woodfiring - biography

KENTON BAKER

EDUCATION:

1977
    Eastern Nazarene College
    Bachelor of Science
    Concentration in Microbiology and Chemistry

EXHIBITIONS:

2006
   Two Person Show: Chester Springs Studio, Chester Springs Gallery
    Kenton Baker, Beverly Fisher

    International Woodfire Conference, Flagstaff, AZ
    Invitational show: artists inviting artists

   Two Person Show: St. Joseph's University : Philadelphia , PA
   Kenton Baker and Beverly Fisher "New Work" University Gallery - Borland Hall
   October 2-31 2006 opening October 20th 6-8pm   610-660-1840

   Down To Earth: Functional Pottery. West Chester, PA

   Dick Lehman Benefit - Extending Hands: A Show Of Support
   Dick Lehman Studio, Goshen , IN

   First Biennial Concordia Continental Ceramics Competition. Concordia Gallery,
   Concordia University, St. Paul MN.

2005
   Two Person Show: Mulberry Street Art Gallery. Lancaster, PA

   Endless Variations: Shino 2005: NCECA 2005. Invitational. The Baltimore clay Works, Baltimore,
    MD. Curator: Malcolm Davis.

   In Flux : The Tatum Arts Center, Hood College, Frederick MD. Juror Jack Troy.
   Show is in conjunction with NCECA 2005,

   Clay Cup X: University Museum, Southern Illinois University. National. Juror: Virginia Scotchie

   2005 Westmoreland Arts Nationals: Latrobe, PA.

   Art of the State: Pennsylania 2005: The State Museum, Harrisburg, PA
   Juror: Robin Cass, Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Crafts.

   Pots: Objects of Virtue: National. The Bedford Gallery, Dean Lesher Center for the
   Arts. Walnut Creek CA. Juror: Mark Pharis.

   Arts Alive: National. Kennedy -Douglass Center for the Arts. Florence AL. Jurors: Carol
   Thompson, High Museum of Art and Steve Cole, Birmingham Southern College.

   48th Annual National Juried Art Exhibition: Rocky Mount Arts Center, Rocky Mount, NC.
   Juror: George Hemphill, Hemphill Fine Arts Gallery, Washington DC.

2004
   The Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Awards. International. Queensland, Australia.
   Gold Coast Ceramic Art Centre, Australia.

   The Belskie Museum of Art and Science: Closter, NJ. Invitational. Group show.

   Visions in Clay 2004: National. The Reynolds Gallery, University of the Pacific,
   Stockton, CA. Juror: Robert Brady.

   Gems from the Fire: International. Iowa Hall Gallery, Kirkwood, IA. Juror: Chuck Hindes,
   Gerry Eskin. This show is in conjunction with the International Wood Fire Conference in
   Cedar Rapids, IA.

   Ceramic Overload: Invitational. Kevin Lehman Studio's. Lancaster, PA.

   Ceramics Today: Online Gallery. International. Juror: Steve Goldate.

2003
    Faculty Exhibition: Chester Springs Studio, Chester Springs, PA.

2002
    Cup: The Intimate Object: International. Charlie Cummings Clay Studio.
    Fort Wayne, IN. Juror: Dick Lehman.

   Chado/Ikebana: A Contemporary Survey: International. Kirkland Arts Center,
   Kirkland, WA. Jurors: The Urasenke Foundation, Ikebana International and Rob Fornell.

   40th Annual Open Art Award Exhibit: Regional. Lancaster Museum of Art,
   Lancaster, PA. Juror: Dan Mills, Director of the Samek Gallery, Bucknell University.

2001
   Chester Springs Holiday Exhibition. Regional. Chester Springs Studio, Chester
   Springs, PA.

2000
   Fly Ash and Comet Tails: Contemporary Practice in Wood Fired Ceramics:
   Invitational. Lancaster, PA. Curator: Caroline Henderson.

   Pacific Tides: The Asian Influence in Contemporary Ceramics: Invitational.
    Lancaster, PA. Curator: Caroline Henderson.

