Artist: Tara Wilson

Tara Wilson, MONTANA
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Quiet pots initially speak softly yet reveal complexity in both form and surface through continued investigation and use. Embodied in my atmospheric fired vessels is the serenity that I experience by surrounding myself on a daily basis with a rich natural environment.

While the surfaces of the vessels represent the natural world, the forms often relate to the figure. Pottery’s inherent relationship to the figure is accentuated in my gestural forms. The dialog between the forms changes as the pieces are used.

The simple things in life are often the most important, the great outdoors, the company of my dog, and the beauty of making pots on a daily basis. My pots speak of my passions, while at the same time allowing the user to recognize the important things in their own lives.

BIOGRAPHY
Tara Wilson is a studio potter living in Montana City, Montana. Wilson received a BFA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2000 and an MFA degree from the University of Florida in 2003. She has been a resident artist at The Archie Bray Foundation and The Red Lodge Clay Center. Wilson was selected as an emerging artist for the 2006 NCECA conference and was a presenter at the 2006 International Woodfire Conference in Flagstaff. She has given lectures and workshops throughout the United States; and her work has been exhibited internationally. Wilson was a demonstrator at the 2009 NCECA conference in Phoenix, AZ.

EDUCATION
2003
Master of Fine Arts, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
2000
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

EXHIBITIONS
2010
Yunomi Exhibition, AKAR.
Strictly Functional 50 Years, Philadelphia, PA.
Made in Clay, Greenwich House Pottery, New York, NY.
La Mesa, Santa Fe Clay, exhibited at NCECA, Philadelphia, PA.
2009
New Work, Harvey Meadows Gallery, Aspen, CO.
La Mesa, Santa Fe Clay, exhibited at NCECA, Phoenix, AZ.
Made in Clay, Greenwich House Pottery, New York, NY.
Cream and Sugar Invitational, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO.
Invitational, Terra Incognito, Chicago, IL.
2008
Utilitarian Clay V Invited Artist Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Craft, Gatlinburg, TN.
Tara Wilson in Collaboration, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT.
All Fired Up, The Artful Tabletop, Lyndhurst National Trust for Historical Preservation,
Tarrytown, NY.
Salt and Pepper Shakers, Cedar Creek Gallery, Cedar Creek , NC.
Sip, Slurp, Gulp, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM.
The Body in Pots, Red Star Studios, Kansas City, MO.
Ceramic Invitational, Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, ID.
Art of the Pot Reunion Exhibition, Austin, TX.
New Work, Solo Exhibition, Stillwater Gallery, Whitefish, MT.
Ahead of the Need, online invitational exhibition to benefit the Craft Emergency Relief Fund.
National Teapot Show VII, Cedar Creek Gallery, Cedar Creek, NC.
Pot-pour-i, Port Chester Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY.
Yunomis Invitational, AKAR, Iowa City, IA.
Kicking Ash, Red Star Studio, Kansas City, MO.
Women’s Voices, Roswell Art Center, Roswell, GA.
La Mesa, Sante Fe Clay, exhibited at NCECA, Pittsburg, PA.
2007
Ring of Fire - Wood Fired Ceramics, The Emerson Center for the Arts, Bozeman, MT.
Watershed cup of the Month Artist, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Newcastle, ME.
Pour and Contain, Roswell Art Center, Roswell, GE.
Clay and Glass Invitational 2007, Corning Community College, Corning, NY.
Teapots That Pour, Xen Gallery, St. Louis, MO.
For The Table, Sante Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM.
‘Tis a Gift, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN.
Ho Ho Holter, Holter Museum, Helena, MT.
Watershed Cup of the Month Club, Watershed Center for the Arts, Newcastle, ME.
Pitcher This, The A.D. Gallery, University of North Carolina, Pembroke, NC.
Mark of the Fire. Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD.
Gifted, Holiday Exhibition and Sale, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Hand Held Drinking Vessels, Main Street Art Gallery, Edwardsville, IL.
A Place at the Table, Custer County Art & Heritage Center, Miles City, MT.
Farewell Exhibition, The Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
Salt and Pepper, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM.
Art of the Pot Alumni Exhibition, Clayways Gallery, Austin, TX.
Woodfire Exhibition, Blue Dome Gallery, Silver City, NM.
Fresh Clay, Atkinson Gallery, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, CA.
Silent Conversations, Craft Alliance, St. Louis, MO.
Korean Bianual, Korea.
Flower Power: Vessels of Containment, The Clay Studio of Philadelphia, PA.
New Aesthetics, Huntington University, Huntington, IN.
Ladies in White, Louisville, KY.
Woodfire Exhibition, Thrown Together Gallery, Louisville, KY.
La Mesa, Santa Fe Clay, Louisville, KY.
2006
Simple Cup Invitational, Kobo Gallery, Seattle, WA.
Gifted, Holiday Exhibition and Sale, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Style and Function, Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC.
32 Annual Pottery Show and Sale, Old Church Cultural Center, Demarest, NJ.
International Woodfire Exhibition, Flagstaff, AZ.
Mastery in Clay, Auction Celebration, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA.
Archie Bray Foundation Resident Exhibition, Helena, MT.
Vessel Invitational, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT.
The Elegant Table, Peters Valley Craft Center, Layton, NJ.
Feats of Clay XIX, Lincoln Arts and Culture Foundation, Lincoln, CA, juror: Judith Duff.
