BIOGRAPHY
@kar.ceramics
Kristyn Rohrer (they/she) is a ceramic sculptor born in Lancaster, PA whose work intertwines storytelling with their Mennonite upbringing. Kristyn brings a contemporary twist to the traditional themes of Pennsylvania Dutch culture, making their art a captivating exploration of identity and heritage. During the making process, Kristyn utilizes cake decorating techniques they learned working in their mom’s bakery and draws inspiration from their grandmothers' quilting and embroidery. Kristyn received a B.A. in Sociology with minors in Ceramics and German from Kutztown University in 2018, and completed a Ceramic Arts post baccalaureate program at West Virginia University in 2022. Kristyn is Long Term Resident Artist at Baltimore Clayworks and the 2024-2025 Lormina Salter Fellow.
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Education
2020-2022
Post-Baccalaureate Ceramic Arts
West Virginia University
Studied glaze chemistry, figure sculpture, ceramic art history, and graduate level studio ceramics under professors Shoji Satake and Boomer Moore.
2015-2018
B.A. Sociology
Minors: Ceramic Art, German
Kutztown University
Graduated Magna Cum Laude in Sociology with a concentration in Diversity and Inequality. One of two class of 2019 recipients of the Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award Gold Medal- dually nominated by university faculty for Sociological Research and Fine Art. Completed capstone research in the Islamic Republic of Iran on interfaith dialogue.
Experience
September 2024 - Present
Long Term Resident Artist
Lormina Salter Fellow (2024-2025)
Baltimore Clayworks
Baltimore, MD
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Creating and exhibiting ceramic artworks in solo and group shows, contributing to the Baltimore arts community. Teaching classes and workshops at the Clayworks and working as a Gallery Associate
May 2022 - May 2024
Resident Artist
Nampara Arts Cooperative
Morgantown, WV
Developed personal ceramic studio practice and provided collaborative studio upkeep. Participated in community sales and annual Mo'town Studio Tour.
August 2019 - Current
Business Development Specialist
DAI Global, LLC
Bethesda, MD (remote)
Managing teams of technical and operational experts to design and respond to USAID requests for proposals for multimillion dollar governance, civil society capacity building, gender based violence prevention and stability sector programs around the world.
March - July 2020
Resident Artist
ANG Pottery
Baltimore, MD
Developed personal studio practice and provided studio technical support in firing bisque and glaze kilns.
January - July 2019
Studio Assistant
The Clay Studio
Philadelphia, PA
Acted as a one-on-one wheel throwing teaching assistant to visually impaired student. Taught throwing and handbuilding techniques during community member and youth events. Assisted in kiln loading, glaze mixing, and general studio upkeep.
January - July 2019
Glaze Research Assistant
Artist - gwendolyn yoppolo
Kutztown, PA
Conducted glaze research on raw materials and color development under artist gwendolyn yoppolo. Initiated new glaze tests using Silica-Alumina ratios and rare earth oxides.
January - July 2019
Resident Artist
Kutztown University College of Visual & Performing Arts
Taught ceramic workshops on figure sculpture and flower making for university students and community members. Developed personal studio practice.