Address: Champaign, Illinois

Gallery Affiliation: www.cinemagallery.cc/Wiesener_C.htm

E-mail: wiesener@illinois.edu

2003 - MFA Sculpture
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, llinois

1999 - BFA - Ceramic Sculpture, cum laude
University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning, Cincinnati, Ohio
Valedictorian of School of Art; Dean’s list honors

1994-1996 - Anthropology, Fine Art
University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee
Full academic scholarship; Dean’s list honors

2003-present
Lecturer, Unit One Living/Learning Community
Introduction to Ceramics, Introduction to Drawing,Introduction to the Moving Image, Raku Ceramics
University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois

2003-present
Visiting Instructor, School of Art and Design
Introduction to Ceramics
University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois

2003
Sabbatical Replacement for Ron Kovatch, Department Chair
Intermediate through Advanced Ceramics
University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois

2000-2003
Teaching Assistant
Instructor of record: Introduction to Ceramics
University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois

1997
Instructor: various classes in the “Art for Kids” community art program
Cincinnati Art Academy, Cincinnati, Ohio

2002-2006
Preparator, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, Illinois

• Install rotating shows
• Archival matting and framing of artwork
• Design and build mounts for artwork

2003
Studio Assistant to Sculptor Barbara Kendrick, Champaign, Illinois

• Fabricated sculpture for Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, Lincoln, Nebraska

2001-2002
Photographer, Ricker Slide Library, Champaign, Illinois

• Photographic documentation using copy stand
• Digital image scanning and archiving
• Slide mounting

1998-1999
Restoration of Robert Wilson’s sculptural installation “The Poles”, Loveland, Ohio

• Coordination of volunteer groups
• Heavy outdoor restoration

I choose to use porcelain in most of my work because it is a unique material that can reference everything from historical ceramics and dinnerware to teeth and sanitary ware. These unusual associations are definitely important to my thought process and concepts because they are all essentially linked together. I draw inspiration for my work from multiple sources such as the idealized portrayal of animals in the media, nature guides, and tales of animal heroism as well as gastronomic re-interpretations of these animals. I am interested in how our culture preserves and displays animals as well as how we reconcile eating our furry friends and the resulting objects. I am fascinated by the ornate and what it can reveal or conceal about our complex relationships with the things we do, need, eat, or desire. And last but not least, humor, sometimes, dark, finds its way into my work as a result of mixing these ideas and having fun in the studio.

2008
Feats of Clay XXI, Gladding McBean, Lincoln, California, Juried by Judith Schwartz
Clay and Fiber, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, Juried by Dorothy Hughes, (First Place Prize)

2007
Trappings: Works by Jessica Gondek, Mathew Litteken, and Catherine Wiesener, Parkland Art Gallery, Champaign, Illinois
1830°F, Contemporary Expressions in Clay, Springfield Art Association, Springfield, Illinois, (Honorable Mention)
Friends, Foes & Food, Merwin Gallery, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, (Solo Show)
Emerging Excellence: 13 Regional University Programs, NCECA, Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

2006
By Design, River Gallery, Chattanooga, Tennessee

2005
School of Art and Design Faculty Exhibition, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, Illinois
Birthday Suit, Opensource Art, Champaign, Illinois

2003
Tracked and Tracking, I-Space, Chicago Illinois
Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, Illinois

2002
Location, Location, Location, I-Space, Chicago Illinois

2001
Operant, Cotter Glass Co., Champaign, Illinois
Chicharonnes, Link Gallery, University of Illinois, Champaign

2000
Amuse, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, Illinois
Metal After the Fire, 840 Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio

1999
Remnants, University of Cincinnati Medical Center Library, Cincinnati, Ohio, (Solo Show)
Ceramic Show, 840 Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio

1998
Not Closely Related, Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati, Ohio
Local Talent, Museum Center, Maysville, Kentucky

1997
Ceramic Show, 840 Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio

2008 - First Place Prize
Awarded for work in “Clay and Fiber”
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois

2007 - Honorable Mention
Awarded for work in “1830°F, Contemporary Expressions in Clay”

2003 - Master of Fine Arts Thesis Grant
Competitive grant offered to complete thesis proposal

2000-2002 - Brody Grant
Competitive grant offered each semester to fine arts students

1999 - Three Arts Scholarship
Competitive artistic merit award in sculpture

1998 - General Motors Scholarship
Competitive artistic merit award to single student in fine arts

1998 - Robert-Fabe/Trane-Cook Scholarship
Competitive faculty awarded portfolio award to single student in fine arts

2008
Raku Workshop Instructor, University of Illinois, Allen Hall, Champaign, Illinois

2007
Visiting Artist, Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois

2006
Juror, Illinois Regional Amateur Art Show
Springer Cultural Association, Champaign, Illinois

2004
Visiting Artist, Eastern Illinois University, Department of Art and Design, Charleston Illinois

2003
Raku Workshop Instructor, University of Illinois, Ceramics Department, Champaign, Illinois