Artist: Charlie Olson
Charlie Olson, WISCONSIN
Bio
My interest in ceramics began in Rochester, Minnesota in the fall of 1967 when my high school art teacher encouraged me to use my study hall time in the ceramics studio. After a few sessions I felt an undeniable connection with the material and the process. Six months later I sold my stereo system to a friend and headed to Minneapolis to buy a brand new Shimpo RK2 potter’s wheel at
Minnesota Clay for €230.00.
Throughout my undergraduate studies at Mankato State University my primary focus was making pottery. During that time my professor introduced me to glaze research. His knowledge and inspiration set me on what is now a life long investigation of glaze chemistry.
Upon entering graduate school at the University of Colorado my personal goal was to put my potter’s wheel aside and concentrate on ceramic sculpture and glaze development. I taught myself how to make plaster molds and consequently developed a body of slip cast work. Occasionally I still made pots as the ceramics studio held a pottery sale twice a year. It was an enjoyable, momentary distraction from my thesis work.
In the fall of 1977 I started my teaching career at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. As it turned out it would be my only teaching job. I spent the next 35 years working with outstanding faculty and students, retiring in 2012. During those years I was committed to teaching and to the fabrication of assembled ceramic sculptures. However pottery making was never abandoned, as it was one of the processes I taught in the UWW ceramics studio. Each fall I would also turn my studio into a pottery production studio to prepare for the annual UWW Pottery Sale.
My involvement in glaze research did not lose intensity during those teaching years and proved to be very beneficial as I was approaching retirement. The entire spectrum of my glaze testing to that point was devoted to reduction (gas kiln) firing. However my home studio was equipped with only electric kilns due to the building codes for my urban property. Therefore I needed to develop a new body of glaze recipes that would be effective in oxidation (electric kiln) firing. It took about two years and approximately 1600 individual tests to arrive at the twenty five glazes I am presently using.
After retiring from teaching I made a conscious decision to return to my roots and devote my creative endeavors solely to making pottery. Glaze research is still a very important part of my studio routine, as is the development of forms that speak of peacefulness.
Artist Statement
Charlie Olson’s work is a study in simplicity of form and richness of glaze surface. All of his pots are made of porcelain and are technically functional although many of these forms shrink the boundaries of utility, emphasizing instead their sculptural qualities. He has worked in ceramics for over five decades and in that time found special interest in glaze chemistry and experimentation. By way of testing over 2000 glaze variations he presently utilizes 25 glazes in his studio. Charile is Professor Emeritus from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. He has exhibited his work extensively and is included in numerous private and public collections.
Education:
MFA, Ceramics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO - 1975
BFA, Ceramics, Mankato State University, Mankato, MN - 1973
Teaching:
Emeritus Professor, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI – 1977 to 2012
Professor, Chisholm Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia (International Teaching
Exchange Program) - 1989/90
Instructor, Mankato State University, Mankato, MN - 1975/76
Part-Time Instructor, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO - Spring 1975
Graduate Assistant, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO - Fall 1974
Workshops/Lectures:
Carroll University, Waukesha, WI, 2014.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Ceramics Department, Oshkosh, WI - 2005
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Poured Porcelain: Thin Slab Construction, (one week class), Smithville, TN 2001
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Ceramics Department, Green Bay, WI - 2001
University of Missouri Ceramics Department, Columbia, Mo - 2000
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Ceramics Department, Milwaukee, WI - 1999
University of Wisconsin Ceramics Department / Elvehjem Museum, Madison, WI -1996
Outer Eastern T.A.F.E., Wantirna South, Victoria, Australia - 1989
Bendigo College of Art, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia - 1989
Wide Bay Burnett Potters Association Clay Conference, Queensland, Australia - 1989
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia- 1989
Phillip Institute, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia- 1989
Victorian Ceramic Group, Meat Market Center for the Arts, Melbourne, Australia- 1989
University of Wisconsin Ceramics Department / Elvehjem Museum, Madison, WI - 1988
University of Wisconsin - Parkside, Kenosha, WI - 1986
Minnesota Community College Fine Arts Association Annual Conference, Marine-on-the-St. Croix, MN - 1985
Rochester Community College, Rochester, MN - 1984
School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL - 1983
Clay from Molds II, Kohler Porcelain Factory, Kohler, WI - 1981
Johnson State University, Johnson, VT - 1981
University of Wisconsin - Wausau, Wausau, WI - 1980
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI - 1979
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL - 1978
Collections:
Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA
Victorian State Collection, Melbourne, Australia
Chisholm Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Patrick Lannon Foundation, Palm Beach, FL
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Wustum Museum of Fine Art, Racine, WI
Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN
John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
Mankato State University, Mankato, MN
Marietta College, Marietta, OH
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Byer Museum of Art, Chicago, IL
Sanford Besser Collection, Little Rock, AR
N.E.A. Visual Artists Fellowship Slide Archive, National Museum of American Art, Washington, D.C.
Awards:
W.P. Roseman Excellence in Teaching Award, U.W.-Whitewater, 2012
Outstanding Research Award, College of Arts and Communications, U.W.-Whitewater, 2001
Arts Midwest/N.E.A. Regional Visual Arts Fellowship, 1985
University of Wisconsin State Research Grants, 1984, 1985, 1993
S.I.U.E. Clay National, Purchase Award, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, - 1988
Tri-county Arts Exhibition, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, Wi - 1988
Wisconsin Arts Board Project Grants, 1980, 1982
Chicago and Vicinity Clay Exhibition, Cash Award, Lill St. Gallery, Chicago, IL - 1982
Trends in Porcelain, Cash Award, A.R.T. Clay Company, Elk Grove Village, IL - 1982
Juried Exhibition of Teaching Artists, Award in Ceramics/Sculpture, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, WI - 1980
20th Annual Own Your Own Exhibition, Juror’s Choice, Sangre de Christo Arts Center, Pueblo, CO - 1980
Marietta College Crafts National ‘77, Award in Experimental/Functional and Purchase Award, Marietta College, Marietta, OH - 1977
Colorado Ceramics Exhibition, Best of Show, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO - 1977
Designer Craftsman ‘76, Cash Award, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA - 1976
16th Annual Own Your Own Show, Juror’s Choice, Sangre de Christo Arts Center, Pueblo, CO - 1976
Aspen Fine Arts Exhibition, Cash Award, Aspen, CO - 1975
National Exhibition of Art and Architecture, Cash Award, Minneapolis, MN - 1973
14th Annual Red River Exhibition, Fourth in Show Cash Award, Red River Art Center, Moorhead, MN - 1973
Work Study Research Grant, Mankato State University in cooperation with the Minnesota Geologic Survey, 1972
Second Biennial Lake Superior National Crafts Exhibition, 2 Honorable Mentions, Tweed Art Museum, Duluth, MN - 1972
Exhibitions:
Quietude, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, 2023.
Excess: More Than You Asked For, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, 2022.
Solo Exhibition, Abel Contemporary Gallery, Stoughton, WI, 2020.
Clay Collective Pottery Tour, Rick Hintze Studio, Johnson Creek, WI, 2016 to present.
Ceramics Invitational, Abel Contemporary Gallery, Stoughton, WI, multiple years.
Influence: History in Making, Maranville Gallery, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA, 2015
East, West, and In Between, Joyce Paddock Bliss Gallery, Carroll University, Waukesha, WI,
2014
Retrospective Exhibition, Crossman Gallery, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, 2013
Group Exhibition, Fiscum Gallery, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, 2011
Ceramics Invitational, Sugar River Gallery, Verona, WI, 2011
Eighth Annual Ceramics Exhibition, Artisan Gallery, Paoli, WI, 2011
Visual Territory, University Gallery, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, 2011
Rendezvous: National Ceramics Invitational, Artspace Gallery, Art Association of Jackson,
Jackson, WY, 2010
Charlie Olson & Karl Borgeson: Recent Work, Gallery on the Main, Ft. Atkinson, WI – 2007
Feats of Clay XIX, Lincoln Arts Center, Lincoln, CA, 2006
Scar Tissue: Fast Pain, Slow Healing, Common Wealth Gallery, Madison, WI, 2006
Group Exhibition, Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI - 2006
Wisconsin Teapots, West Bend Museum of Art, West Bend, WI - 2006
Viewpoint: Ceramics, Hyde Museum of Art, Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA - 2006
Charlie Olson – Karl Borgeson: Recent Ceramics, Allen Preibe Gallery, University of Wisconsin
– Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI - 2005
Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition, Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taipei, Taiwan -
2005
NCECA 2005 Clay National Exhibition, UMBC Center for Art and Visual Culture, Baltimore,
MA – 2005
NCECA 2003 Clay National Exhibition, R.B Stevenson Gallery, San Diego, CA - 2003
Regional Ceramics Invitational, Guenzel Gallery, Peninsula Art School, Fish Creek, WI - 2001
Summer Workshop Faculty Exhibition, Gallery Two, Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville,
TN- 2001
Making Sense/Working in Clay, Gallery Paradiso, Milwaukee, WI - 2001
C.A.S.T. Sculpture Exhibition, Crossman Gallery, U.W.-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI - 2000
Paoli Clay Invitational, Verona High School, Verona, WI – 2000 (traveling to three regional Art
Centers)
Charlie Olson/Karl Borgeson, Two-Person Exhibition, Artspace Gallery, Kohler, WI - 2000
Wood-fired Ceramics Invitational, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI - 1998
Paoli Clay Invitational, Verona High School, Verona, WI (traveled to) Percival Galleries, Des
Moines, IA - 1998
Anything That Pours Invitational, Appalachian Center for the Crafts, Smithville, TN - 1997
Beyond Serving: A Contemporary Platter Invitational, Jessie Metcalf Gallery, University of Las
Vegas, NV - 1997
Group Ceramics Exhibition, Akasaka Gallery, Tokyo, Japan - 1996
Tenth Annual Teapot Invitational, Ariana Gallery, Royal Oak, MI - 1996
Ceramics Exhibition, Old Bakery Gallery, Sydney, Australia - 1996
Third Annual Teapot Exhibition, Craft Alliance Gallery, St. Louis, MO - 1995
Group Exhibition, M.C. Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1995
East of Big Muddy: Wisconsin Clay Artists, Phipps Art Center, Hudson, WI - 1995
Home For Joe, Fawick Gallery, Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, OH - 1995
Paoli Family Clay Exhibition, Verona High School, Verona, WI (traveled to) Art Resource
Center, St. Paul, MN - 1995
Group Ceramics Exhibition, Old Bakery Gallery, Sydney, Australia - 1994
Ceramics Invitational, Avante Gallery, Cleveland, OH - 1994
Tea Party Invitational, Banaker Gallery, San Francisco, CA - 1994
Group Ceramics Exhibition, M.C. Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1993
Group Exhibition, Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI - 1993
11 Studio Potters, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA - 1993
Ceramics Invitational, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ - 1993
Year of the Crafts: Group Invitational, Katie Gingress Gallery, Milwaukee, WI - 1993
Works from the Permanent Collection, Wustum Museum of Art, Racine, WI - 1993
Group Exhibition, M.C. Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1992
International New Art Forms, represented by M.C. Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - 1992
National Ceramics Invitational, The Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA - 1992
Group Invitational, Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI - 1992
Beyond the Obvious, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN - 1992
Group Exhibition, Moyer Gallery, Green Bay, WI - 1991
Works in Clay VII, Wichita Falls Art Museum, Wichita Falls, TX - 1991
Group Exhibition, M.C. Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1991
Ceramics Invitational, Distelfink Gallery, Melbourne, Australia - 1991
Group Exhibition, Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI - 1991
The Ceramic Vessel: Traditional Notions, Recent Directions, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL -
1991
Solo Exhibition, Old Bakery Gallery, Sydney, Australia - 1991
Teapot Invitational, Moira-James Gallery, Las Vegas, NV - 1991
Intentionally Regional, Northern Clay Center, St. Paul, MN - 1991
Clay 1990, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN - 1990
Juried Regional Arts Exhibition, Wustum Museum of Fine Art, Racine, WI - 1990
Group Exhibition, Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI - 1990
International New Art Forms, represented by M.C.Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - 1990
Group Invitational, Moira-James Gallery, Las Vegas, NV - 1990
Wisconsin Triennial, Madison Art Center, Madison, WI - 1990
Teapot Invitational, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI - 1990
Ceramic Arts Invitational, Distelfink Gallery, Melbourne, Australia - 1990
Contemporary Ceramics Invitational, Art Institute for the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX -1990
Group Exhibition, University of Wisconsin- Waukesha, Waukesha, WI - 1990
Solo Exhibition, Distelfink Gallery, Melbourne, Australia - 1990
Solo Exhibition, Meat Market Center for the Arts, Melbourne, Australia - 1990
International New Art Forms, represented by M.C. Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - 1990
Three Person Exhibition, Gallery 44, Boulder, CO - 1989
Two Person Exhibition, M.C. Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1989
Group Invitational, Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI - 1989
Art as Craft, Chicago Center for Ceramic Art, Chicago, IL - 1989
Small Work Invitational, Moyer Gallery, Green Bay, WI - 1989
Teapot Invitational, Lee Sclar Gallery, Morristown, NJ - 1988
Chicago and Vicinity Clay Exhibition, Chicago Center for Ceramic Arts, Chicago, IL - 1988
Group Invitational, Moyer Gallery, Green Bay, WI - 1988
Group Ceramics Invitational, Pro Art Gallery, St. Louis, MO - 1988
Four Clay Forerunners, Walkers Point Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI - 1988
Group Invitational, Joan Robey Gallery, Denver, CO - 1988
Wisconsin Craftmasters, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI - 1988
Ceramics Invitational, Detroit Gallery of Contemporary Crafts, Detroit, MI - 1988
Three Person Exhibition, Wisconsin Union, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI - 1988
Pitchers, Ewers, Jugs Invitational, Martha Schneider Gallery, Highland Park, IL - 1988
Solo Exhibition, M.C. Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1987
Wisconsin Triennial, Madison Art Center, Madison, WI - 1987
International New Art Forms, Martha Schneider Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - 1987
Chicago and Vicinity Clay Exhibition, Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, IL - 1987
Group Invitational, Rochester Arts Center, Rochester, MN - 1986
Two Person Exhibition, University of Wisconsin - Parkside, Kenosha, WI - 1986
New Art Forms International Exhibition, Joan Robey Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - 1986
Fresh Clay Invitational, Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN - 1986
N.C.E.C.A. Members Juried Exhibition, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX - 1986
Chicago and Vicinity Clay Exhibition, Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, IL - 1986
The Kessel Collection: Contemporary Ceramics, Crossman Gallery, University of Wisconsin -
Whitewater, Whitewater, WI - 1986
Tea Bowl Invitational, Martha Schneider Gallery, Highland Park, IL - 1986
Group Invitational, Seuferer-Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI - 1985
Teapots from the Collection of Sanford M. Besser, Arkansas Arts Center and Decorative Arts
Museum, Little Rock, AR - 1985
Tradition/Transition: Ten Midwest Crafts Artists, Minnesota Museum of Art, St. Paul, MN,
traveled to: Dahl Fine Arts Center, Rapid City, SD; North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks,
ND; Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, MN; Lawton Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay,
WI;
Waterloo Arts Council, Waterloo, IA; Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA; Muscatine Art
Center, Muscatine, IA; Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI - 1985
Group Ceramics Exhibition, Netsky Gallery, Coconut Grove, FL - 1985
Two- Person Exhibition, Martha Schneider Gallery, Highland Park, IL - 1985
Group Invitational, Joan Robey Gallery, Denver, CO - 1985
Nine from Wisconsin: Low Fire Clay, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, WI - 1985
Feat of Clay Invitational, Lill Street Gallery and Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - 1985
Midwest/Northwest Exchange Invitational, Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, IL and Archie Bray
Foundation, Helena, MT - 1985
Wisconsin Survey: Three-Dimensional Art Today, Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and
Letters, University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Union, - 1985 (travelled to six Wisconsin
Galleries and Art Centers)
American Coffee Cup, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN - 1984
Contemporary American Heritage, Elaine Potter Gallery, San Francisco, CA - 1984
Solo Exhibition, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN - 1984
Three- Person Exhibition, Martha Schneider Gallery, Highland Park, IL - 1984
International Teapot Exhibition, Contemporary Crafts Gallery, Portland, OR - 1984
Tea Bowl Invitational, Craft Alliance Gallery, St. Louis, MO - 1984
Group Exhibition, Callaway Gallery, Rochester, MN - 1984
Chicago and Vicinity Ceramics Exhibition, Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, IL - 1983
Ceramics Invitational, Macalaster College, St. Paul, MN - 1983
Cup Invitational, By Design Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1983
Mankato State University Alumni Exhibition, Edina Art Center, Edina, MN - 1983
Teapots: A Group Exhibition, Martha Schneider Gallery, Highland Park, IL - 1983
Utilitarian Mud Invitational, Milwaukee Art Center, Milwaukee, WI - 1983
Porcelain: A Group Exhibition, By Design Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1983
Group Exhibition, Seuferer-Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI - 1982
Wisconsin Trends, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI - 1982
Cups and Saucers Invitational, By Design Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - 1982
The Emergence of a New Tradition: American Porcelain, The Hand and the Spirit Gallery,
Scottsdale, AZ - 1982
