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Taylor Craig

 
Taylor Craig MFA Ceramics Outstanding Graduate Scholar

About Taylor

Year: Graduate Student
Major: MFA in Ceramics
Hometown: Beatrice, NE
Faculty Mentor: Linda Ganstrom
Research Recognition: 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student

Learn more about the Outstanding Graduate Student Research and Creative Activity Award

Describe Your Research

My research project focuses on developing artwork that draws inspiration from my family farm. Supported by two GSE grants, I have combined techniques from graphic design, ceramics, printmaking, and glaze research to create a unique method of printing on ceramic slabs and forms with underglazes. This technique adds layers and a sense of faded nostalgia, ideal for conveying my farm family stories through tiles, architectural forms reminiscent of farm buildings, portraits, and figures.

What was it like sharing your research?

Sharing my research project with fellow students, faculty, staff, and the community has been an enriching experience. A significant source of support has been my ceramic professor, Linda Ganstrom, whose guidance and encouragement have been invaluable. Her program encourages the exchange of ideas and collaboration, allowing my colleagues and me to benefit from each other's insights and experiences. This dynamic interaction creates a strong and supportive creative community. Additionally, engaging with the broader community has provided an opportunity to connect with diverse audiences, bringing my farm family stories to life beyond the academic sphere.

What are your future career goals?

My future career goals encompass expanding my current teaching role and pursuing opportunities to teach ceramics at the college level, a field I am deeply passionate about. Concurrently, I aim to establish myself as a professional artist, continuously expanding my body of work and sharing it with the world. This research experience has significantly enriched my artwork and personal growth, allowing me to explore my upbringing and family heritage. By developing new techniques and refining my skills, I am better prepared to inspire and educate future generations of artists while nurturing their creative development. Ultimately, this experience equips me to contribute meaningfully to both academia and the art community, bridging my dual passions for teaching and artistic expression.

Why should other students get involved in research?

Engaging in research not only enhances your overall experience and knowledge but also enables you to share it with others, fostering a vibrant and supportive community.