Artist Statement

I believe functional pottery should beautify everyday rituals and be a pleasure to use. I make pottery with the goal of welcomed utility and quiet moments but also the hope of sharing meals with loved ones.Familial connections, antiquity-inspired imagery, and dialogue between the past and present are the foundation of my work. I am inspired by a quilt meticulously crafted by my great grandmother and stories of the past: stories about my relatives and how their history shapes my own. Memory is preserved through the tactile experience and archival process. My grandmother’s quilt represented family and the wear and tear of everyday life. Every stain and frayed fiber tells a story of that fabric and gives insight to questions that I cannot ask of the past. Clay as a material acts as retention of memory in a similar manner, remembering and preserving every detail throughout the making process.

I throw simple, clean-lined forms from earthenware clay and apply white slip to create a blank canvas for drawing and painting vintage motifs. As my imagery progresses across a vessel, I think about how the surface of a pot can transcend a cloth canvas. Through the repetition of floral patterns and systematic mark making coupled with painterly underglaze application, my process enables me to move fluidly between quilting, pattern design, and traditional ceramic techniques. I aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia through the catalyst of surface adornment.

CV

jennifercoleceramics@yahoo.com | www.jenncoleceramics.com 

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Ohio University, Athens, OH

Dean’s List, Other areas of study: Sculpture, Installation Art, and Performance Art

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2025 Visiting Artist, Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, Lubbock, TX 

2024 Summer Resident, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Session V: Cross Pollination

2023 Short-Term Resident, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT, AIA Resident Host

2020 Visiting Artist, Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA

2015— Studio Potter, Jenn Cole Ceramics, Cookeville, TN 

2015— Freelance Gallery Consultant, Cookeville, TN

2018—2019 Gallery Director/ Operations Manager, PSZ Clay Center, Zanesville, OH

2018 Short-Term Resident, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT, AIA Resident Host

2016—2017 Curator of Exhibitions/ Gallery Coordinator, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT

2012—2016 Assistant to the Gallery Director, Santa Fe Clay, NCECA “La Mesa” Show 

2013—2015 Gallery Manager, The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN

2013—2014 Artist in Residence of Exhibitions, The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN

2012—2013 Artist in Residence, Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA

2011—2012 P.A.C.E. Student Employee, Assistant to Brad Schwieger, Ohio University, OH

SELECT EXHIBITIONS AND CRAFT SHOWS

2025

Tennessee Craft Fall Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

The Plate Show, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition

Monte Sano Art Festival, Huntsville, AL

Material Mugs X, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN

The Instructor Exhibition: Sandra J. Blain Galleries, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

Tennessee Craft Spring Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

Panoply Craft Fair, Huntsville, AL

Juried Functional Teapot Show III,  NCECA , Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT, Group Exhibition

In Bloom, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition

Fairhope Arts Festival, Downtown Fairhope, AL

Functional Ceramics Exhibition 2025, Ohio Designer Craftsman, Wooster, OH Invited Artist

Red Earth, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition

2024

CRAFTED for the Holidays, Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA, Invited Artist

Making Connections- Ceramics Invitational, Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, IA, Invited Artist

The Americano Invitational, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist 

Objects of Desire, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT, Invited Artist

Thanksgiving Table 2024, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist

John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival, Brasstown, NC

Tennessee Craft Fall Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

Monte Sano Art Festival, Huntsville, AL

Yunomi Invitational, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist

Reminiscence, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Solo Exhibition

KRASL Art Fair, St. Joseph, MI

Tennessee Craft Spring Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

Panoply Craft Fair, Huntsville, AL

2023

Smalls, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition

The Cup The Mug, Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY

Pigment, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition 

Yunomi Invitational, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist 

Yunomi Invitational: Teapot + Yunomi, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist 

Essentials, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition 

Little Wonders II, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition 

Nostalgia, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Solo Exhibition

Panoply Craft Fair, Huntsville, AL 

Bonded Pairs, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition 

Featured Artist: Jenn Cole, Clay Akar Gallery, Iowa City, IA, Featured Artist

2022

Off the Beaten Path Tour, Smithville, TN

John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival, Brasstown, NC

Monte Sano Art Festival, Huntsville, AL

Yunomi Invitational, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist 

Valentines Day- Dessert Night, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA, Group Exhibition

On the Rocks, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition 

Thoughtfully Considered, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition

Fairhope Arts Festival, Downtown Fairhope, AL, Merit Award recipient $750

Painterly, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Group Exhibition

Flourishing, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Maker Focus- Featured Artist

2021

Ho Ho Holter Holiday Sale, The Holter Museum, Helena, MT, Invited Artist

22nd Annual Cup Auction, Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO, participating artist

Little Wonders, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Invited Artist

Monte Sano Art Festival, Huntsville, AL, Peak Award recipient $250

Oktoberfest & Der riesige Bierkrug (The Huge Beer Mug) Show, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI, Invited Artist

The Art of Craft, Centennial Arts Center, Nashville, TN, Invited Artist

Woodland Arts Festival, Lexington, KY

Yunomi Invitational, Clay Akar, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist

Tennessee Craft Spring Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN, Merit Award recipient $250

Panoply Craft Fair, Huntsville, AL

Wearable Clay by Jen Allen, Jenn Cole, Carole Epp & Iva Haas, Clay Akar, Gallery, Iowa City, IA, 4 person show

2020

The Americano Invitational, Clay Akar Gallery, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist

Featured Artist: Jenn Cole, Clay Akar Gallery, Iowa City, IA, Featured Artist

Cup: The Intimate Object XVI, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL, Invited Artist

2020 Yunomi Invitational, Clay Akar Gallery, Iowa City, IA, Invited Artist

2019

Tennessee Craft Handmade Holiday Crawl, Jerry’s Artarama, Nashville, TN 

In-Flux Nashville Holiday Sale, Nashville, TN

Terra Nova: 10 Years,  Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA

Tennessee Craft- Fall Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

Tennessee Craft- Spring Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

Summer Invitational, Swan Coach Gallery, Atlanta, GA, Invited Artist

NCECA Boutique-A Showcase, Silverwood Park, Minneapolis, MN, Invited Artist

The Mother of All Confessions, Project Space: NCECA, Minneapolis Convention Center, MN, Invited Collaborator with The Both Artist and Mother Collective 

Ware/Wear, Pocosin Arts, Columbia, NC, Jurors: Tom Bartel and Kathleen Browne, Invited Artist

2018

Jenn Cole: Artist Showcase, Brentwood Library, Brentwood, TN, Solo Exhibition

Tennessee Craft- Fall Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

All Ohio Contemporary Ceramics Show, PSZ Clay Center, Zanesville, OH, Invited Artist

A Formed Community: Current Works of Past Residents, Chadima Gallery, Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, Invited Artist

“Familiar Comforts”, PSZ Clay Center, Zanesville, OH, Solo Exhibition

Material Mugs III: UNDERGLAZE, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN, Juror: Renee LoPresti

Cup: The Intimate Object XIV, Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL

Cups of Conversation, Everyday Cafe, NCECA Pittsburgh, PA

In the Forefront: Emerging Ohio Artists Exhibition, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH, Invited Artist

2017

Meet Influx: Arts at the Airport, Nashville International Airport, Nashville, TN

First Annual Mug Show, Eye of the Dog Art Center, San Marcos, TX, Juror: Renee LoPresti

Red Lodge Clay Center NCECA Expo Show, Oregon Convention Center, OR

11th Annual Simple Cup Show Invitational, KOBO Gallery, Seattle, WA, Invited Artist

Connecting Through Clay: Influx Collective, Julia Martin Gallery, TN

The Art of Utility: Carbondale Clay National XII,  Carbondale Clay Center, CO, Juror: Linda Christianson

Red Lodge Clay Center Presents, Northwest Gallery, NW College, WY

Irons in the Fire, Companion Gallery,  Humboldt, TN, Juror: Justin Rothshank

Clay Review 3 Invitational, Abernathy Arts Center, GA, Invited Artist

2016

Jenn Cole Ceramics, Ingram Arts Center Theater Gallery, Nashville, TN, Solo Exhibition

Cups of Conversation: Montana Representative, Honey’s Cafe, MT

Art 321 Ceramics Invitational, Art 321 Gallery, WY

12x12: Influx Collective, Dozen Bakery, Nashville, TN

Off the Beaten Path Tour, Dowelltown, TN

Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Arts Festival, Smithville, TN, Best Appalachian Craft Award

Watertown Music and Arts Festival,  Watertown, TN

2015

Well-Crafted, Artist Showcase: Jenn Cole, The Cookehouse, Cookeville, TN, Solo Exhibition 

Jenn Cole: Artist Showcase, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Members’ Show, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY

Art Prowl Studio Tour: Artist Showcase, Brad Sells & Bark Studios, TN

2014

The Holiday Festival, The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN

Celebration of Craft, The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN

Artist-in-Residence Exhibition, The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN

2013

Roses Are Red, Pots Are Brown, The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN

River-to-River, Juried Exhibition, CSPS Gallery, Cedar Rapids,IA, Juror: Clary Illian

Residents Exhibition: Iowa Clay Conference, Coe College, IA

Exquisite Tea Party, Chadima Gallery, Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, Two Person Show with Anne Wendland

Altered Egos: Resident Exhibition, Chadima Gallery, Iowa Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA

Marion Arts Festival, Marion, IA

Brucemore Art and Garden Show, Cedar Rapids, IA

2012

Ohio University Student Exposition, Convocation Center, Athens, OH, 1st Place Best Presentation

Watershed’s Cups and Coffee, Fuel Coffee, NCECA Seattle, WA

Undergraduate Student Juried Exhibition, Ohio University Seigfred Gallery, Athens, OH

Senior Showcase, Ohio University Cube 4 Gallery, OH

COLLECTIONS 

The Green Hills Library, Nashville, TN

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA, Permanent Collection

Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA

The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN

Mercy Hospital, “Organ and Tissue Donor Wall”, Cedar Rapids, IA, Permanent Installation

Cookeville Regional Hospital, “Art for Healing”, Cookeville, TN, Permanent Collection

Tennessee Governor’s Mansion, “Tennessee Landscapes”, Nashville, TN

GALLERY REPRESENTATION

Arrowmont Supply Store, Gatlinburg, TN

ArtFul Home, WI

Bricolage Art Collective, Paducah, KY 

Clay Akar Gallery, Iowa City, IA

Cassens Fine Art & Framing, Hamilton, MT

Devta Doolan Studio and Gallery, Deer Isle, ME

Farwell Gallery, McFarland, WI

Heist Art + Sundries, Red Lodge, MT

John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Kemper Museum Shop, Kansas City, MO

Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester , Rochester, NY

Plough Gallery, Tifton, GA

Plum Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY

Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT

Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI

The Holter Museum Store, The Holter Museum, Helena, MT

VISITING ARTIST LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS

2025

Lubbock Arts Center, Lubbock, TX,  Visitng Artist, Artist Lecture and Workshop Instructor

Arrowmont School of Craft, Gatlinburg, TN, Imagery on Clay- Tips and Tricks for Surface Adornment, Workshop Instructor

2024

Arrowmont School of Craft, Gatlinburg, TN, Doll House Delights- Exploring Miniatures, Workshop Instructor

2023

Arrowmont School of Craft, Gatlinburg, TN, Imagery on Clay- Tips and Tricks for Surface Adornment, Workshop Instructor

2021

Ohio University, Athens, OH, Virtual Artist Lecture: Jenn Cole, Artist Lecture

2020

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, Ceramics Virtual Visiting Artist Series: Jenn Cole, Visiting Artist 

Ohio University, Athens, OH, “AVENUES: Career Paths in Art + Design”, Virtual Panel Discussion

Cumberland University,  Lebanon, TN, Visiting Artist Demonstration and Lecture 

The Morean Center for Clay, St. Petersburg, FL, “Florida Heat Wood Fire Workshop”,  Assistant to Matt Long, Brad Schwieger and John Balistreri

2018

The Clay Lady Campus, Nashville, TN, Tennessee Craft Midstate Chapter- Lecture Series “Gallery Etiquette and Professional Practices”, Public Lecture

2015

Ensworth Academy, Nashville, TN, “Addressing the Surface”, Visiting Artist Workshop and Lecture

The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Wheel-Thrown and Altered Pots” Summer Workshop, Assistant to Brad Schwieger

The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville TN, “One Day Workshops: Wheel-Throwing”, Workshop Instructor

2014

The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Artist in Residence Introduction”, Public Lecture

The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Cut, Paste, Process” Workshop, Assistant to Martina Lantin

The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Casting from Wooden Forms” Workshop, Assistant to Hiroe Hanazono

Lakeside Resort, Smithville, TN, Hand Painting Tiles Workshop, Instructor

The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN, “Slip Casting” Workshop, Assistant to Nick Bivins

The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville TN, “One Day Workshops: Wheel-Throwing”, Instructor

2013 — 2015

The Appalachian Center for Craft, TN, F.A.C.C.T. Outreach Program, Instructor : Glass Etching, Clay Mask Making, Wheel Throwing

2013

Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Making Art After College”, Visiting Artist Workshop and  Lecture

Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, Staff Instructor

“Soda and Salt Firing” 8-Week Course

“Understanding Glazes and Kilns” 8-Week Course

“High-Fire Glazing Techniques” 8-Week Course

“Anatomy of the Mug” 8-Week Course

“Screen-printing on Clay” 8-Week Course

2012

Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Graduate Preparedness”, Visiting Artist Workshop and Public Lecture

Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Artist in Residence Introduction”, Lecture

Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Wheel Thrown Techniques”, Demonstrator

Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA, Staff Instructor

“Beginning Wheel” 8-Week Course

“Imagery on Clay” 8- Week Course

PUBLICATIONS

Catalog: “Juried Functional Teapot Show III”, NCECA, Salt Lake City, Utah. March 2025

Carter, Ben: The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors: Techniques, Recipes, and Inspiration for Low-Temperature Firing with Big Results (Mastering Ceramics) Hardcover September 10, 2024

Magazine: Cole, Jennifer. Ceramics Monthly December 2021 issue. “Studio Visit: Jenn Cole, Cookeville, TN.”https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramics-monthly-article/studio-visit-jenn-cole-cookeville-tennessee#

Podcast interview: Tales of a Red Clay Rambler, Interview by Ben Carter. Episode #294: Audry Deal- McEver and Jenn Cole Compare the Art Fair Circuit to Selling in Galleries. July 18th, 2019. https://www.talesofaredclayrambler.com/episodes/294-audry-deal-mcever-and-jenn-cole-compare-the-art-fair-circuit-to-selling-in-galleries

Magazine: Culbertson, Kyla. Ceramics Monthly. October 2019 issue. “Clay Culture: Bursting Cupboards.” https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramic-art-and-artists/functional-pottery/clay-culture-bursting-cupboards/

Walsh, David. “Painter, Potter are Exhibiting this Month at the Friends of the Brentwood Library.” Franklin Home Page. Web. 9 Nov 2018. https://www.williamsonhomepage.com/franklin/community/painter-potter-are-exhibiting-this-month-at-the-friends-of/article_85141c78-18a7-54e0-a970-68bc36f6518e.html

Catalog: “All Ohio Show”, PSZ Clay Center, Zanesville, Ohio, 2018

Morehead, Elizabeth. “Familiar Comforts.” WHIZ. Web. 21 Sept 2018. https://whiznews.com/2018/09/21/familiar-comforts/

Catalog: “Material Mugs III: UNDERGLAZE”, Companion Gallery, 2018

Tonguette, Peter. “Show exposes emerging Ohio artists to public, gallery owners.” The Columbus Dispatch. 18 Feb 2018: n. pag. Print. The Columbus Dispatch. Web. 18 Feb 2018. https://www.dispatch.com/entertainmentlife/20180218/show-exposes-emerging-ohio-artists-to-public-gallery-owners

Adams, Alexis Marie. “Fire and Clay Beneath the Big Sky.” Big Sky Journal. Winter 2016: n. pag. Print. Big Sky Journal . Web. Winter 2016. https://bigskyjournal.com/fire-and-clay-beneath-the-big-sky/

Catalog: “Irons in the Fire”, Companion Gallery, 2016

Edible: Nashville Magazine. “12x12 Exhibit at Dozen Bakery.”Amuse Bouche Section. Issue 10. Sept/ Oct 2016

Nashville Scene Magazine. Crawl Space. pg. 39, Vol 35 Num 34. Sept 29—Oct 5, 2016

AWARDS AND GRANTS

2022

Fairhope Arts Festival, Downtown Fairhope, AL, Merit Award  Recipient $750

2021

Monte Sano Art Festival, Huntsville, AL, Peak Award Recipient $250

Tennessee Craft Spring Fair, Centennial Park, Nashville TN Merit Award Recipient $250

2020

Tennessee Craft Micro Grant, Tennessee Craft Mid-State Chapter, Nashville, TN, $80 merit-based Micro Grant

2019

Tennessee Craft Member Scholarship, Tennessee Craft Mid-State Chapter, Nashville, TN, $250 merit-based craft scholarship to attend The Red Handed Clay Symposium

2018

Influx Collective- “Check Out” Influx: Borrowing Bowls, The Green Hills Library, Nashville, TN, Most Innovative Event Concept Award- American Craft Week Council

2017

Influx Collective- Connecting Through Clay, Julia Martin Gallery, Nashville, TN, Most Innovative Event Concept Award- American Craft Week Council

2016

Influx Collective- 12x12, Dozen Bakery, Nashville, TN, Most Innovative Event Concept Award- American Craft Week Council

2012

Public Undergraduate Research Fund (P.U.R.F) Grant, Athens, OH

PROFFESIONAL AFFILIATIONS

2015— In-Flux Artist Collective, Nashville, TN, Member

2014— 2020 The Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY, Member

2012–2013 Iowa Clay Conference, Cedar Rapids, IA, Committee Member

2013— Tennessee Craft, Nashville, TN, Mid-State Member

2011— The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Member