Ryan Myers
Wisconsin
Ceramics Artist
Active since 2005
I was raised on cartoons and comic books, superheroes and villains. I grew up around Native American artifacts and American antiques. I learned to appreciate the intimate qualities of aged objects: the textures of rusty iron and crawling paint on old furniture, and even the musty smell of ripened books and magazines. Things that come with embedded narrative and a worn history have always surrounded me, and therefore, influence me. I am attracted to nostalgia and drawn to the curious — to something unusual but familiar — to something that creates a linkage across time.
Toys, Latin American ceramics, architecture, our human relationship with the environment, and the American folk face jug tradition started by early American potters, influence my work. From the very beginnings of mankind, civilizations have produced figurative works in clay. The work tells us about those peoples’ everyday lives, hopes, fears, struggles, triumphs, and cherished deities. The figure in art has limitless possibilities and is a subject matter that everyone can relate to.
Many of the objects I create join the realms of sculpture and utility. I am not always concerned with “pretty”, though I do believe that form, color, and shape are important. The notion of function in my work is important as well, but is not the primary focus. My vessels are created using a combination of thrown and hand-building processes. Many pieces are fired multiple times to achieve my desired effect. Each object carries its own story and history that is created as the viewer relates to that vessel, and uses it in their daily life.
Education
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Master of Fine Arts, 2005
Viterbo University, Bachelor of Art Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2001
Academic Teaching Experience
MATC – Madison College, teach beginning to advanced students in: Ceramic Sculpture and Pottery, Jan. 2015-present
Viterbo University, Adjunct Professor, taught beginning to advanced students in: Ceramic Sculpture and Pottery, Three Dimensional Art, and Methods in Media, Nov. 2008-May 2011
Verona High School, Long-term Substitute (two months) taught beginning to advanced students in pottery and sculpture advised on creation, glazing, and firing of student works, 2006
Holmen and Onalaska School Districts, Lacrosse, Substitute Teacher, grades K-12, 2002, 2005-2008
Awards
2015 Best of Ceramics, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN
2014 Best of Ceramics, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN
Best of Ceramics, Art Fair on the Square, Madison, WI
2013 Top Ten Percent, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN
Best of Show, Iowa City, IA
College Hill, Purchase Award, Cedar Falls, IA
Honorable Mention, Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair, Sturgeon Bay, WI
2012 Featured Artist, Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Honorable Mention, Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Best 3-D Art in the Park, Appleton, WI
2011 Best of Show, Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Honorable Mention, Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair, Peoria, IL
Best of Show, Art at the Park, Appleton, WI
Best Display, Cambridge Pottery Festival, Cambridge, WI
Honorable Mention, Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair, Milwaukee, WI
2010 Honorable Mention, Midsummer Festival of the Arts, Sheboygan, WI
Best 3-D, Powderhorn Art Fair, Minneapolis, WI
2009 Sculpture Best of Show, Midsummer Festival of the Arts, Sheboygan, WI
2007 Purchase Award, Art Fair on the Green, La Crosse, WI
Best of Show, Art Fair on the Green, La Crosse, WI
Best of Show, Mt. Horeb Art Fair, Mt. Horeb, WI
2005 Wisconsin Union Directorate Art Committees Choice Award, Union Galleries, Madison, WI
(A full copy of Ryan Myers’ resume available upon request)
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