EXUBERANT
WISDOM

ARTIST
SPOTLIGHT

Learn more about Anna V. Freeman in our latest Artist Spotlight video, then schedule your visit to see these works in person.

ANIMATED
SHORTS

• ‘Greek Pottery’ by Molly Bishop and Richard Nickel

• ‘David Drake Potter and Poet’ for The Studio Potter by Richard Nickel

• ‘Eva Zeisel’ for The Studio Potter by Richard Nickel

• ‘Men Are Burglars’ by Richard Nickel

• ‘Keep Growing’ by Richard Nickel

• ‘Spirit of the Vessel’ by Richard Nickel, music by Eric Godsey

• ‘Staying Inside’ by Richard Nickel

• ‘Drink Little Flower’ by Richard Nickel, music by Tom Mancine

• ‘Cut Flowers’ by Richard Nickel

• ‘Magic Dirt!’ by Nickel Family Jingle Company

• ‘CATBOT!’ by Richard Nickel

• Keep Growing’ by Nickel Family Jingle Company

RICHARD
NICKEL

Richard Nickel is an artist, ceramicist and educator. Born in Rochester, NY in 1969, he was influenced by the comics, cartoons and creativity of the 1970s. He began drawing as a child, and these cultural elements inspired his drawing style, as well as his understanding of the world around him. [1] Nickel received his Associate's in Fine Arts from Monroe Community College (Rochester) before attending SUNY Buffalo State, where he graduated with a BS in Art Education in 1996. He went on to attain a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2000, and later that year he began teaching Art Education and Ceramics at Valley City University in North Dakota. [2]

In 2002, he began teaching at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where he has remained since. During his tenure he has served as Art Education Program Director and Assistant Professor of Ceramics and Arts Education. Presently he is an Associate Professor of Ceramics and Art Education. [3]

As an artist, Nickel has been featured in exhibitions nationally and internationally. His work seeks to explore the role of humor in art to balance life's tragedies and provide a more well-rounded understanding of the human experience. "Art, like life, is a balance between comedy and tragedy. Shakespeare’s darkest plays were balanced with keen wit and humor. My intent in much of my artwork is to reveal the purpose of humor in art and to show that in art comedy and tragedy are dependent on each other for a deeper understanding of the human condition." [4]

For further information on Richard Nickel, visit his website at: richardjnickel.weebly.com or follow him on Instagram @richardnickel.

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[1] Richard Nickel, Artist Biography, Burchfield Penney Artist File. 
[2] Richard Nickel, Artist Resume, Burchfield Penney Artist File.
[3] Richard Nickel, Artist Resume, Burchfield Penney Artist File. 
[4] Richard Nickel, Artist Statement, Burchfield Penney Artist File.

ANNA V.
FREEMAN

Anna concentrated in Ceramics and Printmaking at Alfred University's School of Art & Design, where she earned her B.F.A. She earned her M.F.A. in Visual Studies through a joint interdisciplinary program at Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University. Her work has been exhibited across the country and is held in private collections internationally. Images of her work have been published in multiple books, including Image Transfer on Clay, 500 Ceramic Sculptures, Ceramic Sculptures, and Ceramics Today. Originally from Pennsylvania, Anna now lives in Virginia Beach and is a Ceramics Instructor in the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art’s Studio School.

For further information on Anna Freeman, visit her website at: https://www.annavfreeman.com/ or follow her on Instagram @annavfreeman