James Schwarz: Artist
Curriculum Vitae
Teaching Artist- Edna Vihel Arts Center: May 2021 - Present
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Virtual and in person teaching
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Wheel throwing and Handbuilding Beginner-Advanced
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Children, Teen, and Adult Classes
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Focus on student goals and growth in an energetic and safe environment
Guest Teaching Artist- Kyrene de los Niños Elementary School: December 2023
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Brief history of ceramics from around the world
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Guided creation of pinch pot “monster” projects
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~75 students spread across three classes
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Education of primary art instructor on ceramic techniques and kiln operation.
Guest Teaching Artist- Kyrene Middle School: April 2023
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Guided creation and glazing of ceramic totems
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Brief history of ceramics and the origin of totems
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~50 students spread over two classes
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Wheel throwing and hand-building demos
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Education of primary art instructor on ceramic techniques and kiln operation.
Guest Artist- one•n•ten: January 2024
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Two day workshop for evening LGBTQ youth program
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Use of air dry clay and acrylic paints to make music shaker sculptures
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Pinch pot and hollow form ceramic techniques
Instructor and Technician- Shemer Arts Center: January 2021 - May 2022
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Beginning and advanced wheel throwing classes
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Loading kilns 2-3 times a week
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Organizing studio equipment and glazes
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Emptying and replacing clay traps as needed
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Mixing studio glazes
Instructor- Shemer Arts Center Summer Children’s Day Camp: July 2022
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Four separate weeklong camps for ages 6-13
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Focus on 2-3 projects per week covering hand building techniques and ceramic history
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Four hour and a half classes per day covering different age ranges
Art Instructor- City of Tempe Community Art Events: September 2023-Present
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Set up, teaching, and load out of free pop up art activities
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Working alongside other teaching artists from multiple disciplines on short twenty minute projects that participants can take home.
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Projects include: cyanotype, block printing, clay sculpture, etc.
Organizer- Yardt Sale (yard sale but for art): November 2023
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Coordinated a group art sale featuring 11 artists at a personal residence spaced out between the front and backyards
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All participants were specifically involved in art education in some capacity
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A no cost low commitment sale to provide easy entry and experience in doing table sales
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Profits per artist ranged from $50-500
Owner/Operator - JSA Kiln Services LLC
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Diagnosis and repair of ceramic and glass kilns
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Computer controlled and manual electric
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Updraft, downdraft, raku
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Personal, commercial, industrial
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Brick repair/replacement
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Element Replacement
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Control box repair
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Refurbishing neglected kilns for resale
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Insured with 9+ years experience
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Client list includes..
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Local Businesses: Meltdown Glass, Lafayette Avenue Ceramics, Cattle Track Pottery
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Education Facilities: Paradise Valley Community College, Tempe Unified High School District, Phoenix Unified School District, Scottsdale Unified School District, Kyrene Unified School District,
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Local Artists: Sandy Laurson, Jane-Kelsey Maple, Susan Biner, Kurt Weiser, Joan Barron
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Facilities specialist IV (Ceramics Studio Manager)- Arizona State University: August 2022-April 2023
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Coordinating supplies and equipment for ASU Ceramics at Tempe campus and Grant Street Studios
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Tracking inventory, budget, and allocation of supplies between two studios
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Bringing studios up to OSHA compliance including production of SDS documents
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Monitoring open studio sessions
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Coordinating with professors on needs for various classes
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Operating school vehicles for pickups of orders and donations
Ceramics Technician- Edna Vihel Arts Center: May 2021- May 2022
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Loading kilns 2-3 times a week
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Firing downdraft gas kilns 1 time monthly
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Emptying and replacing sink clay traps as needed
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Mixing studio glazes
Studio Manager - Mesa Community College Ceramics: October 2015- October 2019
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Load, empty, and fire electric and gas kilns four to eight times a week
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Complete weekly budget, inventory, work order placement, and purchase orders of chemicals and equipment
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Repair and maintain studio equipment including gas and electric kilns, wheels, slab rollers, extruders, pug mills, ball mills, and mixers
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Coordinate open studio hours; assign assistant duties for open studio hours
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Clean tables, sinks, and potters wheels after classes; mix glazes; mix slips
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Formulate new glazes for class and student use
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Work with instructors to fulfill the needs of students; help organize and facilitate student learning events; other duties as assigned
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Keep accurate and updated Safety Data Sheets
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Yearly waste disposal and surplusing of old equipment
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Makerspace monitoring, maintenance, and education
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Vinyl cutter, laser cutter, 3D printer, 3D scanner, 3d modeling software
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Assistant Studio Technician - Mesa Community College Ceramics: August 2015-October 2015
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Observe open studio hours providing safety and support for students
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Clean tables, sinks, and potters wheels after classes; mix glazes; mix slips
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Load and empty kilns two to three times a week