About
My work explores the themes of trauma, safety, self-destruction and self-love, with a bit of humor woven in. I have a background as a writer, so stories — real or imagined — often inspire my ceramic sculptures. I am fascinated by the millennia old tradition of clay figures made around the world in many different cultures.
Currently, I am a 3D MFA student at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA. I am enjoying the opportunity to experiment with new clay bodies, glazes, and firing techniques available at my school.
CV
Emily Grace Gleason
EDUCATION
2025 MFA Candidate Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA
2023 Coursework in Human Psychology, Hawaii Community College, Hilo, HI
2012 BA Environmental Studies, Certificate in Writing, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
EXPERIENCE
2022 - 2023 Founder & Instructor, Clay for Recovery, Donkey Mill Art Center, Holualoa, HI
2021 - 2023 Ceramics Studio Apprentice, Donkey Mill Art Center, Holualoa, HI
2022 Ceramics Hand-building Instructor, Donkey Mill Art Center, Holualoa, HI
2016 - 2023 Freelance Writer and Editor, M the Writer, Kailua-Kona, HI
2011 - 2012 Ceramics Studio Assistant, University City Arts League, Philadelphia, PA
EXHIBITIONS
2023 Haystack Student Exhibition, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA
2023 ARTOBERFEST, Salem Arts Association, Salem, MA
2023 Annual Art Auction, Donkey Mill Art Center, Holualoa, HI
2022 Hawaiʻi Craftsman Annual Juried Statewide Exhibition, Downtown Art Center, Honolulu, Hawai`i
2022 Women in Art, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2021 Hawaiʻi Craftsman Annual Juried Statewide Exhibition, Downtown Art Center, Honolulu, Hawai`i
PUBLICATIONS
“Eschew Blue: An Interview with Printmaker Robert Corsair,” DMAC Blog, 2023
“Painting Love: An Interview with Artist Saumolia Puapuaga,” DMAC Blog, 2023
“My Year of Clay,” DMAC Blog, 2023
“In the Moment with Onggi: Interview with Ceramic Artist Yeonsoo Kim”, DMAC Blog, 2022.
“Morinoue’s Hale: A Gathering Place”, Keola Magazine, 2022.
“A Meditation with Nature: Interview with Artist Hunter Buck”, DMAC Blog, 2022.
“Talk to Your Art: An Interview with Akiko Cutlip”, DMAC Blog, 2022.
“Blacksmithing for Sanity,” M the Writer Blog, 2019.
“Cat Island,” West Hawaii Today, 2019.
“Kona Tattoo Artist,” West Hawaii Today, 2019.
“Portrait of a Lava Chaser,” M the Writer Blog, 2018.