2012 McKNIGHT ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS FOR CERAMIC ARTISTS APPLICATION FORM

Sign and return this form with your application materials. Up to two additional pages (8 1 /2" x 11 ") may be added, if needed, to the application to complete the following items. Please type or write clearly. This form may beduplicated and completed on a word processor.

Recipients will be selected primarily on the basis of perceived artistic excellence and demonstrated professionalachievement. Proposed fellowship plans will be

used as support material by the jury.

Applicant Name

Address

City /State/Zip

Telephone (Day/Evening)

Email

Signature/Date

Brian Boldon

c;/lb/2--@, Describe your plans for the fellowship year:

I would like to dedicate this year to the development of large-scale freestanding ceramics sculpture that integrates digital ceramic printing into three-dimensional space. I am interested in creating temporary installations for galleries and museums and permanent installations for exterior museum spaces

and Public art venues. I plan to create a super tough freeze/ thaw sculpture stoneware body and stable engobes and glazes suitable for exterior installation.

Additionally I will develop a base glaze that is compatible with ceramic laser printed enamel as well as Ferro overglaze enamels. I plan to design, engineer,

and fabricate stainless steel elements for my sculpture that contribute aesthetically and provide the necessary structure required to carry the weight of stoneware clay. My goal for this year is to create ceramic sculpture that is approximately 1 Ox1 Ox1 Oft.

2014%McKnight%Application%%Artist%Statement%%Kelly%Connole%%%Memories,%raw%instinct,%and%elements%of%the%natural%world%inform%my%desire%to%create%narrative%pieces%that%celebrate%the%tactile%temperament%of%clay%and%my%connection%to%the%world.%I%investigate%relationships%within%environments:%natural%and%constructed,%human%and%animal,%tangible%and%fleeting.%%I%rely%on%groups%of%hybrid%creatures%to%examine%complicated%spaces%between%wild%and%tamed,%friendly%and%eerie.%%%Rabbits,%crows,%and%other%animals%perform%much%like%human%beings%in%my%work,%exposing%vulnerabilities%and%tendencies%through%the%gesture%of%ears,%wings,%hands%and%bodies.%%As%humans,%we%love%to%go%into%nature—forgetting%that%we%are,%in%fact,%part%of%nature.%%%As%the%most%dominant%species,%we%choose%which%plants%and%animals%are%pests%and%those%whom%we%cherish—endowing%them%with%human%attributes%to%make%them%more%like%us.%Our%interactions%with%wild%things%are%filled%with%contradictory%emotions%of%fear%and%delight,%and%our%desire%to%personify,%name,%and%categorize,%all%that%we%encounter.%%I%grew%up%as%a%budding%naturalist/scientist%in%a%very%isolated,%rural%environment.%%I%kept%horses,%rabbits,%birds,%and%insects%as%both%pets%and%subjects%in%rudimentary%studies.%%Most%of%what%I%know%about%being%human%I’ve%learned%through%my%early%experiences%with%animals,%and%nature%in%general,%and%my%current%contact%with%clay.%%My%sincere%interest%in%the%intersection%of%scientific%knowledge,%personal%memory,%and%the%visual%poetry%of%the%natural%world%excites%me%to%no%end.%%%My%most%recent%work%places%hybridized%creatures%in%the%role%of%both%specimen%and%collector.%Rabbits,%squirrels,%and%mice%perch%in%and%on%obsolete%card%catalogues,%file%cabinets,%and%wellNaged%tables%and%stools—frozen%in%a%moment%that%straddles%the%present%and%past.%%These%animals%act%as%visual%cues%to%an%obscure%system%of%cataloging—of%making%sense%of%the%natural%world%through%tactics%of%organization.%%BlueNfooted%rabbits%are%arranged%in%a%pattern%based%on%the%brilliant%hue%of%their%humanNlike%hands%much%like%colorful%songbird%specimens%in%drawers%in%a%natural%history%museum.%%A%flock%of%crows%interact%with%a%Victorian%curio%cabinet,%reconstructed%as%a%laboratory%of%sorts,%to%imply%time,%motion%and%another%deviant%system%of%organization.%I%make%connections%between%the%human%desire%to%collect%beautiful%things%from%nature%and%the%refuse%of%our%existence%(litter)%that%is%collected%in%nature.%%I%hope%to%draw%the%viewer%into%the%work%through%recognizable%imagery%that%appears%friendly%and%familiar%until%one%enters%into%the%space%shared%with%the%objects.%%Once%inside,%that%space%takes%on%an%unsettling%feeling%as%we%become%animal%and%animals%become%us.%%%%

%Northern%Clay%Center%2014%McKnight%Application%Artist%Statement%Page%2%%My%most%recent%piece,%Gathering%(inNprocess),%is%comprised%of%very%small%rabbits—babies—that%will%be%a%massive%group%of%creatures%interacting%with%wellNused%objects%that%symbolize%human%labor.%%%I%became%a%parent%to%twins%three%and%a%half%years%ago%and%am%only%now%understanding%how%this%lifeNchanging%event%is%impacting%my%work.%%In%anticipating%the%arrival%of%my%twins,%I%created%Murder-with-a-Red-Nest—a%flock%of%crows%surrounding%a%nest%made%of%silica%sand,%sticks,%and%red%wool%holding%two%lustered%porcelain%eggs.%%%%I’ve%long%known%of%my%interest%of%creating%multiples%that%add%up%to%much%more%than%the%sum%of%the%parts—both%in%terms%of%narrative%and%in%creating%installations%that%alter%the%space%for%the%viewer.%%Since%the%birth%of%my%children,%I%have%begun%to%embrace%yet%another%benefit%of%working%in%small%scale%(and%in%multiplicity)%to%take%advantage%of%the%short%bursts%of%time%I%have%available%to%work%in%my%studio.%%Gathering%is%about%the%demands%of%parenting—the%overwhelming%needs%of%small%things%and%the%labor%involved%in%the%process%of%parenting.%%For%most%of%the%last%20%years%my%work%has%focused%exclusively%on%ceramics—both%in%individual%pieces%and%installationNbased%environments.%%I%find%myself%much%less%interested%in%making%ceramic%objects%that%sit%on%pedestals%and%much%more%invested%in%creating%spaces%in%which%my%ceramic%pieces%are%at%home.%%This%has%led%me%to%the%use%of%found%furniture,%large%scale%charcoal%drawings,%%and%other%materials%that%compliment,%and%sometimes%contradict,%the%clay%work.%%The%juxtaposition%between%things%found%and%things%made;%things%clay%and%things%wood,%fur,%wool,%metal,%glass;%and%things%wild%and%things%created%for%domestic%use%fits%into%my%overall%interests.%%I%currently%find%myself%pulled%between%dedicated%studio%practice%and%the%demands%of%a%teaching%position%at%an%academically%rigorous%institution.%%I%couldn’t%have%found%myself%in%a%better%environment%given%my%interests%in%both%the%natural%world%and%systems%of%order%and%cataloging.%%For%example,%while%creating%my%most%recent%work%I%spent%a%great%deal%of%time%in%the%Carleton%Biology%Department’s%archives%studying%specimens.%I%have%access%to%collections%of%historic%scientific%teaching%tools%such%as%diagrams%and%models%in%our%library’s%special%collections%department.%%I%have%a%studio%on%campus%that%is%adequate%for%largeNscale%installation%based%work%and%most%of%the%tools%necessary%to%take%on%nearly%any%project.%%What%is%missing%is%time%to%pursue%ideas,%to%let%my%mind%wander%in%directions%that%don’t%necessarily%follow%a%linear%path,%and%to%experiment.%%I’m%ready%to%move%away%from%rabbits%and%crows—imagery%that%has%been%meaningful%and%rewarding%to%me%for%some%time%but%I%think%may%have%run%its%course%in%my%work.%%If%awarded%a%grant,%I%%%

Northern%Clay%Center%2014%McKnight%Application%Artist%Statement%Page%3%%would%take%a%leave%of%absence%from%teaching%to%dedicate%time%to%my%studio%work%and%to%pursue%new%ideas%and%opportunities%for%exhibition.%%I%have%the%beginnings%of%plans%for%my%next%installation%involving%a%dead%zebra%and%a%flock%of%butterflies.%This%past%February%one%of%my%most%cherished%students%died%at%age%23.%%Without%going%into%too%much%detail%here,%I%am%compelled%to%mark%her%passing%in%a%significant%way%and%this%installation%idea%accomplishes%this.%%She%had%an%extremely%rare%genetic%condition%and%those%in%her%diagnosis%community%refer%to%themselves%as%zebras.%%They%are%the%exceptions%to%common%medical%diagnosis—in%medical%school%aspiring%physicians%are%told%to%look%for%horses,%not%zebras,%when%they%hear%the%sound%of%hooves.%%This%is%helpful%to%young%doctors%who%might%look%for%rare%and%unusual%disorders%when%simple,%common%illnesses%are%presented%and%can%be%remedied%quickly%and%easily.%%However,%for%the%zebras%this%often%leads%to%misdiagnosis,%confusion,%and%dire%consequence.%%%The%piece%I%plan%to%create%involves%a%lifeNsized%dead%zebra%positioned%on%the%floor,%surrounded%by%a%flock%on%pure%white%porcelain%butterflies%flying%to%and%landing%on%the%zebra.%%As%the%butterflies%leave%the%surface%of%the%animal,%they%turn%black—removing%the%stripes.%%I%am%searching%for%words%to%describe%this%but%am%confident%that%the%installation%will%accomplish%what%I%am%after.%%As%I%find%myself%in%what%I%can%hope%is%the%middle%of%my%life,%I%see%that%birth%and%death%are%situated%right%next%to%each%other.%%I%want%to%explore%this%in%my%work.%%This%project%would%involve%changing%my%clay%body,%devising%a%system%for%hanging%the%butterflies,%working%at%a%large%scale%again,%and%other%challenges.%%I%am%eager%to%take%this%on.%%The%generous%support%of%the%McKnight%Foundation%would%allow%me%time%to%focus%on%this%project%and%develop%ideas%for%others.%%The%exhibition%opportunity%associated%with%this%award%would%provide%me%the%sort%of%boundaries%I%prefer%to%work%within—creating%installation%based%work%for%a%particular%space.%%%%%

Kelly Connole

www.kellyconnole.com

• Education

MFA 1996 San Francisco State University BFA 1991 University of Montana, Missoula (cum laude)

• Selected Exhibitions

2014 Midwest Mentors and their Students, LillStreet Expo Booth at NCECA conference,Milwaukee, WI Red River Reciprocity: Contemporary Ceramics in Minnesota and North Dakota, The Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND

2013 Flights of Fancy, Paramount Visual Arts Center, St Cloud, MN (solo)

2012 Ibid: Artists Respond to Collections, Carleton College, Northfield, MN Minnesota Funk, Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MNFins, Fur, and Feathers II, Cinema Gallery, Urbana, IL Push Play NCECA Invitational, Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA What is a Rabbit?, John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA

2011 Clay Dwelling: Six Ceramic Artists, Macalester College Art Gallery, St Paul MN Minnesota Nice, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL Setting Roots, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN

2010 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN Water Street Artists—Watershed Artists, Stable Gallery, Damariscotta, ME Bird x Bird, Gallery 322, Minneapolis, MN Foot in the Door, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN

2009 In Between: Kelly Connole and Beth Lo, Carleton Art Gallery, Northfield, MN Minnesota Women Ceramic Artists Exhibition, Gallery 322, Minneapolis, MN Firing a Legacy, Pence Gallery, Davis, CA 30 Ceramic Sculptors, CCACA, John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA Beasts and Botanicals, Clark College, Vancouver, WA College Bowl Il, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN Gallery Artists, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN Winds of Inspiration, Winds of Change, Hillstrom Museum of Art, Gustavus Adolphus

College, St Peter, MN Natural Resourcery, Carleton Art Gallery, Northfield, MN Starting a Hare in Ceramics, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI

2008 Monica Reede and Kelly Connole, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN Where the Sky Meets the Earth, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN (solo) Cats Invitational, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM Jerome Retrospective, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN

Kelly Connole 2

2nd Annual Concordia Continental, Concordia University, Saint Paul, MN Grant Recipients Exhibition, Minnesota State Arts Board, Saint Paul, MN

2007 NCECA 2007 Clay National Biennial Exhibition, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville, KY

Ceramics Today, Flaten Art Museum, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN The Big Muddy, Quigley Gallery, Clark College, Dubuque, IA Bird x Bird, Gallery 322, Minneapolis, MN

2006 What is a Cup?, Vulcan 5 Gallery, Oakland, CA Circus Surreal, Reflect-Arts, Brooklyn, NY Materials: Hard and Soft, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX Good Bird/Bad Bird, Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland, OR 19th International Exhibition of Animals in Art, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA Bird x Bird, Gallery 322, Minneapolis, MN Soul Searching, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN

2005 Under the Big Tent, Red House Gallery, Minneapolis, MN (solo) Red Heat, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK The Art of Fine Craft, Elder Gallery, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE

2004 Collaboration, Macalester College Gallery, Saint Paul, MN Consolidated Circus: Kelly Connole and Sarah E. Paul, Phipps Center for the Arts,

Hudson, WI Move: Invitational Exhibition, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN College Bowl II, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN

2003 Hares & Hands, Crows and Cups, Kellie Theiss Gallery, Minneapolis, MN (solo)

2002 Invited Artists: Kelly Connole and Bruce Nygren, Henry Conn Fine Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN

Below 2002, Contemporary Craft Gallery, Portland, OR

2001 No Fences, Kellie Ray Theiss Gallery, Minneapolis, MN (solo) Selected Clay Artists, Saint Paul Academy, St. Paul, MN Six McKnight Artists, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN People, Creatures and Sins, Contemporary Craft Gallery, Portland, OR Birds, Beasts and Little Fishes, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM Collecting Art, Kellie Rae Theiss Gallery, Minneapolis, MN Hands, Hearts and Faces; Collaborative Works by Joe Batt and Kelly Connole,

Evergreen College, Olympia, WA (two-person) Invited Artists, Edina Art Center, Edina, MN

2000 Hands, Hearts and Faces; Collaborative Works by Joe Batt and Kelly Connole, University of Montana, Missoula, MT (two-person)

Animals in Art Invitational, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI The Clay Menagerie, Kellie Rae Theiss Gallery, Minneapolis, MN (solo)

Kelly Connole 3

Big Bang, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN Journeys in Clay, Pembroke Gallery, Wabasha, MN

1999 Fish Tales, Pump House Gallery, La Crosse, WI Traveling Unfamiliar Waters, Kellie Rae Theiss Gallery, Minneapolis, MN (solo) Claymakers, Edina Art Center, Edina, MN Clay Music, University Center Rochester, Rochester, MN Three Jerome Artists, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN Faculty Exhibition, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN A Collective Exhibition, Kellie Rae Theiss Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

1997 Featured Artist, The Studio, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Smashing Clay, Bucheon Gallery, San Francisco, CA Faculty Exhibition, California State Summer School for the Arts, Valencia, CA Clay National, Grants Pass Art Center, Grants Pass, OR

1996 Art Department Faculty Exhibition, West Valley College, Saratoga, CA Northern California Clay Competition, Walnut Creek Regional Art Center, CA New Generation Graduate Exhibition, Shaw Guido Gallery, Pontiac, MI The Young and the Restless, Bucheon Gallery, San Francisco, CA MFA Exhibition, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA

• Awards and Grants

2014 Future Learning Technologies Grant, Carleton College 2013 President’s Civic Engagement Steward Award, Minnesota Campus Compact, in

recognition of Carleton’s Empty Bowls Project 2010 VIZ Grant, Ceramic History Project, Carleton College

Kiln God Residency, two weeks with partial funding, Watershed Center for Ceramics 2008 3rd Place Juror's Award, 2nd Biennial Concordia Continental

Artist Residency, four months with full funding, SeaCast Foundry 2007 Minnesota State Arts Board Artists Initiative Grant

Class of '49 Fellowship, Carleton College Hewitt Presidential Fellowship, Carleton College

2006 Juror’s Award, Materials: Hard and Soft Honorable Mention, 19th International Exhibition on Animals in Art

1999 McKnight Residency Fellowship, three months with full funding, Northern Clay Center 1998 Jerome Foundation Project Grant 1996 San Francisco State Distinguished Graduate Award 1995 Best of Show, Teapots Galore

3rd Place Award, Teapots Galore 1994 Montana Arts Council Commission, Finalist

San Francisco State Stillwell Graduate Fellowship 1993 San Francisco Foundation Murphy Graduate Scholarship

Kelly Connole 4

1992 Juror’s Award, University of Montana Student Art Exhibit 1991 Best Ceramics Award, Juror: Rudy Autio, 5th Annual Ceramics Show

• Bibliography

Reviews/Articles

“Minnesota Artists Not so Wobegon,” Star Tribune, December 13, 2012“Taken into Context,” review, Ceramics Monthly, April 2012“Dark Childhood—Push Play: The 2012 NCECA Invitational,” Ceramics Monthly, April 2012A Peace of My Mind, interviewee, John Noltner, 2011“Minnesota Women Ceramic Artists Exhibition, “ review, Ceramics Monthly, March 2010“Honing the Cutting Edge,” feature, Voice Magazine, Spring 2010“Monica Reede and Kelly Connole,” review, Art in America, February 2009500 Animals in Clay, cover photo, Lark Publishers, 2006"Fired Up," review, Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 16, 2003"Northern Exposures," photo of work, Arts and Antiques Magazine, May 2003"Folio Passport," photo of work, Twin Cities Fine Arts Folio, Fall 2002"Go Figure", review, Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 9, 2001"People, Creatures and Sins," review, ArtWeek Magazine, May 2001International Ceramics Poster, photo, Kerameiki Techni (Greek) Magazine, April 2001Page 34, Making Ceramic Sculpture, photos of work, Lark Publishers, 2000"Kelly Connole," review, Art Papers Magazine, Sept/Oct 2000"Clay Critters," review, Free Time in Minneapolis Star Tribune, April, 14, 2000"Kelly Connole: The Clay Menagerie," St. Paul Pioneer Press, April 14, 2000"Minnesota Annual - Jerome Artist Exhibition," Ceramics Monthly, Summer 1999"Jerome Artists," review, Contact Ceramics, Spring 1999"Stories told in Clay at Minneapolis Galleries," review, Minneapolis Star Tribune,

April 1, 1999 "Touching Hand to Clay," photos of exhibition, Arts-The Arts in Religious and Theological Studies,

Eleven One 1999 "Losing My Religion," review of exhibition, Missoula Independent, January 9, 1992 "Art Targets Helms," review of exhibition, Montana Kaimin, March 5, 1991

• Written Work

Self –Contained, catalogue essays, Northern Clay Center, 2012Exquisite Pots: Six Degrees of Collaboration, essay, NCECA Journal, 2010Exquisite Pots: Six Degrees of Collaboration, catalogue essay, Northern Clay Center, 2008World Ceramics: Transforming Women’s Traditions, catalogue essay, Carleton College, 2008

• Teaching Experience

2010- present Carleton College, Northfield, MN

Kelly Connole 5

Associate Professor of Art

2004- 2010 Carleton College, Northfield, MN Assistant Professor of Art

2001-2004 Hamline University, St. Paul, MN Full-time, visiting assistant professor

1998–2001 Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN Private contractor

Winter 1998 University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Adjunct faculty

1996 – 1997 West Valley College, Saratoga, CA Full-time, sabbatical replacement

• Lectures/Panels/Demonstrations

2014 Expo Artist Talk, Lillstreet Gallery at NCECA Conference, Milwaukee, WI 2013 Visiting Artist, demonstrator/lecturer, Paramount Arts Center, St Cloud, MN 2012 Visiting Artist, demonstrator/lecturer, Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, MN 2010 Exquisite Pots: Six Degrees of Collaboration, Panel Moderator, NCECA Conference,

Philadelphia, PA Italian Majolica, lecturer, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN Visiting Artist, demonstrator/lecturer, Macalester College, St Paul, MN The Anatomy of a Sculpture, demonstrator, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN Artists Invite Artists, Watershed Center for the Ceramics Arts, Newcastle, ME

2009 Plumb Bobs and Other Curiosities, Carleton College, Northfield, MN 30,000 years of Ceramic History, lecturer, Pence Gallery, Davis, CA California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art, demonstrator, John Natsoulas

Gallery, Davis, CA New Work: SeaCast Foundry, lecturer, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Stainless Steel Rabbits and Other Curiosities, Faculty Scholarship Forum, lecturer,

Carleton College, Northfield, MN Visiting Artist, Beast and Botanicals Exhibition, Clark College, Vancouver, WA Exhibitions, Curating and Curriculum, panelist, Carleton College, Northfield, MN

2008 Resident Artist, SeaCast Foundry, Marysville, WA Exquisite Pots: Six Degrees of Collaboration, panel moderator, Minneapolis, MN

2007 Connections Discussion Leader, NCECA Conference, Louisville, KY Ceramic Centers, panelist, International Ceramics Festival, Aberystywth, Wales, UK

2006 Visiting Artist, demonstrator/lecturer, St Olaf College, Northfield, MN Visiting Artist, demonstrator, South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, WA Discussions on Public Art, Gould Library Athenaeum, Carleton College, MN

2005 Minnesota Teachers Workshop, demonstrator, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN Ceramics and Higher Education, panelist, Northern Clay Center, MN A Brief History of Ceramics, lecturer, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA Kelly Connole: New Work, lecturer, San Francisco State University, San Fransisco, CA

2003 Minnesota Community College Fine Arts Festival, demonstrator, Bemidji, MN 2002 Swedish Institute, Tile Heritage Foundation Symposium, demonstrator, Minneapolis, MN

Kelly Connole McKnight Application 2014

Image List

All ceramic objects are made of cone 6 clay, fired in an electric kiln, with a surface treatment of an assortment of layered underglazes, stains, and glazes.

1. Gathering, (larger grouping in-process) 2014clay, found stool26x24x14”

2. Murder with a Red Nest, 2011 (and 2013 with addition of 150 more crows reinstalled in larger space)clay, ground silica, twigs, wool, lusterinstallation of 96 crows (and later 246 crows) and nest in 12x12’ room (in a 18x24’ room)

3. Murder with a Red Nest, detail

4. Twins, 2013clay, found and altered table55x49x11”

5. Indigo, 2012clay, found and altered cabinet, rope, thread, wood53x48x25”

6. Tails, 2012clay, found and altered drawer, plant matter, thread, wax10x36x24”

7. Specimens, 2012installation throughout gallery, cabinet 80x70x34”flock of over 300 crows flying toward cabinet from gallery wallsclay, found and altered cabinet, glaze, porcelain, wood, plant material, glass, various other materials

8. No. 4, 2012clay, found and altered table, silicone, thread, paper28x14x14”

9. No.4, detail

10. Scamper, 2010clay, charcoal/graphite drawing directly on wall8x26x6’

21 Mika

NEGISHI LAIDLAW

1

Mika Negishi Laidlaw

Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Art

www.mikanegishilaidlaw.com

Education:

2000 M.F.A. in Ceramics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

1994-7 Ceramic Apprenticeship at Akishino-Pottery Studied traditional Japanese Pottery under Masaya Imanishi Nara-City, Japan

1994 B. A. in Studio Art, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL

1992 A. A. in Applied Art, Casper College, Casper, WY

Teaching Experience: Professor of Art-Ceramics, 2013-Present, Associate Professor of Art-Ceramics, 2009-2013, Assistant Professor of Art-Ceramics, 2003-2009 Undergraduate and Graduate Ceramics, Three-Dimensional Design and Design Foundations, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

Art Instructor, 2000-2003 Ceramics, Advanced Ceramics, Ceramics Projects, Three-dimensional Design, Sculpture, and Art Appreciation, Garden City Community College, Garden City, KS

Workshops: “Clay As a Medium for Sculpture”, California State University, Monterey Bay, CA 2012 “McKnight Artist Workshop”, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN 2012 Artist Workshop: Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN, 2007 “Contemporary Castings Regional Conference”, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 2007 “McKnight Artist Workshop”, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2007 “Explorations; Navigations: The Resonance of Place”, 40th Annual Conference of National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Demonstration, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR, 2006 “Circles and Curves: Mika Negishi Laidlaw & Les Laidlaw Ceramic Summer Workshop”, Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, NV, 2004

Lectures: Artist Lecture, Saga Geijutsu University, Kyoto, Japan, 2014 Artist Lecture, St. Peter Art Center, 2013 “Summer Arts Visiting Artist Lecture”, California State University, Monterey Bay, CA, 2012 “McKnight Artist Lecture”, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, 2012 “Concordia Continental Artist’s Lecture”, Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, 2008 “McKnight Artists: Artist’s Lecture by Robert Briscoe & Mika Negishi Laidlaw”, Winona State University, Winona, MN 2008 Slide lecture at Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis MN 2007 “Unknown Craftsmen from Past and Present” slide lecture at MSU, Mankato, 2006 “2006 NCECA Demonstrators’ Presentation”, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR

2

“2004 Emerging Artist”, NCECA 2004 Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN Slide lecture at Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, 2002 Slide talk at Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT, 2002 Gallery talk at Kansas Art Education Association Fall Conference, Garden City, KS, 2001 Slide lecture at Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN 2001 Slide talk at NCECA International Slide Forum, Charlotte, NC, 2001 Slide talk at Beach Museum of Art, Kansas State University, KS, 2000 Slide talk at NCECA Graduate Student Slide Forum, Denver, CO, 2000 Slide talk at NCECA Graduate Student Slide Forum, Columbus, OH, 1999 Slide lecture at Kyushu Sangyo University, Fukuoka, Japan, 1999

Juror: Juror of “First Biennial Concordia Continental”, International Juried Exhibition, St. Paul, MN, 2006 Juror of “ Southwest Kansas Scholastic Art Exhibition”, Ulysses, KS, 2003 Juror of “High Plains League Art Show”, Lakin, KS, 2001

Artist Residencies: Artist in Residence, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT, 2002 McKnight Artist Residencies for Ceramic Artists, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2001

Solo and Two-Person Exhibitions (selected): “Peripheries”, collaborative exhibition, 410 Project, Mankato, MN, 2014

“Memory of Cells”, solo exhibition, Conkling Gallery, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, 2011

“Seven-Year Itch”, Les Laidlaw & Mika Negishi Laidlaw two-person exhibition, Carnegie Center for Art, Mankato, MN, 2009

“Mechanics & Curves: Todd Shanafelt & Mika Negishi Laidlaw Contemporary American Ceramics”, two-person exhibition, Baltimore Public Works Museum, Baltimore, MD, 2005

Exhibitions (selected): 2014 Best In Show, Ideas_14 Exhibition, International Digital Media Arts Association, Orem, UT

“Reclaimed: Installation, Performance, & Site-Specific Works”, One Wall Gallery online exhibition

“CURRENTS 2014: The Santa Fe International New Media Festival”, Santa Fe, NM

“Red River Reciprocity: Contemporary Ceramics in Minnesota and North Dakota”, Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND

2013 McKnight Travelling Exhibition, St. Peter Art Center, St. Peter, MN

McKnight Travelling Exhibition, Winona State University, Winona, MN

2012 “McKnight Fellowship Exhibition”, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN

“Push Play”, invitational exhibition, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA

“PLRAC/McKnight Fellowship Grant recipient exhibition”, St. Peter Art Center, St. Peter, MN

3

2011 “Clay Dwelling”, invitational exhibition, Macalester Art Gallery, St. Paul, MN

“Minnesota Nice”, invitational exhibition, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL

“19th Annual Prairie Lakes Regional Juried Art Exhibition”, Carnegie Art Center, Mankato, MN 1st Place

“Immigrant Impact”, invitational exhibition, Duncan McClellan Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL

2010 “The 2010 International Orton Cone Box show”, international juried show, Holt/Russel Gallery, Baldwin City, KS

“8 Fluid Ounces”, national juried exhibition, Glassell Gallery, Louisiana State University, LA

“Minnesota Ceramic Educators”, invitational exhibition, ARCC Great River Gallery, Coon Rapids, MN

“Minnesota Ceramics Artists”, invitational exhibition, Strecker-Nelson Gallery, Manhattan, KS

“Let There Be White”, invitational exhibition, meltem BIREY GALLERY, Philadelphia, PA

2009 “9th International Biennial of Ceramics”, international juried show, Museu de Ceramica de Manises, Manises, Spain

“artKudos”, international juried on-line exhibition, http://artkudos.com

“Art of Fine Craft”, national juried exhibition, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE

“2009 National Juried Exhibition”, Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth, IL Best Ceramics Award

“2009 MNWCA Juried Exhibition”, regional juried exhibition, Northrup King building, Minneapolis, MN

“Agenda: Content-Driven”, group exhibition by Richard Notkin, Mika Negishi Laidlaw & Marko Fields, University of Arizona Medical Campus, Phoenix, AZ

GALLERIES/COLLECTIONS: Tweed Museum Art University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN A.L. Swanson Gallery, Helena, MTArt Spirit Gallery, Coeur d’Alene, IDStrecker-Nelson Gallery, Manhattan, KSArmstrong Gallery, Pomona, CAWright State University Art Galleries, permanent collection, Dayton, OHRed Star Studios, Kansas City, MOArchie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, permanent collection, Helena, MTTopeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka, KSEastern Washington University Gallery of Art, Cheney, WAMinenotera Temple, private collection, Nara-City, JapanGallery Kunugi, private collection, Nara-City, Japan

AWARDS, GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS: 2014 “2014 Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award”, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

4

“2014 Teaching Scholar Fellowship”, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

2013 “Nadine B. Andreas Faculty Research Award”, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

2012 “A&H Research Grant Program”, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

2011 “McKnight Artist Fellowship for Ceramic Artists”, McKnight Foundation, Minneapolis, MN

“Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council/McKnight Fellowship Grant”, PLRAC, Waseca, MN

2010 “Faculty Research Grant”, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

2009 “2009 Cups of Merit Award”, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts

2006 “McKnight Artist Fellowship for Ceramic Artists”, McKnight Foundation, Minneapolis, MN

“2006 Annual Conference Demonstrator”, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Portland, OR

“2006 Teaching Scholar Fellowship”, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

2005 “Research Incentive Award”, College of Arts and Humanities Research Incentive Program, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

“Faculty Research Grant”, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

2004 “2004 Emerging Artist”, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts annual conference, Indianapolis, IN

“Research Incentive Award”, College of Arts and Humanities Research Incentive Program, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

“Faculty Research Grant”, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN

2003 Honorable Mention, “2nd World Ceramic Biennale 2003 Korea” Icheon, South Korea

2002 “Kansas Arts Commission Artist Mini Fellowship”, Topeka, KS

2001 Nominated for “Outstanding Faculty Award (voted by the students)”, Garden City Community College, Garden City, KS

2000 “McKnight Artist Residencies for Ceramic Artists”, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN

“Outstanding Creative Endeavor”, Art Department annual graduate student award, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

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1997 “International Coordinating Council Scholarship”, Kansas State University International Student Scholarship, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

PUBLICATIONS (selected): Laidlaw, Ryan Collaboration on Display at 410 Project, by Tanner Kent, The Free Press, January 9, 2014

500 Figures in Clay Vol.2, jury and curator Nan Smith, Lark Books, Asheville NC, 2014

Ceramist Mika Negishi Laidlaw Taking Art in New Directions, by Tanner Kent, The Free Press, February 28, 2013

Knickknacks Gone Modern at Northern Clay Center, by Mary Abbe, Star Tribune, Minneapolis, July 29, 2012

Push Play, exhibition catalog, Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA, 2012, pp.44 & 45

“Taken Into Context”, by Keith Williams, Ceramics Monthly, April 2012, pp.51-55

500 Ceramic Sculptures, jury and curator Glen R. Brown, Lark Books, Asheville NC, 2009 pp.36 &97

3rd World Ceramic Biennale 2005 Korea, exhibition catalog, Icheon, South Korea

NCECA Journal 2004, National Council on Education of Ceramic Arts annual conference journal

Two by Two: small-scale ceramic sculpture biennial”, exhibition prospectus, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 2004

“Mika Negishi Laidlaw”, by Glen R. Brown, Ceramics Monthly, June/July/August 2003 pp. 80-83

2nd World Ceramic Biennale 2003 Korea, exhibition catalog, Icheon, South Korea

The 8th International Shoebox Sculpture Exhibition, exhibition catalog, The University of Hawaii Art Gallery, Honolulu, HI 2003, pp. 81

Materials Hard & Soft, exhibition catalog, The Center for the Visual Arts, Denton, TX 2003

Two by Two: small-scale ceramic sculpture biennial”, exhibition brochure, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 2003

“Pushing Clay”, Ceramics Monthly, December 2002 issue, pp. 63

Clay Times, November/December 2002 issue, pp. 9

Materials Hard & Soft, exhibition catalog, The Center for the Visual Arts, Denton, TX 2002

The 17th Annual Greater Midwest International, exhibition catalog, Art Center Galley, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO, 2002

Best of Pottery 2, international showcase book, Rockport Publishers, MA, 1999, p.107

Artist&Statement&& & Mika&Negishi&Laidlaw&&

My# recent#work# has# developed# from# the# ideas# of# “Unconditional# Love”# and# # “Memory# of#

Cells”.##The#work#has#a#lot#to#do#with#my#relationships#to#people#who#are#important#to#me.#

It#has#been#changing#and#evolving#along#with#events# in#my# life# such#as#my#grandfather’s#

complex#end#of#his#life#and#my#grandmother’s#dementia.##What#motivates#me#to#create#my#

work#is#highly#personal,#but#I#intend#to#send#more#universal#messages#to#viewers.##

#

Pillows=Unconditional&Love&As#a#child,#I#often#visited#my#grandparents#who#lived#in#countryside#of#Japan.#When#I#was#

very#small,#my#grandmother#called#me#“a# little#gymnast”,#because# I#used# to#roll# from#one#

end#of# tatami# floor#to#another#during#my#sleep.#Grandmother#put#one#more#futon#around#

me,#then#two….#and#soon#she#ended#up#with#filling#the#entire#bedroom#floor#with#all#futons#

she#had.#As#I#became#older,#my#grandmother#continued#to#treat#me#like#a#princess.#During#

my#occasional#visits#as#an#adult,#she#would#stack#layers#of#futons#for#me#to#sleep#on.#Having#

children#of#my#own#made#me#recall#some#of#the#fondest#memories#from#my#childhood.#In#

my# work,# futons# or# pillows# represent# the# unconditional# love# that# is# passed# from# one#

generation#to#the#next.###

#

Memory&of&Cells&Taking#care#of#small#children#takes#much#time#and#care,#yet#children#of#very#young#ages#do#

not# retain#memories# from# this# critical# period.#While#we# are# unable# to# recall# the# earliest#

experiences#of#our#lives,#cells#that#create#our#flesh,#bones,#skin#and#organs,#may#remember#

how# people#who# loved# us# held,# rocked,# sang# and# cared# for# us.# I# also# expand# the# idea# of#

memory#of#cells#to##our#ancestral#memories.#When#I#visit#Japan#I#often#feel#a#sensation#in#my#

body,#which# is#hard# to#explain#by#words.# I# came# to#wonder# if#what#makes#up#our#bodies#

could#recall#something#beyond#the#time#period#we#live.#Hand#in#my#new#work#symbolizes#

my#roles#as#mother,#wife,#ceramic#artist,#and#educator.# # It# is#also#a#symbol#of# the#relay#of#

lives# that# has# been# passed# on# for# generations# to# reach#my# turn.# # Processes# of#modeling#

hands# in# various# scales,#making# plaster#molds# out# of# prototypes,# slipMcasting# forms,# and#

assembling#them#into#various#compositions,#all#seem#to#point#to#my#desire#to#connection#to#

the#ancestral#memories.###

#

Collaboration&with&media&artist&and&neuroscientist&In#addition#to#my#individual#studio#practice,#I#have#been#collaborating#Dave#and#Steve#Ryan#

in# the# past# two# years.# Dave# Ryan# is# a# media# artist# who# works# with# interactive# video#

installation.#Steve#Ryan#is#a#neuroscientist#specializing#in#sensor#design.#This#collaboration#

brings# together# makers# from# three# different# realms# of# expertise:# video,# ceramics,# and#

neuroscience.# # It#has#been# #humbling#and#rewarding#process# to#work# in#collaboration# for#

the#very#first#time#in#my#life.##It#taught#me#to#let#go#of#control#and#embrace#the#unknown.##It#

has# been# the# journey# of# many# failures,# surprises# and# delights.# # Collaborating# with#

accomplished# professionals# from# different# field# makes# me# feel# new,# inexperienced,# and#

often#unsure#of#what#I#am#doing.#While#the#theme#in#my#work#stays#consistent,#my#current#

artistic#goal# feels#new#and#challenging.# I# intent# to#embrace#my# fears# that# comes#with# the#

creative#life,#and#keep#on#pursuing#better#ways#to#tell#my#stories#through#using#the#ceramic#

medium.#

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