David Tipton

David Tipton earned his B.F.A. in ceramics from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, IL and his M.F.A. from Ohio University, Athens, OH. He studied further at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Island, Maine, and the Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina. From 1981-88, he worked with the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, first in their apprenticeship program and then as a tile maker and artisan. He has participated in exhibitions at the Del Bello Gallery, Toronto, Canada; the Wichita Art Association, Wichita, Kansas; and the Port of History Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, he curated a group exhibit of works by artists of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works. David’s work is primarily figurative and often reflects his interest in fantasy, mystery, and multiple layers of meaning. During his Arts/Industry residency, he completed a series of figures which were colorful characterizations playfully exaggerated, each emphasizing a humorous trait. He also created two sets of psychic jugglers who communicate unusual thoughts to each other. During his residency, David taught workshops and gave lectures to several school groups which he believes gave him invaluable experience for the pursuit of artist-in-the-schools positions.