Artist: Jonathan Pacheco

My first hand in ceramics is working in sculpture forms dealing with places and objects considered to be “ruins” or “artifacts” in a greater narrative. In my functional ware, I translate that same feel with the use of texture, layering of slips, and imagery.  When I make, I think about the irregularities of the texture, and how slips and imagery will interact with the surface.  These “imperfections” tell a story in their own mysterious way, like looking at a stranger‘s hand with scars and wrinkles.  What have they been through? What type of struggles have they endured to have become who they are today?

I tend to lean toward firing my work in a soda or wood kiln.  These types of firings add to the story of each ware.  Enduring the flames and ashes of the wood kiln to come out as a gem at the end.  I love the beauty that is created from rising out of the ashes.

BIO:

Jonathan Pacheco is a Chicago based ceramic artist making both functional and sculptural work.  He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Ceramics and Metalsmithing Jewelry.  He has been working as a ceramic artist for the past twenty years.  He is deeply interested in woodfired ceramic processes and resulting textures.  Texture, time and layering are important parts of his process. Jonathan's work has been deeply rooted in self-expression, drawing inspiration from emotion, life experience and his heritage.

Jonathan teaches ceramic classes at Clayspace in Lisle and at Lill Street in Chicago, Illinois.  He also works at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois as the Ceramic Coordinator. You can follow him on Instagram @pacheco_jon

 

Education 

2009 BFA, Ceramics and Metals/Jewelry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

Professional Experience 

2018-Present Ceramic Lab Coordinator, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL (Working with Administration and Instructors, ordering supplies and equipment, work with students, operational and safety knowledge of 

diverse ceramics equipment including: gas, electric, and woodfired kilns, clay mixer, chainsaw and wood splitter, hammermill, glaze mixing, ball 

mill, etc.) 

2017-Present Ceramic Sculpture and Wheel Throwing Instructor, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL 

2013-Present Ceramic Sculpture Instructor, Clayspace, Lisle , IL 

2022-2023 Ceramics Wheel Throwing Instructor, Nuna, Aurora, IL 

2019-2023 Ceramics Wheel Throwing Instructor, Fine Line 

Creative Arts Center, Saint Charles, IL 

2019 Reduction Cool Wood Fire Two Week Workshop, Song 

Studios, Plano, IL 

2017-2018 Ceramic Lab Technician, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL 2013-2017 Ceramic Lab Assistant, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL 2012-2013 Resident Artist and Instructor, Clayspace, Lisle, IL 

2010-2012 Jeweler, Casting House, Chicago, IL 

2009-2010 Clay Manufacturer, Alligator Clay, Baton Rouge, LA 2005-2007 Woodshop Technician, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (operational and safety knowledge of diverse woodworking power tools.) 

Exhibitions 

2023 Flower City Pottery Invitational, Flower City Art Center, Rochester NY Michiana Pottery Tour, Bristol Indiana 

Northern Illinois Pottery Tour, Artisan Loft Gallery, Aurora IL 

2022 Flower City Pottery Invitational, Flower City Art Center, Rochester, NY Northern Illinois Pottery Tour, Artisan Loft Gallery, Aurora IL 

Ruin And The Traveler: Series of Ceramic Sculptures Solo Show, 

Artisan Loft Gallery, Aurora IL 

Southern Crossing Pottery Festival, Ten20 Craft Brewry, Louisville KY 

2021 Lost And Found Solo Show, ClaySpace Gallery, Lisle IL 2019 Great Divide Juried Show, Morean Center for Clay, St. Petersburg FL 2017 Fine Arts for Finer Lives, The Oremus Fine Arts Center at Lewis University, Romeoville IL 

SODA2, Mantle Gallery, Louiseveille, KY

2016 Wood Fired Exhibition, Waubonsee Aurora Campus Library, Aurora, IL Waubonsee Invitational, Emergent Gallery, Aurora, IL 

Train Kiln Invitational, Aurora Public Art Commission, Aurora, IL 

Back to Our Foundations, C.C.’s Art Garage/Elephant Room, Chicago, IL 

Last Call, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN 

2015 Hand and Form II, Clayspace Gallery, Clayspace, Lisle, IL 2014 Hand and Form, Clayspace Gallery, Clayspace, Lisle, IL 2013 Clay Cubed, Clayspace Gallery, Clayspace, Lisle, IL 

Four Blind Mice, Gallery 107, Clayspace, Warrenville, IL 

Continue: Solo Exhibition, Gallery 107, Clayspace, Warrenville, IL 

2010 Connected, Rumble Arts Center, Chicago, IL 

Ceramic Sculpture: On the Brighter Side of Things, Online Exhibit by Lisa 

1. Johnson 

2009 Ephemeral Pleasures, Online Exhibit by Chelsey Radabaugh BFA Exhibition, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, IL 

It Starts With A Line, Link Gallery, Champaign, IL 

Heavy Handed, Link Gallery, Champaign, IL 

2008 14 Brushes Juried Show, 14 Brushes Gallery, Urbana, IL Precious Compulsion, Link Gallery, Champaign, IL 

Illini Union Juried Show, Illini Union Art Gallery, Urbana, IL 

2007 2007 Ceramic Exhibition, Link Gallery, Champaign, IL Extinction, Link Gallery, Champaign, IL 

2006 On A Stick, Art, Casa Juan Diego, Chicago, IL 

Professional Development 

2022 Teaching Assistant for Doug Jeppesen Two Week Woodfire Workshop, Arrowmont School of Arts and Craft, Gatlinburg, TN 

2017 Matthew Schiemann -- Firing the Anagama One Week Workshop, Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton, NJ 

Matthew Schiemann -- Making Work for the Anagama One Week 

Workshop, Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton, NJ 

2015 Teaching Assistant for Perry Haas and David Peters Two Week Woodfire Workshop, Ox-Bow School of Art, Saugatuck, MI 

Teaching Assistant for Doug Jeppesen Two Week Woodfire Workshop, 

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN 

Troy Bungart – Brush Making Workshop, Lill Street, Chicago, IL 

Scholarships & Awards 

2017 CraftSchool Experience Scholarship, attend two week workshop at Peters Valley School of Craft 

2008 Best Sculpture/3D piece in show award from Illini Union Juried Show

Community Development 

2016 International Wood Fire Conference: Moving Forward and Pre-conference, Facilitated and Assisted, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL Naperville Art Show, Judge, Naperville Settlement, IL