Artist: Tom Jaszczak

Tom Jaszczak, MINNESOTA
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Line and form drive my making. Line accents the changes in direction of rims, feet and form. These lines are physical and engage the user, but also serve to break up the pot visually. Formally my work has volume, it speaks of generosity. I respond to each form, as it is taken off the wheel or hand built, trying to be sensitive to each pots proportion, weight and gesture by working in a series. Form communicates a pots gesture; it speaks of utility and engages ones imagination.

The cumulative journey of a pot tells a story and the story brings the user into the moment of making and firing. Slips, trimming lines, finger marks, edges, wad marks and shadows capture a moment in time and tell more of the story. I often mix different clays, dig clay and am constantly experimenting with clay as a material. The combination of slips and clays I use try to capture the potential of every firing. The array of colors and effects is exciting; opening a kiln is an adventure. I react to every firing with new ideas and new information; this keeps the overall process fresh and exciting. A successful pot has depth through these processes, obtains humbleness through form and thoughtfulness in function.

EDUCATION
2008
B.A., Visual Art, Bemidji State University, MN, Spring.
2007
B.S., Biology, Bemidji State University, MN, Spring.
Minor, Chemistry, Bemidji State University, MN, Spring.
2006
Study Abroad, Oxford University, Oxford, England, Spring.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2013
Resident, Summer, Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL.
Long-Term Resident, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
2012
Artist in Residence, Summer, Archie Bray Foundation, Assistant to Tara Wilson, Helena, MT.
Workshop, Paris Gibson Square Museum, Great Falls, MT.
Form and Surface Workshop, Minnetonka Clay Center, Minnetonka, MN.
2011
Artist in Residence, Summer, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
2010
Tile Maker and Glaze Technician, North Prairie Tile, Minneapolis, MN.
Studio Assistant, Judith Duff, Penland School of Crafts, Summer Session.
Studio Assistant, Bede Clark, Penland School of Crafts, Summer Session.
Visiting Artist, Longwood University, Farmville, VA, February.
2009
Artist in Residence, Cub Creek, Appomattox, VA.
2008
Mill Creek Pottery, Apprenticeship, Gresham, WI.
2006-2008
Teaching Assistant, Intro to Ceramics, Bemidji State.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2013
Let There Be Light, Lil Street Art Center, Chicago, IL.
Western Wisconsin Pottery Tour, Joe Singewald's Studio, River Falls, WI.
Yunomi Invitational, Akar Design, Iowa City, IA
Contemporary Traditionalists, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT.
Archie Bray Show, 18 Hands Gallery, Houston, TX.
Mentorship, Nicklaus Gallery, Seattle, WA.
Woodfire Invitational, Missoula Clay Studio, Missoula, MT.
Western Wisconsin Pottery Tour, River Falls, WI.
2012
Bray Residents at Kolva-Sullivan, Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, Spokane,WA.
Resident Artist Exhibiton, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
Artist of the Month, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN.
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster, PA.
Perfect Plate, Lil Street Art Center, Chicago, IL.
Cup Invitational, Lawrence Art Center, Lawrence, KS.
New Directions, Grand Hand Gallery, St. Paul, MN.
42nd Annual Ceramics Exhibition: Utility in Contemporary Ceramics, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI.
3 Jerome Artists, Gallery M, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN.
2011
Bray Residents at Kolva-Sullivan, Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, Spokane,Washington.
Holiday Show, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO.
Visions in Clay, San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton, CA.
River to River, The Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA.
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster, PA.
Winterfest, Baltimore Claywork, Baltimore, MD.
Teapot Invitational, Grand Hand Gallery, St. Paul, MN.
Yunomi Exhibition, Greenwich House Pottery, New York, NY.
Bi-Annual Juried National, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT.
Cup show, Lux Art Center, Lincoln, NE.
2010
Teaching Tom, Touché Gallery, Bemidji State, Bemidji, MN, Group Show with: Butch Holden and Simon Levin.
Nascent Legacy, Signature Shop, Atlanta, GA, Group Show with: Simon Levin and Kenyon Hansen.
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster, PA.
In the Beginning, Chroma Gallery, Charlottesville, VA.
3rd Biennial Contemporary Clay, Western Colorado Art Center.
Feats of Clay, Lincoln Art Center, Lincoln, CA.
Cup show, Lux Art Center, Lincoln, NE, Juror: Linda Arbuckle.
2009
Objects of Virtue, Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA.
It’s Only Clay, BCAC, Bemidji, MN.
Clay Cubed, Clay Space, Warrenville, IL.
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Lancaster, PA.
2008
Relationships in Clay, BA Show, Touché Gallery, Bemidji State, Bemidji, MN, May 2008(Solo).

GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Lil Street Art Center, Chicago, IL.
The Signature Shop, Atlanta, GA.
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
The Grand Hand Gallery, St.Paul, MN.
Red Star Studios, Kansas City, MO.
J Fergusson Gallery, Farmville, VA.

AWARDS & HONORS
2013
Lincoln Fellowship, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
2012
Weisman Art Museum, Permanent Collection, Minneapolis, MN.
Windgate Scholar, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
2011
Archie Bray Foundation Permanent Collection, Helena, MT.
Juror’s Choice Award, Cup Show, Lux Art Center, Lincoln, NE, Juror: Julia Galloway.
Jerome Ceramic Artist Project Grant, Northern Clay Center.
Artist Initiative Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board.
2010
2nd Place, 3rd Biennial Contemporary Clay, Western Colorado Art Center, Juror: Pete Pinnell.
2008
Margaret Harlow Collection, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.