I believe that most of the elements in an artist’s work today can be found in the art of the past. It is rare that the artist is an originator of many new elements. The creative part comes when those influences, both past and invented, are combined based on the artist’s interests and experiences.
For almost four decades I have devoted my art making energies towards works primarily in clay. I began that career as a sculptor who made a few pots. However, visiting internationally known potters, plus museums filled with pots while on a one-year Fulbright Teaching Fellowship in England reversed my production completely. Since that year, with the exception of an outdoor sculpture commission in 2005, I have made only pottery. Coming from the functional life of a Midwestern farm family I am sure had a hand in that pottery decision.
Those elements that make up my pots such as the sturdiness of the “Medieval Jug” with its thick rim and substantial base have become part of my pitchers. The altered rims of my basins and platters grew from a 17th Century Japanese Shino Bowl. Those Western and Eastern influences come together with the earthiness of the soda fumed skin on bare clay exteriors and layered glazes, along with smooth functional glazes covering the interior surfaces. All these elements are combined to hopefully form a cohesive whole aesthetically, but equally important is the consideration of the function of each piece as it is to be used with our daily food and drink.
EDUCATION
1971
M.F.A. (Ceramic-sculpture, Drawing)
1970
Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, M.A. (Ceramics)
1969
Moorhead State University, Minnesota, B.A. (Art)
1968
Moorhead State University, Minnesota, B.S. (Industrial Technology)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1971-Present
Professor of Art, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Teaching responsibilities are in Ceramics, Sculpture, and Drawing
Chair of the Art Department, 1975-78, 1988-94, 1998-2001, 2004-06
1983-2008
Organized and taught a Mexican pottery course in small villages in Central Mexico, Alternate years
2012, 2008, 2006, 2004
Pottery course in Japan
2010
Pottery course in Nicaragua
1985-1987
Visiting Artist--Las Palomas Summer Art Program, Taos, New Mexico
1978-1979
Fulbright Visiting Artist Lecturship--Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, England
1977
Visiting Artist--Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA; "Primitive Pottery"
1974
Visiting Artist--Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA; "Primitive Pottery"
1971
Visiting Artist--Scattergood Quaker School, West Branch, IA; Fine Arts Workshop; taught Ceramics and Drawing
1970-1971
Graduate Assistant--University of Iowa
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2012
Doug Hanson Retrospective, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA
Doug Hanson & Sue Coleman, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
2011
Platters & Vases for Wall or Table, Lincoln Cafe, Mount Vernon, IA
2010
Featured Artist, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
2009
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
2008
Project Art Gallery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA (One man show)
Ceramic Symbol Drawing, Historic Preservation Commission, Mt. Vernon, IA
Raymond Avenue Gallery, St. Paul, MN (One man show)
“Legacy” Bunny McBride Invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Platters & Vases for Wall or Table, Lincoln Cafe, Mount Vernon, IA
2007
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA (One man show)
2006
Cornell Art Faculty Exhibition, University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, WI
Ceramic Gallery Collection, University of Iowa Museum of Art
2005
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Area Artists Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Invitational Exhibit, Eclectic Eye Gallery, Davenport, IA
We’re One #2, Sculpture Commission, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
2004
Cornell Art Faculty, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Area Artists Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Water/Tower Place Art Show, Cedar Rapids, IA
Area Code 319 Invitational, CSPS, Cedar Rapids, IA
Having Our Say, Lisbon Public Library, Lisbon, IA
2003
Fairfield Invitational, Fairfield, IA
Colors of Conscience Invitational, CSPS, Cedar Rapids, IA
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
2002
Area Artists Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Teacher & Student Synergies, Woodford Gallery, Iowa City, IA
2001
Armstrong Center, Cedar Rapids, IA (One man show)
Area Artists Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
2000
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Cornell Art Faculty, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Cornell Art Faculty Exhibit, Luther College, Decorah, IA
