Vanessa Kettering
Vanessa is a local Pittsburgh artist who works out of the newly renamed Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media. Finding inspiration in nature she observes, she incorporates mushrooms, lichen, dogwood branches and natural textures onto thrown forms. In addition to being an educator at the Mattress Factory, an internationally famous installation museum, Vanessa teaches ceramics with Sweetwater Center for the Arts and a program with the Union Project that serves underprivileged students of Pittsburgh.
Education:
2003-2008 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, Pa.
BS in Art Education
BFA in Fine Arts, Concentration in Sculpture
Magnum Cum Laude
Honors Program
2007 Temple Rome Program, Rome, Italy
BFA in Fine Arts, Concentration in Sculpture
Work Experience:
2008 – Artist
Creates and Sells functional and sculptural ceramic work
2016, 2017, 2018 Summer Dreamers’ Program with Union Project
Lead teacher for a six-week clay camp, ages 7-9
Responsible for all planning, executing and firing of work
2014 – Substitute teacher with Kelly Educational Services.
Substituted in grades K-12 in all subject areas
Specialized in art
October 2008 – June 2014 Environmental Charter School at Frick Park: Extended–Day Program, 4th-8th
Co-managed 20- 25 students for an extended day program
Developed and lead art lessons as well as other enrichment activities
Created visual displays of current activities
Attended meetings to discuss E-day’s development
2012 – 2014 Substitute work at ECS
Substituted in grades 4-8 in all subject areas
March– August 2009, 2013 Citiparks “Art in the Parks” and other programs
Developed and lead clay projects
Adapted projects for all age groups
September 2008 – February 2009 Carnegie Museums: The Art Connection, 9th grade
Developed lessons based on current exhibitions
Lead discussions and studio explorations
Related/Other Experience:
2013 – 2016 Lead study group for Japanese Language
Directed lessons for study group
Created quizzes and memorization activities
Exhibitions/ Selling Artwork:
2017 – present Mattress Factory shop
2014 - present PCA gift shop
2015 - 2016 Christine Frechard Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pa
2014 Mug show. Biddle’s Escape, Regent Square, Pa
2014 Winter Art Market at the Matress Factory
2012, 2013 “Craftfactory” at the Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, Pa.
2012 “In the Belly of the Beast” juried, Sweetwater Center for the Arts, Sewickley, Pa
2012 “Colors” Carnegie, Pa
2012 “East End Co-op Art Harvest” Pittsburgh, Pa
2012 Cats and Dogs Coffeehouse, Pittsburgh, Pa
2011 “East End Co-op Art Harvest” Pittsburgh, Pa
2011 “Pop Up” Pittsburgh, Pa
2010 - 2011 Art Zebo, Pittsburgh Pa
2010 “Pour” Juried show Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh, Pa
2010 “Photomics” Juried show, Manchester Craftsman Guild, Pittsburgh, Pa
2010 “Mr Smalls Art Bash” Pittsburgh, Pa
2010 - 2011 Mac Worthington Gallery, Columbus, Ohio
2009 “Deck the Walls”
2009 Assoc. Artists of Pittsburgh New Member Exhibition
2008 International Juried Exhibition, Harrisburg, Pa
Student Teaching Experience:
Composed lesson plans, lead discussions, conducted lessons, demonstrations and critiques for different courses
2007 Whitehall Middle School and Steckel Elementary School, Whitehall School District, Whitehall, Pa.
2007 Nazareth High School, Nazareth Area School District, Nazareth, Pa.
2006 Early Field: Boyertown High School, Boyertown School District, Boyertown, Pa.
Community/Volunteering
2015 Performed “The Mikado” with Pittsburgh Savoyards
2008 – Mattress Factory Volunteer
Works in teams to install artworks, lead activities and gallery attend
2012 – 2014 Tomodachi Festival at Carnegie Library
Volunteered to assist activities at the children’s festival
2010 Starred in the independent film “Here Right Now”
Performed as the main character, and also showcased artwork in the film.
March 2008 Berks County Humane Society; Pa.
Assisted in creating a promotional and informative video for the humane society.
2006 – “Empty Bowls” Volunteering
Creates hand-made bowls for a local fundraiser to fight hunger
April 2006 Souls of the Shoeless
Joined with performance artist Tim Miller in a weeklong workshop. Participated in co-written live performance at the culmination of the workshop.
Stage Productions with the Ritz Theater
Performed as; Luciana in Boys from Syracuse, Chorus Roles in Once Upon A Mattress, Secretary in Urinetown, Zanita Shin in Music Man
