HEATHERNAMETHBREN
HEATHER NAMETH BREN
Address: Twin Cities, MN 55113
E-mail: heathernamethbren@gmail.com
Tel: 952-484-6651
Professional info
I am a visual artist with specialty areas in ceramics and drawing. I maintain a studio in NE Minneapolis. In addition to my teaching and mentoring responsibilities, I also serve on the board at Northern Clay Center.
Work experience
Associate Professor of Art & Design | Ceramics
University of Northwestern - St. Paul, MN
2007 - Present
Faculty Mentor | Ceramics
Minnesota New Institute for Ceramic Education (MN NICE) Northern Clay Center - Minneapolis MN
2014 - Present
Caricature Artist
Independent Contractor
1997- Present
Adjunct Faculty | Sculpture & Art Appreciation
Bethel University - St. Paul. MN
2004 - 2006
Adjunct Faculty | Ceramics
Washburn University - Topeka, KS
2003
Awards
Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiate Project Grant, 2013
Minnesota State Arts Board, St. Paul, MN
Faculty/Student Collaboration Grant, 2012
University of Northwestern – St. Paul, MN
McKnight Fellowship Artists Project Grant, 2009-2010
McKnight Foundation, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
National Council for the Education of Ceramic Art Purchase Prize Award, 2009
NCECA 2009 Clay National Biennial, Phoenix, AZ
Faculty Development Grant: Travel Grant, 2008
University of Northwestern – St. Paul, MN
Faculty Development Grant: Project Grant, 2007
University of Northwestern – St. Paul, MN
Jerome Foundation Clay Artists Project Grant, 2004
Jerome Foundation, Northern Clay Center, MN
Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artists, 2004
Ceramics Monthly Magazine
Courses
Taught|UNWSP
ART1004|Principles of Art
ART1007UP|Art Appreciation (online)
ART1011|Drawing I
ART1035|Design Concepts
ART1825|Honors Art Appreciation
ART2141|Introduction to Ceramics
ART2045|Wheel Thrown Ceramics
ART2046|Industrial Ceramics
ART2047|Hand Building and Alternative Firing
ART2048|Ceramic Basics
ART3245|Ceramic Surface
ART4242|Advanced Ceramics
DMA2105|Figure in Motion
DMA3105|Figure Drawing
DMA3305|Character Design
2010 - present
2010 - present
Education
2001-2003 Master of Fine Arts: Ceramics
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
2002 International Exchange
Staffordshire University, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
1999-2000 Continued Education
Inver Hills Community College, Inver Grove Heights, MN
1995-1999 Bachelor of Science: Graphic Design, Studio Art
University of Northwestern – St. Paul, MN
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2016
American Pottery Festival
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
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ArtAxis.org
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
​
2014
Verschlimmbesserung: Recent work by Heather Nameth Bren & Rick Love
Denler Gallery, University of Northwestern – St. Paul, MN
Red River Reciprocity: Contemporary Ceramics in Minnesota and North Dakota
Plains Museum, Fargo, ND
2013
Flora & Fetishism, MODE Biennial
Wispelwey Gallery and Studio, Arnhem, Netherlands
Print Profs: Recent Works By MN Faculty
Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Minneapolis, MN
2012
Dissolving the Shark and Other Acts of Self-Preservation
solo, Conkling Gallery, Minnesota State University- Mankato, Mankato, MN
Material Matters
The UNION for Contemporary Art, Omaha, NE
Small Favors VII
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
FRESH FIGURINE: A New Look at a Historical Art Form
Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA
2011
Oracle: Kjellgren Alkire, Heather Nameth Bren, and Rick Love
Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN
No Artist on Duty
Kopplins, St. Paul, MN
Six McKnight Artists
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Ceramics: Four Perspectives, Heather Nameth Bren, Sandra Jean Ceas, Kyoung Hwa Oh and S.C. Rolf
Olson Gallery, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
2010
More Than / Less Than
F3331 Gallery, Arden Hills, MN
Material Mastery
Nelson-Stricker Gallery, Manhattan, KS
Minnesota Ceramic Educators Exhibition
Anoka Ramsey Community College, Great Rivers Gallery, Anoka, MN
2009
Northern Exposure: A Survey of Contemporary Ceramics
Curated by Peter Held, Promega Corporation, MADISON, WI
NCECA 2009 Clay National Biennial Exhibition
Ceramic research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Raised in Craftivity
Wignall Museum at Chaffey College, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
College Bowl I/09: Multi-Generational Ceramics Exhibition
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
2008
Not Not Clay: Really Contemporary Works
Gallery 13, Minneapolis, MN
2007
Jerome Retrospective
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Shelf Life: Heather Rae Nameth & Cheryle Melander
9th Street Entry Gallery, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
Raised in Craftivity
Greenleese Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2006
Ultimate Landscape
Gallery 13, Northeast Minneapolis, MN
From Our Perspective: A National Women’s Art Exhibition
Oakland Community College, Womencenter, Farmington Hills, MI
2005
The Three Jerome Artists
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
