The Ceramics Studio

Melissa L. Thomson
Curriculum Vitae

P.O. Box 129 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693

Melissa@theceramicsstudio.com

818.636.2454
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Employment
2011	Teaches art workshops at The Ceramics Studio (see class listings)

2009-Present	Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA Director of Ceramics Developing and teaching courses in ceramics, firing, upkeep of the studio

2008	Sawdust Winter Festival, Laguna Beach, CA Assistant Manager Demonstrated and instructed the public regarding elementary potters wheel skills

2008	California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA Teaching Associate Taught art classes, specifically Three-Dimensional Design

2007	Glendale Community College, Glendale, CA Teaching Assistant Aided the ceramics instructor in teaching beginning students

2007	California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA Teaching Assistant Aided the ceramics professor in teaching the upper-division students ceramic arts

2005-2006	California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA Teaching Laboratory Assistant Aided the ceramics professor in teaching the students General upkeep of materials and loaded and fired kilns

2003-2005	Roger Barkley Community Center, La Canada, CA Art Instructor, Kiln Technician Instructed adults of all levels the principles and concepts of ceramics Loaded and fired multiple gas, electric, and raku kilns as well as oversaw ceramic workshops

2002-2005	Glendale Community College, Glendale, CA Laboratory Assistant / Ceramics Tutor Loaded and fired student works in gas, electric and raku kilns Aided in the formulation of glazes Taught art classes to special needs students

1998- 2002	Tierra Del Sol Foundation, Sunland, CA Ceramics Instructor, Exhibit Coordinator Taught art classes to developmentally disabled adults, specifically ceramic arts Developed curriculum specific to the student body accommodating a wide range of abilities and interests Coordinated, installed, and curated in excess of forty national exhibitions and fundraisers

2001-2002	Handmade Galleries, Sherman Oaks, CA Ceramic Artist, Vendor Created unique ceramic works and marketed them for sale

Education
2005-2009	Master of Fine Arts, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics •3.85 cumulative GPA Studied under Patsy Cox, Kim Abeles, and Samantha Fields

2002-2005	Certificate in Ceramics, Glendale Community College, Glendale, CA Specializations: ceramics, laboratory upkeep, and glaze formulation •3.87 GPA Studied with: Robert Kibler, Mark Poore, Roger Porter, Edward O’Reilly, Melody Cooper, and Richard McColl

2003-2004	Student Teaching in Ceramics, Glendale High School, CA Aided the instructor, Christine Rose, in teaching and overseeing ceramic students

1992-1997	Bachelor of Fine Arts, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA Major in Art •3.65 Major GPA Specializations: ceramics, painting, and art history Studied with: Susan Shutt Wulfeck, Joseph Piasentin, and Sonia Sorrell

1993-1994	Florence, Italy Nine-month collegiate study of drawing, art, history, literature, music, languages, cultures, and travel in Europe during residence in Florence

Scholarships, Awards, and Grants
2008	Teaching Associate Grant, tuition waiver for one semester at California State University, Northridge

2004-2006	The National Dean’s List, which recognizes academic excellence among college students

2004	Jeanne Ward Foundation Grant for exceptional art student with intention to pursue higher education in art


2003-2005	Dean’s Honor List at Glendale Community College

2003	Magda Von Tautphoeus Scholarship for outstanding ceramics student at Glendale Community College

1996-1997	Dean’s List at Pepperdine University

Selected Solo & Two-Person Exhibitions
2008	Control?, West Gallery, CSU Northridge, Northridge, CA, solo exhibition

2004	Fire It Up!, NoHo Gallery, North Hollywood, CA, two-person exhibition

2003-2004	Current Works •Melissa L. Thomson & Susan Pelletier, Glendale College, Glendale, CA, two-person exhibit

Selected Group Exhibitions
2010	OsCene, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA

2007	2007 MFA Showcase, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

2007	Open Studios, Santa Fe Art Colony, Los Angeles, CA •Invitational

2007	Rechercher, Western Commercial Bank, Woodland Hills, CA •Invitational

2006	Convergence, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

2004	Crockery, Andrew Shire Gallery, Los Angeles, CA •Invitational

2003	Instructors’ Artwork, Roger Barkley Community Center, La Canada, CA

2001	Tribute to Claude Hulce, Creative Arts Gallery, Burbank, CA

1997	Maximum Occupancy 13, Frederick R. Weisman Gallery, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
Selected Juried Exhibitions

2009	Diversity in Clay, AMOCA (American Museum of Ceramic Art), Pomona, CA

2009	2009 California Clay Competition, The Artery, Davis, CA, open to CA residents

2009	Chaos, Long Beach Arts, Long Beach, CA, open to CA residents

2009	Ink and Clay 35, Kellogg Art Gallery, California State University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, open to western U.S. residents

2008	GLAMFA (Greater Los Angeles Master of Fine Arts), California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA

2007	Annual Juried Art Student Exhibition, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

2005	Fireworks, University Art Gallery, Northridge, CA

2005	Into the Fire, Sebastopol Art Gallery, Sebastopol, CA, open to U.S. residents

2005	Best – President’s Show 2005, American Ceramics Society, Southern California Design Chapter, The Clay Gallery, Venice, CA

2005	Annual Student Art Exhibition 2005, Glendale College Art Gallery, Glendale, CA

2004	Best – President’s Show 2004, The American Ceramics Society, Southern California Design Chapter, Creative Arts Gallery, Burbank, CA

2004	Annual Student Art Exhibition 2004, Glendale College Art Gallery, Glendale, CA

2003	Annual Student Art Exhibition 2003, Glendale College Art Gallery, Glendale, CA

2003	Burbank Fine Arts Federation Membership Show, Creative Arts Gallery, Burbank, CA

Publications and Television
2006	Convergence Exhibition, Daily Sundial, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA

2004	Article on the show Crockery at Andrew Shire Gallery, The Korean Times, Los Angeles, CA Article on the show

2004	Andrew Shire Gallery Ceramic Show,The Korea Daily, Los Angeles, CA Article on the show

2003	Glendale Community College Catalog of Classes 2003-2004 Featured a photograph of my artwork

2001	Woman 2 Woman, CBS Channel 2 Featured my students’ works

1997	Burrn! magazine, December issue, Japan Created rendered backdrop for Ozzy Osbourne photo shoot
Public Works
2009-Present	Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA Teaching Assistant Demonstrate processes, and assist in ceramics classes

2009-Present	Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA Master Ceramist Creating replicas of late 18th century majolica ware used by the mission padres

2008	Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, CA Demonstrator Performed clay throwing demonstrations to the public

2007	The Pool House Mural, Helen Keller Park, La County Art Commission, Los Angeles, CA Materials Consultant and Fabrication Specialist Advised lead artist Michele Martinez on materials, formulation, and installation of poly-chrome ceramic mural

2004	La Canada Public Park, La Canada, CA Coordinator, Artist and Technician Coordinated, created, and fired ceramic sea life for public fountain

2002	Tierra Del Sol Foundation, Sunland, CA Coordinator and Installer Coordinated the production of and installed a student made tile mural


Selected Private Collections

Andrew Shire Gallery, permanent collection, Los Angeles, CA

Annabelle Aylmer, Pasadena, CA

Melody Cooper, Glendale, CA

Stroscher Properties, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Two Bears Ranch, Murphys, CA

Western Commercial Bank, Woodland Hills, CA