Artist: Mike Stumbras
Mike Stumbras, MISSOURI
View Artist's Products
BIO
Stumbras was born in Chicago, Illinois. He studied at St. Olaf College, where he received a BFA in studio art and a BS in biology in 2007. He has completed residencies across the country. Stumbras received an MFA in Ceramics from Louisiana State University in 2017. Stumbras has exhibited work nationally and internationally. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work explores the beauty and horror of our existential uncertainties as creatures seeking meaning. The work addresses design elements from 18th and 19th century European slipcast porcelain. The historical work that inspires me presents a criterion for beauty that often seems empty in regards to contemporary considerations regarding the human condition. Although much of the work I am inspired by involves the use of production techniques, my pieces are created with the immediacy and individuality attributed to hand processes and alternative firing methods. I place an emphasis on making ceremonial pieces that speak to the passage of time and embrace the propensity for ceramic vessels to be heirloom objects. The work seems to suggest that it bears witness to the ebb and flow of civilizations, of ideas, and of people. These pots whisper to us to confront the knowledge we share of our progression toward inevitable demise and our march into obscurity.
EDUCATION
• St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN. BFA in Studio Art May, 2011
• St Olaf College, Northfield, MN. BS in Biology, May, 2011
• Louisiana State University, LA, MFA Ceramics, May, 2017
EXPERIENCE
wardsville, IL
- 2019- 2021. Studio Manager, Gallery Coordinator, Resident Artist Supervisor, 323 Clay. Independence,
Missouri
- 2018-2019. Lecturer in Ceramics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale IL
- 2017-2018. Visiting Assistant Professor of Art and Art History, College of William and Mary, Wil-
liamsburg, VA.
- 2014-2017. Graduate Teaching Assistantship, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA
- 2013-2014. Resident Artist and Teacher, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
- 2012-2013. Resident Artist and Teacher, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
- 2011-2012. Resident Artist/Teacher, 323 Clay Studio, Independence, MO
- 2007–2011. Ceramics Assistant, Center Street Clay, Steven Hill, Sandwich, IL
- 2007–2011. Ceramics Instructor, Artist-Terra Incognito, Oak Park, IL
- 2008-2010. Ceramics Department Student Technician, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
- 2007 Sculpture and Gallery Assistant for Margo McMahon
VISITING ARTIST LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS
2023 Form and Surface: Finding a Voice in Clay. July 5 day workshop at the Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA
2023 Mike Stumbras – The Beauty & Horror of Existential Uncertainty July 21st-23 2023 at Roadrunner Ceramics, San Antonio, TX
2023 History, Production, and Practice in Clay, Dec 7 National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC). Edwardsville, IL.
2023 Hood College History of Ceramics Artist Talks. Virtual Lecture Hood College, Frederic Maryland.
2022 Juror, Raise a Toast II. Edwardsville Art Center. Edwardsville, IL.
2022 Juror, 15th Annual Cup Show: Form and Function. Gulf Coast State College, Panama City FL.
2022 Dubuque Museum of Art Craft Invitational demonstration. Dubuque, IA.
2022 Thanatopsis. Lecture at Columbia College, Columbia, MO.
2022 Negotiating Galleries and Exhibitions. Internal lecture series at SIUE for Painting and Professional Development courses.
2021 History and Ornament: Constructing and Considering the Functional Ceramic Object with Kate
Waltman and Mike Stumbras. Historic Camden Foundation Symposium, Camden, NC.
2021 Artists in Conversation: Conceptions of History. Curated Exhibition in the Art and Design West Gallery. Edwardsville, IL
2021 Workshop and Lecture Waubonsee Community College, Waubonsee ,IL
2021 Ceramic History, Contemporary Practice. Lecture through the Historic Camden Reconnect Project. Camden, SC
2021 “Clay Doctor” invited virtual speaker at the Ceramics Congress international conference.
2021 HISTORY, PRODUCTION, AND PRACTICE Lecture through the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY.
2021 Workshop, Lecture, Gallery Talk, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville MO
2021 Virtual Artist Lecture and Demonstration Surface and Depth through The Ceramic School, Kaernten, Austria
2021 Constructing Multicomponent Forms: Handled Vases with Mike Stumbras online via the Saratoga Clay Arts Center, Saratoga NY
2020 Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration (soda firing workshop) KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
Considering the Teapot. The Art School at Old Church in Demarest, NJ
2020 Surface and Dimension: Water Etching and Slip Trailing with Mike Stumbras Pocosin School of Craft, Columbia, NC
2020 Investigating Surface, The Art School at Old Church in Demarest, NJ
2020 Online workshop and conversational session “Ceramics Congress” through The Ceramic School
2020 Online First Thursday Demonstration the KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
2020 Online NCECA Expo Slide Lecture through Eutectic Gallery
2020 Makers’ Space Lecture and Demonstration, NCECA, Richmond, VA -
2020 One and Two-Part Molds with Mike 323 Clay, Independence Missouri - Postponed
2020 March Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration “Investigating Ornament”, Flux Studio, Denver, CO
2020 February Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
2019 Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration 323 Clay, Independence Missouri
2019 Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
2019 Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville IL
2019 Visiting Artist Lecture and Demonstration, Hays State University, Hays, KS
2018 Juror, Twin Cups, Missouri Western State University Clay Guild. (statement sans lecture)
2018 NCECA Gallery Expo with artist talk via the Clay Art Center. Pittsburgh, PA
2018 Visiting Artist workshop and lecture at 323 Clay, Independence, MO
2017 Invited lecturer, Nichols State University, Thibodeaux, LA
2017 Resident Roll Call workshop at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
2017 Visiting Artist workshop and Lecture at the Clay Guild of New York, Westchester, NY
2014 Public Lecture on “Contemporary Ceramics and Technology” at LSU Gallery in Baton Rouge, LA
2013 Public Lecture at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
2012 Glazing workshop co-taught with Steven Hill, 323 Clay, Independence MO
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Mike Stumbras Solo Feature Clay AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
2022 Thanatopsis. Greg Hardwick Gallery, Columbia College, Columbia, MO
2021 Forward to... Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO
2020 Solo feature at the Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2018 Solo Exhibition “Sojourn” at the Andrews Gallery, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
2017 June Solo Exhibition Immemorial at Braden-Lee Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2017 April Solo Thesis Exhibition Oblivion at the Glassell Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
2014 solo exhibition Roche at the Carbondale Clay Center
2013 solo exhibition Veneer at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY
2011 Threads BFA thesis show, Northfield, MN
2009 solo exhibition Letters at the Kelsey Gallery, Northfield MN
RESEARCH HONORS AND AWARDS
2022 First Place, It’s Only Clay 2022, national exhibition, Watermark Art Center, November, Bemidji, MN
2022 Best in Clay, Edwardsville Art Fair, Edwardsville, Il
2021 3rd Place, Off Center international exhibition, Blue Line Arts Center, Roseville, CA
2019 ICAN 2019 Merit Award. 2019 Workhouse Clay International, Lorton VA
2018 3rd Place, On The Rocks Exhibition, national juried exhibition by Pete Pinnell, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
2017 Finalist for the Zanesville Prize, Zanesville, Ohio
2017 Awarded Emerging Artist Spotlight, Ceramics Monthly publication
2016 Evening Star Cup Award, nationally juried Fire and Earth at the Del Ray Artisans Guild, Alexandria, VA
2106 Jurors Choice Award nationally juried Elements--Drink Me: cups, mugs, and tumblers at the Mariani Gallery, University of Northern Colorado
2015 First Place Functional, nationally juried 2015 Nellie Allen Smith Pottery Exhibition, Cape Fear Studios, Fayetteville, NC
2015 Best in Show, Tabletop national juried show The Art League, Alexandria VA
2011 First Place It’s Only Clay national juried show at the Bemidji Clay Art Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. Juror Simon Levin
RESEARCH GRANTS RECEIVED
2021-2023 URCA Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities assistant award.
