Linnis Blanton (b. 1950) Linnis Blanton was born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. He completed his undergraduate studies at Lamar University with an All Level Art Education degree, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Blanton also counts his studies at Texas Tech University with James Watkins and Sarah Water as being influential on his practice. Blanton taught for thirty years in the public school system and only recently retired from Lamar University where he was an adjunct instructor for 20 years. A beloved teacher, Blanton is known in Southeast Texas for his artistic integrity, his generosity in teaching, and his deep knowledge of clay. Blanton’s work has been published in Ceramic Monthlymagazine, and the book entitled 500 Plates and Chargers. He has exhibited allover Southeast Texas including at The Art Museum of Southeast Texas (Beaumont, TX), the Dishman Art Museum (Beaumont, TX) and Galveston College (Galveston, TX). Blanton continues his ongoing discourse with the ceramic vessel, exploring its formal and symbolic potential. EDUCATION1976 B.F.A. Studio Art, Lamar University Beaumont, Texas1972 B.S. Art Education, Lamar University Beaumont, Texas TEACHING EXPERIENCE2002-2022 Adjunct Instructor, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas1973-2003 Art Teacher, Port Arthur Independent School District, Port Arthur, Texas AWARDS/HONORS2014 Teacher of the Year, Southeast Texas Arts Council, Beaumont, Texas2013 Judge, 6th International Texas Teapot Tournament, 18 Hands Gallery, Houston, Texas1990 2nd Place Award, Artist/Teacher Show, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS2021 Sacred Silence, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont, Texas2021 Connecting Heaven and Earth, Dishman Art Museum, Beaumont, Texas2020 Mindscapes, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont, Texas2018 Ceramics Exhibition, Galveston College, Galveston, Texas2015 Journey From Within: Ceramics by Linnis Blanton, Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, Texas2011 Earth Song II, Museum of the Gulf Coast, Port Arthur, Texas2010 Earth Song I, Ice House Museum, Silsbee, Texas2000 Out of the Blue, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont, Texas1994 Journey Within, Gulf Coast Museum, Port Arthur, Texas SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITONS2015 Lamar Faculty Exhibition, Beaumont, Texas2014 Sacred Art Show, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont, Texas2014 Sculpture Invitational, The Art Studio, Beaumont, Texas2014 Lamar Faculty Exhibition, Beaumont, Texas2013 Lamar Faculty Exhibition, Beaumont, Texas2012 5th International Texas Teapot Tournament, Houston, Texas2007 Regional Ceramic Competition, University of Dallas, Irving Texas (Juror: Val Cushing)2006 Fire and Ice, Ice House Museum, Silsbee, Texas Invitational Exhibition, Texas Artists Museum, Port Arthur, Texas Captured Intentions, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont, Texas Lamar University Faculty Exhibition, Dishman Art Gallery, Beaumont, Texas2005 Lamar University Faculty Exhibition, Dishman Art Gallery, Beaumont, Texas2004 Lamar University Faculty Exhibition, Dishman Art Gallery, Beaumont, Texas2003 Three Person Show, Megnet Gallery, Beaumont, Texas Lamar University Faculty Exhibition, Dishman Art Gallery, Beaumont, Texas2002 Lamar University Faculty Exhibition, Dishman Art Gallery, Beaumont, Texas2001 Two-Person Show, One Allen Center, Houston, Texas2000 Two-Person Show, One Allen Center, Houston, Texas Members Show, Texas Clay Art Association, San Angelo, Texas1997 Family and Friends, Dishman Art Gallery, Beaumont, Texas1994 Art Studio Exhibition, The Art Studio, Beaumont, Texas (Juror: James Surles)1992 Between the Mind Thoughts, The Art Studio, Beaumont, Texas1990 Artist/Teacher Show, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas1989 Five State Art Exhibition, Service League, Port Arthur, Texas (Juror: Michael Auping)1987 The Ugly Art Show, The Art Studio, Beaumont, Texas1986 Yellow Dog Art Exhibition, The Art Studio, Beaumont, Texas1984 Silent Space, The Art Studio, Beaumont, Texas1980 Tri-State Exhibition, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont, Texas (Juror: Harry Ashysen)1979 Tri-State Exhibition, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont, Texas1978 Tri-State Exhibition, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont, Texas1972 Exhibition, Baytown, Texas PUBLICATIONS2008 Tourtillott, Suzanne J.E. 500 Plates & Chargers: Innovative Expressions of Function and Style. New York: Lark Crafts, 2008.2000 Reed, Harry. “Beneath the Surface.” Ceramic Monthly (June, July, August, 2000): 73. PUBLIC COLLECTIONSArt Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TXDishman Museum, Lamar University, Beaumont, TXMuseum of the Gulf Coast, Port Arthur, TXGalveston College, Galveston, TX PRIVATE COLLECTIONSDavid Cargill, Beaumont, TX Pam O’Neal, Beaumont, TXRob Clark, Beaumont, TX Sarah Beth Wilson, Houston, TXSandy Laurette, Beaumont, TX Robert Madden, Beaumont, TXKristi Heid, Sabine Pass, TX Carlo Busceme IV, Beaumont, TXCarlo Busceme III, Beaumont, TX Kayla Peltier, Port Arthur, TXDonna Meeks, Beaumont, TX Robert O’Niel, Beaumont, TXJerry & Patty Newman, Beaumont, TX Artist StatementThe plasticity and sensuousness of the clay is the reason I love to make vessels. The clay is constantly recording my touch and thoughts as I express my creativity. A major influence on my work was a trip to New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona to visit sacred sights of the Ancient Indians. My vessels suggest the natural phenomena of the canyon walls that are transformed from my imagination to the pot’s surface. As I work on the vessels that represent the canyon walls, they begin to change into figures. The figures seem to appear as spirits of ancestors. I alter, modify, push, and pull the surface of the clay in an attempt to express a connection of the past and present.