ABOUT CLAIRE LYONS
Claire’s art studies began at the University of Tampa and at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine where she majored in ceramics. She continued her fine arts studies in Vermont at Johnson College, including workshops with ceramic artists Jack Troy and Marguerite Wieldenhain. Claire taught ceramics at Vermont Community College and at her studio in Northern Vermont where she worked with salt and Raku kilns. After moving to Toronto in 1980 she studied ceramics with Raku artist Michael Sheba and at Haliburton School of the Arts. She loves taking her interest in Raku and smoke fired pottery outdoors, creating ‘pop up’ studios in natural environments. In 2009 she continued her studies in painting and figure drawing at Toronto School of Art . Claire maintains a studio in Toronto where she is currently focusing on oil painting. Her ceramic works and paintings are in private collections in the United States and Canada.
Artist Statement:
Growing up in and on the ocean connected me to the natural rhythm of the tides, the seasonal cycles, the constantly moving winds, crashing waves, meditative mists and glowing, reflective atmospheres. The natural world speaks to us of things far greater than we realize. The ocean puts life into perspective…we are tiny and impermanent on our little planet. And we are under siege. My paintings are meditative, even prayerful, pointing to the great mystery and beauty within the storms, the dance of meaning and emotion, impersonal and personal; to extraordinary light and uplifting posibilites.
Art Education:
Toronto School of Art, Painting, Toronto, 2009-2014
Neilsen Park Creative Center, Ontario, Painting 2003 - 2008
Haliburton School of the Arts, Ontario, Ceramics, 1995-1999
Johnson College, Ceramics, Vermont, 1975-1976
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Ceramics, Maine, 1969
University of Tampa, Florida, 1965-1968
Shows:
Etobicoke Civic Center Center Gallery, Group Show, 2019
Neilson Park Gallery, Group Show, Toronto 2019
Art Square Gallery, Group Show, Toronto 2018
Gallery 1313, Group Show, Toronto 2018
Art Square Gallery, Group Show, Toronto 2017
Gallery 1313, Group Show, Toronto 2017
West End Art Tour Collective, Toronto 2010 -2020
Toronto Art Blast Open Studio Tour 2016
Todmorden Papermill Gallery, Group Show, Toronto 2016
3030 Gallery, Group Show, Toronto 2015
Lattitude 44 Gallery, Group Show, Toronto 2011
Launch Gallery, Group Show, Toronto 2009
Neilson Park Creative Centre, Group Show Toronto 2005
Associations:
West End Art Tour Collective
Toronto Potters Association
Fusion Clay and Glass Association