William Baker
Asheville in Atlanta 2007

About William Baker

As a ceramic artist I explore the potter's wheel and the use of atmospheric firing methods as my primary tools. The dynamic interaction between the malleable, versatile clay and the steady motion of the wheel first enthralled me, and continues to challenge and humble me everyday. It is this interaction that inspires the forms I create, and which influences the movements of my hands as they meet the clay. Each piece is a record of the union of these forces. My current work reflects my continuing attempt to refine the subtle details which give a form the strength to stand alone and still remain receptive to the marks of the fire.

I use both stoneware and porcelain clays to create my functional and decorative pottery. Most of my work has no glaze on the exterior surface. While still unfired clay, I dip the pieces in one of several different slips which provide a thin skin on the surface of the piece that is receptive to the subtle changes in atmosphere taking place within the kiln. Vapors from the salt or soda introduced into the kiln travel past the pottery and mix with the ash and flame of the wood kiln resulting in the variation on the surface of the pottery. My work is intended for daily use and is glazed with food safe glazes.  

William Baker Artist Resume

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts with Honors, International Political Economy - University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington May 2000

CURRENTLY

Studio Potter, living and working in Bakersville, NC.

Juried Member, Southern Highland Craft Guild, Spring 2005.

RECENTLY

Studio Assistant, Kiln Building Workshop, Penland School of Crafts, March 2006.

Studio Assistant, Fall Clay Concentration, Salt and Soda Firing with Linda McFarling and Gay Smith, Penland School of Crafts, September-November, 2005.

Resident Artist, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC, January 2002- November 2004.

Ceramics Instructor, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Spring 2003-Spring 2005.

Contract Studio Work, Mountain Design Studio, Weaverville, NC, 2003-2004. Worked to rebuild an existing exhibit in the Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. Titled "Monkeys Grasp for the Moon", and designed by Xu Bing, this exhibit is part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian. The exhibit consists of twenty-one intricately designed wooden pieces that hang together to form a chain stretching through a three-story stair well.

on Department, Clay Art Center, Tacoma, WA, 2001.

AWARDS

2006, November, Regional Artist Project Grant Recipient, awarded by the Asheville Area Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council.

2006, October, Merit Award, "Fall Celebration of Arts Exhibition" Toe River Arts Council, Spruce Pine, NC.

EXHIBITIONS

2007, Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center.

2006, October, Old English Inn Clay Invitational, Spruce Pine, NC.

2006, October, Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Asheville, NC.

2006, September, Honorable Mention "Fall Celebration of Arts", Toe River Arts Council, Spruce Pine, NC.

2006, September, "Blue Ridge Fine Craft Exhibition", Transylvania Arts Council, Brevard, NC.

2006, July, Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Asheville, NC.

2006, May, "Odyssey Goes West" The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.

2006, April, "Odyssey Center Resident Artists Exhibition" Artemisia Gallery, Asheville, NC.

2005, October, Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Asheville, NC.

2005, July, Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Asheville, NC.

2005, March, "Salt, Soda, and Slip", hosted by the Potters' Guild of Baltimore and Baltimore Clayworks, in conjunction with the annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).

2004, September, "Functional Ceramics and Experimental Fibers", The Upstairs Gallery, Tryon, NC.

2004, May, "Coffee and Tea Exhibition", Sky People Gallery, Asheville, NC.

2003, November, "Resident Artists Exhibition", Fine Arts Center, Greenville, SC.

2003, October, "Salt and Pepper Exhibition", Odyssey Gallery, Asheville, NC.

2003, June, "Resident Artists Exhibition", Front Gallery, Asheville Area Arts Council, Asheville, NC.