Artist: Mike Stumbras
Mike Stumbras, MISSOURI
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My work explores the beauty and horror of our existential uncertainties as creatures seeking meaning. The work addresses design elements from 18th and 19th century European slipcast porcelain. The historical work that inspires me presents a criterion for beauty that often seems empty in regards to contemporary considerations regarding the human condition. Although much of the work I am inspired by involves the use of production techniques, my pieces are created with the immediacy and individuality attributed to hand processes and alternative firing methods. I place an emphasis on making ceremonial pieces that speak to the passage of time and embrace the propensity for ceramic vessels to be heirloom objects. The work seems to suggest that it bears witness to the ebb and flow of civilizations, of ideas, and of people. These pots whisper to us to confront the knowledge we share of our progression toward inevitable demise and our march into obscurity.
EDUCATION
• St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN. BFA in Studio Art May, 2011
• St Olaf College, Northfield, MN. BS in Biology, May, 2011
• Louisiana State University, LA, MFA Ceramics, May, 2017
EXPERIENCE
Lecturer in Ceramics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale IL 2018-2019
• Duties include teaching undergraduate and graduate students, advanced ceramics and ceramic design
courses; research and exhibitions; studio and materials ordering and management; student club liaison;
firing and repairing electric, gas and atmospheric kilns, health and safety compliance, and serving on
undergraduate thesis committees.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art and Art History, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg,
VA. 2017-2018
• Duties include teaching a 3-3 course load, including ceramics wheel, hand building and 3D design
courses. Studio and materials management, student club liaison, visiting artist invitations, firing and
repairing electric, gas and atmospheric kilns.
Graduate Teaching Assistantship, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 2014-2017
• Teacher of record ART1662 Intro to Wheel Throwing, ART1012 Foundations 3-D, ART 4020 Experiments in Polymer Clay, ART2661 Understanding Ceramic Glaze and Material Chemistry, and ART1662
Intro to Hand Building. Assistantship duties include glaze lab maintenance and health and safety
• Volunteer Teacher for Upward Bound program
Resident Artist and Teacher, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO 2013-2014
• Duties include teaching beginning and advanced Classes at the Clay Center, research toward a solo exhibition, actively engaging in the Carbondale and Snowmass ceramic art communities as well as general maintenance.
• Special education ceramics classes for the Carbondale School District outreach program.
Resident Artist and Teacher, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY 2012-2013
• Duties include making work, teaching beginning and advanced classes at CAC and
offsite— including wheel-throwing, hand building and glaze chemistry classes, as well as 15+ hours a
week loading and firing kilns and doing general maintenance.
• Teacher for OASIS, after school art program for Port Chester elementary schools, including BOCES
certification.
Resident Artist/Teacher, 323 Clay Studio, Independence, MO 2011-2012
• Duties include 27 hours per week of firing kilns, mixing glazes, gallery and retail management.; preparing work for a solo show, and teaching classes, including wheel-throwing, handbuilding, and glaze
chemistry classes. Co-Taught glazing workshop in May, 2012 with Steven Hill.
Ceramics Assistant, Center Street Clay, Steven Hill, Sandwich, IL 2007–11
• Four years as workshop assistant and part time resident artist for ceramic artist Steven Hill.
• Trained and proficient in single firing, reduction and oxidation, microcrystalline as well as midrange
and high temperature firing. Became knowledgeable about materials, glaze chemistry and glaze formulation. Became proficient in Digitalfire INSIGHT, and Hyperglaze glaze chemistry software.
Ceramics Instructor, Artist-Terra Incognito, Oak Park, IL 2007-2011
• Four years experience teaching teen, preteen and adult wheel-throwing and handbuilding classes. Significantly increased the size and popularity of classes over the four year period.
• Participated as a Resident Artist for the Annual Resident’s show.
Ceramics Department Student Technician, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN 2008-2011
• Three years’ experience firing gas and electric kilns, assistant teaching, mixing glazes and helping
around the studio.
Sculpture and Gallery Assistant for Margo McMahon 2007
• Experience in mounting large sculptures on site
• Developed proficiency in plaster casting and mold making
VISITING ARTIST LECTURES
2019 Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
2019 Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville IL
2019 Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration, Hays State University, Hays, KS
2018 Juror, Twin Cups, Missouri Western State University Clay Guild. (statement sans lecture)
2018 NCECA Gallery Expo with artist talk via the Clay Art Center. Pittsburgh, PA
2018 Visiting Artist workshop and lecture at 323 Clay, Independence, MO
2017 Invited lecturer, Nichols State University, Thibideaux, LA
2017 Resident Roll Call workshop at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
2017 Visiting Artist workshop and Lecture at the Clay Guild of New York, Westchester, NY
2014 Public Lecture on “Contemporary Ceramics and Technology” at LSU Gallery in Baton
Rouge, LA
2013 Public Lecture at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
2012 Glazing workshop co-taught with Steven Hill, 323 Clay, Independence MO
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019 (upcoming) solo feature at the Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2018 Solo Exhibition “Sojourn” at the Andrews Gallery, College of William and Mary, Williams-
burg, VA
2017 June Solo Exhibition Immemorial at Braden-Lee Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2017 April Solo Thesis Exhibition Oblivion at the Glassell Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
2014 solo exhibition Roche at the Carbondale Clay Center
2013 solo exhibition Veneer at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY
2011 Threads BFA thesis show, Northfield, MN
2009 solo exhibition Letters at the Kelsey Gallery, Northfield MN
RESEARCH HONORS AND AWARDS
2019 ICAN 2019 Merit Award. 2019 Workhouse Clay International, Lorton VA
2018 3rd Place, On The Rocks Exhibition, national juried exhibition by Pete Pinnell, Pewabic
Potery, Detroit, MI
2017 Finalist for the Zanesville Prize, Zanesville, Ohio
2017 Awarded Emerging Artist” Spotlight, Ceramics Monthly publication
2016 Evening Star Cup Award, nationally juried Fire and Earth at the Del Ray Artisans Guild,
Alexandria, VA
2106 Jurors Choice Award nationally juried Elements--Drink Me: cups, mugs, and tumblers at the
Mariani Gallery, University of Northern Colorado
2015 First Place Functional, nationally juried 2015 Nellie Allen Smith Pottery Exhibition, Cape
Fear Studios, Fayetteville, NC
2015 Best in Show, Tabletop national juried show The Art League, Alexandria VA
2011 First Place It’s Only Clay national juried show at the Bemidji Clay Art Center in Bemidji,
Minnesota. Juror Simon Levin
RESEARCH GRANTS RECEIVED
2013 Recipient of the Elaine Hoffman Rattet Grant for “commitment to work and contributions made
to enrich the studio experience of others” NY
INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
2019 Americano Exhibition, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA
Art of the Pot guest artist with Lisa Orr, Austin TX
Cup: The Intimate Object XV, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
Animal Instinct Invitational exhibition at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY (upcoming)
Pairings at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, Colorado
Hand-In-Hand, exhibition at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
2018 Reinventing the Classics December exhibition at In Tandem Gallery, Bakersville, NC
June Threadbare duo exhibition with Jeremy Brooks at the Eutectic Gallery, Portland, OR
New York Ceramics and Glass Fair. Representation by Ferrin Contemporary
Hand-In-Hand, exhibition at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Invited to Cup: The Intimate Object XIV, at the Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
Invited to La Mesa (June) Exhibition at Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
Pairings exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
NCECA Gallery Expo with artist talk via the Clay Art Center. Pittsburgh, PA
Standard Clay gallery exhibition at Pittsburgh NCECA. Representation by Cerebra Gallery, KC
2017 Invited to Nationally Juried Containers exhibition at Three Wheel Studio, Providence RI
Winter Salon II at the Cerebra Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Invited Artist to Cup: The Intimate Object XIII at the Charlie Cummings Gallery
Invited to CLAY REVIEW, at the Abernathy Arts Center, Sandy Springs, GA
Invited to REWIND, 60th Anniversary show, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Invited to Pairings show at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Nichols State University Invitational, Thibideaux, LA
2016 Invited artist to nationally juried Annual Cup Show, Three Wheel Studio, Providence, RI
Invited to Locals exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Invited to Pairings cup show at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Invited to Generations: A Legacy of Mentorship exhibition at the Bredin-Lee gallery. NCE-
CA in Kansas City, MO
323 Clay gallery exhibition and NCECA in Kansas City, MO
2015 Holiday Invitational Exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, in Carbondale, CO
La Vie Rouge Exhibition, Glassell Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
9th annual Yunomi Invitational Show at the AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Invited to exhibit at the Gallery Expo at NCECA for the Clay Art Center, Providence, RI
Invited to Pairings exhibition and event at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Invited to History in the Making exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
2014 Resilience: The Healing Power of Art at the Healthcare Gallery in Baton Rouge, LA
Holiday invitational exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center
Hand in Hand Invitational show at the Colorado Mountain College
2013 Pairings at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
“Indelible” at the Baltimore Clay Works, Baltimore, MD
On the Horizon artist and residence show at the St. Petersburg Clay company, St. Petersburg, FL
Holiday Invitational Exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, in Carbondale, CO
Winterfest invitational at Baltimore Clay Works, Baltimore, MD
Behind the Scenes at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Invitational Bowl Show at Studio 550 Art Center in Manchester, NH
Duets invitational at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
2012 Holiday Invitational. Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Invitational exhibition at Terra Incognito in Oak Park, Il
Resident Artist Exit Exhibition at 323clay in Independence, MO
Holiday Invitational. KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
2011 Artists in Residence exhibition show at Terra Incognito in Oak Park, Il
Holiday pottery Invitational KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2019
ICAN 2019 Merit Award. 2019 Workhouse Clay International, Lorton VA
Art of Clay 2019 National Exhibition, Mark Arts Center, Wichita, KS.
