EXHIBITIONS, PUBLIC ART, AWARDS and GRANTS

2008

"Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate" - A juried show that uses hate literature in a positive transformative fashion to make art. The Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT.

"Edinboro at Alcoa" - A show of the alumni of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in conjunction with "Confluence" a conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts held in Pittsburgh, PA.

Grant to Artists - Presented to the artist by the Myrna Loy Center for the Performing Arts to help with the development of concrete shell sculpture.

2007

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania - Honored the artist as a "Distinguished Alumni" because of his artistic achievement, enduring support for the Archie Bray Foundation and his public installation and artistic outreach with the inmates at the Montana Women's Prison.

Professional Development Grant - Received by the artist from the Montana Arts Council to help the artist develop suspended sculpture.

Jaffe Garden Arch - This $40,000 project includes the Trillium Arch and a 40' Gallatin Canyon stone wall that is between the garden and the arboretum at the Jaffe Farm in Portland, OR.

Southern Lights - This $25,000 project was commissioned by homeWORD of Billings, MT to integrate public art into the architecture of a twenty-unit, affordable housing, apartment complex. The window and door surrounds are installed. The balance of the facade will be completed in the spring of 2008.

2006

"All of the Above, None of the Above" - A public art project commissioned by the Helena Public Art Committee in Helena, Montana. This $10,000 installation is a series of benches located in Pioneer Park adjacent to the Lewis and Clark Public Library, and has become a popular play area for local children.

"Emergence - Ceramic sculpture by Chip Clawson" - This show was held in the Ester and John Clay Fine Arts Gallery, at the Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It included sculpture, suspended sculpture, and architectural details.

2005

"All Women Are Role Models" - This public art project at the Montana Women's Prison was funded by the Montana Arts Council's "Percent for Art Program". This $50,000 project included the construction and installation of three arches and the presentation of several artistic workshops with inmates. The arches each carry themes of strength, optimism and femininity. The inmates at the prison engaged and took ownership in the project as a result of the workshops. The workshops focused on creative expression around the concepts of role modeling and mentoring, making tiles with the names of inspirational women and creating a ceramic piece that expressed strong feminine characteristics. The inmates also nominated 189 inspirational women, whose names are on the "All Women Are role Models Arch," the "Great Mother Arch," and the "Loving Mother Arch".

"Chip Clawson and the Women of the Montana Women's Prison" - The Bill McIntosh Gallery of Billings, Montana hosted this show, which included the work of the artist and masks made by the women in a clay workshop with the artist.

2004

Grants to Artists - Presented to the artist by the Myrna Loy Center, Helena, Montana to help with the installation of "Top of the Stack" at the Archie Bray Foundation.

"Summer Arts Gathering" - Carroll College, Helena, Montana.

"Clay Invitational" - Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

"Inspired by Nature" - One-man-show, Holter Museum of Art, Helena, Montana (member American Association of Museums).

"Top of the Stack" A public art project installed at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, Montana. This project included the pouring of a concrete cap and the installation of 4 three dimensional tile panels (1’x8’x8”) on top of 45’ smoke stack.


2001

"Bray Odyssey Arch" - A public art project at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana. This arch was installed at the transition point between the brickyard ground and the picnic area at the "Bray".

EMPLOYMENT

1997- Present - Ceramic Artist - Making architectural ceramics, sculpture and pottery in a Helena studio.

2004-2005 - Owner's representative, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts - Responsible for representing the Foundation during the construction of the David and Ann Shaner Resident Artist Studio Complex.

2003-2005 - Ceramic Artist Received a public art commission to build three ceramic arches at the Montana Women's Prison in Billings, MT.

1977-2004 - Clay Business Manager, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts - Responsible for the management of a retail pottery supply business, which included the manufacture of pottery clay. In 1985-1986, designed and built a system of eight machines for manufacturing pottery clay. This business provides significant financial support to the foundation and the residency program, which compose the creative core of the Bray.

1990-2006 - Member Facilities Committee, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts - Helped develop a master plan for the future development of the foundation and was responsible for oversight of construction projects.

1990-1993 - Owner, Enviro Products - Produced and sold high quality canvas bags.

1975-1977 - Studio Technician, University of Michigan - Responsible for the smooth operation of a large ceramic studio. Worked with three ceramics professors, 125 undergraduate students, and six graduate students. Maintained, fired, and built kilns. Developed detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for each kiln.

1974-1975 - Assembler-Welder, General Electric Corporation - Assembled large, 3-dimensional parts of locomotives from blueprints. Worked in a large factory environment.

1971-1974 - Studio Potter, Edinboro, Pennsylvania - Established a ceramics studio including two gas kilns, and developed a line of functional pottery.

1972 - Machine Operator, Erie Technological Products - Operated press/punch machine making ceramic computer chips. Worked in a large factory environment.

1967-1971 - Officer, U S Marine Corps - Aviation-related schools and jobs. Last position as Commanding Officer of an Air Traffic Control Unit with 50 men.

EDUCATION

1974 - Welding School, Erie Vocational High School, Erie, Pennsylvania - Certified Welder.

1971-1972 - Edinboro State College, Edinboro, Pennsylvania - Special student, taking art courses with a concentration in ceramics.

1967-1970 - United States Marine Corps - Naval Flight School, Radar Intercept Officers School, and Air Traffic Control School.

1963-1967 - Edinboro State College, Edinboro, Pennsylvania - Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Earth and Space Science.