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| Nancy Desert Lizard Heraty Ceramic Artist DesertLizard@DesertLizardPottery.com Professional and Educational Experience: I have occupied my own studio space in my home since September 2002. Prior to that my space was at the Riverside Arts Center in Riverside, Illinois, since October, 1998, and worked as a resident artist there in ceramics since September, 1996. My studies in ceramics have included a two week intensive, hands on workshop in August of 2003 at Anderson Ranch led by Mexican master Juan Quesada and his American protege Michael Wisner, where my current expressions in clay were born. They inspired me to completely change the way in which I make my pots. I continue to expand my studies through classes and workshops in this area. In the past, I studied ceramics with Robert Turner at Anderson Ranch in Colorado in July1998, another 2 week intensive. Since January, 1995, my studies have included ceramics classes at Lill Street Studios in Chicago, Illinois and at the Riverside Arts Center. My passion for clay was born in junior high, high school and college during my ceramics classes there. From December 2003 through August 2006, I have taught Pre-teen and Teen Wheel at Terra Incognito in Oak Park, IL. From 1996 through 2005, I have taught wheel thrown and handbuilt ceramics, craft arts, drawing and painting to children and adults in classes and workshops at the Riverside Arts Center in Riverside, IL and neighboring schools. Duties as an instructor include designing course syllabus, teaching and mentoring students, overseeing completion of their work, offering demonstrations of processes, and running kiln firings for ceramic classes. I have also been involved with managing supplies and maintaining the studio spaces. Authored grants received by the Riverside Arts Center for the summer of 2003 and 2004. The Illinois Arts Council Youth Employment in the Arts Grant. I mentored two of my advanced high school wheel students with this grant money. They were summer interns who learned all aspects of running a studio/classroom such as kiln loading, unloading and firing, glaze testing, studio maintenance, teaching assistant, and much more. I have been teaching Hatha Yoga since May, 2002. I am currently teaching at several athletic clubs and park districts in the western suburbs, and offer individual sessions as well. I have co-guided Soul Retreats and Vision Quests with Kevin Red Bear Dubrow, MSW, LCSW, twice yearly in Sedona, AZ since November 2001. My primary role is as a guide and an artist leading clay expressions and Yoga instruction. Prior to ceramics, I led a successful 10 year career in graphic design after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University in 1982. ____________________________________________________________________ Exhibitions: Divine Dirt Midwest Pottery Exhibit April - May 2007 Fine Line Creative Arts Center St. Charles, IL Juried group show of midwest potters Illinois Artisans Shop August 2006 J.R. Thompson Center Chicago, IL My art was featured in the window for August’s Ethnic Fair Terra Incognito Gallery Presently 246 Chicago Avenue Oak Park, IL Group holiday showing ’04 and ’05 and continued gallery presence Illinois Artisans Program Presently Consigned works in the State of IL Artisans shop. Stolizzo Gallery January 2003 Chicago, IL Dreamings from the Shaven Plain, a group installation of Chicago artists The ARTroom, Fine Art Objects October 2001 to January 2002 Riverside, IL Co-manager and exhibitor. The Painted Board and More, Fun Art Objects February 2000 to May 2001 Riverside, IL Part owner/manager and exhibitor. Morton College October, 1997 Cicero, IL One woman exhibit Riverfest Art Fair ‘97- Juried September, 1997 Riverside, IL Received First Place in the 3 Dimensional category. Riverfest Art Fair ‘96 August, 1996 Riverside, IL The Riverside Arts Center Dec., 1996 thru 2004 Riverside, IL Annual Student/Member exhibitions ____________________________________________________________________ Demonstrations and workshops: Central School Spring, 2001 Riverside, IL I led an intensive 5-day workshop to each grade (K – 5, 2 classes in each grade with an average of 25 students per class) introducing handbuilding techniques in clay to the students. I also worked one on one with the art teacher to train her in basic clay techniques as well as helping her set up a clay program from scratch, including materials selection, product ordering, and kiln use training. Ames School Spring, 1999 Riverside, IL I led a 3-day demonstration to K – 5 grade art classes. The purpose was to introduce the process of wheelthrowing clay vessels and discuss my vocation of ceramic art. I also led several classes in the making of pinch pots. Riverfest 1998 September, 1998 Riverside, IL Two consecutive days of demonstrating the process of wheelthrowing during this juried art fair and festival. I was joined by several of my wheelthrowing students. Its purpose was to promote classes for the Riverside Arts Center. Hollywood School Spring, 1998 Brookfield, IL One full day of demonstrations to K - 5 grade art classes. Its purpose was to introduce the process of wheelthrowing clay vessels. I also discussed my vocation of ceramic art, discussed my works, as well as led several classes in the making of pinch pots. ____________________________________________________________________ |