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Misty Gamble

West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

OFAI Instructor - Ceramics: Focus on the Face, October 20-23, 2022

Misty Gamble’s work is inspired by the human figure and its infinite capacity for communication. This makes sense given that, as a child, Misty was immersed in her father’s world of puppetry and the performing arts. Traveling to many parts of the world as a young girl and later as an adult has also made an indelible impact on her life and work. In 1998, Misty was invited to be the first American to perform in Iran (since 1979) at the 7th International Puppet Festival in Tehran.

Gamble’s current work, life-size ceramic figurative sculptures and installations of multiple figurative fragments, focuses attention on issues surrounding femininity and challenges conventional standards of morality, normalcy and propriety.

Misty is the recipient of a number of awards, grants and fellowships from the National Conference for the Education of Ceramic Arts, the Ellice T. Johnston Foundation, Ruth Chenven Foundation, Martin Wong Foundation, Marin Community Foundation, Windgate Foundation, Howard Kottler Fellowship, Byrdcliffe Fellowship, Ansley Park Fellowship, Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist Award, KCAI Faculty Development Grant and Lighton International Artists’ Exchange Program Grant.

Misty has been awarded long-term residencies and fellowships at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, New Harmony Clay Project and the Armory Art Center and short-term residencies as an invited artist at Watershed, Project Art, C.R.E.T.A Rome, SACI Florence, Woodstock Byrdcliffe, Hambidge Center for Arts and Sciences, Buffalo Creek Art Center, Rowan University, Wildacres, and Vermont Studio Center.

Gamble is the co-founder of Studio Nong: International Sculpture Collective and Residency Program. Studio Nong travels to China (2013, 2016), and the US (2015) to accomplish residencies that focus on clay figurative sculpture. Misty was a full time Assistant Professor at the Kansas City Art Institute for nearly a decade and has taught throughout Italy. Currently, she is 3D area head and Assistant Professor of Art at West Texas A&M University. She exhibits her work both nationally and internationally.

When and how did you get started in your art form?

As a young girl working in my dad's puppet studio.

When did you know you wanted to pursue it professionally?

In 2006, I was awarded the graduate student award for excellence at the National Council for the Education of Ceramic Arts Conference and decided I would follow this career path.

Indulgence and Succulence, 2013

What are some of your favorite aspects about your art form?

The process-oriented, studio-based, hands-on, learn-by-doing aspect of ceramics. It is endless and I'm always learning and growing.

Who/what are some of your biggest artistic inspirations?

My dad who was a maker and performer of puppetry, my mentors, and artist friends and musicians, and the animals.

Forevermore, 2016

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of your work?

Being an educator and animal activist, plant-based cooking, vegan advocacy, yoga, bike riding, interior design, road trips, hot springs, roller skating, watsu.

What knowledge or skills do you hope your students/participants walk away with?

Proportion, ceramic knowledge, handling of clay medium, figure studies.

Nelly Has Scissors, 2007