Margaret Bohls

EDUCATION

1986–1987 Coursework in Art Theory & Philosophy, Honors Program, University of Maine, Orono, Maine

1989 BFA Ceramics, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island

1995 MFA Ceramics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

RESIDENCIES

1990-1992 Artist in Residence, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, Montana

2000Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Artists Invite Artists Program, Newcastle, Maine

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1994 Adjunct Faculty, Newcomb Art Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana

1995-1998 Assistant Professor of Ceramics, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas

1998 Summer Term Faculty, Sam Houston State University, Puebla Field School, Puebla, Mexico

1998–2010Assistant Professor of Ceramics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2005 Visiting Faculty – Ceramics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania

2005–2011 Ceramics Faculty, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2006 Visiting Faculty – Ceramics, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

2008 Summer Visiting Faculty – Ceramics, NSCAD University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Spring 2011 Ceramics Faculty, Anoka Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids, Minnesota

2011– Assistant Professor of Ceramics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska

BIOGRAPHY 

Margaret Bohls in known for two distinct bodies of work: Diagonal Grid Ware and Black/ White functional Ware. Each body of work is created using soft porcelain slabs that are strategically cut and assembled into three dimensional vessels. Bohls fires her work in an electric kiln (2,300F) to complete glazing.

Bohls’ Diagonal Grid Ware begins with soft slabs that are pressed into low-relief plaster molds with varying patterns. Using molds allows Bohls to develop undulating walls in the finished work. To complete the surface of pieces in this body of work, Leaf and floral sprigs (applied molded or cutout motifs) are added at the leather hard stage. Bohls’ Diagonal Grid Ware are then glazed giving it the appearance of semitransparent mottled hues.

Black and White Ware is constructed, much in the same way as Diagonal Grid Ware, using slabs of soft clay which is folded, cut and assembled by hand. In the case of the Black and White ware, the low-relief plaster molds are not used.  The surface decoration is strictly limited to either black or white satin glazes that highlight the seams, folds and surface subtleties of the slab construction method used.