alumni news

Nicolle LaMere

Nicolle LaMere Completes Yearlong Artist Residency in Japan

Nicolle LaMere recently completed a year-long residency at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Japan. During her time abroad, she participated in a range of field excursions, including visits to local clay factories, ancient kiln sites, and studios of contemporary ceramic artists—most notably Hiroaki Kiyomizu, the ninth-generation master of Kyoto’s renowned Kiyomizu ware tradition.

In the studio, LaMere focused on expanding her technical and material knowledge. She learned Rhino 3D modeling software, conducted research on regional clays and feldspar, and developed the skills necessary to manage a wood kiln independently. Her commitment led to the creation of over 200 digital designs, the excavation and processing of wild clay, and the collection and crushing of feldspar from a local mine. She successfully completed five firings of the Ittikoi wood kiln, including one entirely on her own, after which she took on a leadership role, mentoring others and guiding a subsequent firing.

The residency concluded with a solo exhibition and an artist talk at the Gallery of the Institute of Ceramic Studies at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.

 

Andrea Moon

Andrea Moon - New Windgate Art School Director, Arkansas

Andrea Moon (2009 MFA in Ceramics) was announced as the new director of the Windgate Art School at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) in Little Rock. Moon brings over 27 years of professional expertise to AMFA as a contemporary ceramic artist, sculptor, and educator. Moon was previously a lecturer of art at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University and the director of education at Craft Alliance, both in St. Louis. 

Learn more about Andrea Moon at the AMFA.