DAVID PETERSON
QUICK FACTSYears As An Artist
Before I was a baby Main Clay Body I like a warm center with notes of ilmenite. Primary Clay Building Methods I do a lot of slab work is which is my art du jour, but I have go round every once in awhile. Favorite Studio Tool Head and hands Clay Wishes or Dreams To take it to the end |
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ARTIST STATEMENT
The simplest and easiest explanation I can come up with is “I love it.” Clay suits me and it fits my personality. As a child, I was always being reprimanded for playing in every mud puddle I could find. Growing up, there were no art classes let alone ceramics offered in school. I was clueless about clay until I went off to college. My dorm was located across the street from the University’s ceramics department. I was always curious about the group of students who entered and left the building dressed in dirty jeans or tattered shorts with every body part covered in clay; so I investigated. What I discovered instantly changed my life, and I could hardly wait until the next semester to enroll in my first ceramics class “Introduction to Clay.” I was not disappointed. I went on to graduate with a BFA in Ceramics/Sculpture, and have been ever since then, “stuck in the mud.”
ARTIST BIO
Born in Boston, MA, David Peterson graduated with a BFA in Ceramics/Sculpture from University of Florida. After graduation, he was hired by River Street Pottery in Savannah, GA, to manage the studio and teaching facility. After four years, he left River Street Pottery to create his own business venture, Savannah’s premier art gallery, “Mud Pie Gallery.” The gallery showcased the works of potters, sculptors, painters, photographers and other artists from all over the Southeast. It was the hub of artistic thought, inspiration and events and helped to promote many successful artists; however, it did not last, as it was before its time in Savannah.
Moving forward, David began working as ceramics instructor at Armstrong State University in its newly launched Continued Adult Education Program (CAEP). After two years, the University began offering a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, which meant full-time students actively using the ceramics studios. Unfortunately, as a result, CAEP was discontinued because of a conflict of studio space.
With no regrets, David’s career took a non-artistic 180° turn as he became a full-time marine surveyor. Balancing life and family for many years, pottery took the place in the back of his garage, but never fully left his thoughts. He enrolled in a class at the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Arts, and soon became a ceramics instructor there. After a decade, David maintains his job as the President of Peterson Marine Surveys, instructor of ceramics at the Cultural Arts and a studio artist. His passions for boating and clay are evident in his artwork, and he continues to be intrigued by the medium as he expands his artistic career.
Moving forward, David began working as ceramics instructor at Armstrong State University in its newly launched Continued Adult Education Program (CAEP). After two years, the University began offering a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, which meant full-time students actively using the ceramics studios. Unfortunately, as a result, CAEP was discontinued because of a conflict of studio space.
With no regrets, David’s career took a non-artistic 180° turn as he became a full-time marine surveyor. Balancing life and family for many years, pottery took the place in the back of his garage, but never fully left his thoughts. He enrolled in a class at the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Arts, and soon became a ceramics instructor there. After a decade, David maintains his job as the President of Peterson Marine Surveys, instructor of ceramics at the Cultural Arts and a studio artist. His passions for boating and clay are evident in his artwork, and he continues to be intrigued by the medium as he expands his artistic career.
CONTACT INFO
You can find David's work on his Facebook page at David Riley Peterson Studios. Feel free to contact him directly with inquiries about his work 912-272-0309. Also be sure to check out our personal interview with Dave!