1999
Ceramic Arts Alumni Exhibit, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
All Fired Up, Arts Iowa City, Iowa City, IA
Living Near the Edge, D.L. Distributing, Cedar Rapids, IA
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
1998
Legacy Show, Armstrong Gallery, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Artists and The Teapot, Iowa Artisans Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Area College Art Teachers Exhibit, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission, Lisbon, IA
Mississippi Valley Potters, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
1996
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
1995
Nicaraguan/North American Exhibition, Augsburg College Gallery, Minnesota, MN
1994
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
1993
Central American Realities (Group Show), A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago
Nicaraguan/North American Exhibition, Intersection Gallery, San Diego, CA
1992
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
1991
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Photographs From Central America (Four person show), Mt. Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1990
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Two-Person Exhibit, Gallery, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Lill Street Gallery, Chicago (One man show)
Vivian Heywood and Doug Hanson, Chamber Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
1989
Cornell Art Faculty, Gustavus Adolphus College, Northfield, MN
1988
Clay and Fiber, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Cornell Art Faculty, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1987
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
“Shalom,” United Methodist Church, Ames, IA
1986
“In Advance of a Broken Elbow,” Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA
Clay and Fiber, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1985
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
1984
Cornell Faculty Exhibit, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1984-85
Midwest Clay People, One Year Travelling Exhibit, Midwest
1983
Tabletop Exhibit, Iowa City Art Center, Iowa City, IA
1982
Sheldon Museum, Lincoln, NE (One man show)
1981
Two-Person Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Hanson-Heywood Exhibit, Old Jailhouse Gallery, Dubuque, IA
1980
Three-Person Exhibit, Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa Craftsman ’80, Cedar Rapids Art Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
1978
A Taste of Salt, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Two-Person Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Cedar Falls Municipal Gallery, Cedar Falls, IA (One man show)
1977
Contemporary Vessels, Exhibit A., Evanston, IL
1976
National Sculpture, traveled to 6 Southern Museums
“Corn Belt Goes Country” Chula Vista College, CA
University of South Dakota, Vermillion (One man show)
Moorhead State University (One man show)
Doug Hanson-Dennis Mitchell, Exhibiti A., Evanston, IL
Two-Person Show, Jan’s Gallery, Des Moines, IA
1975
Cornell College, Mt. Vernon (One man show)
National Sculpture, traveled to 6 Southern Museums
1973
Cornell College, Mt. Vernon
1972
Third Evanston Invitational – Evanston Art Center, IL
1971
Cornell College, Mt. Vernon
SELECTED PUBLIC ART
2006
"Untitled", Ceramic Gallery Collection, University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City, IA
2005
"Were One #2", Sculpture commission, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1998-1999
"Two Murals", Project Director, Collaboration of college students and penitentiary inmates, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA and Iowa State Penitentiary, Anamosa, IA
1971
"Mural", Cornstock Memorial Union Competition, Minnesota State University - Moorhead, St. Paul, MN
WORKS IN PUBLICATIONS
2011
Ceramics: Ceramic Art and Perception, vol. 83
1991
Ceramics: Ceramic Review, no. 132, Nov./Dec.
1985
Photographs: Ceramic Review, no. 92, May/June
1984
Photographs: Ceramics Monthly, vol. 32, June/Aug.
1975
Ceramics: Ceramics Monthly, vol. 23, January
Ceramics: Craft Horizons, vol. 19, Febuary
REFERENCES IN PUBLICATIONS
2011
Craig Adcock, "Linda Arbuckles, Clary Illian, Doug Hanson, and Chuck Hindes", Ceramics Art and Perception, vol. 83
1978
Represented in Paul S. Donhauser, History of American Ceramics. The Studio Pottery, Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing
AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS
2009
Doug Hanson, Korean Ceramics Monthly, May
2001
Doug Hanson, "Gerry Williams' Essential Beliefs", Ceramics Art and Perception, vol. 45
1989
Doug Hanson, "Going to Nicaragua", Studio Pottery Network Newsletter, Spring
1987
Doug Hanson, "Teaching Pottery in Mexican Villages", Ceramic Review, vol. 108, Nov./Dec.
For almost four decades I have devoted my art making energies towards works primarily in clay. I began that career as a sculptor who made a few pots. However, visiting internationally known potters, plus museums filled with pots while on a one-year Fulbright Teaching Fellowship in England reversed my production completely. Since that year, with the exception of an outdoor sculpture commission in 2005, I have made only pottery. Coming from the functional life of a Midwestern farm family I am sure had a hand in that pottery decision.
Those elements that make up my pots such as the sturdiness of the “Medieval Jug” with its thick rim and substantial base have become part of my pitchers. The altered rims of my basins and platters grew from a 17th Century Japanese Shino Bowl. Those Western and Eastern influences come together with the earthiness of the soda fumed skin on bare clay exteriors and layered glazes, along with smooth functional glazes covering the interior surfaces. All these elements are combined to hopefully form a cohesive whole aesthetically, but equally important is the consideration of the function of each piece as it is to be used with our daily food and drink.
EDUCATION
1971
M.F.A. (Ceramic-sculpture, Drawing)
1970
Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, M.A. (Ceramics)
1969
Moorhead State University, Minnesota, B.A. (Art)
1968
Moorhead State University, Minnesota, B.S. (Industrial Technology)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1971-Present
Professor of Art, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Teaching responsibilities are in Ceramics, Sculpture, and Drawing
Chair of the Art Department, 1975-78, 1988-94, 1998-2001, 2004-06
1983-2008
Organized and taught a Mexican pottery course in small villages in Central Mexico, Alternate years
2012, 2008, 2006, 2004
Pottery course in Japan
2010
Pottery course in Nicaragua
1985-1987
Visiting Artist--Las Palomas Summer Art Program, Taos, New Mexico
1978-1979
Fulbright Visiting Artist Lecturship--Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, England
1977
Visiting Artist--Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA; "Primitive Pottery"
1974
Visiting Artist--Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA; "Primitive Pottery"
1971
Visiting Artist--Scattergood Quaker School, West Branch, IA; Fine Arts Workshop; taught Ceramics and Drawing
1970-1971
Graduate Assistant--University of Iowa
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2012
Doug Hanson Retrospective, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA
Doug Hanson & Sue Coleman, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
2011
Platters & Vases for Wall or Table, Lincoln Cafe, Mount Vernon, IA
2010
Featured Artist, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
2009
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
2008
Project Art Gallery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA (One man show)
Ceramic Symbol Drawing, Historic Preservation Commission, Mt. Vernon, IA
Raymond Avenue Gallery, St. Paul, MN (One man show)
“Legacy” Bunny McBride Invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Platters & Vases for Wall or Table, Lincoln Cafe, Mount Vernon, IA
2007
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA (One man show)
2006
Cornell Art Faculty Exhibition, University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, WI
Ceramic Gallery Collection, University of Iowa Museum of Art
2005
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Area Artists Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Invitational Exhibit, Eclectic Eye Gallery, Davenport, IA
We’re One #2, Sculpture Commission, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
2004
Cornell Art Faculty, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Area Artists Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Water/Tower Place Art Show, Cedar Rapids, IA
Area Code 319 Invitational, CSPS, Cedar Rapids, IA
Having Our Say, Lisbon Public Library, Lisbon, IA
2003
Fairfield Invitational, Fairfield, IA
Colors of Conscience Invitational, CSPS, Cedar Rapids, IA
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
2002
Area Artists Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Teacher & Student Synergies, Woodford Gallery, Iowa City, IA
2001
Armstrong Center, Cedar Rapids, IA (One man show)
Area Artists Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
2000
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Cornell Art Faculty, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Cornell Art Faculty Exhibit, Luther College, Decorah, IA
1999
Ceramic Arts Alumni Exhibit, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
All Fired Up, Arts Iowa City, Iowa City, IA
Living Near the Edge, D.L. Distributing, Cedar Rapids, IA