14th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National, Southern Market Center, Lancaster, PA, Juror: Tom Coleman, purchase award.
2005
At The Bray, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR.
Form & Function: The Teapot, Skutt Ceramic Corp., Portland, OR.
International Orton Cone Box Show, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS.
CERAM*A*RAMA: Celebrating Clay, Silent Auction fundraiser for the Ceramics Research Center, Arizona State University Art Museum, Tempe, AZ.
The Achie Bray Foundation - Present and Past Residents, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
Gifted, Holiday Exhibition and Sale, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA.
Mastery in Clay, Auction Celebration, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA.
Annual Archie Bray Resident Exhibition, Kolva - Sulivan Gallery, Spokane, WA.
Solo exhibition, Niche Gallery, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA.
Teapots, Charlie Cummings Clay Studio, Fort Wayne, IN.
5th Annual National Juried Cup Show, Gallery 138, Kent State University, Kent, OH.
Woodfire Exhibition, Cedar Creek Gallery, Cedar Creek, North Carolina.
Feats of Clay XVIII, Lincoln Arts and Culture Foundation, Lincoln, CA.
Ceramics 2005, Guilford Handcraft Center, Guilford, CN.
Ceramics Competition, Gallery International, Baltimore MD, third place award.
NCECA 2005 Clay National, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.
Free Form, NCECA Conference Exhibition, Tevic Gallery, Caroll County Arts Council, Westminster, MD.
Contemporary Functional Ceramics: Transcending Utilitarian Concerns, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne IN.
Ethereal Aura: Soda and Salt Fired Ceramics, Adrian College, Adrian, MI.
2004
Gifted: The Clay Studio’s Annual Holiday Exhibition, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA.
Winterfest 2004, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD.
Cup: The Intimate Object III, Charlie Cummings Clay Studio, Fort Wayne, IN, honorable mention.
Deliverance Received, East Central College Gallery, Union, MO.
The Naked Truth: 2004 International Juried Woodfire Exhibition, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IO.
Gems From the Fire, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IO.
Fifteenth San Angelo National Ceramic Competition, San Angelo Museum of Fine Art, San Angelo, TX.
Archie Bray Foundation Benefit Silent Auction, Warehouse Gallery, Helena, MT.
4th Annual National Juried Cup Show, Gallery 138, Kent State University, Kent, OH.
12th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National, Southern Market Center, Lancaster, PA.
International Orton Cone Box Show, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS.
Capricious Directions, Gallery #2, Harrison Center for the Arts NCECA exhibitions, Indianapolis, IN.
2003
Bray Residents, Marvis Cultural Center, Indianapolis, IN.
Natural Essence, solo exhibition, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
Starbrick Clay National 2004, Starbrick Clay, Nelsonville, OH.
100 Teapots 2, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD.
CERAM*A*RAMA: Celebrating Clay, Silent Auction fundraiser for the Ceramics Research Center, Arizona State University Art Museum, Tempe, AZ.
Cup: The Intimate Object II, Charlie Cummings Clay Studio, Fort Wayne, IN, Juror: Julia Galloway, juror’s choice award.
Winter Clay Show, Media Image Gallery, Gainesville, FL.
St. Petersburg Clay National, St. Petersburg Clay Co., St. Petersburg, FL, Juror: Don Reitz, purchase award.
Archie Bray Foundation 2003 Summer Resident Artists, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM.
2003 Bray Residents, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
Archie Bray Residents 2003, Archie Bray Foundation Warehouse Gallery, Helena, MT.
Feats of Clay XVI, Lincoln Arts and Culture Foundation, Lincoln, CA.
Ceramics 2003, The Gilford Handcraft Center, Guilford, Connecticut, Juror: Susan Peterson.
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA.
A Natural Simplicity: MFA Thesis Exhibition, University Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville FL.
Clay Cup IX, University Museum, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Juror: Richard Shaw, purchase award.
Presorted, First Class: 17th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, University Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, Juror: Robert C. Hanning, Dean of Fine Arts Award.
2002
Objects of Desire, Spiller Vincenty Gallery, Jacksonville, FL.
Clay for the Holidays, Media Image Gallery, Gainesville, FL.
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA.
Graduate Ceramics from the University of Florida, Center Gallery, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
Functional Vessels, solo exhibition, Focus Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
2001
The Hand Held Cup Show, The Odyssey Gallery, Asheville, NC.
NCECA Regional Student Juried Exhibition, Rock Hill Arts Council, Rock Hill, SC, Jurors: Nick Sevigney, and Jane Shallenbarger.
Seen: The Fine Arts College Council Juried Student Arts Exhibition, University Gallery,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, Juror: Vincent Burke, Honorable Mention.
2000
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Juror: Ken Ferguson.
Richard's Feast, Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts, Palmer Lake, Colorado, Third Place Award.
Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Second Annual Utilitarian Ceramics National, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA, Juror: Bill Griffith.

