bio


Andy Bissonnette, a recent MFA graduate from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, is a potter and educator currently residing in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is acutely interested in the union of form, surface and utility, and the relationship between clay body and glaze. He is interested in historical uses of pottery, both narrative and utilitarian, and often looks to the past when conceiving his work. His influences are far and many, ranging from Northern Song Dynasty Celadons, the form language developed by the ancient Greeks, to the modernist aesthetic of the Bauhaus in Germany.
Prior to graduate school, Bissonnette spent over a decade as a designer in the Minneapolis advertising community where he developed and nourished his penchant for subtle details. He crafts his pots with this same care and rigor which can be seen in his precisely fitting lids, carefully sculpted handles, and elegant vessel forms.
When not in the studio, Bissonnette enjoys spending time with his wife and son, exploring the outdoors on bike or motorcycle, and attempting to relive his childhood fantasy of snowboarding professionally.

education


MFA • University of Nebraska – Lincoln • 2023
BFA • Minnesota State University Moorhead • 2008

solo exhibitions


Eisentrager Howard Gallery • Silhouette, MFA Thesis Exhibition • 2023


upcoming exhibitions


Northern Clay Center • American Pottery Festival • Sept. 2024
Baltimore Clayworks • Winterfest • Nov. 2024

group & juried exhibitions


NCECA • Gallery Expo • 2024
Companion Gallery • Last Call IX • 2024
Baltimore Clayworks • Teapots X • 2024
Lancaster Museum of Art • Strictly Functional Pottery National • 2023
Northern Clay Center • August Featured Artist • 2023
Kiechel Fine Art • Future Tense • 2022
CLAYAKAR • Yunomi Invitational • 2021
Northern Clay Center • American Pottery Festival • 2020
CLAYAKAR • Yunomi Invitational • 2020
NCECA • Gallery Expo • 2020
CLAYAKAR • Americano Invitational • 2019
Northern Clay Center • Holiday Exhibition • 2019
Dakota Fine Art • Guest Artist • 2019
Northern Clay Center • American Pottery Festival • 2019
Northern Clay Center/MSP Airport • Duck, Duck, Grey Duck • 2019
NCECA • Gallery Expo • 2019
Plains Art Museum • A Place at the Table Invitational • 2019
Companion Gallery • Last Call III • 2018
Northern Clay Center • Holiday Exhibition • 2017


awards & publications


University of Nebraska – Lincoln • The Francis William Vreeland Scholarship Award – Awarded to the art student in advanced standing in regular attendance for the most meritorious and original work, or collected works • Mar. 2023


Ceramics Monthly • Andy Bissonnette: Seeking Order in Symmetry • Mar. 2021


Ceramics Monthly • 2020 Emerging Artist • May 2020


UNL Newsroom • Three Husker ceramic artists selected... • May 2020


Oesterritter, Lindsay • Mastering Kilns & Firing. Contributing Artist • Oct. 2019


Ceramics Monthly Readership-Wide Contest • Grounded • Sept. 2019


Pottery Making Illustrated • Incised and Inlaid Tumblers • Sept./Oct. 2018


Room & Board 2018 Catalog • 2018


teaching experience


University of Nebraska-Lincoln • Adjunct Professor • Interaction Design I; Typography II; Digital Literacy • Summer 2023 – Present


University of Nebraska-Lincoln • Instructor of Record • Interaction Design I • Fall 2020 – Spring 2023


University of Nebraska-Lincoln • Graduate Teaching Assistant • Intro. to Wheel throwing; Intermediate Wheel throwing; Graphic Design Studio III • Fall 2020 – Fall 2021


Fired Up Studios • Beginning Ceramics • 2016 – 2020


gallery representation


Northern Clay Center • Minneapolis, MN • 2019 – Present