Artist: Scott McClellan
Scott McClellan, MISSOURI
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Weathering, metamorphosis, heat, and tectonics are forces that form and transform the earth. Over millennia, these methods of abrasion construct captivating structures out of ubiquitous materials. I reference erratic rock architecture by using the same minerals and modes of construction to create new metamorphic rocks. By stripping clay down to its basic nature, I exploit the rawness of the material.
The dramatic craggy surfaces hold a dignified presence of solemnity. When observing these objects, one can see how the undulations and irregularities are what give them fortitude, encouraging contemplation in the viewer; a time set aside to recognize the earnestness of life in comparison to the gravity of death. I have often found myself in this capacity when surrounded by the vastness of desert landscapes. The massiveness of the rock formations combined with the expansiveness of the horizon, humbles me to a contemplative state. In these times I have been able to resolve who I am and what is important to me. I replicate these experiences by inducing solemnity in the individual interacting with my work.
BIO
Scott earned his BFA in ceramics in college at Utah State University where he studied under John Neely and Dan Murphy, and found a connection to wood firing. After graduating with a BFA in ceramics, he moved to Edinboro, PA to work as a ceramics studio technician at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Lee Rexrode and Chuck Johnson. While there, he developed multiple clay bodies for soda and wood firing.
Scott then moved on to work as a resident artist at Taos Clay in Taos, New Mexico. There he continued his research of firing wood kilns in differing atmospheres. He also took on the responsibilities of a studio technician, gallery attendant, ceramics instructor, and show curator.
Scott earned an MFA from the University of Missouri, studying with Bede Clarke and Joe Pintz. he experimented with a variety of technical processes, primarily focusing on wheel thrown pottery and hand built sculpture. His work was fired in a variety of different wood kilns researching multiple firing patterns.
After receiving his Masters in Fine Arts, he worked as the wood fire resident at The Clay Studio of Missoula for two years. There he developed wild clays to be used in reduction cooling, glazes, and as additions to Wollastonite clay bodies. Scott rebuilt the CSOM anagama and increased the efficiency to get hotter using less wood and time.
Scott taught ceramics at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington and Community College of Rhode Island. Currently he is the ceramics studio manager at the Seattle Artist League.
EDUCATION
2017 MFA, Ceramics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
2012 BFA, Ceramics, Utah State University, Logan, UT
2009 General Studies, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020 Manos, Housewright Gallery, Seattle, WA
2019 Rest and Silence, PUB Gallery, Port Angeles, WA
Rythmite, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Steep and Brew, Catalyst, Missoula, MT
2018 Tea: Vessels by Scott McClellan, Lake Missoula Tea Company, Missoula, MT
2017 The Mass of Solitude, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, Columbia, MO
2016 The Contemplative Vessel, Annex Gallery, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
2015 Lithics, Craft Studio Gallery, Columbia, MO
Monoliths, Dogwood gallery, Columbia, MO
2014 Methods of Abrasion: by Scott McClellan, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
2013 Strata: by Scott McClellan, Gia’s Gallery, Logan, UT
INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS2021
CCRI Faculty Exhibition, Flanagan Gallery, Lincoln, RI
Plates IV, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
Brown, Earthy, Natural, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
Pen-Col Faculty Show, PUB Gallery, Port Angeles, WA
Painterly, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
Quietude, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
2020
Plates III, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
High Tea, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Webster Woods Art Walk, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles, WA
Far Flung, Common Gallery, Richmond, VA
Yunomi Invitational, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA
2019 Wood Fire Invitational, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Featured Residents, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Over the Divide, Flex Gallery, St. Paul, MN
Ceramics Invitational, GVA Gallery, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
2018
Gonfu Teawares, Lane Community College, Eugene, OR
Emerging Wood Fire Artists, Free Ceramics, Helena, MT
INTL Wood Fire, Schaller Gallery, Saint Josephs, MI
Potsketch, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Harnessing the Power and Magic, The Artist's Space, Missoula, MT
2017
Current Residents, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
American Wood Fired Ceramics Invitational, MSO International, Missoula, MT
Yunomi 2017, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA
Cup: The Intimate Object XII, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC
Varsity Art XXI, Art Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO
2016
MU Ceramics Graduate Exhibition, Carter Art Gallery, Kansas City, MO
USU Alumni Exhibition, Nora-Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, USU, Logan, UT
Vision and Persistence: 30 Years of Ceramic Excellence, NCECA, Kansas City, MO