From Our Perspective: A National Women’s Art Exhibition
Oakland Community College, Womencenter, Farmington Hills, MI
Clay on the Wall
Texas Tech University School of Art, Lubbok, TX
NCECA 2005 Clay National Biennial Exhibition
The Center for Arts and Visual Culture, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
2004
Transformation: Contemporary works in Ceramics, Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize Exhibition
Society for Contemporary Craft, Philadelphia, PN
Alcazar Gallery, Baltimore School for the Arts, Baltimore, MD
Curatorial Work
2010-PRESENT
Northern Clay Center Exhibition Committee
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Curated Exhibitions & Catalog Essays:
The Tipping Point: Technology in Ceramics 2016
this exhibition explores the impact of innovation in the use of emerging technology in the expanding field of ceramics
Mythology Meets Archetype 2014
addressed the intersection of the ancient narrative of mythology as a vehicle to understanding the human psyche and reoccurring archetypes in psychological constructs
Functional REdesign 2012
an exhibition that included four artists that are a result of the intersection of the studio pottery movement and industrial processes
2008
Not Not Clay: Midwest Contemporary Ceramics
Gallery 13, Minneapolis, MN
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
​
2017
Team NCECA 2019
2019 Minneapolis NCECA Planning Committee | Exhibitions Liaison |Fundraising Committee
​
2015- Present
Board Member
Executive Committee Member | Board Secretary | Building Committee | Exhibition Committee | Strategic Planning Committee | Volunteer
Northern Clay Center, Minneapilos, MN
2012
Artist-in-Residence
Ceramics Department, Minnesota State University - Mankato, Mankato, MN
Guest Lecturer
Department of Art & Design, Winona State University, Winona, MN
2011
Lecturer & Demonstrator
Alexandria Area Arts Association, Alexandria, MN
McKnight Fellowship Artists’ Workshop
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Guest Lecturer
Senior Seminar, Art Department, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
Visiting Artist & Demonstrator
Minnesota Women’s Ceramic Association, Redwing, MN
Juror, Uptown Art Fair
Uptown Arts Association, Minneapolis, MN
2010
Guest Lecturer
Foundations Seminar
Art Department, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Judge
Annual Wisconsin High School Art Competition
Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI
2009
Discussion Group Leader
NCECA Philadelphia, Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
2008
Visiting Artist
Art Department, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
2007
Visiting Artist
Art Department, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
2006
Guest Critic
Post-baccalaureate, Art Dept., Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
2005
Art Educator Workshop Instructor
Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Artist-in-Residence
Art Department, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN
Guest Lecturer
Art Department, Senior Seminar, Bethel University, Saint Paul, MN
PROFESSIONALMEMBERSHIPS
National Council on the Education for Ceramic Arts
member, 2006-present
ATTENDED ANNUAL CONFERENCES 2004, 2006-PRESENT
Northern Clay Center
Minneapolis, MN
member, 2010-present
Minnesota Women Ceramic Artists; member, 2013
Member since 2009
Member since 2009
Skills
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Moodle & Blackboard
Google Sketchup
Technical drawing
Prototyping
Mold making
Slip Casting
Resin Casting
Ceramic Screen Printing
Ceramic image transfer
Ceramic mono printing
Glaze Formulation
Surface Decoration
Glaze troubleshooting
Wheel throwing
Figurative sculpture
Airbrush
Woodworking
Kiln Firing
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
Academic Technology Roundtable Committee
UNWSP
Fall 2015 - 2016
Vice President of Faculty Senate
UNWSP
Fall 2014 - 2016
Center for Teaching and Learning Planning Committee
UNWSP
Fall 2014 – present
Director of Office for Online Learning Search Committee
UNWSP
Fall 2014
Faculty Personnel Committee
UNWSP
Fall 2011- Spring 2014
Alpha Committee
UNWSP
Fall 2008-2013
CHARITABLE & VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
2012
Empty Bowls, Northwestern College, Site Project Organizer
Union Gospel Mission, St. Paul, MN
NCECA Student Critique Professional/Instructor, NCECA Conference, Seattle, WA
NCECA Philadelphia 2012 Annual Cup Fundraiser, Donating Artist, Seattle, WA
2011
Empty Bowls, Northwestern College, Site Project Organizer
Union Gospel Mission, St. Paul, MN
2010
Empty Bowls, Northwestern College, Site Project Organizer
Union Gospel Mission, St. Paul, MN
Cosmos in Chaos: a Charitable Art Auction for Haiti Relief, Donating Artist
Minneapolis, MN
NCECA Philadelphia 2010 Annual Cup Fundraiser, Donating Artist,
Philadelphia, PA
2009
Empty Bowls, Northwestern College, Site Project Organizer
Union Gospel Mission, St. Paul, MN
Monster Drawing Rally, Midway Contemporary Art Center, Artist
Minneapolis, MN
NCECA Phoenix 2009 Annual Cup Fundraiser, Donating Artist
Phoenix, AZ
2008
Monster Drawing Rally, Midway Contemporary Art Center, Artist
Minneapolis, MN
2007
Holiday Exhibition and Sale, Volunteer, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN