Keith Schneider

View Keith Schneider’s works featured on Ceramics Now Magazine

Keith Schneider is a ceramic artist and Art Professor who lives and works in Arcata, on the northern California coast. He received his MFA degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1985, and has been teaching ceramics and drawing at Humboldt State University since 1988. Keith’s ceramic figures are exhibited throughout the United States, and he has won numerous awards, including first place in Feats of Clay 2003, a prestigious international ceramics competition. His work has been featured in a variety of publications, including Ceramics Monthly magazine, and his work was also featured in 2010 at SOFA exhibition (Sculpture Objects and Functional Art) in Chicago.

“I am most interested in things that “wear” their history: objects, or fragments of them, that possess a particular quality from being well-used. In my ceramic work, inspired by things I have scavenged, I often invent my own “found” objects and materials. I try to create in them a sense of age comparable to actual objects I have collected. The life story that each object could tell remains a mystery, but the hint of its past adds another layer of richness to my pieces.

In my newest body of ceramic work, I have made clay “fabric” to dress up my characters and clay tape and stitching to hold them together. Since facial expression is so important in defining the personality of each of my figures, using wrinkles, tears and holes in the clay fabric has opened up new and exciting options for achieving these personal characteristics.

Often, as I am working, these pieces take on a life of their own and it is interesting to me that some of my characters seem worried and perplexed, some quizzical and amused, some mischievous and playful. As I live with these characters, I believe that they speak to me about myself.” Keith Schneider

Keith Schneider’s C.V. (resume) – View his works

EDUCATION
1985 M.F.A., University of California at Santa Barbara
1984 M.A., Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
1978 B.A., San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

TEACHING
1989–Present Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, Ceramics
1988–1990, 1991–present Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, Drawing
1990 College of the Redwoods, Eureka, CA, Spring, Drawing and Watercolor
1990 Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, Lithography
1988 Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, Spring, Watercolor
1985–1986, 1988 College of the Redwoods, Eureka, CA, Watercolor

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2009 – August Show, Sherrie Gallerie, Columbus, OH
– “Feats of Clay XXII” (Purchase Award) at Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA
– “Ceramics Invitational” at Piante Gallery, Eureka, CA
– “30 Sculptors Exhibition” at John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2008 – “Ink and Clay 35” at W. Keith and Janet Kellogg University Art Gallery, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA
– Keith Schneider/New Work (Solo Show) at John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
– “30 Sculptors Exhibition” at John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
– “Color/Texture/ Form” (Invitational Group Show) at Pacini Lubel Gallery, Seattle, WA
– “Humboldt State University Faculty Exhibition” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humbodlt State University, Arcata, CA
2007 – “Humboldt State University Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humbolt State University, Arcata, CA
– “Holiday Invitational Exhibition” at First Street Gallery, Eureka, CA
– Keith Schneider, Judith Nicolaidis, Nathan Betschart, Grossmont College Hyde Gallery, El Cajon, CA
– “30 Sculptors Exhibition” at John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2006 – “8 Fluid Ounces II,” LSU Alfred C. Glassel Jr. Exhibition Gallery, Shaw Center for the Arts, Baton Rouge, LA, juror: Michaelene Walsh
– “Ink and Clay 32,” (Presidential Purchase Award), Kellogg Art Gallery, Cal State, Pomona, Pomona, CA, juror: Peter Held and Marilyn Zeitlin
– “30 Sculptors Exhibition,” John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2005 – “Humboldt State University Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
– “Cup: The Intimate Object IV,” (Third Place Award), Charlie Cummings Clay Studio, Ft. Wayne, IN
– “Duane Flatmo and Keith Schneider,” Gallery Dog, Eureka, CA
– “30 Sculptors Exhibition,” John Natsoula Gallery, Davis CA
– “Selected Works: Ceramics, Drawings and Mixed-Media by Keith Schneider,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
2004 – “Humboldt State University Faculty Exhibition,” First Street Gallery, Eureka, CA
– “30 Sculptors Exhibition,” John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2003 – “Feats of Clay XVI (first Place award), Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA, juror: Joe Mariscal
– “Ceramics 30 Exhibition,” John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis CA
– “Generations: Impending Landscape,” Art and Industry Gallery, San Diego, CA
– “Northern California Clay,” Regency Conference Center (2003 NCECA), San Diego, CA
2002 – “National Teapot Show V,” Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmoor, NC
– “Humboldt State University Faculty Exhibition,” First Street Gallery, Eureka, CA
– “San Angelo National Ceramic Competition,” San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX, juror: Jimmy Clark
2001 – “2001 California Works Exhibition (Award of Merit), California State Fair, Sacramento, CA
2000 – “From the Fire: Figures in Ceramic,” Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
– “Feats of Clay XIII (purchase award), Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA, juror: Catherine Hiersoux
– “2000 Defining Vessels,” Chico Art Center, Chico, CA, juror: David Middlebrook
– “13th San Angelo National Ceramic Competition,” San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX, juror: Matthew Kangas
– “Inizio 2000,” Phoenix Art Group, Phoenix, AZ
1999 – “Feats of Clay XII, Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA, juror: Michael Lucero
– “La Petite VII, Alder Gallery, Eugene, OR
– “Regional Invitational Exhibition,” First Street Gallery, Eureka, CA
– “A Room of Our Own,” The Ink People Gallery, Eureka, CA
– “Inizio 1999,” Phoenix Art Group, Phoenix, AZ
– “Viewpoint: Ceramics 1999,” Grossmont College Hyde Gallery, El Cajon, CA, juror: Judith S. Schwartz
1998 – “Humboldt Arts Council Holiday Invitational, Carnegie Building, Eureka, CA
– “Humboldt State University Faculty and Staff Exhibition,” First Street Gallery, Eureka, CA
– “Feats of Clay XI, Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA, juror: Clayton Bailey
– “Miami Valley Crossroads in Clay,” Middletown Fine Arts Center, Middletown, OH, Juror: Josh DeWeese
– “Inizio 1998,” Phoenix Art Group, Phoenix, AZ
1997 – “Oregon Clay / 97 National,” Renshaw Gallery, Linfield College, McMinnville, OR, juror: David Gilhooly
– “Inizio 1997,” Phoenix Art Group, Phoenix, AZ
– “Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
1996 – Solo exhibition, Plaza Design, Arcata, CA
– “Inizio 1996,” Phoenix Art Group, Phoenix, AZ
– “Miami Valley Crossroads in Clay,” Middletown Fine Arts Center, Middletown, OH
– “Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
1995 – Two-Person exhibition„ Humboldt Arts Council Gallery, Eureka, CA
– “Ink and Clay,” University Art Gallery, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA
– “Clay Does It All” (award of merit), University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, juror: Richard Shaw
– “Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
1994 – “Feats of Clay VII, Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA, juror: Don Reitz
– “Acquisition Exhibition,” Humboldt Arts Council, Humboldt Cultural Center, Eureka, CA
1993 – “20th Anniversary Special,” Humboldt Cultural Center, Eureka, CA
– “San Angelo National Ceramic Competition,” San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX
– “Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
1992 – “Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
1991 – “Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
– Two-Person Exhibition, Ambiance Gallery, Eureka, CA
1990 – “Clay Visions Invitational,” Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
– “Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
– Two-Person Exhibition, Ambiance Gallery, Eureka, CA
– Invitational Exhibition, Gump’s Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1989 – “West Coast Works On/Of Paper,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
– “Faculty Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
1988 – “Tea and Ceremony,” Faith Nightingale Gallery, San Diego, CA
– “Teapots!!! Second Pouring,” Elizabeth Fortner Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
– “HSU Faculty Painting Exhibition,” Humboldt Arts Council, Humboldt Cultural Center, Eureka, CA
– “Faculty Exhibition,” College of the Redwoods, Eureka, CA
– “West Coast Works On/Of Paper” (first place award), Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, juror: George Miyasaki
– “Lost and Found,” The Art Center, Eureka, CA
1987 – “The Dog Show,” First Street Gallery, Eureka, CA
– “Contemporary Containers,” Redding Museum and Art Center, Redding, CA
– “Teapots!!!,” Elizabeth Fortner Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
– “Figurative Invitational,” Wita Gardiner Gallery, San Diego, CA
– “The Whimsey Show,” Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
1986 – Solo exhibition, Fresno Arts Center, Fresno, CA
– “Winter Invitational,” Elizabeth Fortner Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
– “Twenty Humboldt County Artists,” California Museum of Art, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
– “Twenty Humboldt County Artists,” The City Gallery, Sacramento, CA
– “Northern California Ceramic Competition,” Humboldt Cultural Center, Eureka, CA, juror: Tony Costanzo
– “Not Dishwasher Safe,” The Art Center, Eureka, CA
– “Ink People Invitational,” The Art Center, Eureka, CA
– “Northern California Craft and Fiber,” Humboldt Cultural Center, Eureka, CA
1985 – “Summer Clay Invitational,” Elizabeth Fortner Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
– “Master of Fine Arts Exhibition,” University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
– “Printmakers Select Printmakers,” Art and Architecture Gallery, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
1984 – “West Coast Works On/Of Paper” (second place award), Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, juror: Robert Hudson
– “Master of Arts Exhibition,” Reese Bullen Gallery, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
– “New Faces Invitational,” Humboldt Cultural Center, Eureka, CA
1993 – “Pacific States Printmakers Exhibition,” University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI, juror: Charles Garabedian