2013 Recipient of the Elaine Hoffman Rattet Grant for “commitment to work and contributions made to enrich the studio experience of others” NY
INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
2023 March The Shape of Now - Todd Art Gallery 2023 Ceramics Invitational. Middle Tennessee State University. TN
Merge group exhibition with SIUE, NCECA, Cincinnati, OH
Confluent Traditions group exhibition at NCECA, Cincinnati, OH
The Americano: Group show, ClayAKAR. Iowa City, IA
2022 November Twenty x 5. Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence, KS
December Winter Exhibition. Northern Clay Center Minneapolis, MN.
September. American Pottery Festival, Northern Clay Center. Minneapolis, MN.
November Holidays at the Belger Crane Yard Gallery. Belger Crane Yard Studios. Kansas City, MO
October. The Other Side of Midnight. Habitat Contemporary, Kansas City, MO
June. Dubuque Museum of Art Craft Invitational. Dubuque, IA.
September, SIUE Faculty Exhibition
April. Cut Carve Flute Facet. Schaller Gallery, Baroda MI.
March. Vegetebilia. Schaller Gallery, Baroda MI.
NCECA Gallery Expo. Online with the Northern Clay Center. Minneapolis, MN.
January Ceramic Catalogue Plains Art Museum, Fargo ND
2021 Artists in Conversation: Conceptions of History. Curated Exhibition in the Art and Design West
Gallery. Edwardsville, IL
Modern Flux, Genevieve Flynn and Mike Stumbras. Through Habitat Contemporary, Leedy
Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO. Nov
47th Annual Pottery Show and Sale at The Art School at Old Church in Demarest, NJ.Dec
Sweet Things, Riverside Pottery, Cape Girardeau, MO
Bounty. Queen City Clay, Norwood, OH
Ceramic Catalogue Plains Art Museum, Fargo ND
Virtual NCECA Gallery Expo, Eutectic Gallery
Former Resident Artists Exhibition, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Featured Artist, Artaxis
Adroit. Schaller Gallery, Baroda MI
Yunomi Invitational, Clay AKAR, Iowa City, IA
Cup: The Intimate Object, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2020 A Shared Passion for Form: Mike Stumbras and Steven Hill. Schaller Gallery, Baroda MI
Artaxis Fundraising Sale
46th Annual Pottery Show and Sale at The Art School at Old Church in Demarest, NJ
CLAYFEST at the Saratoga Arts Center, Saratoga, NY
Pairings at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, Colorado
LNK Art Auction, BLM support, Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln Nebraska
Dissolution with Kelsey Livingston. Vinsantos Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2019 Cup 2020 invitational. Good Earth Pottery, Bellingham, WA
Americano Exhibition, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA
Art of the Pot guest artist with Lisa Orr, Austin TX
Cup: The Intimate Object XV, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
Animal Instinct Invitational exhibition at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Pairings at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, Colorado
Hand-In-Hand, an exhibition at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
2018 Reinventing the Classics December exhibition at In Tandem Gallery, Bakersville, NC
June Threadbare duo exhibition with Jeremy Brooks at the Eutectic Gallery, Portland, OR
New York Ceramics and Glass Fair. Representation by Ferrin Contemporary
Hand-In-Hand, an exhibition at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Invited to Cup: The Intimate Object XIV, at the Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
Invited to La Mesa (June) Exhibition at Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
Pairings exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
NCECA Gallery Expo with artist talk via the Clay Art Center. Pittsburgh, PA
Standard Clay gallery exhibition at Pittsburgh NCECA. Representation by Cerebra Gallery, KC
2017 Invited to Nationally Juried Containers exhibition at Three Wheel Studio, Providence RI
Winter Salon II at the Cerebra Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Invited Artist to Cup: The Intimate Object XIII at the Charlie Cummings Gallery
Invited to CLAY REVIEW, at the Abernathy Arts Center, Sandy Springs, GA
Invited to REWIND, 60th Anniversary show, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Invited to Pairings show at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Nichols State University Invitational, Thibodeaux, LA
2016 Invited artist to nationally juried Annual Cup Show, Three Wheel Studio, Providence, RI
Invited to Locals exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Invited to Pairings cup show at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Invited to Generations: A Legacy of Mentorship exhibition at the Bredin-Lee gallery. NCECA in Kansas City, MO
323 Clay gallery exhibition and NCECA in Kansas City, MO
2015 Holiday Invitational Exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, in Carbondale, CO
La Vie Rouge Exhibition, Glassell Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
9th annual Yunomi Invitational Show at the AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Invited to exhibit at the Gallery Expo at NCECA for the Clay Art Center, Providence, RI
Invited to Pairings exhibition and event at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Invited to History in the Making exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
2014 Resilience: The Healing Power of Art at the Healthcare Gallery in Baton Rouge, LA
Holiday invitational exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center
Hand in Hand Invitational show at the Colorado Mountain College
2013 Pairings at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
“Indelible” at the Baltimore Clay Works, Baltimore, MD
On the Horizon artist and residence show at the St. Petersburg Clay company, St. Petersburg, FL
Holiday Invitational Exhibition at the Carbondale Clay Center, in Carbondale, CO
Winterfest invitational at Baltimore Clay Works, Baltimore, MD
Behind the Scenes at the Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Invitational Bowl Show at Studio 550 Art Center in Manchester, NH
Duets invitational at the Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
2012 Holiday Invitational. Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Invitational exhibition at Terra Incognito in Oak Park, Il
Resident Artist Exit Exhibition at 323clay in Independence, MO
Holiday Invitational. KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
2011 Artists in Residence exhibition show at Terra Incognito in Oak Park, Il
Holiday pottery Invitational KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2023 February Earth and Fire, Stifel Fine Arts Center, Wheeling, WV
Lushly, Juried Exhibtion at NCECA, Cincinnati OH
2022 Guilford Art Center’s Ceramics Biennial 2022 exhibition. Guilford, CT.
First Place, It’s Only Clay 2022, national exhibition, Watermark Art Center, November, Bemidji, MN
2021 Teabowl National, national exhibition, Kansas City Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
Strictly Functional, national exhibition, online exhibition. Lorton, PA
Last Call V, national exhibition Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
3rd Place, Off Center, international exhibition, Blue Line Arts Center, Roseville, CA
2020 Strictly Functional, online exhibition. Lorton, PA
7th Central Time Ceramics Bradley University Galleries. Peoria, IL
Burdens of History. NCECA Annual. Glaive Kocen Gallery, Richmond, VA
2019 ICAN 2019 Merit Award. 2019 Workhouse Clay International, Lorton VA
Art of Clay 2019 National Exhibition, Mark Arts Center, Wichita, KS.
Off Center: Third Annual International Ceramic Art Competition. Blue Line Arts, Roseville CA.
Mugshot 2: International Juried Ceramic Mug Competition. 2019 NCECA Conference, Minneapolis, MN
Adorned, Clay Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
2018 3rd Place, On The Rocks Exhibition, national juried exhibition by Pete Pinnell, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
The International Cup, Internationally juried exhibition, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula MT
2017 Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics, Zanesville, OH
Beyond the Brickyard at the Archie Bray, Helena, MT
The Clay Studio Graduate Student Biennial, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia
2016 Evening Star Cup Award, nationally juried Fire and Earth at the Del Ray Artisans Guild, Alexandria, VA
Nationally juried The Cup, The Mug show at Main Street Gallery, Clifton NY
Nationally juried Cup: The Intimate Object XII, at the Charlie Cummings Gallery, online
Nationally juried Strictly Functional Pottery National, at Kevin Lehman’s Pottery, Lancaster, PA
Internationally juried Cheers at Medalta, Medicine Hat, AB
Nationally juried Last Call show at the Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
Nationally juried Working Pots James May Gallery, Algoma, Wisconsin
Twin Cups, a nationally juried show at Missouri Western State University.
Jurors Choice Award. nationally juried Elements--Drink Me: cups, mugs, and tumblers at the Mariani Gallery, University of Northern Colorado
NCECA national juried student show at the Leedy-Voulkos Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2015 Nationally Juried Annual Teapot Show at Three Wheel Studio in Providence, RI
First Place Functional, nationally juried 2015 Nellie Allen Smith Pottery Exhibition, Cape Fear Studios, Fayetteville, NC
Best in Show, Tabletop national juried show The Art League, Alexandria VA
Nationally juried Twin Cups! National Ceramics Exhibition 2015, MWSU Clay Guild, MO
Nationally juried Off the Table!: National Ceramics Exhibition 2015, Missouri Western State University, MO
2014 Tabletop international juried exhibition at The Art League, Alexandria,VA
Small Favors IX at The Clay Studio of Philadelphia
Teabowl National at the KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO
Coffee, Tea, Or...3 national juried exhibition at Terra Incognito, Oak Park, IL 2014
Twin Cups national juried show at Missouri Western University
2013 From The Earth national juried show at Tri-Lakes Center For The Arts, Palmer Lake, CO
2012 SPCC LAST CALL call for entries juried show at St. Petersburg Clay in St. Petersburg FLA
It’s Only Clay national juried show at the Bemidji Clay Art Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.
3rd Biennial “Central Time Ceramics” national juried show at Bradley University Galleries
2011 First Place It’s Only Clay national juried show at the Bemidji Clay Art Center in Bemidji, Min-nesota.
2007 juried exhibition at the Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL
Current GALLERY REPRESENTATION
- Eutectic Gallery, Portland OR
- Clay Art Center, Port Chester NY
- In Tandem Gallery Bakersville, NC
- Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
- Cerebra Gallery, Kansas City, MO
- The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
- Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Synthesis and Emergence: Peter Pincus. December 2021 article written for Ceramic Review magazine, London, UK
- Surface and Decay article by Mike Stumbras 2021 NCECA Journal.
- Ceramicist Mike Stumbras demonstrates his craftsmanship at Northwest by Kailee Ford of the Northwest Missourian.
Natasha Anderson, The Laurel of Asheville. “Reinventing the Classics at In Tandem Gallery”
Mike Stumbras, Author of “radioCHROME” article about radiation colored pottery, Dec 2015 Ceramics Monthly
- “Reshaping the Pottery World”, interview for TigerTV and the newspaper The Reville
- “Molding minds” article about Mike Stumbras as a teacher written by Brittany Basco, DigBR Magazine publication.
- Article I Made That Louisiana State University Art and Design Magazine.
Article “Veneer”, about Mike Stumbras in the Westchester Times Tribune 2013
BIBLIOGRAPHY (published images of my work)
- 2021 NCECA Catalogue
- Exposure, Ceramics Monthly, December 2018
- Exposure, Ceramics Monthly, April 2014
- Published in 500 teapots second edition by Lark Ceramics, 2013
- Exposure, Ceramics Monthly, May 2012
COMMISSIONS
- Summer 2018 Vessel For William Rogers. Commission for Ken Wolfe, Senior Advisor of Phi- lanthropy and Estate Planning of Historical Colonial Williamsburg. The research includes interpretation of William Rogers vessel and brief historiography of Norman F. Barka, the “Poor Potter” Site Archeologist.
- Winter 2016 Five Cinerary Urns. Commission from Cherice Martin in honor Jeff Foster. Cremains split between familial houses
- Fall 2015 Cinerary Urn for Diane Nivens.