jeff martens
EDUCATION
Briercrest College
Caronport, SK
1993-96, 2000
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
Prince Albert, SK
1999
Studied Ceramics under Charley Ferraro and Sandra Ledingham
Attended ceramic related workshops:
2009 Robin Hopper Workshop hosted by the Moose Jaw Art Gallery
2008 Medalta International Artists in Residence in Medicine Hat, Alberta
2007 Jack Sures Workshop hosted by the Regina and Area Pottery Guild
2007 Anita Rocamora Workshop hosted by the Moose Jaw Pottery Club
2005 Prairie Fire
Fire Master: Dee Funk
2005 Synergy in Clay
Instructors: Zach Dietrich, Wendy Parsons, Rob Froese
2004 Multiples and Manipulation
Instructor: Martin Tagseth
2003 Bruce Cochrane Workshop hosted by Saskatoon Potter's Guild
2002 Mel Bolen Workshop at Bruno, SK
EXPERIENCE
Potter
RJM Pottery (Personal Studio)
Caronport, SK
2001- present
Creating ceramic objects
Marketing work through galleries, gift shops and craft shows
Organizing production schedules and time for commission work
Performing record keeping of finances and inventory of completed work and raw materials for creating new work
Board Member
Saskatchewan Craft Council
2005 – 2008
Providing direction for the Saskatchewan Craft Council
Studio Assistant
New School Pottery - Jeff Taylor
2000
Duval, SK
Studio cleanup, mixing glazes, loading and firing kilns
PROFESSIONAL AND ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Awarded a Visual Arts Individual Assistance Creative C Grant from the Saskatchewan Arts Board
2003-present Juried member of the Saskatchewan Craft Council
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2011 Craft Currents: Contemporary Craft in Northern Ontario
2011 Handy: An Exhibition of Functional Craft
2008 Saskatchewan Flame - Wood-fired Clay Exhibition
2007 Spafford Collection – Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery
2007 Power of 10 - Saskterra Group Exhibition
2006 Dimensions - Saskatchewan Craft Council Juried Exhibition
2005 Synergy in Clay - Moose Jaw Cultural Center Gallery, Moose Jaw, SK
2005 In the Round - Saskterra Traveling Group Exhibition
PAST AND CURRENT GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Ontario Craft Council - The Guild Shop, Toronto, ON
West Parry Sound District Museum, Parry Sound, ON
Artists Round the Sound Gallery, Parry Sound, ON
Mackenzie Gallery Shop, Regina, SK
Traditions Handcraft Gallery, Regina, SK
Yvette Moore Gallery, Moose Jaw, SK
Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, Moose Jaw, SK
Handmade House, Saskatoon, SK
PAST AND CURRENT CRAFT SHOWS
Fine Art & Craft Festival, Burlington, ON
Fairy Lake Artisans Festival, Newmarket, ON
Art in the Park, Parry Sound, ON
Haliburton Art & Craft Festival, Haliburton, ON
Dockside Festival, Bracebridge, ON
Cabbagetown Art and Crafts Sale, Toronto, ON
The Moose Show, Toronto, ON
Bazaart, Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina, SK
Wintergreen Fine Craft Market, Saskatchewan Craft Council, Regina, SK
Cathedral Village Arts Festival, Regina, SK
Artisans Fine Craft Market, Saskatoon, SK
Waterfront Craft Art Festival, Saskatoon, SK
Park Art, Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery, Moose Jaw, SK
Briercrest Christmas Craft Show, Caronport, SK
MEDIA REPRESENTATION
Television, Corner Gas, Episode “Shirt Disturber”
Theatre, “The Keeper” Written by Tim Hildebrand
Jeff Martens was first introduced to clay during his days as a student at Caronport Highschool in Caronport, SK - beginning his over fifteen years of involvement.
“Art for everday use” is what Jeff strives to achieve with the functional pottery that he creates. His pots are purposefully simple. Honesty and generosity are the qualities that Jeff hopes people find in his pots and in him.
“At first it was about making pots to sell, and then I realized that the pots are incidental in the process of improving as a potter and as a person.”
Jeff lives and works in Parry Sound, ON.