Fall Firing 2007

2007-05-19T00:44:00.000-07:00

Shino Vase

2006-03-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

Shino Vase

2006-03-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

Godiva Vase

2006-03-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

Garden Vase

2006-03-08T09:50:00.000-08:00

Cheesburger

2006-03-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

Cheeseburger

2006-03-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

Work from Phillip Annon's Kiln May 2006

2006-03-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

2006-03-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

Artist Statement

Jim Edelen

My creations in clay physically capture my ideas and embody my creative energy through variations in the form, volume and surface of my art. I then entrust my artistic efforts to the grace and randomness of the wood-fire process. My knowledge of wood-firing allows me to adorn my pottery with natural beauty.

I test the physical limits of clay by forming and stretching it in order to create vessels that capture space, create visual tension, and fight gravity. My vessels explore relationships between clay composition and the material limits of ceramic construction. By applying imagination and problem solving techniques, these challenges continually create new opportunities for me to express myself through clay.

For the past fifteen years I have designed, built and fired wood kilns across the Midwest. Passion for clay and fire has impacted every aspect of my life and continues to shape the decisions that I make. In devotion to this process of creation, the ceramic vessel has become the hallmark of my personal journey.

Resume

2006-03-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

JAMES P. EDELEN

____________________________________________________________________

1609 East Court Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
319.354.9385
jpedelen@yahoo.com
____________________________________________________________________

EDUCATION

M.F.A. The University of Iowa Iowa City, IA May 2000
M.A. The University of Iowa Iowa City, IA May 1999

Honors:
Glen Nelson Ceramics Scholarship 1998-1999
The University of Iowa Studio Arts Scholarship 1999-2000

B.A. Beloit College Beloit, WI May 1995
Honors:
Departmental Honors in Studio Art
Dean’s List

Additional Education:
University of Wisconsin Madison, WI 1992-94
School of Engineering – Civil Engineering

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RDG PLANNING & DESIGN/RDG DAHLQUIST ART STUDIO
Des Moines, IA
June 2002-August 2005
www.dahlquistclayworks.com

Artist and Education Coordinator
Taught ceramics classes and designed curriculum for multi-level classrooms
Beginning and Intermediate Ceramics undergraduate classes through Grandview College and Des Moines Area Community College
Advanced Ceramics graduate classes through Drake University Extension
Introduction to Throwing on the Wheel offered through the Des Moines Art Center
Operated as Studio and Classroom Manager
Facilitated yearly student art show
Coordinated and marketed workshops with nationally renowned ceramic artists
Built and maintained kilns; coordinated kiln firings
Responsible for taking inventory and ordering new materials
Surveyed and identified necessary improvements
Served as team member managing and overseeing production of public art nationwide
Construction of terra cotta blocks, including skills in basic carpentry, mold-making, fabrication, drying, glazing and firing

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Iowa City, IA
December 2000-June 2002
Pharmacy Technician

Worked as part of a team to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care

Accurately filled hundreds of prescriptions daily
Stocked prescription vending machines ensuring accuracy and safety throughout hospital

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA SCHOOL OF ART AND ART HISTORY
Iowa City, IA
1997-2000
Graduate Teaching Assistant and Kiln Room Supervisor

Taught hand-building and pottery classes to undergraduate students
Supervised kiln firings and maintained kiln room equipment

IOWA CITY RECREATIONAL CENTER
Iowa City, IA
1996-1997
Ceramics Insructor

Taught Basic Ceramics to children and adults

GERRY ESKIN ART STUDIO
Iowa City, IA
September 1996–December 1997
Pottery Assistant

Prepared ceramic materials for artist
Loaded and oversaw kiln firings
Organized team of woodfire specialists providing 24 hour supervision for weeklong firings in Aspen, Colorado in 1996, 1999, and 2000

HUNGRY JACK OUTFITTERS
Grand Marais, MN
May 1996-August 1996
Canoe Outfitter

Ensured successful trips in and out of Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area
Utilized navigational and back-country skills exploring Boundary Waters
Maintained facilities and equipment

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Master Kiln Builder and Firing Expert
1992-present

Designed and constructed multiple gas and wood kilns

Soda-fire (2005), naboragama two chamber woodfire (2001), four anagama one chamber woodfire (1992, 1996, 1999, 2005), gas-reduction kiln (1994)

Fired wood kilns throughout Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Colorado (1992-2005)

Barn Restorer
Fall 2000

Rebuilt dairy barn into artist studio

Foundation and post and beam reconstruction
Framed windows, added barn siding and insulation
Constructed lofted office space
Installation of wood-burning stove

National Outdoor Leadership School Participant
June 1990

Gained leadership skills while learning outdoor survival, basic first aid, and navigational skills during one month in the Wind River Mountain Range of Wyoming
Nominated by peers to plan and lead an expedition out of the back country

AFS Norway Exchange Student
Fall 1988-Spring 1999

Spent one year living with a host family and attending high school
Gained fluency in Norwegian through total immersion method of study
Participated fully in community and family events
Maintained minimal contact with family in U.S., communicated via postage mail through letters

EXHIBITIONS

Northern Invasion (2004)
University of Northern Texas, Denton, TX

Faculty Show 2004
Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, IA

Midwest Mud Maniacs (2002)
National Council for the Ceramic Arts 2002, Kansas City, MO

Clay Farm (2000)
Carnegie Art Center, Mankato Area Arts Council, Mankato, MN
Bridge: A Show of Ceramic Work (2000)
Delta Axis @ Marshall Art, Memphis, TN

University of Iowa MFAibition (2000)
University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City, IA

All Fired Up (1999)
Arts Iowa City, Iowa City, IA

Ceramics (1999)
Marvin Cone Gallery, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA

Three Potters (1999)
The Silo Inc. Gallery, New Milford, CT

Fire and Clay (1999)
Eve Drewlowe Gallery, University of Iowa School of Art and Art History, Iowa City, IA

Senior Show (1995)
Wright Museum of Art, Beloit College, Beloit, WI

WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES

Ungi American Tour (2002)
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Iching Teapot Workshop and Demonstration (2000)
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

International Woodfire Conference (1999)
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

National Council for the Education of the Ceramic Arts (1995-present)
Member and Conference Attendee

Attended Lectures and Demonstrations by:
Peter Volkus, Jun Kaneko, Goro Suzuki, Koie Ryoji, Rudi Autio, Don Reitz, Mike Weber, Clary Illian, Brad Schwieger, Doug Jeck, Philip Cornelius, Viola Fry, Richard Bresnahan, Arthur Gonzales, Tashiko Takaezu, Douglas Dawson, Ron Kovatch, Ron Meyers, and Ron Gallus

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Attended two workshops studying the art of Jin Shin Jyutsu; belong to an Iowa City exchange group.
Practice yoga at the Des Moines YMCA and have studied under Iyengar master Nancy Footner of Friendship Yoga in Iowa City.
International experience includes: living in Norway for one year, travel in Europe, Asia, and North America

Edelen Ceramics

Fall Firing 2007

Shino Vase

Shino Vase

Godiva Vase

Garden Vase

Cheesburger

Cheeseburger

Work from Phillip Annon's Kiln May 2006

Resume