Senior Ceramicist wins National Honors in Final Exhibition for SUU

Published: April 08, 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

The unique textures and execution of ceramics created by SUU Department of Art & Design student Anthony Pearson were recently recognized by The Studio Potter Magazine during the recent National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference. Pearson’s piece, “Teapot,” was selected for the Studio Merit Award by representatives from the publication.

Pearson’s “Teapot” was featured in the 2015 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, which included work by eight undergraduate artists, 30 graduate and two post-baccalaureates from across the nation. The jurors selected the works from the hundreds of submissions for the final show.

The entire experience truly impressed the Cedar City native.

Pearson explained, “It was quite a privilege to participate in the student show two years in a row. I feel very fortunate. The exhibition was a very strong and diverse showing. As I walked in (to the exhibition) I was in awe! I couldn't understand how I had been lucky enough to show with such an amazing group of young artists. It was intimidating to say the least."

Pearson said he was surprised to have won  the Studio Potter Merit Award.

Now, weeks later, Pearson said he is "still feeling very fortunate and couldn't be happier." He credited Susan Harris, a professor of art at SUU as well as the director of the University's ceramics program, as a mentor in his development as a now award winning artist. "I couldn't ask for anyone better.”

Pearson is a graduating senior at Southern Utah University. His work has been shown across the United States in numerous juried national and international exhibitions and has been published in Pottery Making Illustrated and The Kolob Canyon Review. In 2014, his submission, “Platter,” was exhibited in the 2014 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, hosted by the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. In addition, Pearson has contributed various pieces for the SUU Ceramics Guild fundraising sales.

Pearson has been accepted into the graduate program at The University of Missouri-Columbia (AKA “Mizzou”), where he will pursue a master of fine arts degree. Ultimately, he hopes to teach ceramic arts.

Centered in studio practice, The Studio Potter promotes discussion of technology, criticism, aesthetics, and history within the ceramics community. A non-profit organization celebrating over 40 years of commitment publishes The Studio Potter journal. The organization works hard to institute exciting changes that will both grow our organization and provide a consistent, quality publication serving a growing community of studio potters. These dedicated individuals support the ceramic arts and are able to bring needed skills such as financial or legal expertise, non-profit development, grant writing, digital/web expertise or experience in publications. 

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts is a dynamic organization that fosters global education and appreciation for the ceramic arts. NCECA’s programs, exhibitions, publications, opportunities and resources inspire advancement of the field. NCECA promotes and improves the ceramic arts through education, community-building, research and creative inspiration. NCECA offers programs, events and publications to support its membership of artists, educators, students, individual and corporate art patrons, gallery owners, museum curators and providers of ceramic arts-related products and services. As a dynamic, member-driven organization, NCECA is flexible in its program development, international in its perspective and responsive to the changing needs of its constituency.

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