about
Working in the studio at Medalta International, Medicine Hat, Alberta.
I am an artist living in Helena, Montana.
From 2012 to 2014, I participated in a two-year residency program at the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts. It didn't take long for me to decide to make Montana my permanent home; I love the community, the trails, and most importantly, the wildlife. My studio is in the Scratchgravel Hills, a beautiful spot just north of Helena proper. This desert-like area is full of coyotes, jackrabbits, and prickly pear cactus.
I make tile and ceramic wall panels to sell in galleries and directly to the public. I also build large tile installations and site specific commissions. In addition, I do drawing and illustration work. If you have an idea for a custom project, please contact me. These days I am doing lots of commissions, both in ceramics and illustration, and welcome any proposal.
Bio: In 2001, Mel received a BA in Studio Art from Carleton College in Northfield, MN. During this time she focused on drawing and painting, so in order to learn about ceramics, she completed a two year apprenticeship with Doug Browe and Jan Hoyman in Ukiah, CA. Mel earned an MFA came from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2011. The following year, she taught ceramics at the College of St. Benedict at St. Johns University in Collegeville, MN. Residencies include Millersville University in Pennsylvania, Medalta International in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT. Mel has received a number of awards for her work, including the LEAP Award from the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, PA in 2011, and the Emerging Artists Award, from the National Council for Education and the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) in 2014.
Statement: I believe that the capacity to empathize can be developed through attentive engagement with daily landscape, and that the health of that landscape affects the health of our minds. In addition to spending time in nature, I cultivate such empathy through my drawing practice; I want to express the emotion, beauty, and humor I see in animals. My work seeks to capture the viewer's emotional interest and to rekindle her sense of wonder and discovery.
Here is a very thoughtful article written about me and my practice by Jill Foote-Hutton for the NCECA blog.
From 2012 to 2014, I participated in a two-year residency program at the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts. It didn't take long for me to decide to make Montana my permanent home; I love the community, the trails, and most importantly, the wildlife. My studio is in the Scratchgravel Hills, a beautiful spot just north of Helena proper. This desert-like area is full of coyotes, jackrabbits, and prickly pear cactus.
I make tile and ceramic wall panels to sell in galleries and directly to the public. I also build large tile installations and site specific commissions. In addition, I do drawing and illustration work. If you have an idea for a custom project, please contact me. These days I am doing lots of commissions, both in ceramics and illustration, and welcome any proposal.
Bio: In 2001, Mel received a BA in Studio Art from Carleton College in Northfield, MN. During this time she focused on drawing and painting, so in order to learn about ceramics, she completed a two year apprenticeship with Doug Browe and Jan Hoyman in Ukiah, CA. Mel earned an MFA came from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2011. The following year, she taught ceramics at the College of St. Benedict at St. Johns University in Collegeville, MN. Residencies include Millersville University in Pennsylvania, Medalta International in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT. Mel has received a number of awards for her work, including the LEAP Award from the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, PA in 2011, and the Emerging Artists Award, from the National Council for Education and the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) in 2014.
Statement: I believe that the capacity to empathize can be developed through attentive engagement with daily landscape, and that the health of that landscape affects the health of our minds. In addition to spending time in nature, I cultivate such empathy through my drawing practice; I want to express the emotion, beauty, and humor I see in animals. My work seeks to capture the viewer's emotional interest and to rekindle her sense of wonder and discovery.
Here is a very thoughtful article written about me and my practice by Jill Foote-Hutton for the NCECA blog.
