I EXPERIENCE ART, IN ITS MULTIPLE FORMS, AS THE UNIQUE EXPRESSION OF A SOCIETY’S SPIRIT: ART CAN BE AN AGENT OF DELIVERANCE AND CHANGE, IT CAN EXALT AND HEAL THE SPIRIT AND MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
Artist Statement
I’ve worked as both architect and artist for many years, so it might make sense that my dreams are filled with fanciful buildings and temples, and stories about what may have happened there. It feels natural to add human gestures to my temples…perhaps the tall straight way a person stands, the solidity of sitting in meditation, or a group of people in conversation.
My imagery is informed by many pilgrimages to Buddhist sites in Asia, where I find calm and connection to something greater than myself. I love the “smells and bells” of Buddhist temples, and I relive those moments of serenity and timelessness in my work.
I sketch and study the form in drawings before starting a ceramic piece. Sometimes I draw elevations, plans and sections so as to understand how to build the piece and how it will support itself during firing. I often make small models to study the form or full size templates to be used as a guide during construction. My favorite part is color. I use glazes, patinas, acrylic paint, sometimes handmade papers. No rules, just whatever seems true and fun.
Lin Holley
Education
1973
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Architecture and Design
1979-1981
Pratt Fine Arts Center (glass)
1984
Summer program at Pilchuck (glass)
1990-1992
Seattle University (Pastoral Studies)
2003
Summer program at Penland Art School, NC (clay; book-making)
2009-2011
Pratt Fine Arts Center (jewelry/metal; mixed media)
Awards
2015
Best of Show, Valise Gallery all island curated show
2014
Jurors’ choice award, Pratt Art Center metal/jewelry exhibition
2012
Juror’s Choice award, Washington Clay Arts / NCECA exhibition
2008
Second Place Award, Washington Clay Arts exhibition
2007
Honorable Mention, Washington Clay Arts exhibition
2000
First Place, Washington Clay Arts exhibition
1997
Critics’ Choice, Washington Clay Arts exhibition
Publications
“500 Prints on Clay”, featured artist, Lark books publication 2013
“500 Raku”, featured artist, Lark books publication 2012
Ceramics Monthly, Seattle Times, and Seattle Weekly
Selected Affiliations and Community Involvement
2017-present
Member WaterWorks collective, Vashon WA
2019-present
Vashon Island Visual Artists, VIVA, Board member
2016-present
Vashon Island Rotary
2014-2015
Education co-chair, Bellevue Art Museum
2009-2014
Art instructor, Catholic Community Services
2008-2012
Columbia City Gallery, artist member
2008-2013
U S Forest Service, Wilderness Ranger
2005-2007
Hand-building instructor, Pottery Northwest
2003-2011
Harborview Hospital Acquisition Board
2003-present
Northwest Designer Craftsmen, member
1998-present
Vashon Center for Art, artist member
1995-present
Cabrini Ministry, counselor
1994-1999
Hand-building instructor, Seward Park Art Studio
1994-2002
Seward Part Art Studio, V.P. Board of Directors
1994-present
WASSA Dance Group
1992-present
AIDS Ministry, Archdioceses of Western Washington, counselor
Selected Exhibitions
2020
Northwest Designer Craftsmen exhibit, CURRENTS 2020
Northwest Designer Craftsmen, Bellevue Art Museum
Vashon Island exhibit at Vashon Center for Art
2019
Bellevue College, Bellevue WA Invitational exhibition
WCA Teapot invitational, Bellingham WA
Valise Gallery invitational exhibition, Vashon WA
Columbia City Gallery invitational group exhibition, Seattle WA
2018
Seattle Convention Center, NWDC juried group exhibit
White Bird Gallery, Cannon Beach OR, juried exhibition
Bellevue College, Invitational exhibition
2017
Karla Matzke Gallery, Camano Island WA, invitational
Vashon Center for Art Miniature exhibit, invitational
Whatcom Museum, Bellingham WA, invitational
Schack Art Center, Everett WA, invitational
2016
Richland Allied Arts Juried Exhibition
Pottery Northwest 50th Anniversary Invitational Exhibit
2015
Valise Gallery all island curated show
Vashon Center for Art Miniature exhibit, invitational
2014
Northwest Designer Craftsmen, curated exhibition, Whatcom Museum, Bellingham WA, juried Exhibit
Pratt Art Center juried metal/jewelry exhibition
Northwest Designer Craftsmen juried show
Schack Art Center, Everett WA , juried exhibit
2012
Washington Clay Arts / NCECA exhibition, Juror’s Choice award
Columbia City Gallery, Featured Artist August/September
2011
Northwest Designer Craftsmen juried show, Chase Gallery, Spokane WA
Columbia City Gallery, Featured artist June/July
2010
Columbia City Gallery, Featured artist June/July
2009
C Gallery, Seattle WA, Featured Artist April/May
2008
Harborview Hospital acquisition, permanent collection exhibition
Northwest Designer Craftsmen juried show, Museo Gallery Langley WA, invitational
2006
Sanbao Gallery Invitational, Jingdezhen China, permanent collection
2004-2010
Silverwood Gallery Annual Invitationals, Vashon WA
1996-2008
Washington Clay Arts Association annual juried exhibitions
2007
Artstop Gallery invitational, Tacoma WA
2001-2006
Bainbridge Arts & Crafts, invitational shows
2006
Pottery Northwest Invitational at Northwest Craft Center
Commissioned artist, Vashon Allied Arts annual auction
2005
Silverwood Gallery, featured artist, August
2004
Silverwood Gallery, featured artist, August
2001
Vashon Allied Arts, Blue Heron Gallery 2-person show
1994, ‘95, ‘96
Bellevue Art Museum, Pacific Northwest Annual Juried Exhibits
1994
Richland Allied Arts, invitational show
1994-1999
White Bird Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR, Invitational
1990
Janet Huston Gallery, La Conner, WA. Teapot Invitational
White Bird Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR 20th Anniversary Invitational
1989
White Bird Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR Group show
Clay Occasion Gallery, Seattle, WA One-person show