The Great American Bowl, Newport College, Newport, RI - 1982
Wisconsin Impressions, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI - 1982
1st Ceramics Exhibition, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR - 1982
Functional Ceramics, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH (traveled to) Miami University, Oxford,
OH - 1982
Solo Exhibition, Synopsis Gallery, Winnetka, IL - 1982
Ceramics Invitational, Sargent Art Gallery, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL - 1982
Solo Exhibition, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL - 1982
Clay, Paper, Fiber as Medium, Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA - 1982
The Bowl, The American Hand Gallery, Washington, D.C. - 1981
Marietta College Crafts National, Marietta College, Marietta, OH - 1981
Viewing Wisconsin, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI - 1981
Spouting Ideas Invitational, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI - 1981
Lake Superior 5th Biennial National Exhibition, Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN - 1981
Ceramic Invitational Exhibition, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL - 1981
National Clay Invitational, Joseloff Gallery, Hartford Art School, Hartford, CT - 1981
Teapots/USA Invitational, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL - 1981
Paint on Clay: A Survey of the Use of Non-Fired Surfaces on Ceramic Forms by Contemporary
American Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI - 1981
Four Person Group Exhibition, Johnson State University, Johnson, VT - 1981
Clay and Paper, Memphis State University, Memphis, TN - 1981
23rd Annual Beloit and Vicinity Exhibition, Wright Art Center, Beloit College, WI - 1980
Two by Two, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI - 1980
Ceramics from the Collection of the Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis,
MO - 1980
Uniquely Wisconsin, Cudahy Gallery, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI - 1980
Solo Exhibition, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA - 1980
Four Person Exhibition, Center Gallery, Madison, WI - 1980
Upper Midwest Juried Crafts Exhibition, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA - 1980
Wisconsin Ceramics Invitational, Priebe Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh - 1980
American Porcelain: New Expressions in an Ancient Art, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian
Institution, Washington, D.C., traveled to: Brunnier Gallery, Ames, IA, San Antonio Museum of
Art; Phoenix Art Museum; Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, - 1980
Solo Exhibition, Synopsis Gallery, Winnetka, IL - 1980
Midwest Crafts Exhibition, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN - 1980
An Inch of Art Invitational, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN - 1979
Wisconsin Artists Make Toys, Cudahy Gallery, Milwaukee Art Museum, WI - 1979
Clay / Metal / Fiber Invitational, Southeastern Massachusetts University, North Dartmouth, MA -
1979
Solo Exhibition, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN - 1979
Inch Art Invitational, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI - 1979
Ten Personal Approaches, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL - 1979
Clay at Clay County Invitational, Plains Art Museum, Moorhead, MN - 1978
Ceramics Group Show, The Store Gallery, Philadelphia, PA - 1978
Group Summer Exhibition, Exhibit A Gallery, Evanston, IL - 1978
Clay from Molds: Multiples, Altered Castings, and Combinations, John Michael Kohler Arts
Center, Sheboygan, WI - 1978
Colorado Ceramics Exhibition, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO - 1977
Drinking Vessels ‘77, Westwood Ceramics Gallery, City of Industry, CA - 1977
Southwest Crafts Biennial, Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe, NM - 1977
Lake Superior 3rd Biennial National Exhibition, Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, MN - 1977
Drinking Companions, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI - 1977
33rd Annual Scripps College Invitational, Scripps College, Claremont, CA - 1977
New Views by Young Ceramists, Exhibit A Gallery, Evanston, IL - 1976
Arizona National, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale, AZ - 1976
4th Colorado Annual, Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO - 1976
Designer - Craftsman ‘76, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA - 1976
Boulder Art Association 16th Annual Regional Art Exhibition, Boulder Art Center, Boulder, CO -
1976
Solo Exhibition, Nichols Gallery, Mankato State University, Mankato, MN - 1976
Colorado Artist Craftsmen Exhibition, Boulder Art Center, Boulder, CO - 1976
Marietta College Crafts National, Marietta College, Marietta, OH - 1976
Crafts Invitational, Colorado State Fair, Pueblo, CO - 1975
Objects ‘75, Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO - 1975
Two Person Exhibition, Henderson Art Museum, University of Colorado, Boulder, - 1975
Bicentennial National Art Exhibition, University of Texas, Arlington, TX - 1975
3rd Annual Own Your Own Exhibition, Sangre de Christo Art Center, Pueblo, CO - 1975
Graduates Summer Invitational, Fine Arts Gallery, University of Colorado, Boulder, - 1975
2nd Colorado Annual, Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO - 1974
10th International Juried Art Exhibition, Red River Art Center, Moorhead, MN - 1973
N.C.E.C.A. Student Art Exhibition, Northern Arizona State University, Flagstaff, AZ - 1973
Number One Art Exhibition, Union Gallery, Mankato State University, Mankato, MN - 1973
Two Person Exhibition, Nichols Gallery, Mankato State University, Mankato, MN - 1973
4th Annual Art Exhibition, Fine Arts Gallery, Dakota State College, Madison, SD - 1973
Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, Mankato State University, Mankato, MN - 1972/73
Annual Minnesota Artists Exhibition, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN - 1972
Media:
Jacobson, Kyle, “Charlie Olson: Glazing Poetic, Madison Essentials, December, 2020
500 Ceramic Sculptures, Lark Books, 2008
Ceramics Monthly, “Anything that Pours”, Vol. 46 - No. 1, January, 1998
Hylands, Andrea, “Clay Abstractions”, Craft Arts International, Issue 20, Oct.- Nov. 1990
Barilleaux, Rene Paul, Wisconsin Triennial, Suttle Press, Madison Art Center, WI - 1990
Hylands, Andrea, “Charlie Olson at Chisholm”, Pottery in Australia, Vol. 28 - No.4, December,1989
Jelbart, Mary Lou, “Charles Olson”, The Age, Melbourne, Australia, August,24,1989
Jelbart, Mary Lou, “On the Edge of an Unknown Abyss”, The Age, Melbourne, Australia, December 6, 1989
Ceramics Monthly, “Charles Olson”, Vol. 37 - No.7, September, 1989
American Craft, “Portfolio”, Vol. 48 - No. 5, October/November, 1988
Lewis, Frank, “Four Clay Forerunners”, Milwaukee Sentinel, July 22, 1988
Pepich, Bruce, “Wisconsin Craftmasters”, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI 1988
Williams, Gerry, “Wisconsin Potters”, The Studio Potter, Volume 16 - No. 1, 1988
American Craft, Vol. 47 - No. 5, October/November, 1987
Kester, Bernard, “Tradition/Transition: Ten Midwest Crafts Artists”, Minnesota Museum of Art, St. Paul, MN 1986
New Art Examiner, “Group Exhibition at Schneider Gallery”, September, 1985
Frith, Don, “Moldmaking for Ceramics”, Chilton Press, 1985
Brite, Jane, “Wisconsin Three-Dimensional Artists”, Wisconsin Academy Review, Vol. 31 - No. 2, 1985
American Craft, “Gallery”, Vol. 44, No. 6, December/January, 1984-85
Johnson, Loring, “Recent Works by Charles Olson”, The Extra, Rochester, MN Dec1984
Ceramics Monthly, “News and Retrospect”, Vol. 31 - No. 8, October, 1983
Auer, James, “Utilitarian Mud”, Milwaukee Journal, Sunday, February 27, 1983
Craft Connection, Minnesota Crafts Council, Second Quarter, 1983
Skophammer, Roger, “Cups and Saucers”, Picture, Minneapolis Tribune - 1982
Ceramics Monthly, “Functional Ceramics 1982”, Vol. 30 - No. 10, December, 1982
Butts, H. Daniel, “Functional Ceramics”, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 1982
Herman, Lloyd, “American Porcelain: New Expressions in an Ancient Art”, Timber Press,1981
Craft Connection, Minnesota Crafts Council, Fourth Quarter, 1981
Gordon, Scott, “Clay Forms”,New Art Examiner, Vol. 8 - No. 6, March, 1981
American Craft, Vol. 47 - No. 6, December/January, 1981
Koplos, Janet, “Charles Olson”, New Art Examiner, Vol. 7 - No. 7, April, 1980
American Craft, “Exhibitions”, Vol. 40 No. 3, June/July, 1980
Campbell, Genie, “Clay Forms”, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI - Dec. 7, 1980
Ceramics Monthly, “Illinois Invitational”, Vol. 28 - No. 2, February, 1980
Koplos, Janet, “New Views by Young Ceramists”, Craft Horizons, Vol. 39 No.2 April, 1979
Kohler, Ruth, “Clay from Molds: Multiples, Altered Castings, Combinations”, John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, WI, 1978
Ceramics Monthly, “New Views”, Vol. 25 - No. 9, November, 1977
Craft Horizons, Vol. 37 - No. 3, June, 1977
Ceramics Monthly, “National Exhibition at Tweed Museum”, Vol. 21 - No.2, Feb., 1973