2014
Glazed By Fire: Atmospheric Invitational, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Taos Artists Invitational, Ortiz Gallery, Taos, NM
On The Horizon Invitational, St. Petersburg Clay, St. Petersburg, FL
2013
Tres-Piedres Wood Fire Invitational, Wannamaker Gallery, Taos, NM
Strata: by Scott McClellan, Gia’s Gallery, Logan, UT
2021
Summertide Arts, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles, WA
Overfloweth, Capitol Arts, Olympia, WA
Brickhouse, Wildfire Gallery, Missoula, MT
2020
Wintertide, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles, WA
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster, PA
International Ceramic Artist Network, ICAN, Richmond, VA
Summertide Arts, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles, WA
2019
Art of the Drink, Butler Art Center, Butler, PA
Almighty Cup, Gandee Gallery, Fabius, NY
Clay Cubed, ClaySpace Gallery, Lisle, IL
Pitcher Perfect, Good Earth Pottery, Bellingham, WA
Visions in Clay, LH Horton Jr. Gallery, Stockton, CA
2018
DelecTable, Art Students League, Denver, CO
Last Call, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
Twin Cups, Potter Art Gallery, Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, MO
2017
Tea Bowl National, Bredin-Lee Gallery, Kansas City, MO
The Clay Cup: Vessel, Icon, Canvas, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, Columbia, MO
Table Top, Alexandria,The Art League, VA
Working Pots II, James May Gallery, Algoma, WI
2016
The Clay Cup: Vessel, Icon, Canvas, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, Columbia, MO
Mugshot Monday Exhibition, Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL
Tea Bowl National, Avalia Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Cup: The Intimate Object XII, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC
Irons in the Fire, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
BOWLS: Exhibition, Guilford Art Center, Guilford, CT
Off the Table, Potter Art Gallery, Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, MO
Twin Cups, Potter Art Gallery, Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, MO
White Walls II, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Last Call, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
Sip, Non-Fiction Gallery, Savannah, GA
2015
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster, PA
Tabletop, Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA
Tea Bowl National, Avalia Gallery, Kansas City, MO
White Walls, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, Columbia, MO
2014
Coffee Tea or, Terra Incognito, Oak Park, IL
Beyond the Brickyard, The Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
Drink This! International Cup Show, Workhouse Art Center, Lorton, VA
2013
New Mexico Wood Fire Potters, Wannamaker Gallery, Taos, NM
Wooster Clay Exhibit, Wayne Center for the Arts, Wooster, OH
2012
USU Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, Gallery 102, Logan, UT
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster, PA
Tea-Ceramics Exhibit, Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA
Senior BFA Exhibition, Gallery 102, USU, Logan. UT
2011
USU Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, Gallery 102, Logan, UT
Gallery Walk, The Italian Place, Logan UT
Please Touch the Art, Twain Tippetts Gallery, USU, Logan, UT
2010
USU Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, Gallery 102, Logan, UT
Birmingham's Alum, The Italian Place, Logan UT
Please Touch the Art, Twain Tippets Gallery, USU, Logan, UT
USU Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, Gallery 102, Logan, UT
PUBLICATIONS
2020 Pottery Making Illustrated, April, 2020
2019 The Log Book International Wood Fire Publication, November 2019
Ceramics Monthly, Atmospheric Glazes, October 2019
Ceramics Monthly, Emerging Artist, May 2019
The Log Book International Wood Fire Publication, June 2019
2018 Ceramics Monthly, Highlights, April 2018
Last Call, Companion Gallery Publication, February 2018
2017 Inspiring Food and Culture, Feast Magazine, January 2017
2016 Medicinal Mushrooms: Teas and Tonics, Terra Soul Magazine, September 2016
Irons in the Fire, Companion Gallery Publication, September 2016
Artisan Food and Beverage, CRAFT Magazine, April 2016
Bongo Coffee Advertisement, CRAFT Magazine, April 2016
Cha is Chinese for Tea, CRAFT Magazine, March 2016
Season’s Coffee, CRAFT Magazine, March 2016
Last Call, Companion Gallery Publication, February 2016
Grain to Glass, CRAFT Magazine, January 2016
Awards
2020 Public Sculpture, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Port Angeles, WA
2019 Emerging Artist, Ceramics Monthly, May 2019 issue
2018 Best in Show, DelecTable, Student Art League, Denver, CO
2017 Purchase Award, Tea Bowl National, Kansas City, MO
Missouri Varsity Artist Acknowledgement Award, St. Louis, MO
2016 Art 21 Academic Excellence Award, Art Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO
Purchase Award, Guilford Art Center, Guilford, CT
2013 Phyllis Blair Clark Scholarship, Wayne Center for the Arts, Wooster, OH
2012 Purchase Award, Tea-Ceramics Exhibit, Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA
Wingate Fellowship Nominee, USU, Logan, UT
Dean’s List, USU, Logan, UT
2011 Most Enticing in Show, Please Touch the Art
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIANCE
2021 Resident Artist, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Gallery Assistant, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
2020 Resident Artist, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Gallery Assistant, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
