Valerie Zimany, Faculty Team Leader
Currently an Assistant Professor of Art, Ceramics, at Clemson University, Clemson, SC, Valerie Zimany received her BFA from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA. After completing her MFA studies at Kanazawa College of Art as a Fulbright Fellow and Japanese Government Scholar, Valerie spent three years on a city-sponsored residency at the Utatsuyama Craft Workshop in Kanazawa, Japan. She was recently awarded a second Fulbright grant by the U.S. Department of Education for her proposal Porcelain Fever: Contemporary Kutani Practitioners and Processes, and returned to Kanazawa as a guest researcher at the Institute of Art and Design, Kanazawa College of Art in Summer and Fall 2011.
Currently an Assistant Professor of Art, Ceramics, at Clemson University, Clemson, SC, Valerie Zimany received her BFA from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA. After completing her MFA studies at Kanazawa College of Art as a Fulbright Fellow and Japanese Government Scholar, Valerie spent three years on a city-sponsored residency at the Utatsuyama Craft Workshop in Kanazawa, Japan. She was recently awarded a second Fulbright grant by the U.S. Department of Education for her proposal Porcelain Fever: Contemporary Kutani Practitioners and Processes, and returned to Kanazawa as a guest researcher at the Institute of Art and Design, Kanazawa College of Art in Summer and Fall 2011.
Deighton Abrams
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Q: Where are you from?
A: I've lived in the south for the past 12 years but I was raised in Alaska and spent most of my formative years there.
Q: What is your year/major? Have you studied anywhere besides Clemson?
A: I am beginning my second year as a Graduate student continuing my MFA in ceramics. I completed my BFA at Armstrong University in Savannah, GA.
Q: How long have you been making art and why do you do it?
A: I've considered myself an artist for as long as I can remember but only discovered ceramics fours years ago. Making art for me is the perfect means for me to conduct research on any number of subjects (most recently, climate change and its effects on the ice caps) and creating work which conveys complex codices and aesthetics not readily accessed in any other means.
Q: What themes do you pursue as an artist?
A: My work deals with humanity's connection to the physical landscape and the complex emotions we associate with our surroundings and our psyche.
Q: What do you like about your work? In general and for the selected piece?
A: Since my work deals with sometimes difficult subjects, I really enjoy working with functional ware, particularly the cup I've made for the Fall 2015 share. Creating a refined, well designed functional piece allows for my work to be (hopefully) used on a daily basis and illustrating the exterior helps to give a new dialogue to what could otherwise be easily forgotten.
Q: What are you most excited about for this CSA season? What do you hope to gain by joining us as a share artist?
A: I most look forward to meeting our new shareholders as I really enjoyed being a part of last season's share and seeing the reactions of our patrons. Working as part of a unit is great as well and seeing all the finished pieces together is always a great culmination of efforts.
Q: What are some other art related internships, demonstrations, gallery showings, or publications you have been involved with?
A: Since my time here at Clemson, I've worked closely with The Art Center Clemson both volunteering and teaching classes. It's a great center and worth checking out if you haven't already.
Visit Deighton's website to see more of his work and follow him on Instagram @deightonceramics !
www.deightonabrams.com
A: I've lived in the south for the past 12 years but I was raised in Alaska and spent most of my formative years there.
Q: What is your year/major? Have you studied anywhere besides Clemson?
A: I am beginning my second year as a Graduate student continuing my MFA in ceramics. I completed my BFA at Armstrong University in Savannah, GA.
Q: How long have you been making art and why do you do it?
A: I've considered myself an artist for as long as I can remember but only discovered ceramics fours years ago. Making art for me is the perfect means for me to conduct research on any number of subjects (most recently, climate change and its effects on the ice caps) and creating work which conveys complex codices and aesthetics not readily accessed in any other means.
Q: What themes do you pursue as an artist?
A: My work deals with humanity's connection to the physical landscape and the complex emotions we associate with our surroundings and our psyche.
Q: What do you like about your work? In general and for the selected piece?
A: Since my work deals with sometimes difficult subjects, I really enjoy working with functional ware, particularly the cup I've made for the Fall 2015 share. Creating a refined, well designed functional piece allows for my work to be (hopefully) used on a daily basis and illustrating the exterior helps to give a new dialogue to what could otherwise be easily forgotten.
Q: What are you most excited about for this CSA season? What do you hope to gain by joining us as a share artist?
A: I most look forward to meeting our new shareholders as I really enjoyed being a part of last season's share and seeing the reactions of our patrons. Working as part of a unit is great as well and seeing all the finished pieces together is always a great culmination of efforts.
Q: What are some other art related internships, demonstrations, gallery showings, or publications you have been involved with?
A: Since my time here at Clemson, I've worked closely with The Art Center Clemson both volunteering and teaching classes. It's a great center and worth checking out if you haven't already.
Visit Deighton's website to see more of his work and follow him on Instagram @deightonceramics !
www.deightonabrams.com