The Curved Canvas
Ryan McKerley

Ryan McKerley Artist Bio

Ryan McKerley has been a full-time studio potter since 1995. He makes contemporary functional stoneware and porcelain vessels, which are fired in a wood or soda kiln. Ryan has taught at the Laguna Gloria Art School in Austin and the Southwest School of Art and Craft in San Antonio. He continues to give workshops in schools across Texas and in his studio.

Ryan McKerley Artist Statement

Almost everything about the studio potter lifestyle appeals to me. The self-sufficiency, the accessibility and usefulness of the work, and the comradeship of my peers all drew me to this way of life. The challenges of making, improving and surviving combine to make my world very interesting. I have focused on producing functional vapor-glazed vessels for the past ten years. My forms consist of cups, bowls, plates, vases, jars and teapots. I see these straightforward objects as blank canvasses. Most of my time in the studio is now spent decorating the surface of these forms.

Ryan McKerley Resume

 Education:

1991-1995 Abilene Christian University, B.F.A. College of Fine Arts, Abilene, TX

1995-2003 Apprentice: Billy Ray Mangham, Sleeping Dog Studio, San Marcos, TX

Publications:

"Working for Others or Yourself: It's a Choice", Ceramics Monthly (cover image), March 2006

"Art of the Pot Studio Tour", Ceramics Monthly, May 2005

"Ryan McKerley: Potter", Austin American-Statesman, May 5 2005

"East Austin Craft", Tribeza Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 3, Apr 2003

Group Exhibitions:

2009 "Yunomi Invitational" AKAR, Iowa City, IA

2008 "Utilitarian Clay V: Invited Artists Exhibition" Arrowmont, Gatlinburg, TN

2008 "From Texas: In One Form or Another" Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX

2008-2004 "La Mesa" Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

2008-2000 "Just Been Fired" Gallery Lombardi, Austin, TX

2007 "Plates and Platters: Salon Style" The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

2007 "Functional Ceramics" Wayne Center for the Arts, Wooster, OH

2007 "Salt and Pepper" Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

2007 "In My Own Words" Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

2006 "Tea" Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

2006 "At Your Service" Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

2006 "Earthy Treasures" Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI

2006 "Contemporary Teapot" Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI

2005 "Winterfest" Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2005 "The Contemporary Cup" Lill Street Art Center, Chicago, IL

2005-03 "Hundreds of Cups" Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

2004 "Three by Three" Blue Heron Gallery, Deer Isle, ME

2002 "All-Temperature Ceramics" Artfarm Gallery, Austin, TX

2001 "Faculty Exhibition" Southwest School of Art and Craft, San Antonio, TX

Solo Exhibitions:

2003 "New Ceramics" Artfarm Gallery, Austin, TX

Galleries:

Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

Blue Heron Gallery, Deer Isle, ME

Gallery Lombardi, Austin, TX

Harvey Meadows, Aspen, CO

Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI

The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

AKAR, Iowa city, IA

18 Hands, Houston, TX

Organizations:

Art of the Pot Studio Tour - Founding member

East Austin Studio Tour

Texas Clay Arts Association

Greater Austin Clay Artists

Teaching Experience

2008-05 Instructor, Allan Elementary, Austin, TX

2008-06 Instructor, Blackshear Elementary, Austin, TX

2005 Instructor, St. Elmo Elementary, Austin, TX

2003-2005 Instructor, Learning Community School, Austin, TX

2000-2005 Instructor, Southwest School of Art and Craft, San Antonio, TX

1999-2003 Instructor, Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria, Austin, TX

Workshops

2009

Lone Star Community College, Houston, TX

2008

Dallas Craft Guild, Dallas, TX

Fredericksburg Art School, Fredericksburg, TX

Bosque Conservatory, Clifton, TX

2007

Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

University of Texas, San Antonio, TX

Fredericksburg Art School, Fredericksburg, TX

2006

Pottery West, Las Vegas, NV