge Clay Center, Matt Long and Tom Coleman, Red Lodge, MT
Santa Cruz Art Center, CA
Anchorage, Alaska, Paul Geil and Tom Coleman
Saint Petersburg Clay, Frank Boyden and Tom Coleman, FL
Anderson Ranch, Smowmass, CO
2009
Dan Finch Pottery, Bailey, NC
“Fusion”, Toronto, Canada
2008
University of Tulsa, OK
Grand Junction Art Center, CO
Western New Mexico University, NM
2007
Riverside Community College, Riverside, CA
Red Star Studio, Kansas City, MO
Saint Petersburg Clay, FL
2006
Xiem Clay Studio, Pasadena, CA
Pennsylvania Craftsman uGils, PA
Baltimore Clayworks, MD
2005
El Camino College, Torrance, CA
Hambidge Center, Georgi
Geil Kiln Co, Huntington Beach, CA
2004
Callanwalde Fountain, Atlanta, GA
Metchosin Summer School of the Arts, Victoria, Canada
Ernest Miller Studio, MN
2005
Wesleyan Potters, Middletown, CT
2003
Orchard Valley Ceramics Guild, Sunnyvale, CA
Firehouse Pottery and Studio, Ojai, CA
2002
Great Lakes Clay and Supple, IL
Peter’s Valley Craft Center, Layton, NJ
LaLoba Ranch Master’s Program, Steamboat Springs, CO
San angelo National, TX
Creative Clay Supple, Alexandria, VA
2001
Finch Pottery, Bailey, NC
St. Petersburg Clay, FL
2000
Metchosin International School of the Arts, Victoria, Canada
Sierra Nevada College, Lake Tahoe, NV
New Mexico Clay and Ceramic King, Albuquerque, NM
Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL
1996
The American Ceramics Society, CA
1995
Victorian Clay Group, Melbourne, Australia
1994
Fusion, Clay and Glass Ass., Ontario, Canada
1990Clay Today Conference, Odense, Denmark
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS AND COMMISSIONS
The State of Colorado Permanent Collection, Steamboat Springs, CO
The Smithsonian Institute, American Art Museum, Washington, DC
Long Beach Art Museum, CA
Grimmerhus Museum, Fyn, Denmark
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA
San Angelo Museum of Art, TX
Rio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
Kaiser Hospital, Portland, OR
Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Logan, Utah
Sapporo Sister City Collection, Japan
Portland Museum of Art, OR
Dwight Holland Collection, NC
Contemporary Museum of Art Collection, Portland, OR
Timber Press Publishing Company, Portland, OR
Wooster College Art Museum, OH
Earl Mallard Collection, IL
Charles A Custom Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI
Household Services, Las Vegas, NV
Hallie Ford Museum, Salem, OR
FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS, HONORS
2012
The Cone Box Show Juror, NCECA 2013
2008
Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Juror of invitational Exhibition
2005
“Strictly Functional” Juror, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman
2004
“500 Cups” Juror, Lark Books
2002
San Angelo Art Museum, guest artist, TX
1992
Nevada Governors Arts Award
1984
Art Advocate’s Association Grant
Metropolitan Arts Com. Purchase Award to build the East Creek Anagama kiln, OR
1981
Wichita Arts Association Purchase Award, OR
1968
Scholarship for the Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR