John Beckelman
- INquire
Of the Earth: Leopard Sky
Clay, mixed media on paper
Art dimensions: 41.25" x 29.5"
$2,000
Of the Earth: Mara Sky
Clay, mixed media on paper
Art dimensions: 41.25" x 29.5"
$2,000
Red Lotus
Clay, mixed media on paper
Art dimensions: 30" x 22"
$1,500 framed
Water Region: North Gate
Clay, mixed media on paper
Art dimensions: 41.25" x 29.5"
$2,500 Framed
In the Body
Clay, mixed media on paper
Art dimensions: 22" x 30"
$1,500 framed
The Separation of Night Into Day
Clay, mixed media on paper
Art dimensions: 22" x 30"
$1,500 framed
Shards 7
Ceramic, concrete
Art dimensions: 21" x 8" x 9"
$1,200
Shards 10
Ceramic, concrete, glass
Art dimensions: 9" x 16" x 14"
$1,000
Shards 11
Ceramic, concrete, glass
Art dimensions: 4" x 11.25" x 11.25"
$900
Shards 3
Ceramic, concrete
Art dimensions: 9.25" x 6.5" x 6
$800
Shards 5
Ceramic, concrete, glass
Art dimensions: 8.5" x 9" x 8"
$800
Wide Bottle 1
Stoneware (Residual salt)
Art dimensions: 26" x 14"
$600
Wide Bottle (Black)
Stoneware (Residual salt)
Art dimensions: 22" x 14.5"
$600
Tall Open Vessel
Stoneware (Residual salt)
Art dimensions: 29" x 19"
$1,000
Vessel 3
Stoneware (Residual salt)
Art dimensions: 9" x 5.5"
$250
Tapered Vessel (Glazed)
Stoneware
Art dimensions: 8.75" x 6.5"
$250
Tapered Vessel (Short)
Stoneware
Art dimensions: 7" x 7"
$200 
- John Beckelman's work has been exhibited in shows throughout the country, including California, New York, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Ohio, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, South Dakota, Montana, and Iowa. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, commissions, and grants. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics and his Master of Science in Ceramics from Illinois State University. John is the Robert O. Daniel Professor of Art, Emeritus at Coe College. He lives and works in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he maintains a studio at the ‘iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio’ in downtown.
- “Space that has been seized upon by the imagination cannot remain indifferent space…”
My ceramics are comprised of two very different, yet related, bodies of work. One group of work consists of clay vessels that were thrown on the potter’s wheel, then further manipulated off the wheel and, finally, fired in a residual salt-vapor reduction atmosphere to cone 1 (approximately 2100 degrees f.). The second body of work is a series of clay paintings that are composed of unfired clay (which has been stabilized with acrylic or oil binders) and a variety of other materials that have been applied to wood panels. In these pieces, images are slowly built up using clay and other materials such as oil and acrylic paints, enamels, graphite, powdered pigments, wax and gold leaf.
The vessels are intended to evoke a sense of timelessness, stability and ease. Their forms and surfaces are inspired simultaneously by early neolithic storage vessels and the natural world. There is for me a curious intersection between the enduring, seemingly timeless character of those early vessels and the fleeting, yet wonderful, impermanence of phenomena in the natural world. The relationships between scale and form in the work are an effort to accentuate the sense of quiet presence.
The paintings attempt to evoke qualities similar to the vessels, while at the same time trying to gently entice the viewer into the inner landscapes and interior spaces of our imagination and memory. To this end, the sense of perceptual space defined by the marks, textures and images is purposely ambiguous and the references are often topographic or cosmographic.
While I often use a number of different materials in my work, clay is the material that most informs the things that i make. Having worked with clay, in a variety of forms and formats and in all its varied physical states for close to thirty years now, i find that the elemental character and expressive potential of clay continues to intrigue me. There seems to be a vital, persistent, almost universal, appeal to clay, which is like no other material. - EDUCATION
1978 MFA, Ceramics , Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
1977 MS, Ceramics, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
1974 Ceramics Apprentice, Thousand Islands Museum Craft School, Clayton, New York
1972 BA, English, Hobart College, Geneva, New York
TEACHING
2015 – Present Professor of Art Emeritus, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1989 – 2015 Robert O. Daniel Professor of Art, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1978 – 2015 Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor of Art, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1982 – 2004 Chair, Art Department, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1975 Instructor, Campus Recreation Ceramics Program, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
1974 Instructor, Children’s Ceramics Program, Thousand Islands Museum Craft School, Clayton, New York
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
2017
– The Impermanent Nature of Things: New Work in Clay and Mixed Media, One-Person Exhibition, Iowa Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2016
– John Beckelman, Bede Clarke Candice Methe, Invitational Exhibition, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, New Mexico
– The Briar Cliff Review Exhibition, Invitational Group Exhibition, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, Iowa
2015
– 2015 Biennial Juried Exhibition, Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, Iowa, Juror: Jane Milosch, Director of the Smithsonian Provenance Research Initiative (Award)
2014
– John Beckelman : Thirty-Six Years, A Retrospective Exhibition of Work Created at Coe College, Sinclair Galleries, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– 4th ‘Central Time’ Ceramics Exhibition, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois Juror: Don Pilcher
– Some Assembly Required: Collage and Assemblage, Group Collection Exhibition, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– 35th Anniversary Show, Group Exhibition, Olson-Larsen Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa
2013
– Inspirations, Group Exhibition, The Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– Yunomi Invitational, Group Exhibition (also 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007), AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
2012
– Clay Colleagues, Group Exhibition, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
2011
– The Shoulders We Stand On, Potter’s Council Exhibition, St. Pete Beach, Florida Juror: Bill Jones, Editor, Pottery Making Illustrated
– Paintings on Paper and Wood, One-Person Exhibition, Olson-Larsen Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa
2010
– Clay Vessels and Paintings, One-Person Exhibition, ICON Gallery, Fairfield, Iowa
– Selected Work, Group Exhibition, CSPS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– Group Exhibition, Olson-Larsen Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa
2009
– Ceramics: New Work, Olson-Larsen Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa
– Anniversary Show, Group Exhibition, Olson-Larsen Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa
2008
– New Work in Clay and Paint, Campbell-Steele Gallery, Marion, Iowa
2007
– New Work, Five Person Exhibition, Olson-Larsen Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa
– Vessels, Group Exhibition, Santa Fe Clay Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico
– Grand Reopening, Part 1, Group Exhibition, ICON Gallery, Fairfield, Iowa
– La Mesa, Group Exhibition (Santa Fe Clay), NCECA Conference, Louisville, Kentucky
2006
– LaGrange National XXVIII Biennial Exhibition, Lamar Dodd Art Center, LaGrange, GA, Juror: Pamela Franks, Curator, Yale University Art Gallery (Merit Award)
– New Artist Exhibition, One-Person Exhibition, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
– La Mesa, Group Exhibition (Santa Fe Clay), NCECA Conference, Portland, Oregon
– 30 x 5, Group Exhibition, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
2005
– New Work in Clay, One-Person Exhibition, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– White, Group Exhibition, Santa Fe Clay Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico
– New Work, Three-Person Exhibition, Olson-Larsen Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa
2004
– Small Treasures, Group Exhibition, Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
– Recent Work, Two-Person Exhibition, Quad Cities Art Center, Rock Island, Illinois
– Area 319+, Regional Ceramics Exhibition, CSPS Gallery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– Ceramics and Painting, Two-Person Exhibition, Gallery 51East, Fairfield, Iowa
– Winter Group Show, Olson-Larsen Galleries, Des Moines, Iowa
– Eastern Iowa Ceramics Invitational, Iowa Artisan’s Gallery, Iowa City, Iowa
2003
– Sculpture, Assemblage & Collage, Group Exhibition Olson-Larsen Galleries, Des Moines, Iowa
2002
– Viewpoint Ceramics 2002, Hyde Gallery, Grossmont College, El Cajun, California, Juror: David McFadden, Head Curator, American Crafts Museum
– Iowa Artists 2002, Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, Iowa, Jurors: Jeff Fleming, Chris Gilbert, Susan Talbott, Amy Worthen
– LaGrange National XXII Biennial Exhibition, Lamar Dodd Art Center, LaGrange, Georgia, Juror: Robert Lyon (Merit Award)
– November Invitational, Group Exhibition, Olson-Larsen Galleries, Des Moines, Iowa
2001
– NCECA 2001 Clay National Exhibition, Winthrop College Gallery, Rock Hill, SC, Jurors: Cynthia Bringle, Michael Lucero, James Melchert
– Recent Works in Clay, One-Person Exhibition, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
– Area College Faculty, Group Exhibition, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
2000
– Iowa Artists 2000, Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, Iowa, Juror: Jeff Fleming, Senior Curator, Des Moines Art Center
– Faculty Exhibition 2000, Sinclair Galleries, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
AWARDS/ COMMISSIONS/ GRANTS
2016
– Commission, Works on Paper, for the CRST Corporate Headquarters building, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2015
– Second Place Prize, 2015 Biennial Juried Exhibition, Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, Iowa, Juror: Jane Milosch, Director of the Smithsonian Provenance Research Initiative
2006
– Merit Award, LaGrange National XXVIII Biennial Exhibition, LaGrange, Georgia, Juror: Pamela Franks, Curator, Yale University Art Gallery
2002
– Merit Award, LaGrange National XXIV Biennial Exhibition, LaGrange, Georgia, Juror: David McFadden, Head Curator, American Crafts Museum
1999
– Permanent Exhibit Commission: Faux Palisades Rock Formation, Cedar Rapids History Center, Linn County Historical Society, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1998
– Community Service Award: Empty Bowls Project, Linn Community Food Bank, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1997
– C.J. Lynch Outstanding Teacher Award, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1994
– Community Service Award, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Cedar Rapids, IA
1992
– Bronze Block Commission: Five 16”x 16” Bronze plaques inlaid in downtown sidewalk areas; commissioned by the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Arts Council, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1990
– Private Commission, 200 hand-painted ceramic tile, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1989
– Award of Excellence, Clay U.S.A. Exhibition, Radford, Virginia, Jurors: Donna Polseno, Richard Hensley
– Private Commission, 30 sq. ft. Ceramic Tile Mural, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– Permanent Site Commission: Ceramic Tile Mural, Children’s Home of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1988
– Certificate of Merit, 1988 International Art Competition, Eastchester, New York, Jurors: Lisa Messinger, Janet Satz, Susie Peifer, Carl Little
– Permanent Site Commission: Ceramic Tile Mural (2’ x 70’), Friley Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
1987
– Faculty Research Grant: Non-Fired Clay Paintings, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– Purchase Award, Showcase Exhibition, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1985
– Clay Artists: America’s Best, a visual/sound production at the Identité Céramique Conference, Auxerres, France
– Purchase Award, 14th Annual Invitational Crafts Exhibition, Norfolk, Virginia
1982
– Mellon Foundation Interdisciplinary Summer Study Grant: “The Nature of Glass and Ceramic Materials: Art, Chemistry, Physics”, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
PRESENTATIONS/ PUBLICATIONS/ SERVICE
2009 Present Board of Directors, The Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2013 Jury Panel Member, Cedar Rapids Public Library Sculpture Commission, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2010 13 Fine Arts Advisory Committee, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2011 Gallery Talk, Olson-Larsen Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa
2010 Gallery Talk, ICON Gallery, Fairfield, Iowa
2004 On-Site Coordinator, 2004 International Woodfire Conference, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2001 Gallery Talk: Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
1999 Workshop: “Teaching The Potter’s Wheel”, Art Educators of Iowa Annual Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1997 Advisory Committee, GTC Plaza Sculpture Commission, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1996 Juror: “Sculpture on 2nd”, Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Competition, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Juror: “Marion Public Library Sculpture Commission”, Marion, Iowa
1995 Panelist: “The Role of Artists in the Community”, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1990 – 93 Task Force: “Excellence in Arts Education”, Iowa Department of Education & the Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, Iowa
1989 – 93 Instructional Advisory Committee, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1986 – 89 Fine Arts Curriculum Advisory Committee, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1990
– Exhibition Lecture, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– Lecture :”Visual Thinking”, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– Lecture: “Visual Thinking and the Development of Artwork”, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
– 1986 Keynote Speaker, 4th Annual Symposium on Arts Education: “Visual Thinking”, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
– 1979 Articles, NCECA Newsletter, January Issue, “Stephan De Staebler: Excerpts”, “Transition from School to Studio: Review”
– 1976 Article: “Electroforming Copper Onto Clay”, Studio Potter Magazine, Summer Issue
