Artist: Liz Pechacek

Liz Pechacek, MINNESOTA
View Artist's Products

My work is concerned with the making of meaningful objects. I am fascinated by the burst of energy that finds a new form, and inspired by the calm obsession required to winnow that shape into the most ideal proportions. I then apply color and line to the surface of an object in a playful re-examination of the original idea. This process of invention, perfection and appraisal charges a cup, bowl, or sculpture with a vibration which can create a positive disruption in usual patterns of living. If I can create and share something unexpected through this exploration, then I feel that my objects can be of use.

The implied expectation of interaction with pottery is deeply ingrained in our culture, making this medium a perfect vehicle for my work. My desire to sculpt comes directly from within the patterns of my work as a potter. I do not think I can do one without the other, for each experiment fuels the next in a studio practice of perpetual motion without conclusion.

 

Education

2014 – Welding Certificate- Minneapolis Community and Technical College
2012 – BFA in Ceramics, BA in Art History- Indiana University Bloomington

 

Awards, Grants, Scholarships

2016 – Jerome Project Grant, Northern Clay Center
2015 – American Craft Council Best Emerging Artist, Hip Pop Category
2012 – MacNamera Residency Scholarship
2012 – Arrowmont Scholarship Award
2011 – Talbott Street Fair Award
2011 – Windgate Fellowship nominee
2011 – Marcy Murphy Printmaking Overseas Fellowship
2011 – Hutton Honors College Teaching Internship 2010 - Hutton Honors College HCIE Grant
2010 – Evelyn Pat Glazer Scholarship
2009-2011 – Ceramics area Award

 

Positions Held, Residencies, Workshops

2021-2012 – Elizabeth Pechacek Ceramics sole proprietorship
2021 – Ceramic Arts Network Online Surface Workshop, Minneapolis, MN
2020 – Surface Workshop, Silverwood Park, Minneapolis, MN
2020 – Visiting Artist Workshop, Madison Community Arts Center, Madison, WI
2019 – Visiting Artist Workshop, University of Wisconsin, Eu Claire, WI
2018 – Mold Making and Slip Casting Instructor at The Workshop Minneapolis
2018-2014 – Adult ceramics Instructor at Powderhorn Park Ceramic Studio
2018 – Artist Collaborator/Designer at Anthropologie, Philadelphia, PA
2018 – Juror and presenter, Working Pots III at James May Gallery, Algoma, WI
2018 - Visiting Artist, MCTC
2018 – Visiting Artist, University of Minnesota
2017 - Surfaces for All Seasons 9 week class, Northern Clay Center
2016 – Panel Participant, Professional Practices, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
2016 – Instructor/Organizer, Slip Casting and Mold Making workshop, Minneapolis
2016 – Resident at Sedona Summer Arts Colony, Verde Valley School, Sedona, AZ
2016 – Visiting Lecturer, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
2016 – Visiting Artist, University of Minnesota
2015 – Visiting Lecturer, Indiana University
2015 – Visiting Lecturer, University of West Virginia
2014 – Apprentice in Local 512 Ironworkers Union
2013 – La Meridiana Ceramic School in Tuscany Studio Assistant
2012 – John Waldron Arts Center Ceramics Instructor
2009-2012 – Pygmalion’s Art Supplies
2011 – Burtz Studios Stained Glass Studio Assistant
2011 – Assistant Instructor Intermediate Ceramics, Indiana University
2010 – Tim Mather Research Assistant

 

Exhibitions

2020 – Bertrand Productions- No Fair group show, Philadelphia, PA
2020 – Strong, Resilient, Female, Anthony Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
2020 – Americano, ClayAkar, Iowa City, IA
2020 –  Craft In America- Here/Now group show, Los Angeles, CA
2020 – St. Croix Pottery Tour with Ani Kasten, Schafer, MN
2019 – Explorations, Group Show, Judd Street Exchange, Marine on St. Croix, MN
2019 – To The Top, Group Show, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN
2019 – Nucleus, Group Show, Gallery 360, Edina, MN
2019 – American Pottery Festival Group show, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
2018 – Clay Akar, Yunomi Show- Invitational group show, Iowa City IA
2018 – St. Croix Pottery Tour with Ani Kasten, Schafer, MN
2018 – Coffee and Clay – Invitational group show, Pottery Northwest, Seattle, WA
2018 – Forage Modern Workshop, Symbology, Solo Show, Minneapolis, MN
2018 – NCECA Concurrent Exhibition, American Graphic, Pittsburgh, PA
2018 – NCECA Concurrent Exhibition, Ripple Effects, Pittsburgh, PA
2018 – Companion Gallery, Last Call Juried Show- Juror: Brett Kern, Humbolt, TN
2017 – The Grand Hand, Parallel Voices, Three-Person Show, Minneapolis, MN
2017 – The Artistry, Invitational Ceramics Group Exhibition- Applying Influences, Bloomington MN
2017 – Philadelphia Clay Studio, Small Favors, Philadelphia, PA
2017 – Northern Clay Center, Jerome Project Grant Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN
2017 – Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Cup Show, Houston TX
2016 – Kohler Arts Center Artful Gift Show, Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wi
2016 – Slaeke, Arch Contemporary Ceramics Gallery, May 1- June 1st
2016 – Flora, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia invited artist, April 1- May 1
2016 – Tramp L’oeile: Invited artist, group show, Kansas City NCECA
2016 – Dark Traces: Two-person show, Northfield MN
2016 – American Craft Exposition, Glencoe, IL
2015-2018 – Philadelphia Museum of Art Fine Craft Show
2015 – Baltimore Clayworks: Laura Cohen Sabbatical Travel Exhibition
2015 – Northern Clay Center Featured Artist
2015 – American Craft Council Invited Artist: Baltimore, St. Paul, San Francisco
2014 – Conversations in Clay: Solo Exhibition at Gallery 360
2013 – Gallery 360 5-Foot Show
2013 – International Book Exhibition: Perdenone, Italy
2013 – Across the Line: Two Person Show with Benjamin Cirgin
2012 – 40 Years of Pygs Group Show
2012 – Volume and Form: BFA Thesis Exhibition
2011 – Conflict and Containment, Interdepartmental Collaborative Show
2011 – Cafecito, Juried Exhibition
2011 – National Society of Arts and Letters Juried Exhibition
2010-2012 Ceramics Area Show, Indiana University

 

Publications

2021 – Madison Essentials, Feature, March
2020 – Minnesota Monthly Maker’s Issue, March
2018 – Pottery Illustrated, Serving bowl and Quinoa Tabouli Demonstration, August Issue
2018 – Midwest Living, Midwest Ceramics Featured Artist, June Issue
2017 – Ceramics Monthly, Exposure Feature, February issue
2016 – Ceramics Monthly Yearbook, Jerome Grant Feature
2016 – Sedona Red Rock News cover, June Issue
2016 – American Craft Magazine, September issue
2015 – Baltimore Sun cover, February Issue