Deighton Abrams Educator/Ceramist/Sculptor

Curriculum Vitae

Education

2016 - MFA, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

2013 - BFA Magna Cum Laude, Ceramics, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA

2007 - Studied Drawing at Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

 Experience

2023

Visiting Lecturer, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA Courses Taught: Advanced Ceramics

2020-2023

Instructor, Ceramics Program, Harvard University, Alston, MA. Courses Taught: Clay with Neighbors (Local Community Outreach Ceramics Course with Gustavo Barceloni), Combined Methods, Basics and Challenges (Wheel Throwing), Sculpture, Printmaking and Bookmaking (Online Courses), Art in the Houses (Introductory Ceramics courses in Cabot, Quincy, Kirkland, and Mather House Dormitories at Harvard), among others.

2020- 2022

Artist in Residence, Ceramics Program, Harvard University, Alston, MA

Ceramics Studio Supervisor/Adjunct Instructor of Ceramics, Lesley University College of Art and Design, Cambridge, MA

Courses Taught: Core Clay 1, Expressive Sculpture, Hand Building Ceramics, and Independent Study.

 2020-2021

Ceramics Instructor (Virtual and In Person), The Clay School, Lynn, MA

 2019-2020

Staff/Work Exchange/Teaching Assistant, Ceramics Program, Harvard University, Alston, MA

 2017-2019

Adjunct Professor, Greenville Technical College, Greenville, SC.         Courses Taught: Introduction to Ceramics, Summer 2019, Introduction to Ceramics, Summer 2018, 2-Dimensional, Design, Fall 2017. Introduction to Ceramics, Summer 2017

 2018-2019

Full-Time Lecturer, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Art Appreciation (4 Sections), Fall 2018. Art Appreciation (2 Sections), Foundations in Visual Art I, Community Supported Art/ Creative Inquiry, Spring 2019.

 2018

Adjunct Professor, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC Filled in as Full Time Ceramics Instructor and Ceramic Studio Technician for Professor Jim Connell while he left for sabbatical. Courses taught: Ceramics I, Advanced Ceramics (Wheel-Throwing)

 2017

Adjunct Professor, TriCounty Technical CollegePendleton, SC. Courses Taught: Art History and Appreciation (4 Sections), Fall 2017

Resident Artist, STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise, Star, NC 

 2016

Studio Assistant, Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC. Figure in Clay workshop lead by Esther Shimazu 

Graduate Teacher of Record, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Introduction to Ceramics, Fall 2016. Introduction to Ceramics, Spring 2016 

2014-2015

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Introduction to Ceramics, Fall 2015. Advanced Wheel Throwing, Spring 2015. Survey of Art and Architecture I, Fall 2014.

 2014

Ceramics Instructor, The Arts Center Clemson, Clemson, SC. Adult Wheel Throwing Class

 2012-2013

Teaching Assistant, Clay Studio Summer Camp, Gallery S.P.A.C.E, Savannah, GA

 Ceramics Lab Assistant, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA

Lectures

2019

Visiting Artist Lecture, Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard University, Alston, MA

2018

Seeking Ethical CraftNational Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), Pittsburgh, PA. Co-Lecturer with Owen Marc Laurion.

2015

Community Supported Art in the Academic EnvironmentInternational Symposium on Ceramic Arts Education and Exchange (ISCAEE), Jingdezhen, China. Co-Presenter with En Iwamura.

 Publications

2022

Ceramics Monthly Spotlight, October 2022 Issue, page 13.

2013

Armstrong University Student Spotlight Interview, YouTube, May 31, 2013

Exhibitions

2023

12th Biennial State of Clay, Parson’s Gallery, Lexington, MA. Juror: Liz Quackenbush

2022

Moving Mountains, solo show, Gallery 224, Ceramics Program at the Office for the Arts at Harvard University, Alston, MA.

Speak Up, group show, Piano Craft Gallery, Juried by Claudia Fiks.

2021

Pivot, Celebrating the Instructors of Ceramics Program Online Classes, 2020-21, Gallery 224, The Ceramics Program at the Office for the Arts at Harvard University, Alston, MA.

11th Biennial State of Clay, Parsons Gallery, Lexington, MA. Juror: Julia Galloway

Finding Nature, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC. Invitational. Curated by Elaine Quave.

Alternate Endings 3: Contemporary Ceramic Bookends, Online Exhibition, NCECA 2021. Invitational. Curated by Bryan Hopkins and Mac McCusker.

2020

The Shape of Content: Art from Afar, Off the Cost, Online Exhibition.

Metropolis City Stuff, Hole in the Sky, Washington, DC. Invitational.

SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show, Savannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA. Juror: Jason Bige Burnett

 2019

Coined in the South, Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC. Curated by Young Affiliates of the Mint.

Carbon Footprint, with Kathleen Thum, Greenville Technical College, Taylors, SC.

OPEN FORM CLSD FORM, with Eric Knoche. STARworks Center for Creative Enterprises, Star, NC. Summer 2019

Interpretations in Clay, Lander University, Greenwood, SC. Invitational.

Earth Devised, D’Art Center, Norfolk, VA. Juried by Richard Nickel.

Festival of Flowers Juried Art ShowThe Arts Center of Greenwood, Greenwood, SC. Juror: Jonnell Logan 

SIP: A Ceramic Cup ShowSavannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA. Juror: Liz Slot Summerfield.

2018

Artists Teaching: Teaching Artists, Department of Art Faculty Exhibition, Lee Gallery, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. 

Festival of Flowers Juried Art ShowThe Arts Center of Greenwood, Greenwood, SC. Juror: Jonnell Logan 

Contemporary Clay 2018Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO. Juror: Doug Casebeer

22nd San Angelo Ceramic CompetitionSan Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX. Juror: Peter Held 

Cups of ConversationEveryday Café, NCECA 2018. Pittsburgh, PA. Invitational. Curated by Jeni Hansen Gard 

SC Clay > Higher EdFrancis Marion University, Florence, SC. Invitational.

2017

Palace IIIThe Artistry, Greenville, SC. Invitational. 

Festival of Flowers Juried Art ShowThe Arts Center of Greenwood, Greenwood, SC. Juror: Erin Glaze Nathanson 

Plates, Platters, and Nothing Else MattersLong Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Long Beach Island, NJ. Juror: Garth Johnson. 

ArtFields 2017, Lake City, SC. 

Juncture: Resident Artist Showcase, STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise, Star, NC. 

SIP: A Ceramic Cup ShowSavannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA. Juror: Ben Carter

2016

Solastalgia, with Haley Floyd. MFA Thesis Exhibition, Lee Gallery, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. 

Clay Different Ways: Spirits in Clay, The Arts Center Clemson, Clemson, SC. Invitational 

Addition Over Subtraction, Osher Life Long Learning Institute at Patrick Square Charles K. Cheezum Education Center, Clemson, SC. Curated by Palmetto Curatorial Exchange 

The Last Best Dream: Surrealism Here and Now, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT. Invitational 

Twin Cups: National Ceramics Exhibition, Missouri Western State University, ST. Joseph, MO. Juror: Bede Smith 

Walking Through Glue, MFA Exhibition Online, University of Montana, Missoula, MT. Juror's Selection Award

Connections and Conversations, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Patrick Square, Clemson, SC. Juror: Alexia Timberlake-Boyd, Greenville Museum 

2015

ISCAEE Members Exhibition, Wuxi Institute of Art and Technology, Yixing, China

The 2015 Art Center of Clemson's Juried Exhibition, The Art Center Clemson, Clemson, SC. Juror: Frank McCauley, Assistant Director and Chief Curator of The Sumter County Gallery of Art.  

2014

Any Way You Want To Shake It, The Art Center Clemson, Clemson, SC. Juror: Daniel Bare 

The 2014 Art Center of Clemson’s Juried ExhibitionThe Art Center of Clemson, Clemson, SC

2013

Student Instructor Staff Exhibition, Gallery S.P.A.C.E., Savannah, GA 

Nature of the Beast: Senior Thesis Show, Ashmore Gallery, Savannah, GA 

2010-2012

Student Juried Show, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA 

2007

Foundation Studies Juried Show, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

Awards and Grants

2023

Artist Fellowship Grant, City of Somerville Arts Council, Somerville, MA.

2021

Brother Thomas Fellow Nominee, The Boston Foundation, Boston, MA

2018

Best of 3D, Festival of Flowers, Greenwood, SC 

2017

Department of Art Graduate Service Award, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 

Merit Award, ArtFields 2017, Lake City, SC 

2014-2016

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Clemson University, Clemson, SC Fall 2014 – 2016

2016

Studio Assistant Scholarship: “Clay with a Life of its Own” Figure Building Workshop w/ Esther Shimazu. Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC, Summer Session 4 2016 

2015-2016

Professional Enrichment Grant, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Recipient for Travel to Iceland for Research, Summer 2016. Recipient for Travel to China, Fall 2015. Recipient for Travel to NCECA, Providence, RI. Spring 2015. Recipient for Travel to NCECA, Kansas City, MO. Spring 2016

2015-2016

Community Supported Art, Selected Artist: Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Spring 2016, Juror: Jerry Jackson, Deputy Director of The Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC. Spring 2015, Juror: Alan Ethridge, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Arts Council Greenville, SC. Fall 2015, Juror: Stephanie Moore, Executive Director of The Center for Craft Creativity and Design, Asheville, NC 

2015

Jeanette Dreskin Fund Recipient for Travel to China, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

Art Department Scholarship Recipient for Travel to China, Clemson University, Clemson, SC   

2013

Kay Regan Award for Excellence in Ceramics, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA 

Charles F. Jensen Award for Leadership in Ceramics, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA 

2012

Second Place Printmaking & Honorable Mention Ceramics, Student Juried Show, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA

2011

First Place Computer in Art, Student Juried Show, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA

2010

First Place Computer in Art, Student Juried Show, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA

2007

Purchase Award, Foundation Studies Juried Show, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

Skills

  • Over 12 years of experience firing gas, electric, and raku kilns at institutions such as: Lesley University, The Ceramics Program at Harvard University, Penland School of Craft, Greenville Technical College, STARworks Ceramics Program, Clemson University, Armstrong Atlantic State University (now Georgia State University) among many others.

  •  Over 6 years’ experience firing wood and soda/salt kilns at institutions such as: Clemson University, Winthrop University, numerous anagama and groundhog kilns at STARworks Ceramics and the nearby town of Seagrove, North Carolina. I’ve also recently assisted firing the Scotland Noborigama Wood Kiln at Brown Farm, Connecticut.

  •  Familiarity with the full range of woodshop power tools and hand tools including but not limited to bandsaws, table saws, drill presses, belt sanders, table routers, jig saws, circular saws, etc.

  • Over 6 years of experience working in wood shops, especially in the large, professional woodshop and Makerspace at Clemson University where all the supporting wooden components of my thesis show were built. I also continue woodwork and material compositing in my home studio.

  • Hands on knowledge in building and repairing electric, gas, anagama, pit, and soda kilns. Examples include assisting in soda kiln door repair at Harvard Ceramics, repair of electric kilns at Lesley, Clemson, and Winthrop Universities, among others.

  • Experience with ceramic 3D printing and modeling using 3D PotterBot 7 in collaboration with both architects, potters, and sculptors.

  • Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and AfterEffects.

  • Some experience with welding and metal working