Topics
Bio
After over forty years in St. Louis, Missouri, Sandy Milller currently resides in Cookeville, Tennessee with her husband, Bill, and their chihuahua, Ginger. A former professional in the graphics field, she designed and produced advertising materials, consumer packaging, and corporate communication pieces for various St. Louis companies for 22 years. During her spare time she taught scuba diving, dived internationally, and photographed the marine environment, specializing in macro photography of small aquatic animals.
After taking several ceramic classes at St. Louis Community College, beginning in 2003, she returned to college full-time for her BFA degree in ceramics at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, graduating summa cum laude in 2008 and continues to take occasional classes at Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft. Her ceramics, drawing, painting and photography reflects her love of nature and echos her former involvement in the underwater world. Miller has shown her work at events, galleries and art fairs in Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee.
Artist Statement
Ever since I was a child, I was intrigued by intricate, repetitive designs. My Grandmother sent me a paisley-printed blouse with patterns and colors that utterly fascinated me, providing inspiration that would come up in my early drawings and high school printmaking work.
Following a career of 25 plus years as a graphic artist – while teaching scuba diving, taking underwater photography, traveling to international dive locations and treking through exotic jungles – my graphic work evolved from commercial printed pieces to textural fine art in the clay. Drawing on my lifetime of observation in nature’s designs, patterns, and marine life, these now provide a multitude of textural qualities I infuse into my ceramic work. In addition to clay, I have become an avid photographer where what I photograph further informs my art.
Studio
My studio is relatively small, in the lower level of my home with my kiln and glaze area in the attached third bay of my garage. When teaching, the second bay expands my student work area. The studio contains a Skutt, programmable kiln; a NorthStar slab roller; a dedicated display area for my work; numerous worktables; a wedging table; a potter’s wheel; and an area where I mix, use, and store my own glazes and chemicals. Visits to my studio or to purchase my work are by appointment. Feel free to contact me using my website’s “Contact” form to arrange a studio tour or purchase work.
Influences
My early influences were Cynthia Bringle, whose work was the first carved pieces I saw. Bonnie Seeman was the second artist I saw that elevated carving to new height for me in addition to her surface treatments. In addition, Christine Federighi’s larger scale work is something I aspire to.
Resume
Exhibitions, Shows, Art Fairs
2020
Tn Craft – A Decade in Review; Cookeville Art Studio & Gallery (Jan)
2019
Art Prowl – Art Round Tennessee Art and Studio Tour, Cookeville, TN (Nov)Appalachian Center for Craft – Art Round Tennessee Member’s Gallery Exhibition, Cookeville, TN (July-Aug.)
Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery – 3 Artist Exhibition: Colorful Impressions, Cookeville, TN (July)
2019 Tennessee Craft Fair – Emerging Maker’s Tent (May 3-5)
Made Here Market – Biz Foundry Event, Cookeville, TN (April 27)
Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery – Juried Exhibition: All Things Country Music, Cookeville, TN (January)
2018
Art Prowl – Art Round Tennessee Art and Studio Tour, Cookeville, TN (Nov)
WCTE Broadcasting Gallery – Invited artist with Bill Miller (July)
Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery – Juried Art Exhibition, Cookeville, TN; Juror: Kim Winkle, TTU Art Professor, 3rd Place 3D category
Appalachian Center for Craft – Celebration, Smithville, TN
Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery – Cookeville Camera Club Photography Exhibition, Cookeville, TN
2017
Art Prowl – Art and Studio Tour, Cookeville, TN
Hix Farm Brewery – Cookeville, TN
Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery – Member Exhibition, Cookeville, TN
Cookeville Camera Club Photography Exhibition – Cumberland Art Society, Cookeville, TN
2016
Art Prowl – Art and Studio Tour, Cookeville, TN
Cumberland Art Society – Member Exhibition, Cookeville, TN
Art in a Beautiful World – Cumberland Art Society, Cookeville, TN
Muddy Hands – Studio Tour, Cookeville, TN
Cookeville Camera Club Photo Exhibition – Cumberland Art Society, Cookeville, TN
2013, 2014, 2015
Art Prowl – Art and Studio Tour, Cookeville, TN
Cookeville Camera Club Photo Exhibition – Cumberland Art Society, Cookeville, TN
Art ala Carte Fine Art Gallery – Cookeville, TN
2011, 2012
Art Prowl – Art and Studio Tour, Cookeville, TN
Art ala Carte Fine Art Gallery – Cookeville, TN
2008
Oceanic Influences – Solo exhibition, St. Louis Community College, St. Louis, MO
Art St. Louis XXIV, The Exhibition – Juried group exhibition, Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Cooked 405 – Group show, Art & Design Building, Edwardsville, IL
Venus Envy 2008 – Juried group exhibition, Mad Art Gallery, St. Louis, MO
2008 SIUE Student Art Competition Exhibition – Juried group exhibition, Morris University Art Gallery, Edwardsville, IL
SIUE Annual Undergraduate Show – Juried group show, New Wagner Gallery, Edwardsville, IL
2007
SIUE Annual Undergraduate Show – Juried group show, New Wagner Gallery, Edwardsville, IL
Venus Envy 2007 – Juried group exhibition, St. Louis, MO
2006
Wall Ball Art Benefit – South City Open Studio and Gallery for Children (SCOSAG); Artist demonstration by invitation, St. Louis, MO
League of Innovation 2006 – Juried Regional Junior College Student Competition; published full-color catalog
Central West End Art Fair & Taste 2006 – Juried art fair, St. Louis, MO
Venus Envy 2006 – juried group exhibition, St. Louis, MO
2005
The Framery – Group show, St. Louis, MO
Phoenix Potteries – Co-exhibition, Phoenix Potteries Gallery, St. Louis, MO
Chesterfield Arts – Art in the Park – Art fair, Chesterfield, MO
Central West End Art Fair & Taste 2005 – Juried art fair, St. Louis, MO
Venus Envy 2005 – Juried group exhibition St. Louis, MO
Art St. Louis – Group exhibition, Fleishman-Hillard, St. Louis, MO
Art St. Louis – Juried group exhibition, St. Louis, MO
2004
Art St. Louis – Surfaces Within and Without, Juried group exhibition, St. Louis, MO
Historic Shaw Art Fair – Juried art fair, St. Louis, MO
Central West End Art Fair & Taste – Juried art fair, St. Louis, MO
Recognition and Awards
Individual Artist Fellowship Award (2015) Cookeville Arts Council; Cookeville, TN
Windgate Fellowship Award Nominee (2008) One of two graduating seniors representing SIUE for annual award competition. Selected by Thad Duhigg, Art Department Chair at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Provost Scholarship (2008) Award based on academic achivevement, GPA, essay and portfolio; Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Awarded Spring 2008 for Fall 2008 semester
SIUE Friends of Art Charity Art Auction (2008) Friends of Art Award of $100 for “Jungle Leaves”, Juror: Mark Sheppard, Adjunct Art Instructor at St. Louis Community College at Meramec and at St. Charles Community College; Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, Illinois (Feb. 29, 2008)
League of Innovation (2006) Juried Regional Junior College Student Competition, full-color catalog, one of five St. Louis Community College student artists selected out of 248 art students in all media. “South Rim” (wood sculpture).
Education
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, IL; BFA – Ceramics, Summa Cum Laude (2008)
St. Louis Community Colleges – St. Louis, MO; Dean’s List
Maryville University – St. Louis, MO
IHM Health Studies – St. Louis, MO; Emergency Medical Training
Southwest Missouri State University – Springfield, MO
Parkway Central/North Senior High Schools – St. Louis, MO; Honor Society
Career History / Experience
2017
• Ceramics Instructor: Art Round Tennessee’s ARTalong 2-day Workshop: Functional ware from hump/slump molds and glazing techniques. Miller Ceramics studio, Cookeville, TN
• Ceramics Instructor: 2-day Slab Construction and glaze technique workshop, Miller Ceramics studio, Cookeville, TN
2016
Ceramics Instructor: 2-day Workshop, Miller Ceramics studio: Functional ware from hump/slump molds and glazing techniques.
2015
• Ceramics Instructor: Art Round Tennessee’s ARTalong 2-day Workshop, Miller Ceramics studio: Ceramic Tile-making and Glaze Decorating Techniques.
• Ceramics Instructor: Putnam County Habitat for Humanity’s Clay Studio: Handbuilding ceramic bowls from templates.
5/2012, 5/2013
Ceramics Instructor: Friends of the Appalachian Center for Craft’s “Celebration”, a one-day event teaching the public handbuilding bowls from molds.
8/2006 – 12/2008
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, full-time student with emphasis in ceramics art. Experience with a range of clays, glazes and surface treatment techniques. Participant in reduction, oxidation, anagama, salt and raku firings. Responsible for personal firings and assisted in numerous group firings. Glaze and slip mixing and glaze testing experience
1/2003 – 5/2006
Ceramic courses at St. Louis Community College – Forest Park and Meramec Campuses. Ceramic student worker May – Dec 2004, SLCC-Meramec: Assisted instructor, Jim Ibur – mixed/tested glazes; loaded/unloaded/fired gas and electric kilns; provided studio maintenance; help students as needed
12/2003 – 2/2006
Part time independent ceramic art work at Phoenix Pottery studio
1971 – 2001
Career in graphic design and production art. Twenty-two years experience in designing corporate communication pieces and consumer packaging. Provided creative direction, production art, photo direction, print direction to complete marketing materials. [Diagraph Corp; Midco; Freelance; Boise Cascade Corp.-Composite Can Division; Schnucks Markets]. Expert in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat; General knowledge of Illustrator; Quark XPress; Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Apple Pages, Keynote, iMovie; Mac and PC platforms
1981 – 2001
Scuba diver; National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Divemaster & Instructor, taught and lead scuba trips; Underwater photographer
Service
Habitat for Humanity (2011-2017) Demonstrations of Handbuilding at Cooking on the Square; Taught handbuilding bowls from patterns to staff members; attend annual Bowlathons and mini-Bowlathons throwing hundreds of ceramic bowls and assisting in glazing dates for their annual Cooking on the Square fundraisers.
Various Organizations (2011-2017) Volunteer graphic design and photographic skills at various times to organizations such as Cookeville Camera Club; ART Round Tennessee/ART Prowl/ARTalong; Family Community Education; Friends of Appalachian Center for Craft of Tennessee; Welcome Club of Cookeville; Putnam County Fair; The Foundation at Cookeville Regional Medical Center
Putnam County Fair (2011-2017) Cultural Arts Entries Volunteer; (2016) Photograph events at the fair.
FACCT (Friends of Appalachian Center for Craft) (2011-2014) In biannual “Celebration” art events, assist in workshops and taught ceramic handbuilding.
SIUE Friends of Art Charity Art Auction (2008) Ceramic vessel donations; Volunteer runner & event clean up; Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, IL
Quincy Riverfest (2007) Invited art fair juror; Quincy, IL
Laumeier Student Ambassador (2006) Representative for St. Louis Community College – Meramec; Mike Venso – Laumeier organizational leader
Venus Envy (2005, 2006) Exhibition Committee Member
Venus Envy (2004) Volunteer
Memberships
Cumberland Art Society Member 2016-2017
Cookeville Camera Club Member 2011-2017
FCE Club (Family Community Education) Member 2011-2016
Wagner Pottery Association (SIUE student ceramics club) Member 2007, 2008
NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) Member 2004, 2005
Art St. Louis Member and artist volunteer 2005, 2008, 2009