Off Center: Third Annual International Ceramic Art Competition. Blue Line Arts, Roseville CA.
Mugshot 2: International Juried Ceramic Mug Competition. 2019 NCECA Conference, Minneapolis, MN
Adorned, Clay Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
2018 3rd Place, On The Rocks Exhibition, national juried exhibition by Pete Pinnell, Pewabic Pottery,
Detroit, MI
The International Cup, Internationally juried exhibition, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula
MT
2017 Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics, Zanesville, OH
Beyond the Brickyard at the Archie Bray, Helena, MT
The Clay Studio Graduate Student Biennial, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia
2016 Evening Star Cup Award, nationally juried Fire and Earth at the Del Ray Artisans
Guild, Alexandria, VA
Nationally juried The Cup, The Mug show at Main Street Gallery, Clifton NY
Nationally juried Cup: The Intimate Object XII, at the Charlie Cummings Gallery, online
Nationally juried Strictly Functional Pottery National, at Kevin Lehman’s Pottery, Lancaster, PA
Internationally juried Cheers at Medalta, Medicine Hat, AB
Nationally juried Last Call show at the Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
Nationally juried Working Pots James May Gallery, Algoma, Wisconsin
Twin Cups, nationally juried show at Missouri Western State University.
Jurors Choice Award. nationally juried Elements--Drink Me: cups, mugs, and tumblers at the
Mariani Gallery, University of Northern Colorado
NCECA national juried student show at the Leedy-Voulkos gallery, Kansas City, MO
2015 Nationally Juried Annual Teapot Show at Three Wheel Studio in Providence, RI
First Place Functional, nationally juried 2015 Nellie Allen Smith Pottery Exhibition, Cape Fear
Studios, Fayetteville, NC
Best in Show, Tabletop national juried show The Art League, Alexandria VA
Nationally juried Twin Cups! National Ceramics Exhibition 2015, MWSU Clay Guild, MO
Nationally juried Off the Table!: National Ceramics Exhibition 2015, Missouri Western State
University, MO
2014 Tabletop international juried exhibition at The Art League, Alexandria,VA
Small Favors IX at The Clay Studio of Philadelphia
Teabowl National at the KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
Coffee, Tea, Or...3 national juried exhibition at Terra Incognito, Oak Park, IL 2014
Twin Cups national juried show at Missouri Western University
2013 From The Earth national juried show at Tri-Lakes Center For The Arts, Palmer Lake, CO
2012 SPCC LAST CALL call for entries juried show at St. Petersburg Clay in St. Petersburg, FL
It’s Only Clay national juried show at the Bemidji Clay Art Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.
3rd Biennial “Central Time Ceramics” national juried show at Bradley University Galleries
2011 First Place It’s Only Clay national juried show at the Bemidji Clay Art Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.
2007 juried exhibition at the Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
Ferrin Contemporary, Cummington, MA
Eutectic Gallery, Portland OR
Clay Art Center, Port Chester NY
In Tandem Gallery Bakersville, NC
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Cerebra Gallery, Kansas City, MO
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
BIBLIOGRAPHY (publications about my work)
Natasha Anderson, The Laurel of Asheville. “Reinventing the Classics at In Tandem Gallery”
Mike Stumbras, Author of “radioCHROME” article about radiation colored pottery, Dec 2015 Ceramics Monthly
“Reshaping the Pottery World”, interview for TigerTV and the newspaper The Reville
“Molding minds” article about Mike Stumbras as a teacher written by Brittany Basco, DigBR Magazine publication.
Article “Veneer”, about Mike Stumbras in the Westchester. Times Tribune 2013
BIBLIOGRAPHY (published images of my work)
Exposure, Ceramics Monthly, December 2018
Exposure, Ceramics Monthly, April 2014
Published in 500 teapots second edition by Lark Ceramics, 2013
Exposure, Ceramics Monthly, May 2012
COMMISSIONS
Summer 2018 Vessel For William Rogers. Commission for Ken Wolfe, Senior Advisor of
Philanthropy and Estate Planning of Historical Colonial Williamsburg. Research
includes interpretation of William Rogers vessel and brief historiography of
Norman F. Barka, the “Poor Potter” Site Archeologist.
Winter 2016 Five Cinerary Urns. Commission from Cherice Martin in honor Jeff Foster.
Cremains split between familial houses
Fall 2015 Cinerary Urn for Diane Nivens.