2019 Resident Artist, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Gallery Assistant, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Resident Artist, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
2018 Resident Artist, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
2017 Resident Artist, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Ceramics Studio Technician, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
2016 Treasurer, MU Clay Club, Columbia, MO
Ceramics Studio Technician, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
President, MU Clay Club, Columbia, MO
2015 Ceramics Studio Technician, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Ceramics Studio Technician, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
President, MU Clay Club, Columbia, MO
2014 Ceramics Studio Technician, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
Ceramics Studio Technician, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Exhibition Curator, Wannamaker Gallery, Taos, NM
Resident Artist, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Gallery Assistant, Wannamaker Gallery, Taos, NM
Resident Artist, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
2013 Gallery Assistant, Wannamaker Gallery, Taos, NM
Resident Artist, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Glaze Specialist, Campbell Pottery, Cambridge Springs, PA
Studio Technician, University of Edinboro, Edinboro, PA
Workshop Assistant, Erie Clay Space, Erie, PA
2012 Juror, USU Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, Gallery 102, Logan, UT
President, USU Ceramics Guild, Logan, UT
TEACHING EXPERIANCE
2022 Sculpture I, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI
Beginning Ceramics, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI
Intermediate Ceramics, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI
3D Design, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI
2021 Beginning Ceramics, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI
3D Design, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI
2D Design, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI
Concurrent Enrollment Ceramics, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Beginning Ceramics, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Art Appreciation, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
2020 Special Topics, Wheel Throwing, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Beginning Hand Building, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Intermediate Hand Building, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Ceramics II Wheel Throwing, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Concurrent Enrollment Ceramics, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
2019 Concurrent Enrollment, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Beginning Ceramics, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
Throwing Large Vessels, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Throwing Workshop, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Beginning Ceramics Workshop, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT
Wood Firing Ceramics, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Beginning Wheel Throwing, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
2018 Kiln Building, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Functional and Sculptural Vessels, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT
Native Materials Clay and Glaze Calc, The Clay Studio of Missoula. Missoula, MT
Private Instructor, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Wood Firing Ceramics, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Teen Beginning Wheel Throwing, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
2017 Wood Firing Ceramics, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Wheel Throwing Workshop, Central Illinois University, Macomb, IL
Intro to Ceramics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
2016 Private Instructor, Access Arts, Columbia, MO
Summer Art Camp, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
Beginning Wheel Throwing, Access Arts, Columbia, MO
Beginning Ceramics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Intro to Hand-Build Ceramics, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
Intro to Wheel Thrown Ceramics, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
2015 3-D Design, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Beginning Ceramics, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
2014 Beginning Ceramics, The Craft Studio, Columbia, MO
Glaze Calculation Workshop, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Throw and Fire: Raku Ceramics, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Hand Building Workshop, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Mold Making Workshop, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Community Ceramics Class, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Intro To Ceramics, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
2013 Throw and Fire: Raku Ceramics, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Intro to Ceramics, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Community Ceramics Class, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Intro To Ceramics, Taos Clay, El Prado, NM
Table for Four Tableware Workshop, The Clay Space, Erie, PA
Assistant Ceramics Teacher, Allenstone Gallery and Studio, Erie PA,
Teaching Assistant, Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA
2012 Ceramics Hand building Workshop, Davinci Art Academy, Ogden, UT
Ceramics Hand Building Workshop, Logan High School, Logan, UT