Artist's Statement

"De Mente y Sangre"
My current body of work in ceramics deals almost exclusively with abstracted human, animal, and imaginary figures. I draw a lot from my experiences and observations of religion, Latin culture, and personal caricatures of my thoughts.

The subjects depicted are bound by earth; Trapped by the body and consciousness of being. The figures, writhe, struggle, but are trapped in a purely physical existence. The work is derived from the act of expressing emotion and raw thought into a physical entity.

First born of the mind, they take shape and an actual presence. Similar to the Tupilak figures of Greenland; All negative properties are embodied and then trapped into the sculpture.

The works speak of the duality of thought and flesh, and how people can be a victim or profiteer in the inner and outer workings of their own existence.

Work generally available from:
I am not represented at the moment.

Other Information:
Always willing to travel and work with people.

Technical Information

I work mainly in mid-fire oxidation and combined media

History

Background and Career History
Christopher Arthur Garcia was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1968.

At the age of one, his family moved to Santurce, Puerto Rico where he spent the next seventeen years.

Education
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Master of Fine Arts Degree, December 1992 Studio Arts/Ceramics

Bennington College, Bennington, VT
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, June 1990 Studio Art (Ceramics)/Literature

Saint John's High School, Santurce, Puerto Rico, 1986

Experience
2008 - Present - THE CALHOUN SCHOOL, New York, NY, USA.
Upper School Art Teacher for a progressive private school.
Teaching all levels of high school ceramics, drawing, 3-D and 2-D Design.
Aiding in the supervision, maintenance, and development of all
aspects of the art program. Committee Chairing and
administrative duties associated with a high school program.

1998-2008 - ANTIOCH COLLEGE, Yellow Springs, OH
Associate Professor of Art (tenured): Teaching all levels of ceramics, beginning level drawing. Supervising, developing and maintaining all educational/technical and artistic aspects of the ceramics program. Committee and administrative duties associated with a Fine Arts program.

2006 - MENTOR FOR MFA PROGRAM                                 
LESLEY UNIVERSITY, Cambridge, Massachusetts
One on one mentor for the low residency MFA program
in the Visual Arts at the Art Institute of Boston/Lesley University

2005 - SYDVAST UNIVERSITY (Yrkeshögskolan Sydväst) EKENÄS, FINLAND
Visiting Professor, taught a course in Sculptural Ceramics

1996-1998 - BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Moses Lake, WA
Instructor of Fine Arts/Fine Arts Department Chair (tenure track):
Teaching all levels of' ceramics, painting, art appreciation, drawing and design courses. Supervising, developing, and maintaining all educational, technical and artistic aspects of the program. Administrative duties associated with a Fine Arts program including supervising other art instructors and classes.

1995-2003 - CLAY TIMES MAGAZINE, Waterford, VA
Contributing writer and photographer.

1995-1996 - MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, Itta Bena, MS
Instructor of' Fine Arts (tenure track): Taught all levels of ceramics, sculpture. Also taught courses in arts and crafts, art appreciation, honors art appreciation, senior art seminar, and three dimensional design. Served as the chair of the fine arts recruitment committee.
Assisted in the planning and organization of exhibits in the fine arts gallery. Supervised, developed and maintained all technical and artistic aspects of the ceramics and sculpture studios.

1995 - ENABLED ARTS CENTER - VERY SPECIAL ARTS, Albuquerque, NM
Ceramic Instructor/ Studio Specialist: Instructed and facilitated ceramic art projects with people who have acquired or developmental challenges.

1989 - BANK STREET SCHOOL, New York, NY
Teaching Assistant: Taught various art disciplines to children, worked as an intern learning Bank Street Schools methods of art education.

1988 - CASA CANDINA, Santurce, Puerto Rico
Teaching/Technical Assistant: Assisted in adult and children's art classes, fired raku and electric kilns, prepared glazes, studio maintenance.

Workshops/Residencies

2009 - NES ARTIST RESIDENCY, Skagaströnd, Iceland
Artist in Residence for one month.

2007 - ZENTRUM FUR KERAMIK-BERLIN, Berlin, Germany
Artist in Residence for one month.

2006,2004 - CASA MOSAICO ARTIST RETREAT, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Workshop Instructor: week long winter course on primitive ceramic
techniques and stabilized adobe.

2005 - PRO ARTIBUS, EKENÄS, FINLAND
Artist in Residence for two months

2005,2004 - CASA MOSAICO ARTIST RETREAT, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Workshop Instructor: week long winter course on primitive ceramic techniques and stabilized adobe.

2003, 1999 - ART FARM, Marquette, NE
Project Coordinator. Two week workshop with students working in adobe and stabilized adobe. Conducted a workshop for children.

