LAC Description

The Lawrence Arts Center, built in 2002 and located in downtown Lawrence, Kansas has 40,000 square feet of programming spaces. The Center consists of 2 exhibition galleries, gallery shop, 300 seat theatre, 2 dance studios, 2 arts-based preschool classrooms/playground, 7 studios for drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, writing, metals and stained glass.

The Center, sustained by a thriving membership program, offers programs to the public and all visitors to Lawrence, attracting 200,000 people annually. The Lawrence Arts Centers’ goal is to involve people in the arts through art education, appreciation programs, exhibitions and performances. We are located 30 minutes from Kansas City. Lawrence is home to Kansas University, which hosts the Spencer Museum and the Lied Center. Lawrence has one of the countries best music scenes. Brackers Good Earth Ceramic Supply is located 5 minutes from the Arts Center.

The Ceramics program offers both adult and childrens classes with approximately 100 students per session. (4 sessions per year). Recently the studio upgraded most of its equipment and in 2008 will see new construction on its kiln pad. In 2007 the arts center hosted the National Ceramics Juried Exhibition & Symposium. Demonstrating Artists included: Dan Anderson, Bob Archambeau, John Balistreri, Brad Schwieger, Jane Shellenbarger, Mikey Walsh and Janis Mars Wunderlich. The exhibit included work by the above mentioned artists along with over 70 pieces from other ceramic artists. The success of this event has spurred plans for future events like this. Our faculty are encouraged to exhibit work in regional exhibits and exhibit as a group on occasion. Souper-Bowl Saturday is the Ceramics Departments annual fundraiser which sells over 600 bowls & growing each year.

Residency

The Artist in Residency program is designed to provide a creative environment for emerging artists and to broaden the center’s students and faculty awareness of new approaches and techniques. The residency will begin August 1, 2008 and end on July 31, 2009.

The ideal candidate should be pre-professional, with a MFA or BFA in ceramics, self directed and able to work independently. A resident should be able to become involved in the LAC Education Department’s community (child-adult). 10 hours per week of studio maintenance and teach one class per session (4 sessions per year). When teaching, the resident is asked to contribute to the curriculum for classes and be willing to collaborate with education staff. Additional teaching opportunities are available but not required. Maintenance of the Ceramics Studio includes: assisting in loading/unloading and firing of kilns, mixing glazes, recycling clay and general studio upkeep. The resident will assist in annual studio fundraiser and assist in the visiting artist program. The resident will make one public presentation to the Lawrence community or school district. Residents will have an exhibition of their work in the Lawrence Arts Center Gallery. (dates TBA)

The resident will be provided studio space, $300 per month stipend, free firings, 24 hour access to the studios, discount on ceramic supplies. There are many opportunities for teaching and sales of work through the Lawrence Arts Center. Residents are responsible for their housing.

Click Here to download application(pdf)

Applications Due: May 1, 2008

Mail to:

Ceramic Residency
Lawrence Arts Center
940 New Hampshire St.
Lawrence, KS 66044

Facilities

The Ceramic Studio

Private Resident Studio

60 cubic ft. Geil Gas Kiln

3 Electric Kilns

15 Potter’s Wheels (brent, pacifica, soldner)

Pug Mill

Ball Mill

Slab Roller

Extruder

Spray Booth

Stocked Raw Materials

In addition to the Ceramics Studio, the Lawrence Arts Center houses:

Printmaking Studio

Vandercook, Hoe and Sturgis Presses

Type collection

Acid room

Silk screen facilites

Photography Studio

10 dark room stations (black & white)

Stocked chemical supply

Digital Media Lab (MAC design software)

Painting & Drawing Studios

Easels

General studio supplies (drawing materials, model & still life equipment)

Metals Studio

3 Enameling kilns

Vacuum form

Assortment of grinders and metal forming equipment