About me
I was raised on cartoons and comic books, superheroes and villains. I grew up around Native American artifacts and American antiques. I learned to appreciate the intimate qualities of aged objects: the textures of rusty iron and crawling paint on old furniture, and even the musty smell of ripened books and magazines. Things that come with embedded narrative and a worn history have always surrounded me, and therefore, influence me. I am attracted to nostalgia and drawn to the curious — to something unusual but familiar — to something that creates a linkage across time.
Toys, Latin American ceramics, architecture, our human relationship with the environment, and the American folk face jug tradition started by early American potters, influence my work. From the very beginnings of mankind, civilizations have produced figurative works in clay. The work tells us about those peoples’ everyday lives, hopes, fears, struggles, triumphs, and cherished deities. The figure in art has limitless possibilities and is a subject matter that everyone can relate to.
Many of the objects I create join the realms of sculpture and utility. I am not always concerned with “pretty”, though I do believe that form, color, and shape are important. The notion of function in my work is important as well, but is not the primary focus. My vessels are created using a combination of thrown and hand-building processes. Many pieces are fired multiple times to achieve my desired effect. Each object carries its own story and history that is created as the viewer relates to that vessel, and uses it in their daily life.
Resume // CV
Education +
2005 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI
Master of Fine Arts
2001
Viterbo University La Crosse, WI
Bachelor of Art Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Teaching +
Academic
Jan. 2015 - present
MATC Madison College, Madison, WI
taught beginning to advanced students: Ceramic Sculpture and Pottery
Nov. 2008 - May 2011
Adjunct Professor Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI
taught beginning to advanced students in: Ceramic Sculpture and Pottery, Three Dimensional Art, and Methods in Media
2006
Long-term Substitute (two months), Verona High School, Verona, WI
taught beginning to advanced students in pottery and sculpture
advised on creation, glazing, and firing of student works
2002, 2005-2008
Substitute Teacher, grades K-12, La Crosse, Holmen, and Onalaska School Districts, WI
Community Based
2014
Demonstration, NCECA, Milwaukee, WI
March 2013-present
MSCR Pottery Coordinator and Instructor, Madison, WI
2013
Pottery and Sculpture Teacher, Midwest Clay Project, Madison, WI
teach courses for diverse communities of all ages, beginning to advanced students
2012
Visiting Artist Edgewood College, Madison, WI
Visiting Artist and Lecturer, Verona High School, Verona, WI
Visiting Artist, Lincoln Middle School, La Crosse, WI
Visiting Artist, Hamilton Elementary School, La Crosse, WI
2011
Visiting Artist, Three Rivers Waldorf Elementary, La Crosse, WI
Workshop, Bethel Horizon Art Ventures, Dodgeville, WI
“Narrative Forms” five-day intensive workshop, intermediate to advanced students
2006-2010
Pottery and Sculpture Teacher, Pump House Gallery, La Crosse, WI
taught sculpture and pottery classes for adults, beginning to advanced students
developed curriculum and taught classes for home schooled children ages 4-18
2010-present
Workshop, Bethel Horizon Art Ventures, Dodgeville, WI
“Narrative Forms” five-day intensive workshop, intermediate to advanced students
2008-2009
Visiting Artist, Holmen School District Schools, Holmen, WI
2007
Visiting Artist, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Taught three-day wood fire workshop, beginning to advanced students
Visiting Artist, Cathedral Elementary School, La Crosse, WI
Guest Lecturer, Aquinas High School, La Crosse, WI
2005
Visiting Artist, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI
Taught three-day sculpture and pottery demonstrations, beginning to advanced students
Professional Experience +
Work Related
2005-present
Studio Artist, Ceramic Pottery and Sculpture
2004
Adamah Ceramic Facility, Bethel Horizons, Dodgeville, WI
Studio and Teaching Assistant to Don Hunt
2000-2003
Studio Assistant, Chicken Ridge Studio, La Crescent, MN
Helped construct studio and fire wood and salt kilns for Mike Knox
2002
Mural Installation, Brighton, CO
Delivery and Installation of Mural with Bruce Howdle
PA and Work Study Positions
2004-2005
Project Assistant for Ceramic Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Provided technical assistance to students during class, implemented maintenance and safety programs in the studio, and provided standard repair and maintenance to studio equipment
2003
Spring Semester work-study position, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Provided kiln and studio maintenance, and taught students about clay and glaze productions
1996-2001
Work-study position, Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI
Provided gallery set-up and maintenance, sent mailings, provided kiln room maintenance and repair, produced clays, slips, and glazes for the pottery and ceramic sculpture classes
Exhibitions +
Curated
2016
"False Idols," Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
2012
“3-D Figurative Ceramics,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
2010
“The Super Fantastic Cup Show,” The Root Note, La Crosse, WI
2008
“All Together Now,” The Pump House Gallery, La Crosse, WI
2007
“Myers Family Show,” Lincoln Gallery, La Crosse, WI
Juried
2015
“The Intimate Object XI,” Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
“Yunomi Invitational,” AKAR, Iowa City, IA
“Teapot Invitational,” Belle Arte Gallery, Midlothian, VA
“11th Annual Ceramics Invitational,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
2014
“More Human than Human,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
“Dystopia Now,” Madison College, Madison, WI
“One and Only,” John Micheal Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
“Art of the Container,” Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek, WI
“Teapot Invitational,” Belle Arte Gallery, Midlothian, VA
“Yunomi Invitational,” AKAR, Iowa City, IA
“11th Annual Ceramics Invitational,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
“Teapots,” Morgan Glass Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
NCECA “Material World” Shows Milwaukee Area
“Generations of the Paoli Clay Family Show” J Nikolai Art Milwaukee, WI
“Ring of Fire,” The Sugar River Gallery, Verona WI
“Coast to Coast,” Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
“Figures in Ceramics,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
“Regional Artists” Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI
2013
“Ancient Modern,” Artisan Gallery, Bellville, WI
Two Person show Edgewood College, Madison, WI
“10th Annual Ceramics Invitational,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
2012
“3-D Figurative Ceramics,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
“Contemporary Landscape,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
"Generations,” VHS Gallery, Verona, WI
“One of a Kind,” John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
“9th Annual Ceramics Invitational,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
2011
“8th Annual Ceramics Invitational,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
“Form and Function,” Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau, WI
“One of a Kind,” John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
“Works in Clay: Tom Meuninck and Ryan Myers,” Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
“Pottery, Sculpture, and Music,” VIVA Gallery, Viroqua, WI
2010
“7th Annual Ceramics Invitational,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
“In the Cooler: Ryan Myers,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
“One of a Kind,” John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
“Super Fantastic Cup Show,” The Root Note, La Crosse, WI
2009
“6th Annual Ceramics Invitational,” Artisan Gallery, Belleville, WI
“One of a Kind,” John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
“Pots, Paintings, and Prints: Ryan Myers and Nadine King,” Outside the Lines Gallery, Dubuque, IA
2008
“All Together Now,” The Pump House Gallery, La Crosse, WI
“35th Annual Toys Designed by Artists,” Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AK
2007
“Myers Family Show,” Lincoln Gallery, La Crosse, WI
2005
“Urban Sprawl,” WHS Gallery, Madison, WI
“MFA Show: Steps,” 7th Floor Gallery, Madison, WI
“Bottoms Up: A Celebration of Cups,” John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
“Think Tank,” Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI
“77th Annual Student Art Show,” Union Galleries, Madison, WI
“International Orton Cone Box Show,” Holt-Russell Gallery, Baldwin City, KS
“International Orton Cone Box Show,” Presented at NCECA Conference,
Baltimore, MD
“Third Year Review Show,” 7th Floor Gallery, Madison, WI
2004
“Kailyn and the Cactus,” EHS Gallery, Madison, WI
“Intimate Objects,” VHS Gallery, Verona, WI
“Iron Works,” The Goodman Center, Madison, WI
“International Orton Cone Box Show,” Holt-Russell Gallery, Baldwin City, KS
“Ceramic Graduate Show,” 734 Gallery, Madison, WI
2003
“Fragments,” 7th Floor Gallery, Madison, WI
“First Year Review Show,” 7th Floor Gallery, Madison, WI
“31st Annual Toys Designed By Artists,” Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AK
2002
“NCECA Juried Student Show,” Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, KS
2001
“Figurative Ceramics,” Gallery 109, La Crosse, WI
“BFA Show,” Viterbo University Gallery, La Crosse, WI
Gallery Representation +
Abel Contemporary Gallery, Stoughton, WI
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
In Tandem Gallery, Bakersville, NC
Awards +
2015
Best of Ceramics, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN
2014
Best of Ceramics, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN
Best of Ceramics, Art Fair on the Square, Madison, WI
2013
Top Ten Percent, Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN
Best of Show, Iowa City, IA
College Hill, Purchase Award, Cedar Falls, IA
Honorable Mention, Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair, Sturgeon Bay, WI
2012
Featured Artist, Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Honorable Mention, Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Best 3-D Art in the Park, Appleton, WI
2011
Best of Show, Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts, Tempe, AZ
Honorable Mention, Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair, Peoria, IL
Best of Show, Art at the Park, Appleton, WI
Best Display, Cambridge Pottery Festival, Cambridge, WI
Honorable Mention, Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair, Milwaukee, WI
2010
Honorable Mention, Midsummer Festival of the Arts, Sheboygan, WI
Best 3-D, Powderhorn Art Fair, Minneapolis, WI
2009
Sculpture Best of Show, Midsummer Festival of the Arts, Sheboygan, WI
2007
Purchase Award, Art Fair on the Green, La Crosse, WI
Best of Show, Art Fair on the Green, La Crosse, WI
Best of Show, Mt. Horeb Art Fair, Mt. Horeb, WI
2005
Wisconsin Union Directorate Art Committees Choice Award, Union Galleries, Madison, WI