State Artist James C. Watkins

Description

James C. Watkins is a ceramic artist who has worked with clay for over 40 years. His work is held in 25 permanent collections, including the White House Collection of American Crafts at the Clinton Library, the Shigaraki Institute of Ceramic Studies in Shigaraki, Japan, the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, the Everson Museum, the Tweed Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Watkins’ work has been widely exhibited in 47 solo exhibitions and 172 group exhibitions. Watkins is a Texas Tech University, Horn Distinguished Professor Emeritus and the 2019 recipient of the HCCC Texas Master Award presented by the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Watkins is the author of Reflections Made of Memories and the co-author of two books: Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques co-authored with Paul Andrew Wandless, and Architectural Delineation: Presentation Techniques and Projects, co-authored with James T. Davis. His work is the subject of the book A Meditation of Fire: The Art of James C. Watkins by Kippra D. Hopper. Watkins has also written numerous articles for national and international magazines. He received his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and his MFA from Indiana University. Mr. Watkins offers lectures, wheel throwing pottery demonstrations, and alternative firing workshops based on his book, ‘Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques’ co-authored with Paul Andrew Wandless. Photo by Bonni Oakes.