Ceramic Artist Residency Program

2024-2025 Residency Applications are Closed.

The Carbondale Clay Center Ceramic Artist Residency Program is designed to encourage the creative, intellectual and personal growth of emerging and established ceramic artists. This program is an ideal opportunity for a developing artist who is looking for a place to pursue focused work while gaining teaching experience and valuable technical skills. The selections are based on the quality and artistic merit of the work, and the diversity of the prospective group in terms of commitment, work, background, and stage of career development. There are up to three residents at a time. Ceramic artist residencies range from one to two years, starting September 1st and ending August 31st each year.

What you can expect from us:

Shared studio space of approximately 200 square feet
$100 monthly stipend
24 hr access to all facilities
Teaching opportunities with competitive pay
Exhibition opportunities and retail gallery representation
Ongoing efforts to introduce and help build relationships between Residents and prominent artistic figures in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Help in Residents achieving their professional goals within the scope of the Residency and to the best of our abilities.

The Residency Program is generously sponsored by
Sandra ‘Zoe’ Eskin in the name of Gerry Eskin
and the Vera & Joseph Dresner Foundation

What we can expect from you:

20hrs per week of active studio time, in the pursuit of resident goals
Up to 30 Resident Hours per month. Any hours after the initial 20 will be paid. *exceptions may apply during months of CCC’s large fundraisers/events (outlined in handbook)
A primary instructor for adult, kids, and outreach classes offered at CCC
Bring unique perspectives and experiences to CCC through engagement with students, visitors, and events
Strongly encouraged to participate in the making and donating of works for our two annual fundraisers
Donate a quality piece, representative of your time as a resident, to the CCC permanent collection
An introduction of yourself and your artwork to the community in the form of a Public Artist Talk / Visual Presentation to be held in October following your arrival

download the resident artist handbook

For more detailed information about the experience, expectations, and requirements of a CCC Resident Ceramic Artist, please download and read a copy of the Resident Artist Handbook prior to applying for this residency.

*Brian Chen & Gabby Gawreluk, 2021-2023 Resident Artists*

APPLICATION MATERIAL & IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent: Please describe how you would use the time and space provided by CCC in a one page letter of intent. What are your specific goals? How would this residency help you achieve these goals? Tell us the whys, hows, and whats about the body of work you would like to create during the residency. This letter is not an artist statement, and it should explain why CCC is the place for you to create this new body of work.

Resume/CV: Please include all ceramic related experience.

Artist Statement: 250 words or less.

Images: 10-20 images of recent work (300 dpi, approximately 1-2 MB each)
Please send your images using wetransfer.com to studio@carbondaleclay.org.

References: A list of 3 references that can speak to your candidacy. Please include their name, relationship to you, phone number, and email. DO NOT send reference letters at this time.

Applications Due By: 5PM MST, April 8th, 2024
Applications are currently closed.

FAQ

What does shared studio space mean? Residents will be assigned a shared studio in building adjacent to main facilities. Two Residents per shared space, which is approximately 200 square feet in size, with basic studio furniture, including a canvas covered table and shelving for personal use.

Do you provide equipment for Resident Studios? Resident Studios have basic studio furniture, including a canvas covered table and shelving for personal use. Residents are expected to provide personal supplies and tools including potters wheel, sculpture stands, 5 gallon buckets, etc.

What do you provide in the main communal studio space?
Our main studio space includes large working tables, Bailey slab roller, 2 Brent electric wheels, 9 Bailey ST-X electric wheels, Creek Pottery extruder, Soldner Clay Mixer, variety of studio tools, & Wi-Fi network.

What kind of kilns do you have?
Skutt 1227 computerized electric kiln, rated to cone 8; Skutt 1027 computerized electric kiln, rated to cone 10; Skutt 822 computerized electric kiln, rated to cone 10; Skutt Glaze Tech computerized electric test kiln, rated to cone 10; Gas fired soda kiln (approx 18 cubic feet); Olson updraft gas reduction kiln (approx. 16 cubic feet); Geil gas kiln (approx. 22 cubic feet)

What is the cost of living in Carbondale? The Roaring Fork Valley is very expensive. Most residents work other jobs during their residency to make ends meet. Housing can be expensive and difficult to find, especially if you are coming with a pet. Shared housing is often the most cost-effective option. We will do our best to pass on any information regarding housing leads prior to your arrival. We highly recommend doing research beforehand. See Handbook for more details.

TESTIMONIALS

Mike Stumbras
Resident Artist 2013-2014

My residency afforded me the opportunity to engage in a community that respects and cares for resident artists, intellectual discourse and, of course, the environmental beauty of the Aspen Valley.

My studio provided me with a sublime view of Mount Sopris, and the discussions that I had with friends in the CCC profoundly influenced my studio practice. I was proud to be a part of an engaging community that supports the arts, with opportunities for meeting other talented artists, quality exhibition opportunities, teaching, and participating in outreach programs. It was also excellent to engage with the community through teaching continuously scheduled classes.

Most of all, I’ve found that the CCC has always supported conversations about promoting diversity in ceramics. When I returned in early 2020 to do a workshop, I saw the real efforts that Matt and Angela put into work to make the studio into a welcoming and comfortable place for all students, employees, and resident artists. The residency program has clearly grown since the time that I spent in Colorado – It now includes a stipend and an enhanced focus on conceptual, technical and professional development for early to mid career emerging artists.

My experience at the Carbondale Clay Center required dedication to my craft, and an easy to find second mountain job, but it was an absolutely excellent experience. I would highly encourage motivated young artists looking to advance their career and their work to apply for this residency.

Check out Mike’s current work on his website.

Trae Story
Resident Artist 2020-2022

The Carbondale Clay Center Residency Program has been integral in my development as an artist thus far. I have access to any materials that I may need, whether it be for clay or extensive glaze testing. From exhibitions to teaching opportunities, I have felt welcome and well supported by the staff as well as the community of Carbondale as a whole.

Check out Trae’s current work on his instagram.

Tony Wise
Resident Artist 2011-2012

Working at the Carbondale Clay Center and living in the Roaring Fork Valley was one of my favorite opportunities I’ve had in my career. My time was filled with learning more about the value and richness of community as well as growth in my work. I also found opportunities to advance my career being surrounded by art professionals that want to see others achieve their goals. There’s no wonder why many artists have moved to Carbondale for a residency at CCC and stayed in the valley to continue their practice.

The leadership at CCC has always been community forward, focusing on enriching their community through experiences with clay. The teamwork I see now honors this tradition and I am consistently impressed with their activities.

The opportunities available to artists are phenomenal from places to exhibit, other studios or artists to collaborate with, and teaching positions. There are places to attend rockstar lectures and workshops as well as avenues for developing gallery and arts administration skills. I was able to take advantage of so much of this because the community and leadership at CCC was excited to help connect me to avenues for reaching my goals.

I made great friends in Carbondale while having time and resources to continue advancing my artwork. I learned new skills that have been invaluable for my career in the arts. Most importantly I found a beautiful, generous, and enriching community of people that I am proud to have been a part of.

Stephanie Seguin
Resident Artist 2017-2019

I joined CCC as a Resident Artist following my graduate studies and sought the residency to decompress and expand my recent studies while engaging in a new (to me) and vibrant community. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Carbondale’s active link to the contemporary art scene and the valley’s rich appreciation for the arts made it easy to stay motivated and inspired.

Access to The Aspen Art Museum, Anderson Ranch, Harvey Preston Gallery (formerly Harvey Meadows), and so much more allowed me to connect with artists and ideas outside the numerous programs and offerings happening directly in Carbondale. Angela and Matt quickly introduced myself and my co-resident to a warm and welcoming community, which supported and fostered my growth throughout my time as Resident.

Professionally, I established lasting relationships with passionate and ambitious artists and educators, and experienced multiple career advancing opportunities. My studio practice grew in ways that left me feeling assured and confident in my voice and abilities as an artist. And as a self-described Artist and Educator, CCC’s vast and varied student base and community engagement efforts made teaching an exciting and fruitful experience.

I left CCC with a feeling of accomplishment, and a deep appreciation for all those who played their part in the 20+ year legacy of an incredible place for creative minds. I am truly grateful to have been a part of Carbondale Clay Center’s team and strongly encourage any emerging - mid career artists who are looking to expand their practice, studio and teaching experience, and community engagement to apply.

Check out Stephanie’s current work on her website.

Staci DeBolt
Resident Artist 2012-2014

I was a resident at the Carbondale Clay Center from 2012 to 2014. It left a big stamp on my heart! The friendships I gained while there fuel my studio and soul. My work is represented at the CCC through Pairings, the Holiday Sale, and the Cup Auction. The Roaring Fork Valley is a clay mecca filled with amazing clay artists that will mentor your journey as an artist through critique and example. I had the opportunity to teach community classes, help run events, and have solo shows in the gallery. What an honor and a motivator to have this community come to see my work! I also had access to workshops and lectures at the Anderson Ranch and First Fridays at the Harvey Preston Gallery. Lastly, It's hard not to mention the location. If you like to hike, bike, ski, camp, or walk, you'll find no more beautiful place to do it. My favorite drive in the whole world is Independence Pass. Excuse me while I meditate on that for a moment!

Check out Staci’s current work on her website.