Current Address
1323 Wing rd
Bakersville NC 28705
937 3079215
EDUCATION East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
Master of Fine Arts, December 2004
GPA: 3.85
Cross-Cultural India Immersion India
February 2004, East Tennessee State University
Intensive study program focusing on the architecture and ceramic history of India.
Mars Hill College Mars Hill, NC
Bachelor of Arts, May 2001
Studio Art - Ceramics
GPA: 3.19
Borderlinks Semester Exchange Program Tucson, AZ and Nogales, MX
Spring 2001, Mars Hill College
Intensive semester-long study including historical Native American art as well as modern Southwestern art studios work.
Mitchell High School Bakersville, NC
May 1997
HONORS November 2005 Honorable Mention award in the Earth In Balance Show at Rosewood Art Gallery Dayton, OH.
February 2004 Entrance to the 2004 National Graduate Student Art Exhibition, hosted by The Clay Studio, in Philadelphia, PN.
August 2004“Best Booth In Show” Award at the 2004 Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair. Burnsville, NC.
December 2004 Publication of work in the 2004 edition of the Mocking Bird, a magazine that highlights various forms of artistic expression.
July 2003 “Honorable Mention,” Blue Plum Arts Festival, Johnson City, Tennessee
September 2000 Southern Highlands Craft Guild Grant Recipient 2000. This grant allowed me to purchase the materials needed to build a Raku kiln. The kiln was completed and is still in use today.
August 1998 Bonner Scholarship, Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, North Carolina
EXPERIENCE
September 2005 – Low Fire Techniques Instructor Yellow Springs, OH
I am currently teaching a low fire techniques class at John Bryan Community Pottery in Yellow Springs, OH. Students are experimenting with firing techniques below fifteen hundred degrees Fahrenheit which includes smoke, saggar, pit and flash firing.
December 2004 – MFA Ceramic Exhibition Johnson City, TN
This show included a variety of low-fire and burnishing techniques and was entitled, “Burnished Souls.”
Summer 2003- Assistant to James Watkins at Penland Penland, NC
In the summer session with ceramic artists, James Watkins, I was one of two assistants. My duties including keeping the studio orderly, mixing glazes, firing kilns and making sure that all the students had a great time while attending their class.
Summer 03- Volunteer at Penland Auction Penland, NC Penlan
August 2002- December 2004 – Grad. Assistant at ETSU Johnson City, TN Johnson
As a graduate assistant at East Tennessee State University, I was responsible for the scheduling, maintenance, and operation of all equipment including the kilns, wheels, clay mixer, slab rollers and other equipment. I also worked as an assistant in the beginning throwing class and help the students learn to throw while also giving demonstrations on new methods and forms. As an assistant I was required to keep inventory on all goods, making sure that they were ordered at the correct time. I also taught students how to properly mix clay and instructed them on various firing techniques.
August 2002- December 2004 - MFA program at East Tenn. State Univ.
After being at the EnergyXchange for one year I decided that I needed to return to an environment that would allow me to grow at a much quicker pace. During my time at ETSU I have been able to explore many different areas without the pressure of having to sell work and conform to the popular demands of the public. Besides expanding my artistic capacity, I also had the opportunity to teach undergrads the basic skills of throwing, gain essential studio maintenance experience, and travel to Arrowmont Craft Center in Gatlinburg, TN to fire their wood kiln with many different artist from the area. I have also been able to explore different forms and firing styles and sit in on critics and listen to how other students respond to my work. My time at ETSU gave me a better understanding about my work and the freedom of exploration.
May 2001 – Senior Art Exhibition Mars Hill, NC
Preparation for this show combined all of the knowledge that I had gained while a ceramic student at Mars Hill College. Work displayed in the show included a collection of large sculptural totems.
July 2001 – August 2002 Resident of EnergyXChange Burnsville, NC
Acceptance for this residency gave me the opportunity to begin my own business in a safe and nurturing environment. With high expectations I worked to find new ways to maintain and nourish my new ceramic endeavors. This residency also gave me experience with firing reduction down-drafts kilns, raku kilns, and electric kilns.
July 2001 – Summer Session at Penland School of Arts & Crafts Penland, NC
This specialty session with Liz Quackenbush focused on decorative elements in combination with low-firing techniques.
November 2001 – Gallery Opening at EnergyXChange Burnsville, NC
January 2001 – May 2001 - Ceramic Studio Intern Tucson, AZ
Semester of study of southwestern and native pottery in Tucson, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico. This semesters long period provided new experiences in the field of ceramics with styles, techniques, and culture. Travel also included trips into villages in Northern Mexico that are completely sustained by their work in ceramics. Internship required participation in the normal work and upkeep of a studio.
July 1999 – Summer Session at Penland School of Arts& Crafts Penland, NC
This functional ceramics class taught by John Ellenbogen and Becky Plummer focused on the creation, different styles, and meaning of functional ceramics.
August 1998 – December 2000 - Mars Hill College
Art Department Mars Hill, NC
Ceramic Studio Assistant
Job required basic knowledge of studio management as well as assistance to other ceramic students.
August 1997 – December 2000 Mars Hill College Publications Department Mars Hill, NC
Photographer
Job required photography of all sport, art, and cultural events related to the college.
PERSONAL February 2004 -While a student at East Tennessee State University I participated in a three-week art tour of India. The trip included the study of architecture, exploration of museums, and visits to archeological sites. The trip included visits to several pottery villages in Calcutta where members were preparing for a festival by sculpting various gods and goddesses. This trip provided credits towards my masters degree and upon our return we presented a informational slide show about our experiences.
August 1998 - May 2001 - I participated in the Bonner Scholars program at Mars Hill College that led me to one hundred and fifty hours of volunteer service in various non-profit organizations each semester along with two hundred and forty service hours each summer. Service work included mentoring children, working in a low-income after school program, organizing and leading a service trip to several national parks in the western states, and the organization and completion of a fundraising project for a non-profit organization.
Spring 2000 - I organized a community project and made over two hundred ceramic bowls that were sold at a community dinner that raised over two-thousands dollars for a non-profit organization. The money was used to purchase freezers for an organization that serves as food distributors in low-income communities.
REFERENCES Jane Renfro
Professor of Ceramics at Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, NC
828.689.1224
jrenfro@mhc.edu
Don Davis
Professor of Ceramics at East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee
423.928.8947
423.439.7864
Artist Bio - Tommy Williams
While at Mars Hill College, Jane Renfroe introduced me to the basic techniques of ceramics, which both laid the foundation for my continued study and also provided the passion with which I pursue this art form. After completing my Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art I participated in the EnergyXchange project in Yancey County, North Carolina. A pilot program that utilized land field produced methane gas, this program offered residency positions for five artists. After participating in the program for one year, I decided that the pursuit of my Master’s degree would allow me to further develop my artwork and explore clay without the pressures that accompany owning your own business. While at East Tennessee State University I studied for my Master in Fine Arts in Ceramics. I explored various low-fire techniques including saggar firing, raku, and flash firing. These processes allow me to explore the natural abilities of smoke and flame to act as decorative elements while still maintaining a temperature of no more than fifteen hundred degrees F. Using the clay as a canvas, I have simplified my shapes in order to reduce the distraction from the decorative techniques. By combining simple shapes and natural decorative techniques my goal is to create organic pieces that speak to the natural beauty and power of nature. Since completing the graduate program at East Tennessee State University I have moved to Dayton, Ohio where I am pursuing my passion for clay. I have re-opened my business and am currently teaching a low-fire techniques class at the John Bryan Community Pottery Center.