2002 - BURREN COLLEGE of ART, Ballyvaughn, Ireland
Resident Artist for four weeks.

2001, 2000 - LA SUERTE: ART STUDIOS IN THE RAINFOREST, Costa Rica, Nicaragua
Workshop Instructor. Four week course on environmental and cultural based art.

1995 - ALTOS DE CHAVON SCHOOL OF DESIGN (an affiliate of PARSON'S SCHOOL OF DESIGN, NYC) La Romana, Dominican Republic
Ceramics Consultant/Visiting Artist: Month-long residency working in the school's ceramic workshop; helped to develop a glaze laboratory; helped develop and construct a raku kiln; completed a body of art work for an exhibition.

Honours, Awards and Presentations

2008 - ARTHUR MORGAN AWARD, Yellow Springs, OH
Awarded to the faculty and staff of Antioch College by the Alumni. The award recognizes contributions which exemplify the “concept of community” at the college.
2007 - THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM FOR ARTS IN SOCIETY and the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NEW DIRECTIONS IN THE HUMANITIES, American University Paris, France and NYU, NYC.
Presentation of my work in a series of lectures by Professor Anne-Bridget Gary addressing the concept of vulnerability in the visual arts. Visual Art Vulnerability: Tactile Senses, Fragile Words: Clay, Fibers and Language.
2007 - WORLD DICTIONARY OF CERAMIC ARTS AND ARTISTS   
United Kingdom, Author, Steven Goldgate
Biographical entry in a book regarding ceramic artists and potters of differing nationalities
throughout various historical periods

2002,1999 - FACULTY FUND TRUSTEES GRANT, Antioch College, OH
Awarded for research on the Della Robbia family of Italy. Funds were used to document diverse works by the family throughout Tuscany. The research was compiled into an article for Clay Times Magazine.
1997 - EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY AWARD, Big Bend Community College, WA
Awarded to attend the International Ceramics conference at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and to work at the Grange Oaklands Pottery, Newnham upon Severn, Gloucestershire, England.
1996 - PUFFIN FOUNDATION LTD. GRANT
Award was given to fund the completion of the WETLANDS FOUNTAIN ceramic fountain based upon the wetlands of Mississippi. The completed fountain was donated to the City Hall of Itta Bena, Mississippi.
1991 - ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION ATTENDEE TRAVEL GRANT
Awarded through the COLLEGE ART ASSOCIATION and the ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION. Grant was given to emerging artists to attend the CAA conference in Seattle and give a brief slide presentation on their work at the session: NEW SCHOLARS, NEW SCHOLARSHIP: RESEARCH BY THE RECIPIENTS OF THE ROCKEFELLER TRAVEL GRANT.

Publications

"A Practical and Educational Synthesis of Cobalt Carbonate" co-written with David Kammler, Ph.D. article appearing in May, 2008 issue of Ceramics Technical Magazine.

“Survival in Ceramics: A Survey of Art Students 5 years to 30+ Years Later”, article appearing in September, 2007 issue of Ceramics Art and Perception Magazine.

“A Ceramic Re-Charge in Finland”, article featured on the website of Ceramics Monthly Magazine. 2006. View online: http://www.ceramicsmonthly.org/expandedcontent/2005-12/garcia.asp
 
"Minor Works by Major Ceramists II, A Mail Art Protect," article appearing in November, 2005 issue of Ceramics Technical Magazine.
“Death and Clay: Cultural and Personal Interpretations in Ceramics” co-written with Tomaru Haruna, article appearing in November, 2005 issue of Ceramics Technical Magazine.
“Ceramics in Ometepe, Nicaragua”, article appearing in May, 2005 issue of Ceramics Technical Magazine.
“Ceramics in the Burren of Ireland”, article appearing in May, 2005 issue of Ceramics Technical Magazine.

"Adobe Art: In Touch with the Earth", article appearing in November 2004 issue of Ceramics: Art and Perception Magazine
"A Clay Workshop at Hacienda Mosaico, Mexico", article appearing in October/November issue, 2004, of Pottery Making Illustrated Magazine.
"Ceramics in Deruta, Italy", article appearing in October issue, 2004, of Ceramics Monthly Magazine.
"The Residency Program at Philadelphia's Clay Studio" article appearing in January issue,2004, of Ceramics Monthly Magazine.
"Willis 'Bing' Davis: A Community Artist," article appearing in Sept. 2002 issue of' Ceramics Monthly Magazine.
"Minor Works by Major Ceramists, A Mail Art Protect," article appearing in March/April 2002 edition of Clay Times Magazine.
"The Mansion is Optional," Article appearing in the Oct/Nov. 2001 issue of Salida Magazine (Calgary, Canada).
"Jim Leedy: A Retrospective," article appearing, in May/June, 2000 edition of Clay Times Magazine.
"Spone," article and photos appearing in the March/April, 2000 edition of Clay Times Magazine.
"Chicago Art Cows," article and photos appearing in the March/April, 2000 edition of' Clay Times Magazine.
"Down on the Art Farm," article and photos appearing in the November/December 1999 edition of Clay Times Magazine.
"Poggi Ugo: Terra-cotta in Impruneta, Italy," article and photos appearing in the September/October 1999 edition of Clay Times Magazine.
"The International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemet, Hungary," article and photos appearing in the January/February, 1999 edition of Clay Times Magazine.
"Building an Accessible Ceramics Studio for People with Disabilities," article appearing in the January/February, 1999 edition of Clay Times Magazine.
"Seattle's Streetlife Gallery," article and photos appearing in the September/October, 1998 issue of' Clay Times Magazine.
"International Potters Festival in Wales," article and photos appearing in the November/December, 1997 edition of Clay Times Magazine.
"Altos de Chavon: Dominican Pottery," article and photos appearing in the May/June, 1996 edition of Clay Times Magazine.

Selected Exhibitions

Group Exhibitions
2009 - VISUAL AIDS, New York, NY
Group exhibit Postcards from the Edgefeaturing postcard art by established and
emerging artists. All proceeds support the programs of Visual AIDS. Visual AIDS utilizes the visual artsto promote AIDS awareness and historicizes the contributions of artists with HIV.
2008 - KLEINART/JAMES ART CENTER, Woodstock, NY
Group exhibit 5 by 7 show features over 200 original works by prominent artists living in the Hudson Valley and beyond.
2008 - HUDSON VIEW GARDENS, New York, NY
Juried multimedia exhibit sponsored through the HVG Arts Group.
2008,2007 - GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Traveling exhibit Haiku’s Middle Passage based upon the poetry of Mursalata Muhammad. The work commemorates the anniversary of the abolishment of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
2007,2006 - MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic
Third International Ceramic Tile Triennial(Elit-Tile 2006)
2007 - WHERE I FELL IN LOVE GALLERY, Warwickshire, England
Group exhibit by potters and ceramists around the world. The Cup & Saucer Exhibition
www.whereifellinlovegallery.com/
2006 - ROSEWOOD GALLERY, Kettering, OH
Juror and participant in the regional ceramic art exhibit Earth in Balance.
2005 - INSTITUTION ASOCIACION CULTURAL RUMBO MUSEUM, Buenos Aires, Argentina
International ceramic tile exhibit sponsored by the Argentine Centre of Ceramic Art. 2003-NOYES GALLERY, ANTIOCH COLLEGE, Yellow Springs, OH
Two person show,  Sacred and Profane.
2005,2004,2003,2002 - THE CLAY STUDIO, Philadelphia, PA
Participant in group ceramics show,  Mastery in Clay: New Work.
2002 - DAYTON VISUAL ARTS CENTER, Dayton, OH
Participant in Dayton Clay: A Ceramics Invitational.
2001 - XAVIER UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, Cincinnati, OH
Two person show of paintings and sculpture, The Visceral and the Divine.
2000 - ZANESVILLE ART CENTER, Zanesville, OH Participant in juried show, International Ceramics Exhibit.
2000 - SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRIANGLE GALLERY   Dayton, OH
Exhibitor and curator of show, En el Espiritu de Dos Pueblos, invitational exhibit of art in various media of national and international Latin American artists.
1999 - MON PETIT ART GALLERY, Puerta de Tierra, Puerto Rico
Group show of Puerto Rican ceramic artists,  Artistas del Patio.
1995 - AlTOS DE CHAVON GALLERY, La Romana, Dominican Republic
Five person show by artists in residence.
1995, '94, '93, '92, '91, '90 - THE CLAY STUDIO, Philadelphia, PA
Group exhibit of ceramic art of national and international clay artists LOTSA CLAY.
1991 - SAINT JOHN THE DIVINE CATHEDRAL, New York, NY
Group show of Hispanic artists, LATIN AMERICAN PIONEERS IN NEW YORK. Exhibition of contemporary Latino/a artists living/showing in New York City.
1990 - PATERSON MUSEUM, Paterson, NJ
Group show of' rising Hispanic artists AMERICAN  ROOTS: HISPANIC ARTISTS, a NEW GENERATION.
1990 - EL BARRIO INTERNATIONAL GALLERY, New York, NY
Group show LATIN AMERICAN EXPRESSIONS IN NEW YORK.
 