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
1998
Legacy Show, Armstrong Gallery, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Artists and The Teapot, Iowa Artisans Gallery, Iowa City, IA
Area College Art Teachers Exhibit, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission, Lisbon, IA
Mississippi Valley Potters, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL
Outdoor Sculpture Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
1996
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
1995
Nicaraguan/North American Exhibition, Augsburg College Gallery, Minnesota, MN
1994
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
1993
Central American Realities (Group Show), A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago
Nicaraguan/North American Exhibition, Intersection Gallery, San Diego, CA
1992
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
1991
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Photographs From Central America (Four person show), Mt. Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1990
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Two-Person Exhibit, Gallery, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Lill Street Gallery, Chicago (One man show)
Vivian Heywood and Doug Hanson, Chamber Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
1989
Cornell Art Faculty, Gustavus Adolphus College, Northfield, MN
1988
Clay and Fiber, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Cornell Art Faculty, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1987
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
“Shalom,” United Methodist Church, Ames, IA
1986
“In Advance of a Broken Elbow,” Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA
Clay and Fiber, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1985
Area College Art Faculty, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Art Faculty Exhibit, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
1984
Cornell Faculty Exhibit, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1984-85
Midwest Clay People, One Year Travelling Exhibit, Midwest
1983
Tabletop Exhibit, Iowa City Art Center, Iowa City, IA
1982
Sheldon Museum, Lincoln, NE (One man show)
1981
Two-Person Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Hanson-Heywood Exhibit, Old Jailhouse Gallery, Dubuque, IA
1980
Three-Person Exhibit, Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa Craftsman ’80, Cedar Rapids Art Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
1978
A Taste of Salt, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Two-Person Show, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Cedar Falls Municipal Gallery, Cedar Falls, IA (One man show)
1977
Contemporary Vessels, Exhibit A., Evanston, IL
1976
National Sculpture, traveled to 6 Southern Museums
“Corn Belt Goes Country” Chula Vista College, CA
University of South Dakota, Vermillion (One man show)
Moorhead State University (One man show)
Doug Hanson-Dennis Mitchell, Exhibiti A., Evanston, IL
Two-Person Show, Jan’s Gallery, Des Moines, IA
1975
Cornell College, Mt. Vernon (One man show)
National Sculpture, traveled to 6 Southern Museums
1973
Cornell College, Mt. Vernon
1972
Third Evanston Invitational – Evanston Art Center, IL
1971
Cornell College, Mt. Vernon
SELECTED PUBLIC ART
2006
"Untitled", Ceramic Gallery Collection, University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City, IA
2005
"Were One #2", Sculpture commission, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
1998-1999
"Two Murals", Project Director, Collaboration of college students and penitentiary inmates, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA and Iowa State Penitentiary, Anamosa, IA
1971
"Mural", Cornstock Memorial Union Competition, Minnesota State University - Moorhead, St. Paul, MN
WORKS IN PUBLICATIONS
2011
Ceramics: Ceramic Art and Perception, vol. 83
1991
Ceramics: Ceramic Review, no. 132, Nov./Dec.
1985
Photographs: Ceramic Review, no. 92, May/June
1984
Photographs: Ceramics Monthly, vol. 32, June/Aug.
1975
Ceramics: Ceramics Monthly, vol. 23, January
Ceramics: Craft Horizons, vol. 19, Febuary
REFERENCES IN PUBLICATIONS
2011
Craig Adcock, "Linda Arbuckles, Clary Illian, Doug Hanson, and Chuck Hindes", Ceramics Art and Perception, vol. 83
1978
Represented in Paul S. Donhauser, History of American Ceramics. The Studio Pottery, Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing
AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS
2009
Doug Hanson, Korean Ceramics Monthly, May
2001
Doug Hanson, "Gerry Williams' Essential Beliefs", Ceramics Art and Perception, vol. 45
1989
Doug Hanson, "Going to Nicaragua", Studio Pottery Network Newsletter, Spring
1987
Doug Hanson, "Teaching Pottery in Mexican Villages", Ceramic Review, vol. 108, Nov./Dec.