   38th Annual Open Art Award Exhibition: Regional. Lancaster Museum of Art.
   Juror: George Chang, Walters Art Gallery.

KILN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

2006
   Bob and Paula Winokur Kiln, Philadelphia, PA
   Design, consultation and construction of a gas car kiln

   Gabe Keller Kiln, NJ
   Design and consultation with construction beginning in 2007

   Hooly Thin Kiln (NZ)
   Consultation on design considerations

   CAARI: Cyprus: Design and consultation for small updraft kiln construction

   The Wallingford Potters Guild
   Partial re-design and re-construction of a 4 burner gas down draft kiln.

   Cyprus: design and construction consultation for a small updraft kiln as part of a Fulbright
   awarded to Polly Tessler.

2003-2004
   Harel Charnis: Hadera Israel.
   Designed a small downdraft gas/wood burning kiln.

   Krister Nilsson: Simrishamn, Sweden.
   Designed a small fast firing hybrid anagama kiln.

   Gill Mallinckrodt: Kirkwood, PA.
   Designed a small downdraft gas/wood burning kiln.

   Jasper Brinton Kiln: Philadelphia , PA.
   Provided design and construction services to redesign and replace the firebox on a two chamber
   catenary arch kiln made of solid castable. Install new 8 foot anagma hybrid firebox made with
   hard brick and incorporate into the solid kiln structure.

   Temple University, Tyler School of Art: Elkins Park, PA.
   Contracted to remove and rebuild hard brick gas forge for the Sculpture Department.

   Phoebe Wiley Kiln: Lambertville, PA.
   Provide design and construction services for a new single chamber, catenary arch kiln with a
   small step grate firebox.

2002
   Jack Troy: Huntingdon, PA.
   Provided consultation for the Juniata College Anagama kiln.

   Gill Mallinckrodt: Kirkwood, PA.
   Designed and constructed a hybrid anagama kiln with a step grate system.

   Tony Moore Kiln: Cold Spring, NY.
   Provided the design, consultation and some construction services for a single chamber catenary
   arch kiln with a hybrid anagama type firebox using a step grate system.

2000
   Perkins Center for the Arts: Moorestown, NJ.
   Designed and helped build the South Jersey Kiln. This is a two chamber catenary arch kiln with
   a hybrid anagama style firebox using a step grate system.

PUBLICATIONS

2004
    Ceramics Technical (Australia) No. 18. Author: "A new Step-Grate Fire Box for the Kirkwood
    Anagama".

2003
    Ceramics Technical (Australia) No. 16. Article reference: "Passionate Fire" by Tony Moore.

1979
    American Federation for Clinical Research: Co-Author: "Hypophysectomy in Experimental
    Arteriosclerosis: Acceleration of Endothelial Regrowth". M. Bettmann, M. Stemerman, R. Ransil
    and K. Baker, Harvard Medical School, Department of Medicine, Boston MA.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

1996-present
    Wood Firing Instructor: Chester Springs Studio. Chester Springs, PA

2001-present
    Wood Firing Instructor: The Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ.

2000
    Ceramics Instructor: Chester Springs Studio, Chester Springs, PA.

1981-1983
    Assistant Professor: Eastern Nazarene College, Department of Computer Science.

WORK RELATED EXPERIENCE

1996- Present
              Wood Firing Consultant: Hired by artists and organizations to direct the wood firing of their
              work in preparation for exhibition.

1999
              Workshop Assistant: Touchstone Center for the Crafts, Farmington, PA.
              Worked at Willi Singletons request to help with the wood firing during his workshop.

1996-2001
              Workshop Assistant: Chester Springs Studio, Chester Springs, PA.
              Assisted artists with wood firing during workshops given. Artists included Janet Mansfield,
              Paul Chaleff, Ken Bichell and others.

1994-1996
              Ceramic Technician: Chester Springs Studio, Chester Springs, PA.
              Duties included all aspects of studio management and equipment maintenance. Fire and repair
              electric and gas kilns as well as provide classroom assistance as needed.

REFERENCES:       Available upon request.