ART

I make my work from the local clays, rocks, and plants of Western Montana that I have found, gathered, and processed myself. This approach to making pottery has proven to be extremely challenging and rewarding on many levels. Not only do I act as a designer, craftsman, and artist as I make my work in my studio, I also engage my immediate surroundings as an explorer, geologist, miner, truck driver, lumberjack, and even dumpster diver. This complexity of engagement has offered me a much more profound connection and appreciation for the place and the community in which I live. It has also lead to a deeper understanding of myself and my relationship to my work. Taking responsibility for every step of the process, from the earth to the dinner table or mantel, has taught me to approach clay with sense of respect and open sensitivity. I spend a lot of time listening to the clay as it stretches and tears, and as it slides through my fingers I ask, "What does this material want to do, and what can I make it do?" Often a certain material's weakness becomes its strength as I let go of my limited perception of what is 'defect' and what is 'effect.’ I am most excited about my work when I allow this spirit of discovery to continually inform my work.

BIOGRAPHY
Born and raised in Amarillo Texas, David Peters spent much of his childhood camping and exploring the rugged nature of the Southwest. There he became interested in Native American art, particularly how the people expressed themselves in the creation of functional objects. Through watching his mother sew quilts and helping his father build cabinets, David realized a deep satisfaction from the integration of both beauty and purpose. Soon after he began to study ceramics he discovered a love for Asian art. These interests lead him to study at Utah State University where he received his BFA, and then to China where he studied ceramics in Jingdezhen for a semester. While a resident at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena Montana, his interests lead him to challenge himself to create his pottery exclusively from local materials. He is currently a graduate student in the school of art at MSU Bozeman where he is continuing this journey.

Education

2009-present MFA Candidate, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

2007 BFA in Ceramics, Utah State University, Logan, UT

2003 BFA Candidate in Ceramics, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas
City, MO

2001 Candidate in Ceramics, Amarillo College, Amarillo, TX


Additional Education and Related Experience

2007-09 Artist in Residence, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT


2004 Ceramics In China, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen, China/ West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV


Selected Exhibitions

2010 Montana Clay, Rocky Mountain College Gallery, Rocky Mountain College, Billings, MT

2009 Here, 2009 Fellowship Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

Resident Artist Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena MT

Archie Bray Foundation Artist in Residence Exhibition, Kolva-
Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA

2008 Resident Artist Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena MT

Residents at the Bray: NCECA 2008, 3rd Street Gallery,
Carnegie, PA

2007 Ceramics from the Bray: The Idaho Connection, Herrett
Center/Jean B. King Gallery, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, ID

Archie Bray Foundation Artist in Residence Exhibition, Kolva-
Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA

International Contemporary Ceramic Exhibition, Jingdezhen
Ceramics Exposition, Jingdezhen, China

Resident Artist Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena MT

By The Ounce, NCECA, Louisville Stoneware, Louisville, KY

National Wood Fire Exhibition, NCECA, Thrown Together
Clay Center, Louisville, KY

2006 History in the Making, Genesee Pottery, Rochester, NY,

BFA Graduating Exhibition, Dunker Imaging, Logan, UT

Mug Show, Ibis Gallery, Logan, UT

For Sale or Lease, Army Surplus Store, Logan, UT

One Time Only, Twain Tippetts Gallery, USU, Logan, UT

2005 USU Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, Twain Tippetts Gallery, USU, Logan, UT,

Stoked, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, ID

2003 Teapots: A Group Portrait, Ibis Gallery, Logan, UT

2001 Exploration: Exhibition of Works Completed by David
Peters at Amarillo College, Amarillo College Gallery,
Amarillo, TX


Awards


2008 Matsutani Fellow, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

2007 Regina Brown Undergraduate Fellow, NECEA 2007

2006 Best of Show, History in the Making, Genesee Pottery,
Rochester, NY

Marrie Eccles Caine Ceramics Scholarship, USU, Logan, UT

2005 Best of Show, USU Annual Undergraduate Exhibition, Twain
Tippetts Gallery, USU, Logan, UT

Marrie Eccles Caine Ceramics Scholarship, USU, Logan, UT


Workshops

2009 Connection to Place: Local Materials Workshop, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

2008 Archie Bray Resident Workshop, Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA