Esther Alinejad
Artist’s Statement:
Esther Alinejad os an award winning artist, whose work is a visual interpretation of thoughts, feelings, and reactions to every day living and current events. Through the use of color, newspaper cut outs, and found objects, she creates an integrated web of imagery. Her work showcases streams of consciousness and unraveling stories. With her unique integration of color and imagery she engages the viewer to take a different perspective on life and hopes to strike that inner cord.
EDUCATION
1996 MFA Ceramics and Painting, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
1992 BFA Ceramics, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
1989 Associates in Liberal Arts, Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, Illinois
TEACHING POSITIONS
2000-present Proprietor + Ceramics Instructor, Clay Studio + Gallery Inc. Thousand Oaks, California
2014-present Ceramics Instructor, River Oaks Academy, Westlake Village, California
2000 Ceramics Instructor, Salt River Pima Indian Reservation, Arizona
1997-99 Ceramics Instructor, Clayworks @ Kilohana, Kaua’i, Hawaii
1994-97 Ceramics Instructor, City of Tucson, Arizona
1993-96 Teaching Assistant, Ceramics (Instructor of record), University of Arizona
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2012 Gerd Koch + Carole Milton Grant Nominee, Ventura, CA
1998 Artist Grant, Arts Council of Kauai, Hawaii
1998 Travel Grant, Arts Council of Kauai, Hawaii
1996 Skowhegan Scholarship Finalist, University of Arizona
1995 Skowhegan Scholarship Finalist, University of Arizona
1989-92 Merit Scholarship, The University Club of Chicago, IL.
1991 Traveling Fellowship, The University Club of Chicago, IL.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS/SOLO
2016 Close Up W/Out Disclosure, Clay Studio + Gallery Inc., Thousand Oaks, California
2015 Fragments, Clay Studio + Gallery Inc., Thousand Oaks, California
2006 Solo Invitational Exhibition, Mobius Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1997 Solo Invitational Exhibition, Gallery of the University Club Of Chicago, Illinois
1996 MFA Thesis Exhibition, University of Arizona Museum of Art, Tucson, Arizona
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS/GROUP
2015 Group Exhibition, Seyhoun Gallery, West Hollywood, CA
2013 Group Exhibition, Aahoo Gallery, Pasadena, CA
2013 Art 4 Life Exhibition, LA Mart, Los Angeles, CA
2012 Gerd Koch + Carole Milton Grant Nominee Exhibition, Government Center, Ventura, CA
2012 Open Studio Tour Exhibit Civic Arts Plaza,Thousand Oaks,CA
2012 Backlash, Soho 20 Gallery, New York, NY
2012 International Twist-Fundraiser for Fukushima, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA
2012 California Dreaming, Los Angeles Garden Club, Los Angeles, CA
2011 Open Studio Tour, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA
Reflections, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA
2009 Open Studio Tour, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA
Clay evolution: A New Look at Works in Clay,High Studio Gallery, Moorpark, CA
2008 Annual Juried Exhibition, Thousand Oaks Community Gallery, Thousand Oaks, CA
2007 Religious Art, High Studio Gallery, Moorpark, CA
2006 California Open Exhibition, TAG Gallery, Santa Monica
International Affairs, High Studio Gallery, Moorpark, CA
2005 International Insights, Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theater, Thousand Oaks, CA
2004 Form and Movement, TR-3 Studio Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
2003 Annual Juried Exhibition, Westlake Village Art Guild, CA
COMMISSIONS/PUBLIC ARTWORK
2014 McCoy Construction Company, custom tile work for Thomas Tull
2010 Dog’s Best Collection, custom line of ceramic bowls
2008 “Wheel Throwing 101,” Instructional wheel throwing DVD, produced by Clay Studio + Gallery Inc.
2007 Whole Foods Market, custom line of serving dishes
2005 Prints of Pride Tile Project, Simi Valley Town Center
SELECTED PRIVATE + PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Stephen Comesky, Algonquin, Illinois
Jill + George Peters, Thousand Oaks, California
Vic + Pauline Baker, Tucson, Arizona
Ralph Mendoza + Annie Weir, Agoura Hills, California
Bill + Jean Amador, Westlake Village, California
Curt Edmonds + Michelle Fishman, Newbury Park, California
Yvette Hill, Newbury Park, California
Gary Hespenheide + Ilise Kramer, Newbury Park, California
Nancy McCann, Cleveland, Ohio
Holly Galick, Frankfort, Illinois
Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
–Acorn Newspaper, “The word on the street is art,” by Becca Whitnall, August 2017, p. 16.
– Acorn Newspaper, “Proceeds from ongoing art exhibit will aid Japanese earthquake relief,” by Anna Bitong, June 2012, p. 32.
– 805 Living Magazine, “With these hands, potters create lasting impressions,” by Cynthia Nooney, April 2008, p. 54.
– Ventura County Star-Studio 805, “…A trip to ceramics Studio highlight the week,” by Gretchen Macchiarella, May 15, 2007.
– 805 Living Magazine, “Art Therapy,” by Sim Carter, April 2006, p. 30.
– Thousand Oaks Acorn, “Mixed Media show to open at Civic Arts Plaza,” February 9, 2006.
–Ventura County Star, “They joined their lives, then their Careers,” by Jim Woodard, November 8, 2003.
–Ventura County Star, “Clay brings out students’ new Skills,” by Nicole D’Amore, June 22, 2001.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
–Ventura County Star, “Local artists to premiere ‘Wheel Throwing 101’ DVD,” photo, February 19, 2008.
–Ventura County Star-YourHub.com, “Local artist serves in Style,” photo, May 22, 2007.
SELECTED VISITING ARTIST WORKSHOP
2004 Visiting Artist, TR-3 Studio, Kyoto, Japan
REFERENCES
Dennis Jones
Professor and Director- School of Art
University of Arizona
Office #: 520-621-7000
Fax: 520-621-2353
E-mail: dennisj@email.arizona.edu
Address: P.O. Box 210002
Art Building Room 1010
Tucson, AZ 85721-0002
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