Artist: Autumn Higgins
Autumn Higgins, OREGON
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Bio:
I was born into a family of artists, my mother a painter, and my grandparents Ray and Jere Grimm, who worked in ceramics for over 50 years. This history has given me an understanding of the importance of art objects in one's life, and it only seems natural that I go into the art field. My serious interest in ceramics began at Southern Oregon University in 2004-2008. In 2010- I studied at University of Florida as a Post-Bacc student. I enrolled in the Masters of Fine Arts program at Louisiana State University in 2011 and completed my degree in 2014. In 2015 I moved to Minneapolis MN for an artist in residency program at Northern Clay Center, and began teaching at various levels, community education, university level, and as the art teacher at a small k-8 school from 2015-2022. Throughout the years I have always maintained a busy studio practice and exhibition schedule. I returned to Oregon to live in Portland in the fall of 2022. Since then I have had my second child, set-up my home studio and have been exhibiting locally at craft shows including the Oregon Country Fair, and at continued showing in galleries in other states.
Statement :
Autumn works in both illustrated functional porcelain, and watercolor paintings, depicting observations from her surroundings. Her work acts a portrait of daily life, by showing details of the day that can often be overlooked. Her work brings attention to the beauty of the urban landscape.
Autumn creates narratives in each piece by illustrating elements that are representative and unique to local landscape. A viewer familiar with the setting can view the illustrations and recognize their city in the landmarks and buildings. The imagery is also vague enough that a wider range of people can relate to the content. Each piece allows the viewer to identify with the scenes depicted and form their own narratives to create a relationship with the work.
EDUCATION
2010-2011
Post-Baccalaureate study, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
2003-2008
Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
1999-2003
Benson Polytechnic High School, Portland, Oregon
RECENT EMPLOYMENT
September 2010 - December 2010
Brand Ambassador for Freeze the Swamp Promotion, Ignition inc, Atlanta, Georgia
May 2009 - August 2010
Health and Beauty Aids Associate, Ashland's Shop 'N Kart, Ashland, Oregon
July 2007 - May 2008
Cocktail/Lounge Server, Omar's Restaurant Seafood and Steaks, Ashland, Oregon
2000-2010
(Annual Event) Blazing Salads booth at Oregon Country Fair, Veneta, Oregon
RELATED EXPERIENCE
June - September 2008
Working partner and member, Radius Studios, Portland, Oregon
January - March 2008
Teaching Assistant, Functional Ceramics Course, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
August 2007
Teaching Assistant, Southern Oregon University Youth Programs, Ceramics Course, Ashland, Oregon
July - September 2006
Ceramics Apprenticeship with Jean-Nicolas Gerard, Valensole, France
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2008
“8th Annual BFA Exhibition”, Davis and Cline Galleries, Ashland, Oregon
2007
“Escape: Ceramic Forms”, Department Chair's Gallery, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
2006
“Re-Bound:Trashion Show” Photography exhibition, Department Chair's Gallery, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2011
“Creatures of the Night” Mudfire Clayworks and Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia
“Point of Departure: An Exit show” Warp Haus Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
“Intersection: UF Post-Bacc and Graduate Student, Exhibition”, Focus Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
“Currents: Past and Present”, University of Florida Ceramics Alumni and Student exhibition, Thomas Center Gallery, Gainesville, Florida
“Annual Student Juried Exhibition”, School of Art and Art History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
2010
“If you are quiet enough, you can hear us breathe” Southern Oregon University, California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Arts, Davis, California
2009
“Southern Oregon University: Student Work”, California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Arts, Davis, CA
2008
“Annual Recent Graduates Exhibition”, Blackfish Gallery, Portland, Oregon
“Domestic Eggs Fly From Crashing Heads”, SOU Ceramics Exhibition, Retzlaf Gallery, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
2003
“Northwest Artists Respond to Global Warming”,Working with collaboratively with artist Lillian Pitt and other student artists for an exhibition at Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, Portland, Oregon
AWARDS
2011
Award of Excelence, “Intersection: UF Post-Bacc and Graduate Student, Exhibition”, Focus Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
2008
Fourth Place, Favorite Local Artist Category, in Best of 2007 Sneak Preview, Ashland, Oregon
2007
First Place, “Sound of the Skittle in a Chinese Vase”, Southern Oregon University ceramics department
2006
Kester Award recipient; Scholarship for Visual Arts, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
John Humbird Dickey Scholarship recipient, Scholarship for Visual Arts, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
2002
Grand Prize in Annual Photo Contest, City-wide photography competition, Advanced Camera, Inc. Beaverton, Oregon
MEMBERSHIPS
2010-Present
H.O.T. Clay member, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
2009-Present
Member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts
2009-2010
Club Ceramics Member, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
2007-2008
Vice President, Club Ceramics, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
2006-2007
Club Treasurer, Southern Oregon Fine Arts Students, Ashland, Oregon
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEERING
2011
Volunteer at the National Council for the Education of Ceramic Arts Badge checker, and tear down for demonstration hall.
2010
Volunteer at the National Council for Education of Ceramic Arts, Collating and packet stuffing.
2009
Donations to Southern Oregon's “Empty Bowls Project”
Donated piece to William T. Colville Foundation’s Valentine's Day Raffle
2008
Donated piece to Southern Oregon's “Empty Bowls Project” Raffle