Status message

Your information has been submitted.

   Printer version

David Shaner

Biography to Display: 

1934Born Pottstown, Pennsylvania

2002Died Bigfork, Montana

EDUCATION

1956BS Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

UnknownMFA New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1963-1970Director, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, Montana

1970-2002Studio Potter

BIOGRAPHY

David Shaner’s functional or sculptural pieces are clearly rooted in the vessel tradition. The majority of his work is sturdy functional domestic pieces.

The work shows Shaner's mastery of the wheel and ability to choose the right firing technique be it a gas or a wood kiln. He was a master of combining clays and minerals to produce unique colors and combinations; "Shaner Red" is perhaps his best known color. His work reflects his deep connection to the natural world. 

An interview with David Shaner conducted June 18, 2001 by Gerry Williams, for the Archives of American Art's Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America is available at:
http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/interviews/oral-history-interview-david-shaner-13277.

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Public Collections to Display: 

Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

Americam Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, California

Arizona State University Art Museum, Tempe, Arizona

Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire

Hockaday Museum of Art, Kalispell, Montana

Holter Museum, Helena, Montana

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles, California

Missoula Art Museum, Missoula, Montana

Museum of Arts and Design, New York, New York

Scripps College, Claremont, California

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography to Display: 

Clark, Garth. American Ceramics 1876 to the Present. New York, NY: Abbeville Press Publishers, 1988.

Held, Peter, ed. Following the Rhythms of Life: The Ceramic Art of David Shaner. Tempe, AZ: Arizona State University Art Museum, 2008.

Held, Peter, Ken Ferguson and Jack Troy. David Shaner: a Potter's Work, 1963-1993. Salem Art Museum, 1993.

Levin, Elaine. The History of American Ceramics: From Pipkins and Bean Pots to Contemporary Forms. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, 1988.

 

 

 

Center for CraftCenter For Craft

 

 

AMOCA American Museum of Ceramic ArtAMOCA American Museum of Ceramic Art

 

Typical Marks
1966
1966
ca 1970
Shaner
Shaner
1970 - 1971
ca 1973-1976
Shaner
Shaner
1983
ca 1989-1991
ca 1995
Garden Slab
Date: 1966
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Hand-Built
Surface Technique: Glaze, Slip
Everson Museum of Art Collection, purchase prize given by Mayco Colors, 24th Ceramic National, 1966
Photo: John Polak
Everson Museum of Art Collection, purchase prize given by Mayco Colors, 24th Ceramic National, 1966
Photo: John Polak
Vessel
Date: 1969
Materials: Stoneware
Hieronymus
Hieronymus
Spherical Vase with Pulled Rim
Date: ca 1970
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown and Altered
Surface Technique: Glaze, Woodfire
E. John Bullard Collection
E. John Bullard Collection
Bowl and Lid
Date: 1970 - 1971
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Dimensions: W. 3.43 inches
American Museum of Ceramic Art, gift of The American Ceramic Society, 2004.2.208
Photo: TMP
American Museum of Ceramic Art, gift of The American Ceramic Society, 2004.2.208
Photo: TMP
1970 - 1971
Photo: TMP
Garden Slab
Date: ca 1970-1975
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Slab-Built
Dimensions: 4 x 14 x 13"
Surface Technique: Glaze
E. John Bullard Collection
E. John Bullard Collection
Covered Jar with Lugs
Date: ca 1973-1976
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown and Altered
Surface Technique: Glaze
E. John Bullard Collection
E. John Bullard Collection
Obelisk-Sculpture
Date: ca 1988
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Hand-Built
Dimensions: 21 x 6 x 8.5"
Surface Technique: Glaze, Incised
E. John Bullard Collection
E. John Bullard Collection
Teapot with Bamboo Handle
Date: ca 1980
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Dimensions: 11.75 x 8.25"
Surface Technique: Glaze
E. John Bullard Collection
E. John Bullard Collection
Vase
Date: 1983
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Dimensions: W. 0.52 x D. 10.7 inches
American Museum of Ceramic Art, gift of The American Ceramic Society, 2004.2.304
Photo: TMP
American Museum of Ceramic Art, gift of The American Ceramic Society, 2004.2.304
Photo: TMP
1983
Photo: TMP
Pillow Vase with Quatrefoil Opening
Date: ca 1989-1991
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Hand-Built
Surface Technique: Glaze
E. John Bullard Collection
E. John Bullard Collection
Canyon Platter
Date: ca 1995
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown and Altered
Surface Technique: Glaze
E. John Bullard Collection
E. John Bullard Collection
Teapot with Bamboo Handle
Form: Teapot
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze
Photo: Loren Maron
Photo: Loren Maron
Photo: Loren Maron
Bowl
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown and Altered
Surface Technique: Glaze
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Wood Fired Vessel
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Woodfire
Chip Clawson Collection
Photo: TMP
Chip Clawson Collection
Photo: TMP
Yumomi
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze
Chip Clawson Collection
Photo: TMP
Chip Clawson Collection
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Vase
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Woodfire
Chip Clawson Collection
Photo: TMP
Chip Clawson Collection
Bowl
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown and Altered
Surface Technique: Woodfire
Robert and Christel Harrison Collection
Photo: TMP
Robert and Christel Harrison Collection
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP

Citation: "The Marks Project." Last modified July 19, 2023. http://www.themarksproject.org/marks/shaner

TAGS

Archie Bray Foundation, Scripps College Ceramic Annual, Helena, Montana, American Museum of Ceramic Art, AMOCA, The American Ceramic Society , ACerS, Center for Craft , CfC