Savanna LaBauve (b.1994) is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and detail seeker currently focused on creating objects with clay. She received her BFA in Studio Arts with concentrations in ceramics and painting/drawing from Louisiana State University in 2017. After completing a two-year ceramic residency program in 2019, Savanna has worked for various artists and art organizations in the Roaring Fork Valley and continues to pursue opportunities that sustain the creative vitality of her beloved town, Carbondale, CO. Savanna was one of six honored recipients for the 2023-2024 Aspen Art Museum Fellowship. Her studio currently resides at Studio for Arts & Works, an artist workspace with 25+ makers of various mediums. This studio space is where she continues to investigate the power of multiples, develop a language of mark-making, and explore subtle variations of a limited color palette.
I unearth and collect observations with strong intentions and distinct perceptions. I work at the median of opportunity and expression. I am an observer, an intermediary, and a maker of non-traditional drawings. I find uncommon nuances in everyday occurrences & unlikely intersections – noting the change in density of a shadow when one overlaps another or how a shadow cast upon undulating surfaces distorts & morphs perspective; the power of multiples as a unit versus the fragility of an individual piece; the repetition of lines throughout our surroundings specifically parallels or in a grid formation; the obscurity of transparent layers. With these observations in mind, I make ceramic objects, both functional & sculptural. My functional objects are handbuilt & feature subtle variations of a limited color palette: black, white, & raw clay. Each object’s surface explores bold linear patterns, such as hatching, grids, & checkerboards. My sculptural work is installation-based & process- driven. Pulling from my background in painting & drawing, this work explores the power of multiples: pattern, rhythm, & repetition. Made of numerous clay parts, each part is a result of body movement, the installation becomes a record of time & meditation that is centered on components as marks.
CURRICULUM
VITAE
EDUCATION
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2012 - 2017
Louisiana State University
BFA Studio Art, Concentrations: Ceramics & Painting
Minor: Sculpture
Magna cum Laude
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2014 - 2015
University of Hawaii at Manoa
National Student Exchange Program
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2013
Santa Reparata International School of Art
Study Abroad: Printmaking in Florence
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TEACHING
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2021
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
Handbuilt: Adult Intermediate Clay
Private Lessons
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
2020
Adult Handbuilding
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Family Clay Play
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Private Lessons
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
2019
Adult Intermediate Clay
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Clay for Beginners
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Kids Hand-building & Wheel Throwing
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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2018
Kids Hand-building & Wheel Throwing
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
2017
Away From the Wheel: Adult Hand-building
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Kids Wheel Throwing
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
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2021 - 2024
Gallery Committee Chair
Carbondale Arts Gallery Committee, CO
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2020 - present
Creative Council Member
Carbondale Creative District, CO
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2020
Anderson Ranch Art Center
Attendee: Conversations on Clay virtual workshop
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Feb 2019-Dec 2021
Marketing & Communications Manager
Carbondale Clay Center, CO
2019 - present
MudTies Collective Member
2018
Anderson Ranch Art Center
Attendee: Tyler Lotz's workshop
Object Design: Ceramics, Hand & Machine
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2017
Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts
educational assistant/work-study program
Attendee:
Sunshine Cobb’s workshop Hand-building Fundamentals
Shane Darwent & Andrew Saftel’s workshop Mining for Place
Lauren Gallaspy's workshop Poetics of Surface
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Penland School of Crafts
work-study program
Attendee: Lynn Batchelder's workshop Jewelry + Drawing
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Anderson Ranch Art Center
Attendee: Gabriela Salazar's workshop Material & Metaphor
Attendee: 51st annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference
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Co-Vice President of Louisiana State University’s Ceramic Arts Student Association (CASA)
2016 - present
Member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)
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2016 - 2017
Louisiana State University Painter’s League: Secretary
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2016
Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts
educational assistant/work-study program
Attendee:
Courtney Cerruti's workshop Image Transfers & Mixed Media
Lauren Kussro's workshop Playing with Paper
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Penland School of Crafts
work-study program
Attendee: Justin Rothshank's workshop Decals & Data
2015 - 2017
Member: Ceramic Arts Student Association (CASA),
Louisiana State University
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2014 - 2015
Member: Clay Club,
University of Hawaii at Manoa
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AWARDS
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2018
