Bethany Benson
20 Oneida Heights
Huntingdon, PA 16652
bethanyb
Biography
Bethany Benson grew up in Foxboro, Massachusetts and received her B.F.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth under the guidance of Chris Gustin, Karon Doherty, and James Lawton. After her graduation from UMASS, she was employed by Sherle Wagner, Inc., a luxury hardware and bath accessory company, and was responsible for slip-casting and firing white stoneware sinks and small accessories.
In 2001, Bethany was invited to be a resident artist at Atlantic Beach Potters, now Atlantic Pottery Supply, in Atlantic Beach, Florida. While there she became involved in all facets of the business and truly began to appreciate the intricacies of a successful clay company thriving on the community also in support of the emerging ceramic artist.
Upon completing her residency in Florida, Bethany attended Bowling Green State University as a non-degree seeking student to work on her portfolio for graduate school, where she studied with John Balistreri and Steven Roberts. In the spring of 2004, she was accepted for graduate studies at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. The artist received her M.F.A. in Ceramics in 2007 under the guise of Harris Deller, Stephen Grimmer, and Pattie Chalmers. Bethany currently holds the position of Visiting Assistant Professor at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA.
Bethany’s work is derived from social interaction and pleasure; she employs utilitarian vessels as a means to invite the user to experience her work exploring senses other than sight. The intimate relationship the user must have with Bethany’s work develops beyond visual, incorporating taste, touch and scent. It is through the use of these senses that Bethany urges her audience to interact with her work, making her a part of ensuing social interaction.
An artist working in traditional craft media, it is Bethany’s wish that the visual and tactile responses of the participant be contemplated jointly, not as independent entities. As her work incorporates several senses, Bethany urges her audience to examine the formal, conceptual, and functional qualities of her work as entire work of art.
Curriculum vitae
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EDUCATION
2007 M.F.A. Ceramics – Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, IL
2003-2004 Non-Degree – Bowling Green State University at Bowling Green, OH
2000 B.F.A. Ceramics – University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, MA
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2007-Present
Assistant Professor of Art, Ceramics & 3D – Juniata College; Huntingdon, PA
2007-2004
Instructor of Record – Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2007-2006
Instructor of Record – Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2006-2005
Instructor of Record – Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2007-2005
Book Conservation Assistant – Morris Library Preservation Department, Southern Illinois
University; Carbondale, IL
2005-2004
Studio Technician – Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2003-2001
Resident Artist – Atlantic Pottery Supply; Atlantic Beach, FL
2003-2002
Studio Assistant – Episcopal High School; Jacksonville, FL
2001
Resident Artist – Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts; Newcastle, ME
2001-2000
Slip-Caster/Firing Manager – Sherle Wagner, Inc.; Fall River, MA
2001
Guest Artist – Tabor Academy; Marion, MA
2000
Associateship – Peter’s Valley Craft Center; Layton, NJ
PUBLICATIONS
Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott ed., 500 Cups: Explorations of Ultility and Grace (New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2004) 297, 316.
Interview article: Mark Faulkner, The Florida Times-Union, “Artists-in-Residence Developing Style”. Jacksonville, FL, January 16, 2002.
HONORS/AWARDS
2007 Graduated Summa cum Laude from Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2007 Exhibition Grant to present work at the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (N.C.E.C.A.) annual conference awarded by the College of Liberal Arts and School of Art and Design, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2005-2007 Travel Grant to attend the N.C.E.C.A. annual conference awarded by Southern Clay Works; Carbondale, IL
2005-2006 Travel Grant to attend the N.C.E.C.A. annual conference awarded by the College of Liberal Arts and School of Art and Design, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL 2006-2005
2005 A.M.A.C.O. Materials Award for Clay Cup X, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2004-2007 Graduate Assistantship recipient (tuition waiver, stipend, benefits), Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2001 Awarded Tomlinson fellowship for ceramic workshop, Tabor Academy; Marion, MA
2000 Graduated Magna cum Laude from University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth Campus
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
University of Fayetteville, AK. Tampon Jar. Acquisition year: 2008.
Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, CHINA. Ewer. Acquisition year: 2004.
EXHIBITIONS (solo shows marked by *)
2009
17th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center; E. Petersburg, PA. Juror: Peter Pinnell
Drink : Functional Forms for Every Libation, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL; Juror: Beth Lo
History in the Making IV: Ceramic Traditions, Contemporary Pots, Genessee Pottery, Rochester, NY; Juror: Ron Myers
A Heart’s Desire, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO; Invitational Exhibition
2008
Ceramic Objects/Conceptual Material, in conjunction with Crafting Content – a Ceramic Symposium, Anne Kittrell Gallery, The University of Arkansas; Fayetteville, AK. Juror: John Perreault
2007
3rd Annual UAM National Juried Cup Show, Taylor Library Gallery; Monticello, AK; Juror: Connor Burns
Cup: Drinking Vessel, Function, and Concept, Amelia Center Gallery; Panama City, FL; Jurors: Jeremy Randall, Sarah Panzarella
*An Essential Affair, M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, Mitchell Gallery, The University Museum, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
Emerging Excellence: 13 Regional University Programs, Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center; Louisville, KY
1st Annual SIUC Juried Art Exhibition, Glove Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL. Juror: Mel Watkin
2006
Cup, The Intimate Object V, Charlie Cummings Clay Studio and Gallery; Fort Wayne, IN. Juror: Pete Pinnell
Bluegrass Clay National, Yeiser Art Center; Paducah, KY. Juror: John Utgaard
14th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center; E. Petersburg, PA. Juror: Tom Coleman
The Suitcase Boogie, The Dream Box @ the Jupiter Hotel; Portland, OR
Go Forth And Multiply, Glove Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
Threshold, Glove Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
Love at the Glove, Glove Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2005
Cup, The Intimate Object IV, Charlie Cummings Clay Studio and Gallery; Fort Wayne, IN. Juror: Linda Arbuckle
Clay Cup X, South One Gallery, The University Museum, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL. Juror: Virginia Scotchie. Award: A.M.A.C.O. Materials Award
Fifth Annual National Juried Cup Show, Tarter/Miller Gallery, Kent State University; Kent, OH. Juror: Renee Fairchild
2004
Practicing Practice, Glove Surplus Gallery, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
1000 Years of Porcelain, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute; Jingdezhen, CHINA
NCECA Regional Juried Student Exhibition, University of Indianapolis; Indianapolis, IN. Jurors: Josh DeWeese, Cary Esser
2003
*In Retrospect, Atlantic Beach Potters; Atlantic Beach, FL
2003-2001
Sydney McKenna Gallery, Gallery Artist; St. Augustine, FL
Atlantic Pottery Supply, Gallery Artist; Atlantic Beach, FL2000
Containers, Gallery 244; New Bedford, MA
BFA Thesis Exhibition, Gallery X; New Bedford, MA
INTRANET COLLECTIONS
http://accessceramics.org
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
2009
Volunteer – Huntingdgon County Arts Council’s Annual “Yart” Sale, Huntingdon, PA
Volunteer – Assisted in finding judges for Huntingdgon County Arts Council’s Annual “Spring Thaw” Student Exhibition
Volunteer – Huntingdgon County Arts Council’s booth at Mayfest, Huntingdon, PA
Facilitator– Empty Bowls Project, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA
2008
Facilitator – Empty Bowls Project, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA
2006
Demonstrator – Student Organizational Fair, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2006
Lecturer - Core Curriculum, 3-D Foundations, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
2005
Demonstrator – DuQuoin State Fair, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds; DuQuoin, IL
2001 & 2000
Volunteer – Pre-Session Work Week, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts; Newcastle, ME
LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
2009-Present Director of Huntingdon County Arts Council’s 2nd Annual Silent Auction
2008-Present Board member, Huntingdon County Arts Council
2007-Present Club Advisor/Faculty Sponsor, Juniata College; Huntingdon, PA
2005-2006 President, Southern Clay Works, Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, IL
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
2008-Present Huntingdon County Arts Council, Board Member
1999-Present National Council on the Education of Ceramic Art, Member
An Essential Affair 2007
installation detail
A Setting 2007
20 Oneida Heights
Huntingdon, PA 16652
bethanyb
