September of each year brings the changeover in two of The Clay Studio’s artist programs, the Shapiro Fellowship and the Resident Artist Program. Hello/Goodbye. Includes the work of the twelve artists who are experiencing this changeover. Six artists are leaving and six are coming in, five joining our Resident artist program and the sixth our new Shapiro Fellow
The Evelyn Shapiro Foundation Fellowship and Resident Artists Programs are core programs of The Studio. The one-year Fellowship affords the recipient a rent-free studio, a monthly living stipend, and a solo exhibition with a small publication that documents it. The Resident Artist Program, considered by many to be the best of its kind nationally, focuses on professional development and provides rent-free studio space, teaching and exhibition opportunities and career mentoring. Upon acceptance into the program, Residents may remain up to five years.
The Resident Artist Program is designed to provide each Resident the time and space necessary for each to lay a strong foundation upon to build their careers. Each Resident defines for themselves their career path, and with the help of The Clay Studio’s Artistic Director and support of The Studio’s staff, each works towards their goal. Former Residents now sit on the faculties of major colleges and universities nationally, have gallery representation and have exhibited their work internationally, Their works are included in major public and private collections nationally, and museum collections including The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA, The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI, and The Museum of Art and Design, New York, NY. Five Resident Artists and/or Shapiro Fellows have been recipients of Pew Artist Fellowships, our regions highest honor for rewarding artistic excellence.
Both The Resident Artist and Shapiro Fellowship Programs exemplify The Studio’s commitment to provide support to ceramic artists early in their careers. They have contributed greatly to the depth and breadth of the vibrant ceramics community Philadelphia is so fortunate to have.
So for many of us at The Clay Studio, August and September are bittersweet. We say goodbye to individuals that we have grown to love and who have been part of our daily lives and we welcome those who are joining our community with all that they bring. Leaving our programs and included in this exhibition are: Bryan Czibesz, Ryan Kelly, Nathan Prouty, Munemitsu Taguchi, Shawn Spangler, and Joanie Turbek. Those we say hello welcome are: Brian Gniewski, Giselle Hicks, Ginger Lukas, Julie Moon, Peter Morgan (2011-12 Evelyn Shapiro Foundation Fellow), and Matthew Ziemke.
