Artist: Marissa Childers
Marissa Childers, OKLAHOMA
BIO
Marissa Childers is a ceramic artist living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was born in Florence, Alabama where she earned her BFA from the University of North Alabama. Upon graduating she worked as a ceramic intern at Anderson Ranch Arts Center and soon after pursued her MFA at the University of Oklahoma.
Marissa’s work explores moments of connection and intimacy while celebrating femininity and craft found within domestic spaces. She is often inspired by things that society deems as a ‘craft’ or ‘feminine’ such as quilting, sewing, and decoration.
Marissa has exhibited her work at numerous galleries and has received various grants and awards to support her research, including support from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition and the National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts. She was chosen as one of Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artists of 2022 and an Emerging Artist for NCECA in 2023.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work explores moments of connection and intimacy while celebrating femininity and craft found within domestic spaces. I believe pottery plays such an important role in our society as it enriches everyday objects with purpose and beauty. Whether creating a dish to celebrate a meal or adorning the wall to reminisce a small moment, my artwork is built to honor and enhance our daily rituals.
I’m often inspired by the things which society deems as a ‘craft’ or ‘feminine’ such as quilting, sewing, and decoration. These domestic activities heavily influence the work I create and further inform my building process. The various textures and patterns used are intended to evoke a sense of joy and nostalgic comfort, while small hidden details draw you in for a closer look. I strive to make artwork that is elegant yet inviting to the touch so it may be easily woven into the lives of others.
As I reflect upon and process these smaller moments, it gives me room to navigate old and new identities within my own narrative. My work not only allows me to pay homage to where I am from but also helps me understand the world around me and the place in which I belong as a woman and an artist.
Education
2019-2022 University of Oklahoma - Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics
2016-2019 The University of North Alabama – Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics
2008-2013 University of North Alabama - Accounting Major
2008-2010 Northwest Shoals Community College
Current and Past Positions
2023 Adjunct: Foundations I, Ceramics – Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, OK
Ceramics Instructor – Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
2022 Adjunct: Foundations I, Ceramics – Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, OK
Adjunct: Core II – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
Ceramics Instructor – Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
2021 Instructor: Ceramics and Core II – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Ceramics Instructor – Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
Ceramics Instructor – Firehouse Arts Center, Norman, OK
2020 Ceramics Instructor – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2019 Ceramics Teaching Assistant – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2017-2019 Art Department Shop Technician – The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
2010-2019 Cabinet Builder/Contractor – Wood Works Inc, Florence, AL
Additional Teaching Experience
2023 Texture Workshop – Preacher Pottery, Norman, OK
Thursday Night Workshop Instructor: Ceramics – Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
2022 Thursday Night Workshop Instructor: Ceramics – Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
2021 Snack Attack Workshop: October – Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
Mean Muggin Workshop: July, October – Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
2018 Florence Bicentennial Workshop – The University of North Alabama, Florence AL
Children’s Workshop – Tennessee Valley Museum, Tuscumbia, AL
2017 Student Workshop – The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
Kiln Unveil Workshop, University of North Alabama
Publications:
2023 Arts to Hearts Project with Charuka
The Potters Cast with Paul Blais – May
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Journal - Emerging Artist Journal Article pgs. 46-49
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Program Exhibitions Guide – pg.20
Ceramics Monthly – January 2023 issue, pg. 52
2023 ICAN Calendar – Form and Function Calendar
2022 Ceramics Monthly – December 2022 issue, pg. 68
Edible OKC – Holiday Gift Guide, pg. 30
Shaping Your Pottery with Nic Torres – Episode 65: Being Inspired by Domestic Spaces, October 29
Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist – May 2022 Issue, pg. 38
2021 Companion Gallery – February 2021 Issue, Last Call VI
2019 Ceramics Monthly – November 2019 Issue, Exposure Section, pg. 14
2018 Companion Gallery – September 2018 Issue, Material Mugs III: Underglaze
Honors/Awards
2023 Helen Zucker Seeman Research and Writing Fellowship for Women - National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts
NCECA Emerging Artist – National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts
Spotlight Artist – Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
ICAN Calendar Winner – 2023 ICAN Calendar
2022 Emerging Artist Award – Ceramics Monthly
Jurors Choice Award, SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show – Savannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA
Graduate Student Senate Research Grant Recipient – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Glennis Horn Scholarship – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Ben Barnett Memorial-Fine Arts Scholarship – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2021 NCECA Graduate Student Fellowship Recipient – National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts
Graduate Student Senate Research Grant Recipient – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Ben Barnett Memorial-Fine Arts Scholarship – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Roberson Research Grant Recipient – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Red Clay Faction Award: Art 107 Exhibition – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Viewer’s Choice Award: Momentum Exhibition, Norman, OK/ Tulsa, OK
2020 Graduate Student Senate Research Grant Recipient – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Madeline Colbert Steed Scholarship – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Excellence in Design Award: Art 106 Exhibition
Red Clay Faction Award: Art 106 Exhibition
2019 Madeline Colbert Steed Scholarship – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2018 James Randal Holland Endowed Scholarship - The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
Second Place in 3-D: Lights and Shadows Exhibition – The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
Internships / Residencies
2023 Artist in Residence – Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
2022 Spring Pentaculum – Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
2019 Ceramic Intern – Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass, CO
Invitational Exhibitions
2023 Yunomi Invitational 2023 – ClayAKAR, Iowa City, IA
National Teapot Show XII – Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
Emerging Artist Exhibition – National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Cincinnati, OH
Spotlight Artist Exhibition – 21c Museum Hotel, Oklahoma City, OK
DNA Galleries Art Show – DNA Galleries, Oklahoma City, OK
2022 Skulls, Skies, and Sublime Threads – Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
Solo Exhibition, Ornaments of Daily Life – Union University, Jackson, TN
CHEERS! Drink Up! – Commonwheel Artist Co-op, Manitou Springs, CO
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, Ornaments of Daily Life – MainSite Contemporary Art, Norman, OK
2021 M.F.A. All-Inclusive – Lightwell Gallery, Norman, OK
2020 Off Balance – Resonator, Norman, OK
2019 Environmental Waste – University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
M.F.A. Exhibition – Lightwell Gallery, Norman, OK
Interim – Patton-Malott Gallery, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass, CO
Senior Exhibition – University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
2018 Lights and Shadows – University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
Juried Exhibitions
2023 CAST/MOLDED – Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
Momentum, Juror: Coka Trevino – Sailor and the Dock, Oklahoma City, OK
2022 Raise a Toast ll, Juror: Mike Stumbras – Edwardsville Arts Center, Edwardsville, IL
SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show, Juror: Kevin Snipes – Savannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA
Last Call VII, Juror: Tim Kowalczyk – Companion Gallery, Jackson, TN
Momentum, Juror: Helen Opper / Cara Alizadeh-Fard – TAP Architecture, Oklahoma City, OK
Paper & Clay, Juror: Kelli Sinner – Tipetts and Eccles Gallery, Logan, UT
2021 MFA Online Exhibition “COHORTS-alone: together”, Juror: Grad Students at University of Montana
Art 107, Juror: Craig Anderson – Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art, Norman, OK
Cheers! Drink Up!, Juror: Lorna Meaden – Commonwheel Artists Co-op, Manitou Springs, CO
Last Call VI, Juror: Samantha Momeyer – Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
Small Favors, Juror: Kensuke Yamada – The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Momentum, Juror: Pablo Barrera / Kristin Gentry – Mainsite, Norman, OK/Living Arts, Tulsa, OK
2020 Raw, Juror: University of Montana/Montana State graduate students – Online
The Cup, The Mug, Juror: Christina Erives & Masa Sasaki – MainStreetArts, Clifton Springs, NY
The Annual Cup Show, Juror: Joe Pintz – Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA
Function Fest, Juror: Martha Grover – Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Geaux Cups lll, Juror: Sara Truman – Clay Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Art 106, Juror: Holly Wilson – Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art, Norman, OK
Collections
2023
NBC Bank – Permanent Collection, Oklahoma City, OK
2019
Takashi Nakazato – Private Collection, Japan
Professional Organizations
2020-2022
Graduate Student Senator: School of Visual Arts Representative – University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Ways and Means Committee: Graduate Representative – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Red Clay Faction: President – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2017-2019
Ceramic Guild: President – The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
2016-2017
Ceramic Guild: Vice President – The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
2011-2013
Zeta Tau Alpha – The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
Memberships
2020-2023
National Council on Education for the Ceramic ArtsOklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
2018-2019
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts
Workshops/Conferences
2022
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA): Fertile Ground – Sacramento, CA
Beth Cavener: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Mike Helke: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Julia Galloway: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2021
George Rodriguez: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Melanie Sherman: Workshop and Lecture – Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass, CO
Juan Barroso: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA): Rivers, Reflections, Reinventions – Online Conference
Sam Briegel – Online Workshop
Melanie Sherman – Online Workshop
Ted Adler and Brenda Lichman: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2020
Randy Johnston, Chris Gustin, and Matt Long: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Joanna Powell: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2019
Doug Casebeer: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA): Claytopia – Minneapolis, MN
Alabama Clay Conference – Jacksonville, AL
Ariel Bowman: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Matt Mitros: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2018
Matt Schiemann: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Renee LoPresti: Hands-on Workshop – Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
Mark Arnold: Hands-on Workshop – Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
Simon Levin: Workshop and Artist Lecture – Union University, Jackson, TN
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA): Cross Currents, Clay and Culture – Pittsburgh, PA
2017
Tommy Frank and Chandra DeBuse: Workshop and Artist Lecture – The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Jack Troy: Workshop and Artist Lecture – Union University, Jackson, TN