My research mostly deals with the vessel and its relationships: surface markings, visual language and the architectonic space in and around it.

I make both ceramic/free standing forms and bowls; these are both hand-built and thrown on the wheel. The forms are finished with layers of underglazes, glazes and lusters, and multi-fired. I also make mixed media wall forms. These are fabricated  out of luan and pine woods, painted with layers of paint, then sanded and sealed.

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1951. After receiving a BFA from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, I did post-graduate work at the Cleveland Institute of Art, and got an MFA at Kent State. I was a full-time art professor at Kent State, Iowa State, the University of Wisconsin, School of the Art Institute of Chicago and others. I’ve shown in over 450 art exhibitions around the world: Germany, England, Japan, New Zealand and the US, and given over 80 workshops and lectures. I’ve received over 80 awards for my works including the Bronze Medal for the Auckland National Art Museum (New Zealand), the and the Potter Mellon Award from the Cleveland Art Museum. My work has been in over 70 publications including the New York Times, New Art Examiner, Art in America, American Crafts, etc. I’ve been the recipient of 13 state and university grants as well as the National Endowments for the Arts Fellowship. My works are in a range of collections including that of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Maya Angelou, and Tom Wolfe. I live in Boonsboro, Maryland with my wife, Kathleen, and a black Lab.

– Gary Schlappal