BIOGRAPHY
Kristyn Rohrer (they/she) is a ceramic sculptor and sociological researcher born in Lancaster, PA. Through ceramic process, design, and storytelling, Kristyn's current body of work explores their Pennsylvania Dutch heritage and identity. During the making process, Kristyn utilizes cake decorating techniques they learned working at their mom’s bakery and draws inspiration from their grandmothers' quilting patterns and craft practices. 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 a current studio member of the Nampara Arts Cooperative in Morgantown, West Virginia, and works in the international development sector writing proposals for global USAID programs.
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
May 2022 - current
Studio Member
Nampara Arts Cooperative
Morgantown, WV
Developing personal ceramic studio practice and providing collaborative studio upkeep. Participating in community sales and annual Mo'town Studio Tour.
August 2019 - Current
Associate Manager,
Business Developement
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.