Kirsten Bassion Ceramics
  • Home
  • About
  • Brown Clay Body of Work
  • White Clay Body of Work
  • Contact
  • The Clay School

Artist Bio, Resume, and Statement

Picture
Artist Statement
I create functional pottery for daily use.  I hope that it catches the eye through the use of bright colors, intricate patterns, and satisfies the user through generous forms and tactile surfaces.  For years before that I was a quilter and that has also inform how I divide up the space on each form and lay down pattern as well as color and texture.  

Some of my pieces are wheel thrown while others are hand built but all are painted with unique underglaze designs.  Most patterns are created using paper stencils and a slip trailer. The work is finished in a cone 5 oxidation kiln. I work in white stoneware, porcelain, and a dark brown stoneware.

My hope is that the final product is one that is visually stimulating and comfortable to use.  I strive to create work that I enjoy making and that is fun to use share with others. This is part of the joy of being a potter.



Picture
Artist Bio
 BS Studio Art 1997 - Skidmore College 
MFA Ceramics 2004 - Rochester Institute of Technology (School for American Craft)

Kirsten Bassion is the owner and one of the original co-founders of The Clay School which was formerly North Shore Clay Studio started in 2005.  In December of 2010 the studio changed names and Kirsten became the sole owner.  The Clay School has grown into a vibrant clay center where over 150 students and artists take classes and make work. To  this day she uses the studio a her own place to create her work as well as a creative place to teach and inspire others. 

​
There are many things to juggle in Kirsten's life between being an artist entrepreneur to teaching at Harvard University and then there is her other job as the mother of two.  Life is never boring and today she is grateful that school is all day.  She lives in her hometown, Marblehead, MA with her husband and two girls.  


Artist Resume Abbreviated
EDUCATION  
2004               Rochester Institute of Technology, Master of Fine Arts               Rochester, NY
1997                Skidmore College, Bachelor of Science: Studio Art                       Saratoga Spr., NY     

INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS  
2020              Visiting Artist Workshop at the New Art Center                              Newton, MA
                        Hidden Valley Camp, Ceramics Pro-staff                                          Freedom, ME  
                        Strictly Functional Pottery National                                                   National Juried Online Show

​2019               Hidden Valley Camp, Ceramics Pro-staff                                          Freedom, ME  
                        NCECA Exuberant Surfaces Show                                                      Minneapolis, MN

​2018               Visiting Artist, Clay By The Bay Studio                                                San Francisco, CA
                        Hidden Valley Camp, Ceramics Pro-staff                                          Freedom, ME  

2017               Visiting Artist Workshop, Arlington School                                       Belmont, MA
                        Hidden Valley Camp, Ceramics Pro-staff                                          Freedom, ME                       

​2016               Harvard Ceramics Department Show                                                  Alston, MA   
                        Teacher at Harvard Ceramics                                                                Alston, MA
                        Functional Ceramics Invitational, Wayne Center for Arts             Wooster, OH
                        The Clay Way, Generational show with Julia Galloway,
                                    The Clay Lady Campus                                                                Nashville, TN
                        Visiting Artist Workshop, Arlington School                                       Belmont, MA
                        Hidden Valley Camp, Ceramics pro-staff                                          Freedom, ME
  
2015               Visiting Artist Workshop, Arlington School                                     Belmont, MA
                        Yunomi Invitational, AKAR                                                                    Iowa City, IA
                        POW (Pots on Wheels) Truck show NCECA                                       Providence, RI
                        Demonstrating Artist Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market                           Boston, MA
                        Chief Organizer of Lydia Pinkham Open Studios for 10 years        Lynn, MA


  2014             Invited artist to POW Pots on Wheels, NCECA                          Providence, RI
                       NCECA Judge and participant for RIT Alumni Show                 Milwaukee, MO
                        SOFA with Katie Gingrass Gallery                                                 Chicago, IL
                        Guest Lecturer Skidmore College                                                 Saratoga Spr, NY
                        Custom Donor wall for Organic Garden Bell School                Marblehead, MA
                        Guest Artist at Arlington School                                                    Belmont, MA
                        Pots on Wheels participating Artist                                              Boston, MA
                        MudFlat Studio Gala participating Artist                                     Somerville, MA


2013               Duets, Clay Art Center                                                                      Port Chester, NY
                        Yunomi Invitational                                                                          Iowa City, IA
                        Fine Craft Judge Marblehead Festival of Arts                             Marblehead, MA
                        Fine Craft Show Judge Marblehead Arts Assoc.                        Marblehead, MA

2012               Sources and Influences Invitation from Julia Galloway                    
                                    Huntington Museum of Art                                                    Huntington, WV
                       de-la-Fluer, Vase and Flower show, MudFire Gallery                   Decantur, GA
                       Pottery Invitational (show of the top New England Potters)

                          Worchester Center for Craft                                                            Worchester, MA
                       NCECA Gallery Show, 18 Hands Gallery                                            Seattle, WA
                       Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery                                                    Iowa City, IA
                       The Clay School in Session, (Solo show from Kirsten’s studio)
                                     Marblehead Arts Assoc.                                                         Marblehead, MA
                        Annual Cup Invitational,  Artisan Gallery                                       Northampton, MA
          
2011                 Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery                                                 Iowa City, IA
                        Bancroft and Friends                                                                           Marblehead, MA
                        Bowls,  Worcester Center for Craft                                                 Worcester, MA
                        Society of Arts and Crafts                                                                   Boston, MA               
                        Fuller Craft Museum                                                                            Brockton, MA
                        Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Clay Art Center                         Port Chester, NY

 

2010                Winterfest 2010 Invitational, Baltimore Clayworks                      Baltimore, MD
                         Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery                                                   Iowa City, IA
                        CRAFTBOSTON, Seaport World Trade Center                                Boston, MA
                        Small Favors V, The Clay Studio                                                         Philadelphia, PA
                        Winterfest Invitational, Baltimore Clayworks                                 Baltimore, MD
                        Plates and Platters, Gallery Under the Stairs                                    Lynn, MA
                        The Clay Studio Gallery                                                                        Philadelphia, PA
                        Bancroft + Friends Gallery                                                                   Marblehead, MA
                        Marblehead Arts Association           Gallery                                      Marblehead, MA           

 

2009               CRAFTBOSTON, Seaport World Trade Center                              Boston, MA
                         Danforth Museum Shop                                                                      Framingham, MA
                         Fuller Craft Museum Shop                                                                  Brockton, MA
                         Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery                                                   Iowa City, IA
                        Under Cover Invitational, Clay Art Center                                       Port Chester, NY
                        Small Bowls: Susan Maasch Fine Art                                                 Portland, ME
                        Watershed Salad Days Pottery Sale Invitational                            Newcastle, ME


2008               Art in Bloom, Garden Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts                                 Boston, MA
                        Pottery Invitational for Salad Days at Watershed                          Newcastle, ME
                        Gifted 2008, The Clay Studio                                                                       Philadelphia, PA
                        South End Holiday Market                                                               Boston, MA
                       Our Cup Runneth Over 2008, Society of Arts and Crafts              Boston, MA
                       One and Only Invitational, Kohler Arts Center                               Sheboygan, WI
                       All Fired Up, Artful Table Invitational, Lyndhurst                          Westchester, NY
                       Marblehead Arts Festival                                                                 Marblehead, MA
                       Yunomi Invitational Show, AKAR Gallery                                       Iowa City, IA

2007                Gifted 2007, The Clay Studio                                                                       Philadelphia, PA
                         One and Only, John Michael Kohler Arts Center                           Sheboygan, WI
                          5x30, AKAR Gallery                                                                           Iowa City, IA
                         MIMI Gallery                                                                                     Ipswich, MA
                          Interfusion, Marblehead Arts Assoc.                                                           Marblehead, MA
                          Mastery in Clay 2007, The Clay Studio                                            Philadelphia, PA
                          Yunomi Invitational Show, AKAR Gallery                                       Iowa City, IA
                         Susan Maasch Fine Art, Featured Clay Artist                                             Portland, ME
                        Platter and Plate Invitational, Pewabic Pottery Gallery                  Detroit, MI
                        LUX, Lincoln Arts Center                                                                 Lincoln, NE

2006               New Members Show, Marblehead Arts Assoc.                               Marblehead, MA
                         Featured Artist-July, Lincoln Arts Center                                         Lincoln, NE
                         Society of Arts and Crafts, Retail Gallery, Newbury St.                 Boston, MA
                        AKAR Gallery Legacy,                                                                             Iowa City, IA
                                    Alex Karros, Julia Galloway, and Kirsten Bassion 
                        Mastery in Clay, The Clay Studio                                                         Philadelphia, PA
                        Solo at the Virginia Carten Gallery, Carten Gallery                         Marblehead, MA
                        Cup Invitational, Society of Arts and Crafts                                      Boston, MA

PROFESSIONAL CERAMICS EXPERIENCE  
2006-present   Owner/Teacher, The Clay School                                                    Lynn, MA
2016-2017    Teacher Harvard University Ceramics Department                    Cambridge, MA
2009                   Visiting Artist at Shore Country Day                                                Beverly, MA

                             Salem Public Park Project, Peabody St. Park                                  Salem, MA
2006-2007       Ceramics Teacher, Adult Wheel Class, Creative Arts                   Reading, MA
2005                   Ceramics Teacher,                                                                                Cambridge, MA
                                   Buckingham, Browne, and Nichols, Upper School
2004-2005       Ceramics Teacher,    Redbrick Arts Center                                     Beverly, MA
                            Ceramics Teacher, Adult Wheel Class, Creative Arts                    Reading, MA
2003                  Artist-in-Residence, Fundacio Josep Llorens Artigas,                   Barcelona, Spain                              
                           Ceramics Teacher, Rochester Institute of Technology                  Rochester, NY
                                         School for American Crafts             
2002                  Ceramics Studio Technician                                                                Rochester, NY
                                      Rochester Institute of Technology  
2001                  Ceramics Teacher, Peninsula Fine Arts Center                                Newport News, VA

PUBLICATIONS
2013                                              American Pottery iBook, By Kevin Hluch
April/May 2010                          North Shore Magazine, The Home Issue, It’s Cake, page 22
December/Holiday 2009        North Shore Magazine, Fabulous Finds, page 94
Fall 2009                                      Marblehead Home and Style, Art Town, page 14
September 14, 2008                  New York Times, Arts and Entertainment, page 10
April 24, 2008                             The Marblehead Reporter, Cover Feature in Arts and More,  page 1

Proudly powered by Weebly