Ian Shelly

Ian Shelly Contemporary Ceramics

View Ian Shelly’s works featured on Ceramics Now Magazine

→ Read the interview with Ian Shelly, Ceramic Installation – October 2011

“In my work, a tangible place exists where the fields of art making, weapons manufacturing and scientific research converge. This latest work is composed of these subjects existing in the same atmosphere, constantly crossing and colliding with one another as if part of the same charged electron cloud. This work as an endless equation of variables, values, formulae and solutions. Like the system and language of chemistry, these subjects are always around us and the characters, materials and scenarios of this equation and chain reaction are in constant motion.

In an effort to reflect on the early presence that these subjects have in our lives, this connectivity is expressed through a language specific to childhood and is punctuated with objects that reference my early education and play. The childish language in this work comments on two conclusions that stoke the fires of my work; the omnipresent nature of science in our daily lives and the similarity between objects used to discover and nurture and those used to destroy and capitalize.

I see this work as a mechanism to evaluate conflict as the direct result of two kinds of perennial human activities: misunderstanding – willful or otherwise – and the heroic yet flawed effort to understand through research and classification. The activities in my work show the nature of human relationships as seen through the lenses of our societies researchers and artists.” Ian Shelly

→ Ian Shelly will also be featured in the first printed issue of Ceramics Now Magazine.

Ian Shelly’s C.V. (resume) – View his works

EDUCATION
2010 – University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
M.F.A. Ceramics
2007 – Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
B.F.A. Ceramics
2004 – Western Texas College, Snyder, Texas
A.A. Studio Art

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2011 – Guest Instructor: Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Invited to lead an Art & Physics undergraduate class through a reading of Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin.
– Ceramics Seminar & Workshop: Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Three day workshop making themed tea sets and tea ware demonstrating wheel thrown and hand building techniques followed by critiquing seminars with a mixed level undergraduate ceramics class.
2007-2010 – Instructor of Record: The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
– Beginning Ceramics, 18 credit hours
2009 – Instructor of Record: The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
– Intermediate Ceramics, 3 credit hours
– Instructor of Record: The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
– Advanced Ceramics, credit hours
– Instructor of Record: The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
– Advanced Ceramic Sculpture ! 3 credit hours
2008-2009 – Instructor of Record: The University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
– Three-Dimensional Design, 9 credit hours
2008 – Ceramics Teaching: Access Arts Art Center: Columbia Missouri
– Hand building and wheel throwing instruction to students ranging in age and experience. Students taught include six years to adult as well as special needs adults. Classes taught include Beginning
– Hand building, Beginning Wheel, Advanced Hand building, Advanced Wheel and Special Topics
2006 – Wheel Throwing Teaching: Texas Tech University School of Visual Arts, Lubbock, Texas: Semester teaching beginning wheel throwing to a visually impaired student cooperatively with Von Venhuizen. 
– Wheel Throwing Teaching: Texas Tech University School of Visual Arts, Lubbock, Texas: Technique session demonstrating Teapot forms for advanced level students.
– Wheel Throwing Teaching: Texas Tech University School of Visual Arts, Lubbock, Texas: Technique session demonstrating thrown and altered pitchers and matched sugar & creamer forms for beginning level students.
2005 – Ceramics Teaching: Lubbock Christian Schools: Lubbock Christian University, Lubbock, Texas
– Semester teaching wheel throwing and hand building techniques to children of junior high and high school age.
– Wheel Throwing Teaching: Texas Tech University School of Visual Arts, Lubbock, Texas Technique session demonstrating thrown and altered bottle forms for beginning level students.

WORKSHOPS – DEMONSTRATIONS – LECTURES
– Ceramics Demonstration, Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Ceramics demonstration highlighting various wheel throwing and altering techniques for the Carolina Clay Artists (CCA).
2011
– Guest Speaker, University of South Carolina – Upstate, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Guest lecture for a 20th Century Art History class highlighting my work and career in the context of contemporary art practice.
2010
– Robots and Rockets Workshop, Hub-Bub Showroom, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Workshop for elementary students building robot and rocket costumes with found objects and recycled cardboard. This workshop taught basic three-dimensional design concepts and construction methods to children in the Spartanburg community.
– Hand building Workshop & Lecture, Spartanburg Day School, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Two day workshop lecturing, demonstrating and leading eighth grade students through the process of traditional Japanese teabowl making.
– Sculpture Workshop, Boiling Springs Public Library, Boiling Springs, South Carolina. Found object assemblage workshop for elementary students.
– Artist Lecture: Hub-Bub Showroom, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Lecture given with fellow Hub-Bub resident artists.
– Artist Lecture: Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Lecture given on the chronology of my work and pathway through schools and institutions and about my current MFA thesis work.
2009
– Wheel Throwing Workshop: Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PennsylvaniaTwo-day workshop demonstrating thematic-style wheel thrown and altered tea sets and other functional objects.
2008-2010
– Lecture and Demonstration: Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri. Biannual lecture about properties, materials and history of ceramics with corresponding demonstration of wheel thrown forms and techniques for an Art Appreciation class.
– Wheel Throwing Workshop: Access Arts Art Center, Columbia, Missouri. Workshop demonstrating wheel thrown techniques such as throwing off a hump and also various large forms to intermediate through advanced level ceramic artists.
– Wheel Throwing Demonstration: Festival of the Arts, Columbia, Missouri. Wheel Throwing Demonstration: Art in the Park, Columbia, Missouri
2007 
– Ceramics Workshop, Western Texas College High School Art Competition, Snyder, Texas. Workshop demonstrating wheel throwing techniques.
2006
– Ceramics Demonstration: Joan of Art Studios, Sudan, Texas. Session demonstrating various functional and non-functional forms.
– Ceramics Workshop: Western Texas College High School Art Competition, Snyder, Texas. Workshop demonstrating wheel throwing techniques.
– Wheel Throwing Demonstration: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. Workshop assistant to Von Venhuizen
2005
– Ceramics Workshop: Western Texas College High School Art Competition, Snyder, Texas. Workshop demonstrating wheel throwing techniques.
– Ceramics Workshop: Western Texas College High School Art Competition, Snyder, Texas. Workshop demonstrating wheel throwing techniques.
2004
– Ceramics Workshop: VASE High School Art Competition, Odessa, Texas. Workshop demonstrating wheel-throwing techniques for Odessa-area High Schools.
– Ceramics Workshop: 2004 Midland Artʼs Festival, Midland, Texas. Workshop demonstrating wheel throwing techniques and Raku firing techniques.

EXHIBITIONS
2011
– Process, Group exhibition with fellow Hub-Bub resident artists, Mildred Harrison Dent Fine Arts, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Friends & Family (Co-curated), The Showroom, Spartanburg, South Carolina
2010
2010-11 – A.i.R. Entry Show, Group exhibition with fellow Hub-Bub resident artists, The Showroom, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– It’s elementary my dear Watson., MFA Thesis Exhibition, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, University of Missouri – Columbia, Missouri
– Collected Identity, Invitational Group Exhibition, Craft Studio Gallery, Memorial Union, University of Missouri – Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
– The Showcase Showdown, MFA Candidate Exhibition, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, University of Missouri – Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
2009
– Fusion: Science and Art, National Juried Exhibition, Foundry Arts Center, St. Charles, Missouri. Juror: Steve Miller
– It’s elementary my dear Watson., Solo Exhibition, Moberly Area Community College, Moberly, Missouri
– Happy Medium, MFA Candidate Exhibition, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, University of Missouri – Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
2008 – 49th Annual Boone County Art Exhibition, Second Place award in Professional Mixed Media, Boone County National Bank Gallery, Columbia, Missouri, – Juror: Jo Mueller
– Something to Spout About, Juried teapot exhibition, Best in Show award Access Art Studios and Gallery, Columbia, Missouri – Juror: Bede Clarke
– The Marx Brothers: four peas away from the pod, Group Exhibition, The Craft Studio & Gallery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
2007
– Represent, MFA Candidate Exhibition, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, University of Missouri – Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
– MUCK Winter Exhibition, Orr Street Studios & Gallery, Columbia, Missouri
– Stoked, BFA Thesis Exhibition, V2 Gallery, Slaton, Texas
– ShinoFest 2 (Curated), The Art Depot Annex, Lubbock, Texas
– 20th Annual Juried Art Student Exhibition, Landmark Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas – Juror: Dr. James Housefield
– Starbucks Featured Artist – July, Starbucks Coffee, Lubbock, Texas Llano Estacado Clay Guild Member Exhibition, Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, Lubbock, Texas
– 7th Annual National Juried Cup Exhibition, Downtown Gallery, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio – Juror: Bill Jones
Group Studio Art BFA Exhibition, Landmark Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
2006
– Ian2, Two Person Exhibition with Ian F. Thomas, Fine arts Gallery, Western Texas College, Snyder, Texas
– ShinoFest (Co-Curated), V2 Gallery, Slaton, Texas (Catalog)
– Ceramics Exchange, Sofa Gallery, Henry Radford Hope School of Fine arts, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (Catalog)
– Group Exhibition, Juried exhibition representing the school of art clubs., Waters Studio and Gallery, Slaton, Texas
– Response, Collaborative Exhibition, The Art Depot, Lubbock, Texas Llano Estacado Wine and Clay Festival, Llano Estacado Winery, Lubbock, Texas
– Not Everything is Bigger In Texas II, Portland Hilton & Executive Towers, Portland, Oregon
– 19th Annual Juried Art Student Exhibition, Landmark Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas – Juror: Clint Willour
– The 16th San Angelo National Ceramic Competition Invitational Cup Exhibition, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas
2005
– Not Everything is Bigger In Texas, Holiday Inn Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland
2004
– 17th Annual Juried Art Student Exhibition, Landmark Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas – Juror: Charles Schmidt
– Earnest J. Ganning Memorial Art Exhibition, On Q Gallery, Lubbock, Texas The 15th San Angelo National Ceramic Competition Invitational Cup
– Exhibition, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas
2003
– Mentor Tormentor, Group Exhibition, Fine Arts Gallery, Western Texas College, Snyder, Texas