Solo Exhibitions

2009 - NES ARTIST RESIDENCY, Skagaströnd, Iceland Artist in Residence exhibition.
2008 - ANTIOCH COLLEGE, NOYES GALLERY, Yellow Springs, OH
Solo exhibit of' ceramics and drawings, So Long and Thanks for the Fish: A Ten Year Retrospective of Chris Garcia’s Art in Ohio. 
2007 - ZENTRUM FUR KERAMIK-BERLIN, Berlin, Germany
Artist in Residence exhibition.
2007 - WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY GALLERIES, Dayton, OH
Solo exhibit of ceramics Illustration/Installation: Ceramic Sculptures by Chris Garcia.
2005 - PRO ARTIBUS AiR GALLERY EKENÄS, FINLAND
Solo exhibit of ceramics and combined media paintings/collages Old Stories.
2005 - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, FAWCETT CENTER, Columbus, OH
Exhibit of Combined media drawings Dibujos desde Condado in conjunction with the
Ohio Latinamericanist Conference
2004 - Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, MI. Solo show of ceramic sculpture in The Portal Spaces Gallery
2002 - Burren College of Art, Newton Castle, Ballyvaughan, Ireland. Solo exhibit of combined media ceramic sculpture, Da Bui, in a 15th century tower keep.
2001 - Antioch College, Noyes Gallery, Yellow Springs, OH. Solo exhibit of' ceramics, drawings and paintings, High in the Middle: Three Years in Ohio
2000 - Sinclair Community College, Hypotenuse Gallery Dayton, OH. Solo exhibit of' ceramic sculpture.
1999 - Herndon Gallery, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, OH. Solo exhibit of ceramic work, De Aqui y Alla.
1997 - Big Bend Community College Wallenstien Theatre Gallery, Moses Lake, Othello, WA. Solo exhibition of' ceramic sculpture and paintings Figures in Liquid and Fire. Show was sponsored through the COLUMBIA BASIN ALLIED ARTS. The exhibit traveled to the Old Hotel Art Gallery as the feature April exhibit.
1995 - Mississipi Valley State University, Johnston Gallery, Itta Bena, MS. Solo exhibit of ceramic vessels, sculpture, and combined media drawings

Commissions and Collections

2009 - NES ARTIST RESIDENCY, Skagaströnd, Iceland
2007 - ZENTRUM FUR KERAMIK-BERLIN, Berlin, Germany
2006 - MUSEUM OF MODERN ART,SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic ceramic tile piece in museum’s permanent collection.
2005 - INSTITUTION ASOCIACION CULTURAL RUMBO MUSEUM, Buenos Aires, Argentina - ceramic tile piece in museum’s permanent collection.
2005 - PRO ARTIBUS EKENÄS, FINLAND
Stabilized adobe sculpture and studio work in permanent collection of Pro Artibus.
2004 - CASA MOSAICO ARTIST RETREAT, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Stabilized adobe sculpture, Stela Mosaico, group project based on the stelae created by the Maya.
2002-present - COLLEGE of ART, NEWTON CASTLE, Ballyvaughan, Ireland. Sculptural installation in the permanent collection of the college.
2000-present - LA SUERTE and OMETEPE FIELD STATIONS, Costa Rica, Nicaragua. Mural inspired by the flora and fauna of the rainforest made from materials collected from nature (Costa Rica). Stabilized adobe sculpture based on the stone idols of the Niquirano Indians of Ometepe (Nicaragua). 1999-present - ART FARM, Marquette, NE. Thirty-foot adobe earth-work, Nebraska Snake, based on the Serpent Mound of Ohio(1999). Ten foot stabilized adobe pillar, River Totem, based on the ecosystem of the Blue Platte River (2003).
1996-present - MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, Itta Bena, MS. Outdoor permanent display of a sculptural triptych entitled STAGES at the Social Science Building. Other work in the permanent collection of the University.
1996-present - WETLANDS FOUNTAIN, Itta Bena, MS. Ceramic fountain depicting/symbolizing, the role of the wetlands in the Delta region of Mississippi. On permanent display at CITY HALL.
1995-present - ALTOS de CHAVON SCHOOL OF DESIGN, La Romana, Dominican Republic. Sculpture and pottery in permanent collection of the ALTOS de CHAVON MUSEO de ARTE.
1992-present - TUCSON TRANSIT AUTHORITY, Tucson, AZ. Panel in Mosaic Mural A Show of Hands. Designed by the artist Eddie Dominguez.
(Other commissioned work in private collections.)