The Dictionary of American Ceramics, 1945 onward
Dictionary of American Ceramics, 1945 onward
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Gwen Heffner
EDUCATION
—BA Printmaking and Ceramics, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
—MA Ceramics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE
—Studio Potter
1983—Arts Consultant
1992-2003Owner, Contemporary Artifacts Gallery, Berea, Kentucky
1998—Independent Curator
2003—Information Specialist-Curator, Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, Berea, Kentucky
BIOGRAPHY
Gwen Heffner is known for wheel-thrown and altered porcelain that is finished with an overall glaze color. Some of her pieces are cast, others feature low relief imagery that references her training as an engraver.
Her work is influenced by the Asian ceramics tradition. Heffner studied printmaking and ceramics at Luther College before entering graduate school at the University of Louisville, where she studied ceramics with Tom Marsh.
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, Alfred University, Alfred, New York
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, California
Appalachian Regional Commission Offices, Washington, DC
Ceramics Monthly Permanent Collection, Westerville, Ohio
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, Ohio
Southern Highland Craft Guild, Asheville, North Carolina
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Beyond Southern Belles.” American Style (2001).
“Blue Ribbon Crafts in Bluegrass Country.” American Style (1998).
Feature on Kentucky potters, Studio Potter (July 1987).
Fina, Angela and Jonathan Fairbanks. The Best of Pottery. Rockport, MA: Quarry Books, 1996.
Gustin, Chris and Jonathan Fairbanks. The Contemporary Potter: A Collection of the Best Original Work in Earthenware, Porcelain, and Stoneware. Rockport Publishers, 2000.
“Gwen Heffner.” American Craft (1999).
“Gwen Heffner-Retrospective Review Ceramics Monthly (1998).
“Gwen Heffner.” Ceramics Monthly (1995).
“Gwen Heffner-Gallery Review.” American Craft (1995).
“Gwen Heffner’s Porcelain.” Ceramics Monthly (1995).
“Gwen Heffner: New Works.” American Craft (1994).
Hluch, Kevin A. The Art of American Contemporary Pottery. Iola, WI: Krause Publications. 2000.
Hopper, Robin. The Ceramic Spectrum. Radnor, PA: Chilton Book Co. 2008.
___________. Functional Pottery: Form and Aesthetic in Pots of Purpose. Radnor, PA: Chilton Book co. 2000.
Hunt, Bill. 21st Century Ceramics in the United States & Canada. Westerville, OH: The American Ceramic Society, 2003.
Lane, Peter. Contemporary Porcelain. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1995.
“Wood and Salt Fired Ceramics.” Ceramics Monthly (2001).
 | Southern Highland Craft Guild |
 | Center For Craft |
 | AMOCA American Museum of Ceramic Art |
Citation: "The Marks Project." Last modified May 23, 2023. http://www.themarksproject.org/marks/heffner
