Stephen Rodriguez
Primary Medium: Ceramic
Creative Arts Workshop
Email: stephenarodriguez (at) att (dot) net
Website: http://www.stephenrodriguezpottery.com
Artist Statement
I make stoneware and porcelain pottery reflecting and inspired by the classic forms which the history of ceramics has presented to me, particularly the ancient Asian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese pottery. There are also many influences from other cultures such as, African, Greek, Etruscan, Native American and so on.
My own originality seems to lie in seeking a clarity through the distinct proportions of pottery form from these many influences. The course, or path one embarks on, within the confines of a certain tradition, are many-fold and History is always presenting itself in a new light. This is the challenge that provokes me towards new works in clay.
Creative Arts Workshop
Email: stephenarodriguez (at) att (dot) net
Website: http://www.stephenrodriguezpottery.com
Artist Statement
I make stoneware and porcelain pottery reflecting and inspired by the classic forms which the history of ceramics has presented to me, particularly the ancient Asian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese pottery. There are also many influences from other cultures such as, African, Greek, Etruscan, Native American and so on.
My own originality seems to lie in seeking a clarity through the distinct proportions of pottery form from these many influences. The course, or path one embarks on, within the confines of a certain tradition, are many-fold and History is always presenting itself in a new light. This is the challenge that provokes me towards new works in clay.
Selected Works
|  Stoneware Vessels - 2009 - High Fire Stoneware and Porcelain - Various sizes  Stoneware Basin Bowl - 2009 - Clay - 5"X16"  Stoneware Bowl - 2008 - Clay - 4"X13"  Stoneware Vase with lugs - 2008 - Clay - !5"X17"  Large Stoneware Bowl with carved black slip - 2008 - clay - 4"X20"  Stoneware Vase with Ash glaze - 2009 - clay - 13"X14"  Large Stoneware Floor Vase - 2009 - Clay - 14"X24" |
Artist Bio
Stephen Rodriguez's biography brings west to east: geographically – from growing up in LA to settling in CT; and by inspiration – from Mexican-American roots towards a discipline in regard mostly to the tradition of ceramic art in Asia. His pottery training started close to home at Rio Hondo College in LA in 1972, and continued at Alfred University in New York State through 1978. Stephen was studio manager of Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY from 1981 to ‘88, and then Dept. Head of Ceramics at Creative Art Workshop in New Haven, CT from 1990 to the present. He received a CT Commission Fellowship in 2004. Alongside pottery-making and teaching, he builds down-draft kilns. Stephen's pottery is represented by galleries in NYC, Massachusetts, and Maine.
1950 Born, Los Angeles, California
EDUCATION
1972-76 Rio Hondo College, Whittier, California
Liberal Arts-2 Years/Fine Arts l-l/2 Year
(Ceramic Instructors included: Martin Chodos, Jeff Tousley,
Alfred MFA Graduates and Jim Kachler, Production Potter)
1976-78 New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, NY
(Ceramic Instructors included: Val Cushing, Robert Turner,Wayne Higby
Glassblowing Instructor; Andre Billeci)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1975 Ceramic Lab Assistant: Rio Hondo College, Whittier, California
1980 Associate Engineer: Pfaltzgraff Pottery Manufacturers, York, Pennsylvania
1981-84 Technical Advisor, Glassblower: Louis Sclafani Design,
Port Chester, New York
1981-88 Studio Manager, Instructor, Artist-in-Residence: Clay Art Center,
Port Chester, New York
1981-99 One-day pottery demonstrations at various institutions including:
Greens Farms Academy, Westport, Connecticut
Scarsdale Women's Club, Scarsdale, New York
Western Middle School, Greenwich, Connecticut
Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts
1988-09 Construction of gas fired Kilns and Combustion Systems
for potters and potteries in Northeastern United States
1983 Pottery Instructor: Greenwich High School, Continuing Education,
Connecticut
1985 Throwing Workshop: "1985 Summer Festival," Clay Art Center,
Port Chester, New York
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (continued)
1985 Pottery Instructor: YW-MHA, Scarsdale, New York
1987 "Glazing Techniques" Workshop: 92nd Street Y, New York, New York
1990-09 Pottery Instructor: Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, Connecticut
1991-09 Pottery Department Head: Creative Arts Workshop New Haven, Connecticut
1990-09 Pottery Instructor: Guilford Art Center, Guilford Connecticut
1991-94 Pottery Instructor: Wesleyan Potters, Middletown, Connecticut
1990-92 Pottery Instructor: Jill Cohn Head Injury Center, New Haven, Connecticut.
1992-00 Founding member: Gallery 12, Guilford, Connecticut
1995 Workshop,Everything about Glazing: 92nd Street Y,
New York, New York
1995 Pottery instructor / temporary studio manager: 92nd Street Y,
New York, New York
1997 Workshop,Throwing and Glazing Towards an Eastern Influenceâ€:
Greenwich House Pottery, New York, New York
1999 Pottery Instructor: 92nd Street Y, New York, New York
1999 Pottery Instructor: University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Connecticut
2000-01 Workshop, Reduction firing and glazing techniques: Creative Arts
Workshop, “Large Pottery on the Wheel: Creative Arts Workshop, New
Haven, Connecticut
2001 Workshop, “Reduction firing and glazing techniquesâ€: Clay Art Center, Port Chester, New York.
2003 Pottery Instructor: Westchester