deborah fagan carpenter

Artist's Statement

The opportunity and ability to make art is the gift the universe has given me and I believe it is my obligation to create the work as a thankful response for that gift. The creative path has often been more difficult and frightening than I could have ever imagined, but at the same time has been enormously revealing, nourishing and healing. It has helped me begin to overcome the thought processes of many years and to arrive at an acceptance of myself, which includes all of the contradictions and imperfections. I've learned that when I trust my own instincts, because it is a reflection of where I honestly am now, the work has an authenticity that it wouldn't have otherwise. Making art is essential to my well being and to not create on some level would be to give up entirely.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts
          Mississippi University of Women, Columbus, MS

1971

Ceramic Workshop  (Dale Baucum)
             Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN

1992

Porcelain Workshop  (Sandy Simon)
          Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN

1993

Sculpture Workshop  (Nancy Shepherd)
          University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

1995

Hand Building Seminar  (Ruth Duckworth)
          University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

1995

Paul Soldner Workshop
          Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN

1996

Ancient Clay  (Vince Pitelka)
          Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN

1996

Raku Seminar  (Jerry Ingram)
          Collierville, TN

1997

Teaching Experience

Adult Ceramic Classes, Ewing Children’s Theater
          Memphis, TN

1993 - 2003

Adult Ceramic Classes, (Memphis College of Art Outreach)
          Memphis Jewish Community Center

1998 – 1999

Frazier Family Respite Program, (Children with Special Needs)
          Children’s Theater, Memphis, TN

Exhibitions

WKNO Arts & Antiques Auction, Memphis, TN
          Honorable Mention Award 1994 & 1999
          3^rd Place in Hanging Art 2003

1994 - 2003

Memphis Potter’s Guild Annual Spring Show

1994 – 2000

Memphis Potter’s Guild Annual Holiday Show

1994 – 2000

Memphis Association of Craft Artists Annual Juried Show
          Theater Memphis

1996 – 1997

Playhouse on the Square Annual Art Auction
          Memphis, TN (group show)

1995
2003

“Ancient & Modern Pottery of the Mid-South”
          Chucalissa Archaeological Museum, Memphis, TN (group show)

1996

“Empty Bowls,”   Memphis Botanic Garden
          Memphis, TN (group show)

1997

“Figure of a Woman,”  (solo show)  (paintings & sculpture)
          Studio 4881, Memphis, TN 

1998

“Mediterranean Moods,”  (solo show)   Studio 4881
          Memphis, TN 

1999

Memphis/Germantown Art League 5^th Annual Juried Show
          Memphis, TN

2000

Fayette County Cotton Festival Juried Art Show
          Somerville, TN

2000

Fleming Associates, Architects, (solo show)
          Memphis, TN

2000

Crew Training International,  (solo show)

1999-2000

“Rural Route,” Group Holiday Show, Studio 4881
          Memphis, TN 

2000

Artist’s Link Spring Exhibition, Memphis Botanic Garden
          Memphis, TN

2001

“Rural Route II,”  Group Holiday Show, Studio 4881
         Memphis, TN

2001

“In Symphony with Nature,” (group show)
          Lakeland, TN

2002

“Visions,”  Juried show, Fogelman Executive Center
          University of  Memphis

2002

“Artists’ Response: 9-11,” Juried Show  Christian Brothers University
          Memphis, TN (group show)

2002

“Gallery Opening,”  (solo show)  Gallery 32
          Germantown, TN

2002

“Rural Route III,”  Group Holiday Show, Studio 4881
          Memphis, TN

2002

“Echoes of Spring,”  (2 person show), Gallery 32
          Germantown, TN

2003

Lambuth University,   (solo show)
          Jackson, TN

2003

“Rural Route IV,”   Holiday Group Show, Studio 4881
          Memphis, TN

2003

Gallery Affiliations

American Artisans, Nashville, TN

1994-95

Bennett Gallery, Knoxville, TN

1994-95

Madison Avenue Gallery, Memphis, TN

1994-97

Burke Street Gallery, McComb, MS

1998-03

Mid Town Gallery, Nashville, TN

1999-00

Studio 4881, Memphis, TN

1998--

Rivertown Gallery, Memphis, TN

2001

Gallery 32, Germantown, TN

2002--

Organizations

Memphis Potters’ Guild

1994-2000

Memphis Potters’ Guild Publicity Chairman

1995---2006

Memphis Association of Craft Artists

1994-2000

Tennessee Association of Craft Artists

1994-2000

Friends of the Appalachian Center for Crafts of Tennessee

1996-2000

American Craft Council

1995-2000

Tennessee Art League

1998-2000

Artist’s Link

2000---