It’s always a treat to introduce the next group of incoming core fellowship students, soon to be dazzling us with their creative output, tireless labor, and zany antics. And so, without further ado, here they are:

Bob Biddlestone has just completed a BFA in Ceramics at Ohio University. He apprenticed with several artists/craftsmen prior to and during his undergraduate studies, receiving on-the-job training in glass, clay, cabinetry, and general carpentry. He also spent time in Hungary through the International Ceramics Studio Study Abroad Program. During his time at Ohio, Bob’s work was primarily focused on slip cast ceramics, but he also spent several semesters developing his skills in printmaking and other forms of casting. Bob looks forward to the core program as a chance to experiment in other media (print, wood, iron, glass) so that eventually he can return his focus to ceramics with a broadened perspective of process and material.

Rachel Garceau earned a BFA at Franklin Pierce University in 2003. Her varied work background includes six summers as a props designer for a summer playhouse, manager of the Sharon Arts Center Craft Gallery, and admissions assistant at The MacDowell Colony. Rachel was also an assistant leader for the Walk in Europe program, traveling with a small community through Ireland, France, and Italy. Rachel’s studio focus is in ceramics, and she has lately been experimenting with combining elements of pots and book arts to build and explore containers.

Seth Gould has a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry from Maine College of Art; he graduated in 2009. He has worked all his life in his family’s auto repair shop in Maine, and supported himself throughout college as a commercial fishing first mate and a landscaper/gardener. In 2009 he was an intern on a small organic farm in Siena, Italy, and since early 2010 he has worked as a bench jeweler for a professional goldsmith/designer. Though the metals program at MECA did not offer courses or facilities in blacksmithing, Seth became fascinated with the medium and built his own forge in order to pursue his interest. He has also taken classes at Peters Valley (2007, 2009) and Haystack (2008) to gain more insight and technical acuity in iron. His work concerns itself with form, craftsmanship, and historical homage within a contemporary context.

Jack Mauch graduated from Maine College of Art in 2006 with a BFA in Ceramics. Since then he has worked as a studio assistant and exhibition preparator, and has held two positions at Harvard University: as an exhibition designer (since 2008), and as a Non-resident Tutor of the Arts at Eliot House (since 2007), monitoring the wood shop and working with students and residents. Jack seeks a reconnection with his ceramic practice and will focus on functional pots and atmospheric firing. He also has an interest in developing skills in the wood shop and learning new skills in the iron and metals studios.

Congratulations to this exciting new crew! They’ll be arriving sometime near the end of February, and we can’t wait to meet them.

Click here for more information about the Penland Core Fellowship Program.