Short Bio –

Michael is the Interim Head of the Department of Art at Valdosta State University where he has taught ceramics and foundations for over 12 years. His creative works have been featured in more than 130 regional, national and international juried and invitational exhibitions from Georgia to Korea. Michael received his BFA from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1998, studying Graphic Design and Art History.

He received his MFA from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2001 in Ceramics and Sculpture. Much of his work involves themes of use, function, and a sense of history.

Abbreviated Artist Statement –

My background is in Graphic Design. I find old signs, advertisements, numbers and typography quite beautiful; in surface and design. I am interested in combining “pottery” with an identity that is aesthetically and conceptually complex, while maintaining or referencing its usability as a functional object.

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EDUCATION_

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, Pennsylvania.

Master of Fine Arts Degree, Ceramics. May, 2001.

University of  Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, in Art/Graphic Design. May, 1998.    

ADMINISTRATIVE & TEACHING APPOINTMENTS_ (current)

Interim Department Head, Department of Art & Professor of Art | Ceramics. Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA. 7/1/13 – present.

Professor. Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA. August ’11- present.

Associate Professor. (tenure ‘06) Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA. August ’06 - ’11.

Assistant Professor. (tenure-track) Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA. August ‘01- August ’06.

Teaching courses in:

• All levels of Undergraduate Ceramics, Glaze Calculation, Kiln Building, Directed Study and Special Topics Courses.

• Three Dimensional Design, Foundations.

SELECTED RECENT EXHIBITIONS_

DrawProject, Invitational Exhibition. Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, Valdosta, GA. 1/14.

Perspectives 2013: Georgia Potters & Collectors 11 - Invitational. OCAF Arts Center, Watkinsville, GA. 9/13.

The Firm – Collaborative Energy, NCECA 2013 Juried Exhibit. Spring Street Studios and Gallery, Houston, TX. 3/13.

43rd Ceramics Invitational Exhibition. UW-Whitewater Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI. 1/13.

DeLuce Clay National Juried Ceramics Exhibition. DeLuce Gallery, NW Missouri State Univ., Maryville, MO. 10/12.

Korean Society of Ceramic Art (KSCA) International Spring Exhibition. Namseoul University. Cheonan, Korea. 5/12.

CUPS* - Invitational, “Ceramic, Utilitarian and of a Personal Scale.” Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, Asheville, NC. 1/12.

Romancing the Rustbelt: Ceramics Inspired by our Heroic Industrial Past - Invitational Exhibition. Pewabic Center for Pottery, Detroit, MI. 4/11.

The Firm – Clay. University of North Florida + Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, FL. 3/2011.

Magic Dirt – Juried Exhibition. Baron & Ellin Gordon Art Gallery, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA. 1/11.

“International Onggi Expo Ulsan Korea 2010” - Invitational Exhibition. Ulsan International Exhibition Hall. Ulsan Metro City, South Korea. 9/10.
“Three Cups of Tea” - Invitational Exhibition. Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS. 9/10.

On the Road Again, 21st Juried Teapot Exhibition. Chairoscuro Galleries, Chicago, IL. 4/10.

National Juried Cup Exhibition - 2nd Annual. Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE. 3/10.