Piero Fenci
Born Santa Barbara, CA, 1944
EDUCATION
1973 - 1975
MFA, The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY
1970 - 1972
Post Graduate Studies in Studio Art, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
1962 - 1966
BA in Latin-American Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT
JOB HISTORY
1975 - Present
Professor of Art, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Spring 2004, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, and Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Spring 2015, Fall 2017
Visiting Professor, Escuela de Bellas Artes, Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
Summers 1974, 1975, 2002, 2003
Visiting Professor, Nantucket Island School of Design and the Arts, Nantucket, MA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020
“All Fired Up,” Page Bond Gallery, in conjunction with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference, Richmond, VA
2019
“Still Cookin’ With Gas: Drawings and Ceramics,” Baugh Center for the Visual Arts Gallery, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX
2017
“Respite,” McMurry University Gallery, McMurry University, Abilene, TX
2013
“Battlement,” Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX
2012
“Texas Master Series: Piero Fenci - Battlement,” Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX
2010
“La Cerca/The Fence,” Museo Casa Chihuahua Centro del Patrimonio Cultural, Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico
2007
Martin Museum of Art, Baylor University, Waco, TX
2003
Goldesberry Gallery, Houston, TX
2002
South Wharf Gallery, Nantucket, MA
2000
Brookhaven College Center of the Arts, Dallas, TX
1997
Moody Gallery, Houston, TX (also in 1992)
1996
Main Street Gallery, Nantucket, MA (also in 1995,1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1977, 1975)
Art Museum of East Texas, Lufkin, TX
1992
Midwestern State University Gallery, Wichita Falls, TX
Galveston Art Center, Galveston, TX
1985
Mattingly Baker Gallery, Dallas, TX (collaboration with Mary McCleary)
1984
Watson/de Nagy Gallery, Houston, TX (collaboration with Mary McCleary)
1980
Kauffman Galleries, Houston, TX
1979
Lee’s Circle Gallery, New Orleans, LA
1978
Front Room Gallery, Dallas, TX
1976
Longview Museum, Longview, TX
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
“Form & Fire, American Studio Ceramics from the E. John Bullard Collection,” Shaw Center for the Arts, LSU Museum of Art, Baton Rouge, LA
2021
“Remember 9/11, Broken and Whole,” Museum of Biblical Art, Dallas, TX
“CAMEO- 2021, Emerging Artists and Their Mentors,” College of the Mainland Gallery, TX
2019
“Cheers to 50! An Exhibition of Hooks-Epstein Artists Past and Present,” Hooks-Epstein Gallery, Houston, TX
“SFASU y UACH- 15 Anos de Ceramica,” Centro de Desarrollo Cultural, Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico
2018
“Pollinators of the World,” Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House, Nacogdoches, TX
"40 years of Discovery: Gifts of Clint Willour," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX
“CAMEO-2018, Emerging Artists and Their Mentors,” University of Houston Gallery, Houston, TX, curated by Jeff Bowen and Karen Fiscus
2017
"Glow, Glimmer, Sparkle, Shine," Page Bond Gallery, Richmond, VA
"CAMEO-2017, Emerging Artists and Their Mentors," San Jacinto College/Central Campus Gallery, Houston, TX, curated by Michelle Matthews and Jeff Forster
“University of Dallas Regional Ceramics Exhibition,” Beatrice M. Haggerty Gallery, University of Dallas at Irving, TX, and the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern State University, curated by Virginia Marsh
2015
"Coming Home Celebration: a Gala Event," Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX, curated by Clint Willour
"Chaos!!!" Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX
"Salon Style," Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX
"Dallas Art Fair," exhibited by Ro2 Art, Fashion Industry Gallery, Dallas, TX
"University of Dallas Regional Ceramic Exhibition," Beatrice M. Haggerty Gallery, University of Dallas at Irving, Irving, TX, juried by Eva Kwong
2014
