Artist: Naomi Peterson
Naomi Peterson, TEXAS
Artist Bio
Naomi Peterson creates cute objects that invite consideration beyond the inanimate. She mixes bright colors and soft patterns with hard materials to investigate the emotive potential of functional things. Using her traditional ceramic background as a lens to view material and process, she builds forms layer by layer, often integrating analog and digital methods. Naomi is a full-time ceramic artist based in Houston, TX. Naomi received her MFA in ceramics from the University of North Texas (2021) and her BFA in ceramics at the University of Wyoming (2017). She has been an artist-in-residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and participated in the annual, short-term, Neltje artist-in-residence program in 2018. She teaches ceramics at The Glassell School of Art, the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, and Art League Houston.
Artist Statement
Softness and sweetness are often used synonymously with weakness and frivolity. The forms I make are inspired by these aspects, such as cute cakes or a bouquet of flowers. They are not essential for survival, but indulgence in experience can bring happiness and comfort, especially in hard times. Using a direct manipulation of material through hand-building, I embed layers of personal experiences and history into each object. The clay goes through many transitions and transformations through pinching and squishing, fire, and finishing, this process is volatile yet rewarding; the inherent adaptability of material is a reflection on softness as strength. I want the viewer to connect with these physical objects rather than seeing them as their utility, whether decorative or functional, alone.
My work examines the complexities of relationships and identity through visual and physical metaphors. I gravitate towards dot-like patterns wherein individual elements insignificant on their own, are connected and augmented by proximity to others; the emptiness is full rather than lacking. I use this metaphor as a lens to explore my personal relationships and situation in the vastness of existence.
Education
2018—2021 Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics, University of North Texas
2018 Post-Baccalaureate in Ceramics, University of Wyoming, Laramie.
2017 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, University of Wyoming, Laramie.
2013 Associate Degree in Art, John Wood Community College, Quincy.
Work Experience
2023—present Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, Ceramics Instructor
2022—present Glassell School of Art, Adjunct Faculty in Ceramics
Art League Houston, Ceramics Instructor
2022-2023 Glassell Junior School, Adjunct Faculty in Ceramics
University of North Texas, 2021 Ceramics Studio Assistant, Fabrication Lab Assistant
2020 Teaching Fellow Beginning Handbuilding, Graduate Ceramics Studio Assistant
2019 Teaching Fellow Beginning Handbuilding, Teaching Assistant Drawing II, Teaching Assistant, Design II
Responsible for conducting and organizing independent lab sessions around the curriculum of the lead faculty
2018 Teaching Assistant, Drawing I, Responsible for conducting and organizing independent lab sessions around the curriculum of the lead faculty
2018—2019 Ceramics Studio Assistant, Responsible for helping to maintain the ceramics studio through duties, involving, but not limited to, cleaning, firing kilns, mixing clay, slips and glazes.
Exhibitions
2023 future shows
“Ceramics Invitational” Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC
“Holiday Invitational”, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale CO, 81623
“2023 Yunomi Invitational” ClayAKAR, Iowa City, IA
“Cup: The Intimate Object XIX” Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, Florida
2023 “The Big Show 2023” juried by Dr. Kanitra Fletcher, Lawndale Art and Performance Center, Houston,TX
“Small Favors” The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
“Big Softies” Brockway Center of Arts and Technology, Brockway, PA
“Emergence” NCECA exhibition, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Cincinnati, OH
“Above Board Ceramics” 3rd annual online exhibition
“Out of the Fire” Invitational group exhibition, Love Texas Art, Fort Worth, TX
“Materials Hard and Soft” Juried Show, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX
2022 “CLAYFEST 2022” Invitational exhibition, Schacht Gallery, Saratoga Clay Art Center, Schuylerville, NY
“14th Annual Simple Cup Show” Invitational exhibition, KOBO Gallery, Seattle, WA
“Women, Art and Technology: Ornament and Adornment” Group exhibition with Eliza Au, Jihye
Han, Julie Libersat, Lara Asam, Liz Trosper, and Mary Johnson curated by Eliza Au, Patterson Appleton Art Center, Denton, TX
“In Residence: 15th Edition” Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Residency exhibition, Houston, TX
“Cup: The Intimate Object XVIII” Invitational exhibition, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville,FL
“Now Kith” Group exhibition curated by Cosmo Jones and Max Marshall, The Pool Near Southside, Fort Worth, TX
“Naturalistic” Group exhibition curated by Jeff Forrester, Monterroso Gallery, Houston, TX
“Sip: A Ceramic Cup Show” Juried by Kevin Snipes, Savannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA
“Mug Madness” Group Juried Exhibition and Competition , Salt Stone Ceramics, Seattle, WA
“Chroma” Group Exhibition curated by Juan Barroso, Salt Stone Ceramics, Seattle, WA
2021 “For Now, For Later” ClayHouston member exhibition, Sabine Street Gallery, Houston, TX
“Women, Art and Technology: Ornament and Adornment” Group exhibition with Eliza Au, Jihye
Han, Julie Libersat, Lara Asam, Liz Trosper, and Mary Johnson, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Fort Worth, TX
“liminal_ties” Thesis solo exhibition, University of North Texas Cora Stafford Gallery, Denton, TX
“Interactions + Interfaces” UNT ceramics MFA candidates group exhibition, The Goldmark Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
“Intraplay” Group exhibition with Lara Asam, Jihye Han and Kyung Hee Im, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX
2020 “Breathing Space” Exhibition with Jihye Han, UNT Union Gallery, Denton,TX
“Rock Show” Group Exhibition, RiseNShine Gallery, Denton, TX
“Last Call V” Juried by Naomi Clement, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
2019 “30 Under 30” Juried show, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, Texas
“Material Mugs IV: Cobalt” Juried by Ian Childers, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
“Graduate Ceramic Showcase” Group exhibition, UNT on the Square, Denton Texas
“59th Annual Voertman Competition” Juried by Alison Saar, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
2018 “Vitreous” Juried by Jennifer McCurdy, The Clay Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
"Amuse Yeux" Juried by Eriq Hochuli with the FAC Board of Directors, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO
"Cheers! Drink Up! Celebrating the Clay Drinking Vessel!" Juried by Peter Karner,
Commonwheel Artists Co-op, Manitou Springs, CO
"Flora and Fauna" Juried by Shoko Teruyama, The Clay Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Neltje Residency Show Group Exhibition, University of Wyoming Visual Arts Building
"Atmospheric" Juried by Linda Christianson, The Clay Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
"River Oaks 4th Annual Dirty South Cup Call & Competition" Juried by Sam Chung, River Oaks Square Arts Center, Alexandria, LA
"Sweet Suggestions" Juried by Nicole Aquillano, Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
Post-Baccalaureate Group Exhibition University of Wyoming "This" Gallery
2017 The 43rd Annual Juried University of Wyoming Student Exhibition Alliance Art Gallery, Hannibal, MO
2016 “Dispersion Effect”, Gallery 234 University of Wyoming
BFA Group Exhibition, University of Wyoming Visual Arts Building Gallery
The 41st Annual Juried University of Wyoming Student Exhibition
Residencies
2021 Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
2018 2nd Annual Neltje Artist's Residency, Banner, WY
Organizations/Affiliations
2023—present Exhibitions Chair, Clay Houston, Houston, TX
2021—present Clay Houston, Houston, TX
2016—2021 National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts
2019—2020 Vice President of Clay Guild, University of North Texas, Denton
2018—2021 Clay Guild, University of North Texas, Denton
2015—2018 Student Art League, University of Wyoming, Laramie.
2015—2018 Ceramics Guild, University of Wyoming
Workshops/Lectures Given
2023 Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, handbuilding workshop, Houston, TX
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, various children’s handbuilding workshops, Houston,TX
University of Houston-Clear Lake, visiting artist talk and demonstration, Houston, TX
2022 PotClubHTX, workshop, Houston, TX
ClayHouston Clay Creative, artist talk and demonstration, Houston, TX
2017 High School Art Intensive, ceramics workshop, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wy
Honors Research Presentation “Vessels of Muliebrity” University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming
Wyoming Secondary Arts Educators Symposium, ceramics workshop, Casper, WY
Awards
2021 Temple Scholarship, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
2019 Windgate University Fellows Scholarship, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
2018 Voertman-Ardoin Fellow Scholarship, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Ann Simpson and Family Award, University of Wyoming Art Museum, Laramie, Wy
President's Office Purchase Award, University of Wyoming Art Museum, Laramie, Wy
UW Arts and Sciences Purchase Award, University of Wyoming Art Museum, Laramie, Wy
2017 David Reif Sculpture Award, University of Wyoming Art Museum Laramie, WY
Tronox Honors Award, University of Wyoming Art Museum Laramie, WY
2016 Student Art League Choice Award, University of Wyoming Visual Arts Laramie, WY
Edington Family Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts, University of Wyoming Art Museum Laramie, WY
Stockists
Plough Gallery, Tifton, GA
All the Feels, Houston, TX
SaltStone Ceramics, Seattle, WA
Gandee Gallery, Fabius, NY
Red Bison Studios Sheridan, WY
ClayAKAR, Iowa City, IA