Artist: Debra Oliva
Debra Oliva, MICHIGAN
View Artist's Products
My work is informed by Japanese art and craft traditions, including contemporary and traditional textiles, basketry, costume and Japanese prints. I have an affinity for the simplicity, serenity and precision craftsmanship I find in the Asian aesthetic. I am particularly interested in the armor and implements of the Samurai warrior. These garments are an amalgamation of craft traditions where I find endless inspiration for form, color, pattern and texture. It is my intention to create objects that share the same spirit, temperament and timelessness.
EDUCATION
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois – BFA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2017- 2017 POTTERS COUNCIL JURIED SHOW, NCECA, Portland, OR
2016- VESSELS OF MERRIMENT, Grovewood Gallery, Ashville, NC
SIMPLE CUP SHOW 2016, 10th Annual, Invited Artist, Seward Park Clay Studio and KOBO Gallery, Seattle, WA
INTIMATE OBJECT VII, Invited Artist, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, Invitational, University Gallery, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI,
2015
ARTspace: ONE & ONLY: GIFTS MADE BY HAND, Invitational, Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
INTIMATE OBJECT VI, Invited Artist, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
WRAPPABLE: Gifts from the Heart, LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
THE INTIMATE OBJECT VI, Invited Artist, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
TEAPOTS: Annual Three Wheel Studio Ceramic Show, Invited Artist, Providence, RI
WHISPERS FROM THE SHADOWS, Solo Show, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
DISTILLED ESSENCES III, Invited Artist, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2014
WHITE NOISE, Solo Exhibition, Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
STRICTLY FUNCTIONAL POTTERY NATIONAL, Market House Craft Center, Lancaster, PA
THE INTIMATE OBJECT V, Invited Artist, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
MAKING IT IN CRAFTS II, National Invitational, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette, IN
TOP SHELF, Invited Artist, M.T. Burton Gallery, Surf City, NJ
BIG FISH, SMALL TEAPOT VI: International Small Teapot Competition and Show,
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA, Honorable Mention
DISTILLED ESSENCES II, Invited Artist, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
YUNOMI INVITATIONAL, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
INTERNATIONAL CUP 2014, the Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
2013
TEAPOT INVITATIONAL, Red Star Studios, Kansas City, KS
CERAMACOM OPEN COMPETITION, Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA, First Place
MUG SHOTS: National Juried Cup Exhibition, LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE, Honorable Mention
COFFEE, TEA OR…#2, Terra Incognito Studio and Gallery, Oak Park, IL, Purchase Award
YUNOMI INVITATIONAL, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
100 TEAPOTS VI, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD
2012
LET THERE BE LIGHT, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL
UNWEDGED 2012, North American Ceramic Competition and Art Show, Pottery Northwest, Seattle, WA
THE TEAPOT REDEFINED, Invitational, Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, MA
BIG FISH, SMALL TEAPOT V: International Small Teapot Competition and Show,
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA Honorable Mention
CRAFTS NATIONAL, Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS
CLAY 3, Regional Juried Ceramics Exhibition, ClaySpace, Warrenville, IL, 3rd Place
CERAMICS ART AND PERCEPTION/TECHNICAL, Online Gallery
MUG SHOTS, 4th Annual National Juried Cup Exhibition, LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
DAILY COMPANIONS, Invited Artist, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD
8 FLUID OUNCES, LSU School of Art Glassell Gallery, Shaw Center for the Arts, Baton Rouge, LA
INTERNATIONAL CUP 2012, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
C2C Gallery, Teapot Exhibition, Grand Haven, MI
2011
STRICTLY FUNCTIONAL POTTERY NATIONAL, Market House Craft Center,
Lancaster, PA, First Place
NAU ART MUSEUM NATIONAL JURIED CERAMIC EXHIBITION, Flagstaff, AZ
LILLSTREET’S FOURTH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION: Below the Surface, Lillstreet
Art Center, Chicago, IL
JERSEY SHORE CLAY NATIONAL, m.t. burton gallery, Surf City, NJ, 3rd Place
CRAFTSMANSHIP: CONCEPT: INNOVATION, Juried National, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
WINTERFEST 2011, Sixteenth Annual Holiday Invitational, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD
NATIONAL CUP SHOW 2011, Dutchess County Arts Association/Barrett Clay Works, Poughkeepsie, NY
STARBRICK CLAY NATIONAL 2011, Starbrick Gallery, Nelsonville, OH
EARTHY DELIGHTS, Pewabic Pottery Holiday Invitational 2011, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN Show and Sale, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
2010 - 100 TEAPOTS V, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD
UN-WEDGED, North American Ceramic Competition and Art Show, Pottery Northwest, Seattle, WA
IT’S ONLY CLAY, The Bemidji Community Art Center, Bemidji, MN, 2nd Place and The Harlow Collection Purchase Award
SODA SALT NATIONAL V, the Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
LILLSTREET INTERNATIONAL, Bowl Me Over, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL
TEA BOWL NATIONAL, Kansas City Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
NATIONAL JURIED CUP SHOW, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
10th ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED CUP SHOW, Kent State University, Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH
POUR, Terra Incognito Studios & Gallery, La Grange, IL
FILL-ADELPHIA, Potters Council/NCECA, A Show of Hands Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
THE EXQUISITE CUP, Yourist Studios and Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN Show and Sale, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
2009
CARBONDALE CLAY NATIONAL V, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
NATIONAL JURIED CUP SHOW, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
INVITATIONAL CUP SHOW, Yourist Studios and Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN Show and Sale, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
9th ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED CUP SHOW, Kent State University, Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH
2008
LILLSTREET INTERNATIONAL, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL
Da Yu Xiao H3, SECOND INTERNATIONAL SMALL TEAPOT COMPETITION,
Saddleback College Art Gallery, Mission Viejo, CA
FROM THE POTTERS HANDS, Invitational, Ella Sharp Museum Hurst Gallery, Jackson, MI
8th ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED CUP SHOW, Kent State University, Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH
FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN Show and Sale, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
2007
STRICTLY FUNCTIONAL POTTERY NATIONAL, Market House Craft Center, Lancaster, PA
UAM NATIONAL JURIED CUP SHOW, University of Arkansas, Taylor Library Gallery, Montecello, AR
DIVINE DIRT, The Kavanagh Gallery, St. Charles, IL, Award for Excellence
Members ONLY, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, MI
FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN Show and Sale, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
7th ANNUAL NATIONAL JURIED CUP SHOW, Downtown Gallery, Kent State University, Kent, OH
EMERGING POTTERS EXHIBITION, Vessels Gallery, Boston, MA
FIRE AND MUD, Statewide Clay Competition, Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing, MI
2006
STRICTLY FUNCTIONAL POTTERY NATIONAL, Market House Craft Center, Lancaster, PA
FORM AND FUNCTION: THE TEAPOT, Oregon Potters Association-NCECA Exhibitions, Portland, OR
FOR THE HOUSE AND GARDEN Show and Sale, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2015- “Whispers from the Shadows”, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2014- “White Noise”, Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
2012 - Mackerel Sky Gallery, East Lansing, MI
2007 - Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing, MI
2005 - Lansing Art Gallery Salon Exhibition, Lansing, MI
2001 - Lansing Art Gallery Salon Exhibition, Lansing, MI
COLLECTIONS
The Harlow Collection, the Bimidji Community Art Center, Bimidji, MN
Kellogg Center State Room, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
State of Michigan, Governors Mansion, Lansing, MI
Michigan Dental Association, Okemos, MI