“Chaos," Ro2, Dallas, TX
"Dallas Art Fair," exhibited by Ro2 Art, Fashion Industry Gallery, Dallas, TX
"Objectified," Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX
“CAMEO - Emerging Artists and Their Mentors,” Dishman Art Museum, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX
“Elizabeth Akamatsu and Piero Fenci,” Susan Lister Locke Gallery, Nantucket, MA
2013
“From Yellow Clay to Black Gumbo: Earth Movers in the Lone Star State,” Pollock Gallery, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX and the National Council for the Education of the Ceramic Arts Conference, Houston, TX
"Texas Art Now," Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Fort Worth, TX, curated by Susan Roth Romans
"Chaos!!," Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX
2012
“Elizabeth Akamatsu and Piero Fenci,” Graficas Gallery, Nantucket, MA
“Haze – a Summer Group Exhibition,” Page Bond Gallery, Richmond, VA
“Serving Bowls,” Watershed International Center for the Ceramic Arts, Wiscasset, ME
“Breathe and Believe International Art Exhibition,” Castello Normanno Svevo, Sannicandro de Bari, Italy
2011
“Growing Paradise,” collaboration with Elizabeth Akamatsu, illustrations of poems written by Ann Filemyr (limited edition handmade letterpress book printed by the LaNana Creek Press), Museum of Contemporary Native Art, Santa Fe, NM
“Elizabeth Akamatsu, Piero Fenci, and Michael Francis,” Ro2 Uptown, Dallas, TX
"Euclid Art House," Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX
2010
“CraftTexas 2010,” Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX, curated by Gail M. Brown
“Edge of Life: Forest Pathology Art,” Cole Art Center, Nacogdoches, TX, and North Texas State University Gallery, Denton, TX
“New Works: Highlights from the Permanent Collection,” Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, TX
“New Visions in Vitrified Clay,” 2010 Texas Tech Ceramics Symposium, Lubbock, TX
"The End of Commerce," Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX
"No Rhyme or Reason," Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX
"Art in the District," Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX
“Celebrating Ten Years, 2000 to 2010,” M. T. Burton Gallery, Surf City, NJ
2009
“Message from Texas: Breaking the Stereotype,” The White Gallery of the Pedagogical Institute of Ufa, Russia; The State Museum of Nizhny Tagil, Russia; and The State Museum of Novosibirsk, Russia
“Val Cushing, Piero Fenci, Robin Hopper, and Angelica Pozo,” Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL
2008
“Erudite Lunacy,” National Council on the Education of the Ceramic Arts Conference, Pittsburg, PA, curated by Anthony Merino
“Watershed Artists-Invite-Artists Exhibition,” the Stable Gallery, Daramascotta, ME, curated by Virginia Scotchie
2006
“Spirited Fusion: Akamatsu and Fenci,” Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, TX
“Earthenware,” Santa Fe Clay Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
“Between Form and Function,” Baltimore Clay Works Gallery, Baltimore, MD, curated by Virginia Scotchie
2005
“Elizabeth Akamatsu and Piero Fenci,” Page Bond Gallery, Richmond, VA (also in 2003 and 2002)
“State of Texas – Clay,” University of San Antonio Art Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2004
“The Big Show,” Gallery One, Indianapolis, IN
“Houston Area Ceramics Educators,” Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX
“Five Texas Ceramists,” Southwestern University Gallery, Georgetown, TX
“Texas Clay,” Beeville Museum, Beeville, TX
2003
“Elizabeth Akamatsu and Piero Fenci,” Page Bond Gallery, Richmond, VA
2002
"Texas Mud," The Dallas Center for Contemporary Art, Dallas, TX, curated by Joan Davidow
"Great Clay," Goldesberry Gallery, Houston, TX
2002
"Raku," The Jayne Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2001
"Hands in Clay," Meadows Gallery, University of Texas, Tyler, TX, curated by Gary Hatcher
"Made in Texas," New Braunfels Museum of Art, New Braunfels, TX, curated by Ron Boling
"The Box," Hooks-Epstein Galleries, Houston, TX
2000
"National Ceramics Invitational 2000," University Gallery, Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX, curated by Barbara Frey
"Miniatures," Hooks-Epstein Gallery, Houston, TX
1999
“Deliberations in Clay,” Pillsbury and Peters Fine Art, Dallas, TX
“Piero Fenci and Elizabeth Akamatsu,” Transco Gallery, Houston, TX, curated by Sally Sprout
1998
“Clay Traditions: Texas Ceramic Educators and Their Teachers,” Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX, curated by Lee Aikins
“Deep in the Clay of Texas: Clay Works by Texas Artists,” The Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, TX, curated by Gary Hatcher
“Fireworks; On and Off the Wall,” Dallas Visual Art Center, Dallas, TX, curated by Michel Conroy and Patricia Meadows
“Within the Borders: A Survey of Contemporary Texas Potters,” Meadows Gallery, University of Texas at Tyler, and Bank One, Fort Worth, TX, curated by Peter Beasecker, Mark Epstein, Daphne Hatcher and Gary Hatcher
“Clay Under the X (Seven Contemporary Texas Artists),” Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX, curated by Mark Epstein
“To Have and to Hold: Ceramic Vessel-Making by Texas Artists,” Irving Arts Center, Irving, TX, curated by Marcie Inman
1997
“Three Texas Ceramists,” Haggar Gallery, University of Dallas, Irving, TX, curated by Dan Hammett
“Texas Clay Invitational,” University of Texas at El Paso Art Gallery, El Paso, TX, curated by Mark Alexander
“Uniqueness From the Hand,” University of Texas at San Antonio Art Gallery, San Antonio, TX, curated by Ron Boling
1993
“Closures,” Kirkland Arts Center,” Kirkland, WA, in conjunction with Northwest Clay Symposium, curated by Steve Reynolds
“Texas Clay II,” University Art Gallery, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
1992
“Texas Clay,” Joan Farrell Collection, Washington, DC
“Present Clay Presence/Informed by the Past,” North Texas State University Gallery, Denton, TX, curated by Diana R. Block
“Contemporary Artifacts,” Transco Gallery, Houston, TX, curated by Sally Sprout
“New Art Forms,” International Exposition, Chicago, IL
“Piero Fenci, Carolyn Dahl,” Craftwork Gallery, Houston, TX
1990
“Regional Clay and Fiber,” Longview Museum, Longview, TX
1988
“Voices of the Southwest, USA,” The Museum Monastery Ter Apel, The Netherlands
“The Art of Fiber and Clay,” Jewish Community Center, Houston, TX
1985
“Inaugural Show,” The Farmhouse Gallery/Lew Dolan, Inc., East Hampton, NY (collaboration with Mary McCleary)
“Texas Visions,” Art League of Houston, Transco Tower, Houston, TX
“Fifth Texas Sculpture Symposium Invitational Exhibition,” Dallas, TX
“Texas Visions,” Art League of Houston, Transco Tower Gallery, Houston, TX
“Texas Symposium Exhibition,” Dallas, TX
“Collaborations/Transpositions,” San Antonio Art Institute, San Antonio, TX (collaboration with Mary McCleary)
“Summer Show,” Watson/de Nagy Gallery, Houston, TX (collaboration with Mary McCleary)
1984
“Inaugural Exhibition,” Dorothy Weiss Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Clay: 1984, A National Survey Exhibition,” Traver Sutton Gallery, Seattle, WA
1983
“Three Person Show,” Objects Gallery, San Antonio, TX
“National Ceramics Survey,” Objects Gallery, San Antonio, TX
“Vessels in Clay,” Meyer Breier Weiss Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Texas Clay,” Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX and The University of Texas at San Antonio, TX
“Fourth Texas Sculpture Symposium Invitational Exhibition,” Austin, TX
1982
“Advisors Show – Diverse Works, Inc.,” Texas Commerce Bank Towers Gallery, Houston, TX
“Four Texas Artists,” Kauffman Galleries, Houston, TX
“National Competitive Show,” Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX, First Place, juried by Val Cushing
“Invitational ’82,” Longview Museum, Longview, TX, Special Mention, juried by David Turner
“National Invitational Show,” Weil Gallery, Corpus Christi State University, Corpus Christi, TX, curated by Greg Reuter
“Recent Works from East Texas,” Tyler Museum, Tyler, TX
1981
“Texas Ceramists,” Lufkin Museum, Lufkin, TX
“Inaugural Exhibition,” Objects Gallery, San Antonio,TX
“80 Texans,” Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX
“Robert L. Pfannebecker Collection, A Selection of Contemporary American Crafts,” Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA
1979
“Texas Clay II,” University Art Gallery, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
“Clayworks by Texans,” Weil Gallery, Corpus Christi State University, Corpus Christi, TX
“Fine Crafts Exhibition,” The Sara Campbell Blaffer Gallery, Houston, TX
“Raku V National Competitive Ceramics Competition,” Layton Gallery, Layton, NJ
“Works in Clay Competitive Exhibition,” Wichita Falls Art Association Gallery, Wichita Falls, TX
1978
“Ceramics As Sculpture,” Kauffman Fine Art Gallery, Houston, TX
1977
“Clay, Fiber, Metal: National Invitational,” Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX
1976
“Approaches II Exhibit,” National Council on the Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference, Baton Rouge, LA
“50 American Artists Exhibition,” National Council on the Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference, Baton Rouge, LA
“Texas Potter, Caddo Indian to Contemporary,” Star of the Republic Museum, Washington, TX, First Prize (Purchase Award)
COLLECTIONS
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX
Museum of Contemporary Indian Art, Santa Fe, NM
Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art, Alfred, NY
Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, TX
Martin Museum of Art, Baylor University, Waco, TX
Rosenfield Collection, Dallas, TX
John Hechinger, Washington, DC
Robert Pfannebecker, Lancaster, PA
Donald Sultan, New York, NY
Dorothy Weiss, San Francisco, CA
Carol Straus, Houston, TX
City of Houston Portable Works Collection/Houston Airport System
Frost Bank, San Antonio, TX
Star of the Republic Museum, Washington, TX
David Milch, Los Angeles, CA
LANANA CREEK PRESS BOOKS INCLUDING ILLUSTRATIONS AND LIST OF COLLECTIONS
Pollinators of the World and Prelude Suite, Liz Akamatsu and Piero Fenci
The Work of the Painter - Le Travail du Peintre, Poems by Paul Eduard as chosen by Francis Poulenc
Growing Paradise, Poems by Ann Filemyr
A Forest Insect Alphabet, by David Kulhavy and Charles D. Jones
University of North Texas
University of Texas, Austin
Harry Ransom Center
California State Library
Getty Research Institute
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Southern California
Yale University Library
University of Delaware
Northern Illinois University
Tulane University
Boston Public Library
Harvard University, Harvard College Library
University of Michigan Library
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Dartmouth College
Hamilton College Library
State University of New York at Buffalo
Baker and Taylor
Case Western Reserve University
University of Cincinnati
University of Pennsylvania
Brown University
University of Virginia
McGill University
San Francisco Public Library
University of Texas, El Paso
Georgia State Museum (United Kingdom)
National Art Library, Victoria and Albert Museum
Bodleian Library, Oxford
National Taiwan University
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2017
Charm Magazine, East Texas, "Piero Fenci," by Stephanie Stevens, June 30 issue
2015
"Borders and Connections, the Art of Piero Fenci," American Art Collector Magazine, February 2015 issue, article written by Susie J. Silbert
Piero Fenci - La Cerca, Stephen F. Austin State University Press, essays written by Dr. David A. Lewis and Dr. Scott Robinson
2011
Edge of Life, Forest Pathology/Art – Michelle Rozic and David Kulhavy, Everbest Print Co. through FCI Print Group
Tribeza – Austin Arts/Culture Magazine, October issue – “An Audience with Ceramic Artist Piero Fenci"
Revista Bujia, Arte Contemporaneo, September/October issue – “Piero Fenci, Maestro de la Ceramica,” published in Chihuahua, MX, review by Luis Fernando Villalobos Amendariz
2004
Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques – James C. Watkins and Paul Andrew Wandless, Lark Books
2000
Clay and Glazes for the Potter, Third Edition - Daniel Rhodes, Revised and Expanded by Robin Hopper, Krause Publications
Creative Jolt Inspirations - Rose Gonella, North Light Books
The Contemporary Potter - Jonathan Fairbanks, Angela Fina, and Christopher Gustin, Rockport Publications, Inc.
1999
The Best of Pottery, Vol. 2 - Jonathan Fairbanks and Angela Fina, Rockport Publishers, Inc.
The NCECA Journal - Vol. 19, “A Voice of Dissent”, Tony Merino, vol. 19, 1999
1997
The Nantucket Beacon - “Sumptuous Surfaces; Functional Forms” (June 25), Nantucket, MA
The Inquirer and Mirror - “Fenci’s Clay Forms Emerge From Historical Studies” (June 26), Nantucket, MA
1996
The Best of Pottery - Jonathan Fairbanks and Angela Fina, Rockport Publishers, Inc.
1993
Seattle Times - “Form over Function in Kirkland Show” (September 17), Seattle, WA
Houston Post - “Sculptures have Exotic Inspiration” (December 10), Houston, TX
1990
Nantucket Gardens and Houses - Taylor Lewis and Virginia Scott Heard; Little, Brown and Company, 1990
1984
Studio Potter, “Cutting Edge Nomination” (December issue)
1981
Texas Homes, “Texas Craftsman – Spirited Sculptures Shaped From Clay” (November issue)
1980
House and Garden, “Stalking the Great American Craft” (April issue)
WORKSHOPS AND VISITING ARTIST LECTURES
Alabama Clay Conference, Huntsville, AL
Baylor University, Waco, TX
Bennington College, Bennington, VT
Colorado Mountain College, Aspen, CO
Corpus Christi State University, Corpus Christi, TX
Dallas Craft Guild, Dallas, TX
Glassell Studio School, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX
Lee College, Baytown, TX
Loyola University, New Orleans, LA
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD
McMurry University, Abilene, TX
Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX
Nantucket Island School of Art and Design, Nantucket, MA
North Texas State University, Denton, TX
Rocky Mountain College, Snowmass Village, CO
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Texas A & M, College Station, TX
Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX
Texas Tech, Lubbock, TX
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
University of Dallas at Irving, Irving, TX
University of Houston, Clear Lake, TX
University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
University of Texas, Austin, TX
University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX
SYMPOSIA AND CONFERENCES
2017
International Council of Fine Arts Deans International Symposium 2017 – named by the Stephen F. Austin State University administration to represent the university at the conference, Havana, Cuba
2016
Fourth International Conference on the Development of Ceramic Art in Mexico and the US – Principal Presenter; presentation title, “Mi Punto de Vista (My Point of View),” La Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana Campus Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
2015
Third International Conference on the Development of Ceramic Art in Mexico and the US - Principal Presenter; presentation title, "A Survey of Contemporary Ceramics in Texas," Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico
2012
International Conference on the Development of Ceramic Art in Mexico and the US. Presenter - my topic was “the Development of Contemporary Ceramic Art North of the US/Mexico Border, Museo Casa Chihuahua, Centro del Patrimonio Cultural, Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico
2009
Alabama Clay Conference – Principal Demonstrator and Presenter along with Val Cushing, Robin Hopper, and Anjelica Pozo, Huntsville, AL
1998
National Council on the Education of the Ceramic Arts Conference - Organizer and Coordinator of the Demonstration Program, Fort Worth, TX
1993
Texas Clay Symposium - Co-Director, San Marcos, TX
Texas Clay Symposium - Slide Presentation and Lecture, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
RESIDENCIES
2008
“Artists invite Artists Residency,” Watershed International Center for the Ceramic Arts, Wiscasset, ME, invited by Virginia Scotchie
AWARDS
2019
Dean’s Circle Endowed Professorship Award, College of Fine Arts, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
2012
Texas Master Award, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
2010
Nominated for Regents Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
2003
Liz Schaeffler Sculpure Award, Artists Association of Nantucket, Nantucket, MA
1998
Stephen F Austin State University Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for innovation and excellence in teaching, research and service
Teaching Excellence Award, College of Fine Arts, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX