ARTIST BIO

Amanda Pennington (she/her) received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Western Kentucky University in May of 2016. Following graduation, she continued her education through attending numerous clay workshops at multiple craft schools.

Amanda is the co-founder and co-owner of Yellow Door Ceramics Studio, a community clay studio in Indianapolis, Indiana that offers One Night Classes and 8-Week Courses, as well as Membership to over 60 artists.

Amanda's pottery is inspired by mid-century modern design with her use of color theory, exposed surface, and line work.

When not at the studio, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and their son, watching him delight in the everyday objects we've all grown accustomed to. She also enjoys writing poetry, coloring in coloring books, organizing, and taking naps.

RESUMÉ

EDUCATION

BFA, Ceramics, Western Kentucky University (WKU), Bowling Green, KY.
Study Abroad Harlaxton College, Grantham, England, Spring 2013 through WKU

EXHIBITIONS

Last Call II, Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN. 2017.
U.S. Bank 2016 Celebration of the Arts, Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green, KY.
Student Juried Exhibition 2015, Juror: Kurt Gohde, University Galleries, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.
New Works, Ellis Walker Gallery, Bowling Green, KY. 2015.
Jam the Cube Group Exhibition and Auction, WKU Cube Gallery, Bowling Green, KY, 2015.
Student Juried Exhibition 2014, University Galleries, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.
World’s Greatest Studio Tour, Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green. KY, 2014.
Student Juried Exhibition 2011, University Galleries, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.

AWARDS AND GRANTS

Second Place Professional Ceramics and Glass, U.S. Bank 2016 Celebration of the Arts, Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green, KY.
Best Ceramics, Student Juried Exhibition 2015, Juror: Kurt Gohde, University Galleries, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.
Potter College Student Awards Ceremony, nominated as the 2015 Outstanding Student in Visual Arts, WKU Art Department.
WKU Regents Full Tuition Scholarship, Fall 2011 – Spring 2015.
Jack E. Lunt Art Department Merit Scholarship, WKU, Fall 2014.
World Topper Study Abroad Competitive Scholarship, WKU, Spring 2013.

ART RELATED EMPLOYMENT

Studio Owner

November 2021 - Present

Yellow Door Ceramics Studio - Indianapolis, IN

Studio Assistant
Fall 2017
Penland School of Crafts - Bakersville, NC

Assisted Kip O'Krongly in 8-Week Workshop

Educational Assistant
Summer and Fall 2016
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts - Gatlinburg, TN

Four and Six Week Work-Study Programs

Ceramic Technician
January 2016 to May 2016
WKU: Department of Art – Bowling Green, KY

Responsible for making class clay, mixing glazes, firing student work, and general cleaning

Clay Intern
Summer 2015
Tennessee Tech University: Appalachian Center for Craft - Smithville, TN

Assisted Bryce Brisco and Workshop Artists (Hiroe Hanazono and Pattie Chalmers)

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

WKU Ceramics Club, Co-President (Spring 2016); Secretary (Fall 2015); Member (Spring 2014–Spring 2016), Bowling Green, KY.
Objective Clay Booth Volunteer, NCECA, Kansas City, MI (2016); Providence, RI (2015).
Art Guild Club, Member, Fall 2015-Spring 2016.
Kappa Delta Sorority, Member, Fall 2011–Spring 2015.

WORKSHOPS

2017

Deb Schwartzkopf “Tricks of the Trade,” Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Kip O’Krongly “Diving Deep: Functional Earthenware,” Penland School of Crafts, Bakersville, NC.

2016

Melisa Cadell “Going for Bust,” Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Collette Fu “Demystifying the Pop-Up Book,” Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Dean Allison “Positives and Negatives: Casting Glass,” Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Sandy Blain “Handbuilding: Ideas and Techniques for Developing Forms and Surfaces,” Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Brian R. Jones “Parts and Wholes,” Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Mitch Yung Workshop attendee, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.

2015

Nicole Hand Printmaking Workshop, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.
Hiroe Hanazono “Designing Models and Moldmaking,” The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN.
Pattie Chalmers “Lotsa Layers: Decorating Clay Forms,” The Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN.

2014

Andrea Keys Connell Workshop attendee, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.
Justin Lambert Workshop attendee, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.
H.P Bloomer Workshop attendee, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.

2013

George McCauley Workshop attendee, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.
Sunshine Cobb Workshop attendee, WKU, Bowling Green, KY.