Christian S.

Tonsgard
46 Barnsdale Road
East Providence, RI 02914
401-793-0746
tnsgrd@gmail.com
christiantonsgard.com

Education
MFA 2009 Ceramics Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
BFA 2005 Ceramics Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
BA 2001 Studio Art Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL

Teaching Experience
2010-Present Adjunct Faculty, Community College of Rhode Island
Ceramics I
Course concentrates on the basics of ceramic
sculpture with an emphasis on spatial awareness,
problem solving, and the many varieties of sculptural form.
Consideration is given to the range of three-dimensional
form as found in both contemporary art and design and in
different cultural and historical contexts. Students are
encouraged to develop their own design vocabulary and
repertoire of practical techniques. Regular slide lectures
and critiques are structured informally to encourage
dialogue and to provide the class with an opportunity to
work on organizing their thoughts for their finial
presentation/critique. Along with introducing basic
sculpting techniques students are also taught how to
sketch and translate 2-D to 3-D. Duties include mixing
glaze, maintaining studio and all studio equipment
including kilns and pottery wheels. Ordering of materials
and maintaining a budget.

2012-2013 Adjunct Faculty, Office of the Arts at Harvard
Inspired design
Course concentrates on teaching wheel throwing,
hand building, mold making and glazing to students of all
skill levels. Consideration is given to the range of three-
dimensional form as found in both contemporary art and
design and in different cultural and historical contexts.
Students are encouraged to develop their own design
vocabulary and repertoire of practical techniques. Regular
slide lectures and critiques are structured informally to
encourage dialogue and to provide the class with an
opportunity to translate visual evidence into words.



2007-2009 Instructor of record, Arizona State University, 3-D Design
Course concentrates on the basics of three-dimensional
design with an emphasis on spatial awareness, problem
solving, and the many varieties of sculptural form.
Consideration is given to the range of three-dimensional
form as found in both contemporary art and design and in
different cultural and historical contexts. Using a wide
variety of materials and methods students complete
projects that are based on relief, line, mass, repetition and
scale/context. Students are encouraged to explore and
embrace their own aesthetic vocabulary and repertoire of
practical techniques. Regular slide lectures and critiques
are structured informally to encourage dialogue within the
class and to provide students with an opportunity to
work on organizing their thoughts for their finial
presentation/critique.

2008 Instructor of record, Arizona State University, Ceramic
Survey
Course concentrates on the introduction of basic ceramic
techniques: pinch, coil, slab construction, wheel throwing
and surface treatment. Students are given a series of
assignments that utilize each technique; at the
culmination of the course students are asked to bring
multiple techniques together for final project. Regular slide
lectures and critiques are structured informally to
encourage dialogue and to provide the class with an
opportunity to translate visual evidence into words.

2004 Teachers Assistant, Rhode Island School of Design,
Pre-College Ceramics
Duties include mixing clay and glaze, loading and firing
kilns.
2001-2003 Studio Assistant to Paul Soldner, Aspen, CO
Duties include mixing clay and glazes, loading and
unloading of kilns, firing kilns, maintaining of studio and all
equipment.
1999 Studio Assistant to Michael Schwegmann, Boneyard
Pottery, Champaign, IL
Duties include mixing clay and glazes, loading and
unloading of kilns, firing kilns, maintaining of studio and all
equipment.

Professional Experience
2009-Present a la cARTe
Creator and juror traveling exhibition that places hand
made ceramics in restaurants. The show coincides with the
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.

Visiting Artist
2012 Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Guest Faculty
Invited by ceramics department to participate in midterm
critiques for juniors and seniors

2011 Office of the Arts at Harvard, Visiting Artist
Demonstration of ceramic techniques, lecture on current
and past work

Rhode Island School of Design, Visiting Artist
Participated in final semester critique with undergraduate
and graduate students, presented slide lecture.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Guest Faculty
Invited by ceramics department to participate in midterm
critiques for juniors and seniors.

2010 Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Visiting Artist
Demonstration of ceramic techniques, lecture on current
and past work as well as participated in critiques with
students

Grants and Awards
2009 Graduate Research Support Grant Award, Arizona
State University
2008 Special Talents Scholarship, Arizona State University
2007 Special Talents Scholarship, Arizona State University
2006 Special Talents Scholarship, Arizona State University
2000 Len G. Everett Gallery, 1
st
and 2
nd
place Ceramics,
Monmouth, IL
1996 Len G. Everett Gallery, Honorable Mention, Painting,
Monmouth, IL

Exhibition Record
2013 CCRI Ceramics Invitational, CCRI Warwick RI
2012 CCRI Ceramics Invitational, CCRI Warwick RI
2011 CCRI Ceramics Invitational, Warwick Art Museum,
Warwick, RI
2010 Utility and Beauty, Mindy Solomon Gallery, St.
Petersburg, FL
a la cARTe, Philadelphia, PA
Tea by the Sea, Newport Potters Guild, Newport, RI
2009 Mise en Place, Thesis Exhibition, Harry Wood Gallery,
Tempe AZ,
a la cARTe, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State University Graduate Exhibition, Step
Gallery, Tempe, AZ, NCECA
Pier Influence, Tempe, AZ
Regional Student Juried Exhibition, Tempe Arts Center,
Tempe, AZ
2007 Hot $h*t, CCACA, Invitational, Davis, CA
2006 8th Annual Fidelity Investments Ceramics and Jewelry
Juried Exhibition, Providence, RI
New Jersey Clay National, M.T. Burton gallery, Surf City,
NJ
2004 Rhode Island School of Design Biennial, Providence, RI
Firehouse 13, Group Show, Providence, RI
2003 Anderson Ranch Arts Center Artist in Residence Exhibit,
Snowmass Village, CO
2002 Anderson Ranch Arts Center Artist in Residence Exhibit,
Snowmass Village, CO
2001 Anderson Ranch Arts Center Artist in Residence Exhibit,
Snowmass Village, CO
Monmouth College Senior Exhibition, Monmouth, IL


Residencies
2005 The Steel Yard, Providence, RI
2001-2003 Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO