Leah Leitson Workshop

Function Gets Expressive

Leah will teach a two day demonstration workshop focused on bringing sculptural expressions to functional ceramics. Participants will learn Leah's techniques for manipulating the form of freshly thrown porcelain pots. The demonstration will be directed toward the making of functional forms as well as exploring various ways of creating handles, spouts, and lids. Participants will take home new ideas for crafting compelling surfaces with slips and carving.

Leah will guide participants to approach and engage with their work on multiple levels. These perspectives include seeing your work as functioning through touch, as sculptural objects embodying formal design properties, and as decorative gestural artworks. The demonstration will include throwing techniques, off-wheel manipulation, attachments, paddling, and surface treatments. Participants will be enabled to achieve the goal of creating forms that seem familiar and comfortable while still engaging the user and creating visual interest.

Class size 35. All experience levels welcome.

Leah Leitson Artist Bio

Leah Leitson received her M.F.A. in ceramics from Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge in 1996 and her undergraduate B.F.A. in ceramics from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred, New York, in 1984. She completed residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT. and Banff Center for the Arts in Alberta, CN. She is a member of the Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc. and the Southern Highland Craft Guild. She is a studio potter, has led many workshops through out the U.S., including Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC, Arrowmont School of Crafts, Gatlinberg, TN and currently full time faculty at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC.

Leah works exclusively in porcelain. Her work is predominantly inspired by the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century decorative arts, particularly utilitarian table wares and Sevres porcelain, as well as being inspired by plant forms in nature.

Leah Leitson Artist Statement

I make pottery that brings sculptural expression to functional ceramics. My pottery is wheel-thrown, altered, and assembled.

I approach my work in several ways. First, the pieces I create are functional forms. This means they are about touch and communication through use. Second, I consider my pieces to be sculptural objects. The formal relationships of proportion, shape, color and surface within each piece are especially important. I observe and enhance the visual and physical relationships between two or more forms when they come together in a group or set. Third, I view my pieces as decorative objects intended to visually enhance their surroundings. I imagine my forms to be familiar and comfortable, while engaging and delighting the user.

Using a porcelain clay body is an essential element of my artistic work. Porcelain elicits a unique gestural expressiveness that subtly reveals the touch of my hand in the work. The purity and whiteness of porcelain affect the palette of the glaze colors I use, which in turn enhance an aesthetic appreciation of my work.

I have always enjoyed making pieces that can be functional forms for everyday use as well as presentation pieces for special occasions. My forms are predominately inspired by eighteenth and nineteenth century decorative arts, particularly utilitarian silver tableware and Sevres porcelain. My work is also influenced by my reverence for plant forms in nature. My intent is to artistically integrate these influences together with function so my work expresses a single vision.

Leah Leitson Resume

EDUCATION

1996, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, MFA in Ceramics

1984, New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University Alfred, NY, BFA in Ceramics

ADDITIONAL STUDIES

1980, Haywood Technical College, Production Crafts Program Clyde, NC, Graduate in ceramics

1978, John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown, NC, One year scholarship in ceramics

RESIDENCIES

1992-1993, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

1992, Banff Center for the Arts, Banff, Alberta, Canada

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2006-Present, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC Full Time Professor

2004-2005, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC, Interim Associate Instructor

2004, University of North Carolina, Asheville, Asheville, NC, Adjunct Professor

2002-2004, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC, Adjunct Instructor

1993-1996, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Ceramics Instructor, Graduate Assistantship

1994-1996, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Ceramics Instructor, Continuing Education

WORKSHOPS/VISITING ARTIST

2007, Del Rio, TX

2007, Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC

2007, San Jose College, San Jose, Calif.

2006, Southwest School of Arts and Crafts, San Antonio, TX

2006, Shakerag, Suwanee, TN

2006, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY

2006, The Art League, Alexandria, Virginia

2005, Tel Hai Academic College, Galilee, Israel

2005, Bazalel Academy, Jerusalem, Israel

2005, La Meridiana Ceramica, Tuscany, Italy

2005, College of Dupage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois

2005, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2005, Hambridge Art Center, Rabun Gap, GA

2004, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

2004, Claymakers, Durham, NC

2004, The Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL

2004, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

2004, Canton Clayworks, Canton, CT

2004, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

2003, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

2003, Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA

2003, Emma Willard School, Troy, NY

2003, Penland School of Crafts, Penland NC

2003, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2003, Belmont University, Nashville, TN

2003, Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN

2003, Canton Clayworks, Canton, CT

2002, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

2002, East Tennessee University, Johnson City, TN

2002, Sawtooth Center For Visual Arts, Winston Salem, NC

2002, Clay Arts Center, Port Chester, NY

2001, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

2001, Clayworks, Charleston, SC

2001, Mudflat Studio, Somerville, MA

2001, Miami Arts Guild, Coral Gable, FL

2001, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

2001, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2000, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

2000, Rockingham Community College, Greensboro, NC

2000, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2000, Southport Workshop, Southport, NC

2000, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

2000, McColl Center for Visual Art, Charlotte, NC

2000, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

1999, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

1999, Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, CT

1999, Westchester Art Center, White Plains, NY

1999, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY

1998, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

1998, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC

1998, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

1998, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

1998, Westchester Art Workshop, White Plains, NY

1997, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

1997, Westchester Art Workshop, Workshop White Plains, NY

1996, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

1992, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

1991, John C Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

1989, John C Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

1981, Wilkesboro Arts and Crafts Center Wilkesboro, NC

EXHIBITIONS

2007, NCECA Exhibition, Lady's in White, Goodall Gallery, Louisville, KY

2007, La Mesa NCECA Exhibition, Louisville, KY

2007, Cups Coming Together, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY

2007, Cup of Tea, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC

2007, Penland Faculty Exhibition, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC

2006, Back to the Garden, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC

2006, La Mesa NCECA Exhibition, Portland, OR

2006, TeaTime,The Art of the Teapot, Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, MI

2006, Westchester Art Workshop Ceramic Invitational, Westchester Community College, White Plains, NY

2006, Odyssey Goes West, The Clay Art Center, Missoula, MT

2006, Perspectives 2006, Oconee Cultural Arts Center, Watkinsville, GA

2006, Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Program 30 Years, Folk Art Center, Asheville, NC

2006, Style and Function, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC

2006, Warren Wilson Faculty Exhibition, Holden Gallery, Swannanoa, NC

2005, National Teapot Show VI, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC

2005, Unwrapped National Invitation of Contemporary Art, Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL

2005, Warren Wilson Faculty Exhibition, Holden Gallery, Swannanoa, NC

2005, Hot / Ice III: Teapots & Pitchers, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC

2005, Faculty Exhibit, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2005, Poetry Of Pottery, NCECA Exhibition, Maryland Federation of Art City Gallery, Baltimore, MD

2005, A Touch of Elegance NCECA Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, Maryland

2005, Gas it Up: Salt, Soda and Slip, NCECA Exhibition, The Potters Guild of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD

2005, La Mesa NCECA Exhibition, hosted by Santa Fe Clay, Baltimore, MD

2005 Stuff/Clay Tigers: LSU Ceramics 1970-2005, The Signature Shop & Gallery, Atlanta, GA

2005, Southern Highland Craft Guild 75th Anniversary Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2004, Pleasures of the Table, NCECA Exhibition, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

2004, Spice It Up!, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2004, The Art of the Pot, annual studio tour and sale, Austin, TX

2004, Gala Celebration, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

2004, Summer Instructors, Odyssey Center for Ceramics, Asheville, NC

2004, The Utilitarian Clay IV: Celebrate the Object, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2004, Pots in the Kitchen, Galerie Du Don, Montsalvy, France

2004, Penland's 75th Anniversary, Hodges Taylor Gallery, Charlotte, NC

2004, Pots in the Kitchen, Keramiekcentrum Tiendschuur, Tegelen, Holland

2003, Tea for Two or Twenty, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN

2003, Faculty Exhibit, Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN

2003, Faculty Exhibit, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2003, Penland Instructors, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC

2003, Mastery in Clay 2003, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

2003, Passage: Warren Wilson College Faculty and Their Students, Black Mountain Arts Center, Black Mountain, NC

2003, Pots in the Kitchen, Rufford Craft Centre, Nottinghamshire, UK

2003, American Pottery Festival Exhibition, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN

2003, Hundreds of Cups, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

2003, Woman in Clay: Pots for Daily Use, Odyssey Gallery, Asheville, NC

2003, Sensuous, Red Star Gallery, Kansas City, MO

2003, Functional Ceramics Invitational, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC

2003, Salt & Pepper, Odyssey Gallery, Asheville, NC

2002, Leah Leitson (Solo exhibition), Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC

2002, Pots Presented, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2002, From Shoulder to Foot, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Athens, NJ

2002, Porcelain: Another Touch, Red Star Studios, Kansas City, MO

2002, Regarding Clay, NCECA Exhibition, Belger Art District, Kansas City, MO

2002, Alfred Alumni, NC Potters Conference, Asheboro, NC

2002, 17th Invitational Exhibit, Alabama Clay Conference, Jacksonville. AL

2002, Hot / Ice III: Teapots & Pitchers, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC

2002, American Pottery Festival Exhibition, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN

2002, For the Table, Santa Fe Clay Studio, Santa Fe, NM

2002, National Teapot Show V, Cedar Creek Gallery, Cedar Creek, NC

2002, RSVP, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC

2002, Faculty Exhibition, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC

2002, North Carolina Potters, Campbell House Galleries, Southern Pines, NC

2002, The Mastery of Clay, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

2002, Pots to the Table, Artworks Gallery, Bozeman, MT

2001, 27th Annual Invitational, Old Church Cultural Center, Demarest, New Jersey

2001, Functional Ceramics, Wayne Center for the Arts, Wooster, Ohio

2001, For the Table, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

2001, Le Grand Buffet, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

2001, Art Faculty Exhibition: Warren Wilson College, Spires Gallery, Brevard College, Brevard, NC

2001, 2001 Clay Odyssey, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

2001, To Have and to Hold, Blue Pony Gallery, Charlotte, NC

2001, National Clay Invitational, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC

2001, Dinnerworks Exhibition, Louisville Visual Art Association, Louisville, KY

2001, Color and Fire: Defining Moments in Studio Ceramics, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY

2001, To Honor the Mug, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC

2001, Clay/Wood/Fire/Salt, The Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, Ohio

2000, Winterfest 2000, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2000, Focus on Function, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

2000, Clay/Wood/Fire/Salt: National Invitational Exhibit, Folk Art Center, Asheville, NC

2000, Couplets: Duality in Clay, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

2000, 26th Annual Invitational, Old Church Cultural Center, Demarest, New Jersey

2000, Milestones 2000, Randolph Art Guild, Raleigh, NC

2000, Touch of Porcelain, Signature Shop Gallery, Atlanta, Ga.

2000, Baltimore ACC Show (Wholesale/Retail Show), Baltimore, MD

2000, Touch of Porcelain, NCECA Exhibition Brockport, Denver, CO

1999, Altered Forms: The Pottery of Nick Joerling and Leah Leitson, Belk Gallery, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

1999, Clay Pasa: National Ceramic Invitational Exhibition, Rockford College, Northern IL

1999, Invitational Teapot Exhibition, Miller Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

1999, Invitational Ceramic Show, Astra Design, Richmond, VA

1999, National Teapot IV, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC

1999, Ritual of the Table: Contemporary Ceramic Dinnerware, Odyssey Gallery, Asheville, NC

1999, Invitational Exhibition, The Gallery of Art and Design, NC State University, Raleigh, NC

1999, Cynthia Bringle: A Fiery Influence, Folk Art Center, Asheville, NC

1999, Southeastern Clay Invitational, Blue Spiral I Gallery, Asheville, NC

1999, The 40th Annual Ann Arbor Street Fair, Ann Arbor, MI

1999, Person to Person: Interpretations of Function, Tower Gallery, SUNY College at Brockport, Brockport, NY

1998, 30th Annual Celebration of American Crafts, Creative Arts Center, New Haven, CT

1998, Eating Well, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC

1998, Two-person exhibition, Westchester Art Gallery, White Plains, NY

1998, Vessels That Pour, Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, IL

1998, New Members Show, Piedmont Craftsmen, Winston- Salem, NC

1997, NCECA Exhibition, The Odyssey Gallery, Asheville, NC

1997, NCECA Exhibition, Haywood Community College, Asheville, NC

1997, Common Borders Exhibition, Rudolph E. Lee Gallery. Clemson University, Clemson, SC

1997, Spotlight '97, Hickory Museum of Art, Hickory, NC

1997, Members Show, Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, Asheville, NC

1997, Hot Ice Tea, Blue Spiral I Gallery, Asheville, NC

1996, New Generation Exhibition, Guido Gallery, Pontiac, MI

1994, 20 x 20 x 20: A Compact Competition, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

1994, LSU Past & Present, Sylvia Schmidt Gallery, New Orleans, LA

1992, North Carolina Clay, NC State University, Raleigh, NC

1991, Invitational Dinnerware Exhibit, Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, IL

1990, Western NC Potters Exhibition, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC

1990, Exhibition of Southern Highland Guild Members, Knights Publishing Co., Charlotte, NC

1989, U.S. Mug Exhibition, Skillbeck Gallery, Asheville, NC

1989, Highwater Artist Exhibition, NC Community Arts Council, Asheville, NC

1989, Two-person Exhibition, Finewares, Inc, Tacoma Park, MD

1988, Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, Asheville Art Museum, Asheville, NC

1986, Spotlight '86, University of Gainesville, Gainesville, FL

CONFERENCES AND LECTURES

2005, Ceramic Artists' Association International Conference, Telhai, Isreal, Presenter

2005, Bazalel Academy, Jerusalem, Israel

2005, Alabama Clay Conference-20, Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, Gadsden, AL, Presenter

2004, Penland Instructors New Works Retreat, Penland, NC, Invited Participant

2004, Utilitarian Clay IV Conference, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, Presenter/Panelist

2004, ACC Southeast Regional Conference, Tamarack, WV, Presenter

2002, NC Clay Conference, Asheboro, NC, Panelist

2002, American Pottery Festival, Minneapolis, MN, Presenter

2000, Watershed Center, Newcastle, Maine, Artists Invite Artists, Invited Participant

1999, NC Clay Conference, Asheboro, NC, Panelist

GRANTS AND AWARDS

2000, Asheville Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant, Asheville, NC

1986, Equal Merit Award, Spotlight '86, University of Gainesville, Gainesville, FL

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1985 to present, Studio artist, Asheville, NC

2003, Piedmont Craftsman, Inc., Juror, Standards Committee, Winston-Salem, NC

2000, Rockingham Community College, Judge for sculpture and pottery, Wentworth, NC

2000, July 4th Exhibition, Juror, Southport, NC

1999, Film Industry, Set costumer, Songcatcher

1993, Film Industry, Set costumer, CBS Movie of the Week: Terror in the Night

1991, Film Industry, Set costumer, Last of the Mohicans

1989-1991, Highwater Center, Treasurer, Asheville, NC.

1989-1991, Highwater Center, Board of Directors, Asheville, NC.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Craft Council, New York, NY

Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Erie, CO

Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc., Winston-Salem, NC

Southern Highland Crafts Guild, Asheville, NC

COLLECTIONS

Corsaw Collection of American Ceramics, New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred, NY

Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.

Louisiana State University School of Art Museum, Baton Rouge, LA

Richard Belger Collection, Kansas City, MO

Gallery of Art & Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

PUBLICATIONS

Ceramics Monthly, December 2004. Vol. 52, p. 57

The Nature of Craft and the Penland Experience, Lark Books, Asheville, NC. p.78

Ceramics Monthly, " Up Front," (Feature article) June-Aug. 2003. Vol.51, #6

Ceramics Monthly, March 2003. Vol. 51, p. 24

Ceramics Arts and Perception, "Pots Presented," August 2002. Iss. 48, p. 25

Ceramic Design Book, Lark Books, 1998. Work pictured, p. 29

Wheel Thrown Ceramics, By Don Davis, Lark Books, Asheville, NC, 1998. Work pictured, pp. 51, 126, 131

Best of Pottery 2, Rockport Publishers, Gloucester, MA, 1998. Work pictured, p. 82

Ceramics Monthly, "Up Front," September, 1998. Vol. 46, No. 7, p. 22

Ceramics Monthly, "Birth of A Clay Place," March, 1997. Vol. 45 No. 3, p. 97