PUBLICATIONS, ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
2010 – 500 Vases, Lark Books, pg. 400, 2010
– Article, Cindy Landrum, Program Celebrates Five Years, Spartanburg Journal, July 2010
– Article, Yvonne Zusel, Meet the 2010 Hub-Bub Artists in Residence, Link, July 2010
– Article, Sarah Handelman, The Science and Art of Connection, Review: Mid-Americas Visual Arts Magazine, May 2010
– Review, Aarik Danielsen, “Itʼs Elementary” exhibit proves anything but
2009 – Article, Aarik Danielsen, Niche: Ian Shelly, Columbia Daily Tribune, pg. 7C, 7/26/2009
– Article, Lindsay Schallon, Get (SM)ART: “Reflection of the Flame”, VOX Magazine, 12/3/2009
2005 – 500 Cups, Lark Books, pg. 126, 2005

PUBLIC INSTALLATION
2010 – Chandelier, Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Permanent luminary installation in a vaulted skylight space

COLLECTIONS
– Departmental collection of Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Private collection of Luke Perkins and Alix Refshauge, Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Departmental collection of Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
– Private collection of Peter and Alice Briggs, Lubbock, Texas
– Private collection of Mark Bond and Dr. Gretchen A. Adams, Lubbock, Texas
– Private collection of Julie Sentell, Snyder, Texas

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
2011 – Fund Raising Coordinator, Served as the ceramics technical advisor and coordinator for the Second Annual Empty Bowls Event held by Hub-Bub.
2010-2011 – Artist in Residence: Eleven month residency with Hub-Bub, Spartanburg, South Carolina
2008-2010 – Graduate Ceramic Technician: Graduate ceramics technician responsible for maintenance, coordinating, firing and supervising kilns and kiln firings, studio maintenance and ordering supplies.
2006-2007 – Undergraduate Ceramics Technician: Undergraduate ceramics technician whose responsibilities included cleaning, repairing and maintaining the kiln yard, ceramics studios and storage closets as well as the electric, gas and wood kilns. Making clay for intro classes, tutoring and assisting students and building and firing kilns.
2005 & 2006 – Summer Artist in Residence: studio and teaching assistant to David Funk, Western Texas College
2003 – Graphic Design, logo and letter-head design for the Leather Research Institute
2002-2011 – Studio Potter

KILN BUILDING EXPERIENCE
2010 – University of Missouri: Natural Gas, Forced Air Experimental Metal Inflating Furnace
2006 – Texas Tech University: Natural Gas, Forced Air Assisted Cross-Draft Sprung Arch Wood/Salt Kiln
2005 – Texas Tech University: Two – Natural Gas, Forced Air Down-Draft Sprung Arch Cone 10 Kiln
– Texas Tech University: Natural Gas, Forced Air Down-Draft Sprung Arch Experimental Firing Cone 10 Kiln
– Texas Tech University – Junction Campus: Natural Gas, Forced Air Down-Draft Sprung Arch Salt Kiln
2003 – Western Texas College: Natural Gas, Forced Air Down-Draft Catenary Arch Soda Kiln

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
2002-2011- NCECA: National Council on the Education of Ceramic Arts
2007-2009- Columbia Art League: Columbia, Missouri
2007-2010- M.U.C.K: University of Missouri-Columbia
2004-2006- Clay Club: Texas Tech University
2006-2007- President: Clay Club, Texas Tech University
2005-2006- Vice-President: Clay Club, Texas Tech University
2006-2008- Llano Estacado Clay Guild

COMISSIONS
2008 – Texas Tech University: Twenty platter commission to commemorate alumni anniversary: Texas Tech University Galleries, Lubbock, Texas

HONORS
2009 – Solo Award, Fusion: Science and Art Exhibition, Foundry Arts Centre, St. Charles, Missouri
– Richard and Patricia Wallace Endowment for the Arts, University of Missouri-Columbia
2008 – Second Place – Professional Mixed Media, 49th Annual Boone County Art Exhibition, Columbia, Missouri
– Best of Show, Something to Spout About-Teapot exhibition, Access Art Studio and Gallery, Columbia, Missouri
2007 – Deanʼs List, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
2006 – Deanʼs List, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
2005 – Golden Key International Honour Society
– Presidents List, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
– Peopleʼs Choice Award, 17th Annual Juried art student Exhibition, Landmark Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
2003 – Presidents List, Western Texas College, Snyder, Texas
– Outstanding Sophomore Art Major, Western Texas College, Snyder, Texas

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