AWARDS
2007
Red Lodge Clay Center residency.
2006
Presenter, International Wood-Fire Conference, Northern Arizona University.
NCECA Emerging Artist, Portland, Oregon.
2005-2006
Archie Bray Foundation residency.
2005
Shimpo Tradition of Excellence Award, purchase award NCECA Clay National.
2003
Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts summer residency.
Albert K. Murray Fine Arts Educational Fund Grant to help fund MFA Thesis Exhibition.
Clay Times Student Competition Winner, included a trip to NCECA conference in San Diego.
NICHE Student Award, work exhibited at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft.
2000-2003
Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Florida.
2002
Travel Grant, Graduate Student Council, University of Florida, to attend NCECA in Kansas City, Missouri.
2001
Teaching assistant grant from the Mary Beasom Bishop and Francis Sumner Merrit Scholarship Fund, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, Maine.
2000
Travel Grant, Graduate Student Council, University of Florida, to attend The Utilitarian Clay Conference III - Celebrate the Object, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinberg, Tennessee.

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
Ceramics Monthly
Dan Anderson
Nidec-Shimpo America Corporation
Southern Connecticut State University
Sandy Besser
Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts
University Museum, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

PUBLICATIONS
2008
500 Plates, Lark Books.
2006
New Ceramics, July / August 2006, issue 4, p.52, work pictured.
500 Pitchers, Lark Books.
2005
500 Cups, Lark Books.
‘NCECA 2005 Clay National’, Clay Times, March/April 2005, vol. 11, no. 2,p.45, work pictured.
2004
Britt, John, The Complete Guide to High Fire Glazes: Glazing and Firing at Cone 10, Lark Books.
‘Emerging Artists 2004’, Ceramics Monthly, May 2004, vol. 52, no. 5, p. 70.
2003
‘Clay Times 2002 Student Ceramic Competition Winners and Finalists’ Clay Times, Jan./Feb. 2003, vol. 9, no. 1, p. 9, cover photo.
2002
Lehman, Jean, ‘Strictly Functional Pottery National 2002: Through the Eyes of the Jurors’ Clay Times, Sept./Oct. 2002, vol. 8, no. 5, p.17, work pictured.
Wilbur, Wynne, ‘Evolving a Tradition: The University of Florida Ceramics Program’ Ceramics Monthly, May 2002, vol. 50, no. 5, p. 37, work pictured.

TEACHING & WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
2010
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.
Lecture at The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
Artstream NCECA tour, workshops at Waubonsee Community College, Illinois State University.
2009
Demonstrator, NCECA conference, Phoenix, AZ.
Anderson Ranch Art Center, 2 week workshop.
Penland School of Crafts, fall concentration.
Appalachian State University.
The University of Iowa 10 day firing workshop.
Waubonsee Community College 10 day firing workshop.
2008
Workshop at The University of Montana.
Workshop for Louiville Potters Guild, Louiville, Kentuky.
Workshop at Whitefish Pottery, Whitefish, Montana.
NCECA Pre Conference presenter, West Virginia University.
Workshop at University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Workshop at The Clay Studio of Missoula.
2007
Workshop at Bowling Green State University.
Workshop at Montana State University.
Workshop at Wichita State University.
Workshop at Santa Barbara City College.
Workshop at Pottery Northwest, Seattle, WA.
2006
Adjunct Instructor, Carroll College, Helena, Montana, fall semester, beginning throwing.
Woodfiring: Recording the Flame, 9 day workshop at the Archie Bray Foundation.
Lecture at Carroll College, Helena, MT
Lecture at The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana.
2005-2007
Archie Bray Foundation Community Classes.
2005
Workshop at Kolva - Sullivan Gallery and Red Sky Studio, Spokane, Washington.
Workshop at New Hampshire Institute of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire.
Workshop at Tabor Academy, Marion, Massachusetts.
2004 - 2005
Adjunct Instructor, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Courses taught: Glaze Calculation,
Introduction to Wheel Throwing, Continuing Education: Introduction to Ceramics.
2004
Workshop at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.
Artist in Residence, Clyde High School, Clyde, Ohio, six weeks, taught beginning throwing to Sophomores through seniors.