Anderson Ranch Scholarship for Object Design: Ceramics, Hand & Machine Workshop
2017
Anderson Ranch Scholarship for Material & Metaphor workshop
Tiger Athletic Foundation Award, based on faculty nomination
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2016
Miriam Garic Barranger Scholarship
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Tiger Athletic Foundation Award, based on faculty nomination
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2015
Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Distinguished Scholarship for the Arts
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Miriam Garic Barranger Scholarship
2014
Louisiana State University Sculpture Department Scholarship
​2013
Travel Scholarship for study abroad program “Printmaking in Florence”​
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2012
Baton Rouge Gallery award to study with local painter Diane Hansen
RESIDENCIES / FELLOWSHIPS
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2023 - 2024
Aspen Art Museum Fellowship
2017 - 2019
Artist in Residence​
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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EXHIBITIONS
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2023
Old Thompsen Barn Holiday Market
River Valley Ranch, Carbondale, CO
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Deck the Walls, group exhibition
R2 Gallery, Carbondale, CO
Interdependence, group exhibition
SeeSaw Gallery, Denver, Co
Summer Pop Up, group exhibition
Harvey Preston Gallery, Aspen, CO
52nd Annual Mountain Fair, art fair
Carbondale, CO
Old Thompsen Barn Summer Market
River Valley Ranch, Carbondale, CO
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SAW (Studio for Arts + Works), group exhibition
R2 Gallery, Carbondale, Co
Mudties PopUp Show
Homemaker's Bar, NCECA 2023, Cincinnati, OH
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Annual Valley Visual, juried exhibition
R2 Gallery, Carbondale, CO
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2022
Deck the Walls, group exhibition
R2 Gallery, Carbondale, CO
Old Thompsen Barn Holiday Market
River Valley Ranch, Carbondale, CO
Voices, group collaborative exhibition
Aspen Chapel Gallery, Aspen, CO
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51st Annual Mountain Fair, art fair
Carbondale, CO
Mudties PopUp Online Show
Online, in conjunction with NCECA 2022
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Annual Valley Visual, juried exhibition
R2 Gallery, Carbondale, CO
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2021
Deck the Walls, group exhibition
R2 Gallery, Carbondale, CO
Annual Cup Auction Donation
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
A Thankful Pop-up, group show
Bath Provisions, Carbondale, CO
Settings Donation for Annual Fundraiser
Carbondale Clay Center, CO
Shared Earth, Group Exhibition
Colorado Mountain College Aspen Gallery, CO
Pairings Invitational
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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2020
Pairings Invitational​
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Settings: Limited Edition
Donation for Annual Fundraiser
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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22nd Annual Cup Auction
Donation for Annual Fundraiser
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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2019
21st Annual Cup Auction
Donation for Annual Fundraiser
Carbondale Clay Center pop-up location, Carbondale, CO
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Holiday Invitational
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Maker Queens Group Pop-up
Batch, Carbondale, CO
Tacos on Plates
Donation for Annual Fundraiser
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Interwoven: Fiber + Clay Group Exhibition
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Ellipsis Resident Artist Solo Exhibition
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Linear // Planar Dual Exhibition with Stephanie Seguin
R2 Gallery, Carbondale, CO
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Pairings Invitational
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Mutual Makers Group Exhibition
Colorado Mountain College Aspen Gallery
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2018
Holiday Invitational
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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20th Annual Cup Auction
Donation for Annual Fundraiser
Carbondale Clay Center pop-up location, Carbondale, CO
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Throwdown Hoedown
Donation for Annual Fundraiser
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Clay National XIII: Out of the Mold
Group Exhibition, juried by John & Andrea Gill
Carbondale Clay Center, CO
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Tiny Art Show
Group Exhibition, juried by Johanna Mueller
R2 Gallery, Carbondale, CO
Paralleled Pastiche Resident Artist Dual Exhibition
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Pairings Invitational
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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2017
Holiday Invitational
Carbondale Clay Center, Carbondale, CO
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Annual Cup Auction Donation
Carbondale Clay Center pop-up location, Carbondale, CO
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Foundational Dwellings Solo Thesis Showcase
Firehouse Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
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BFA Group Showcase
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
LSU Discover Day Juried Exhibition
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
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2016
Painter’s League Group Showcase
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
White Light Night Annual Art Festival
Studio C, Baton Rouge, LA
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2015
Light Fantastic: 30th Annual Louisiana Art and Science Museum Gala
30 local artists invited by Auction Co-Chairperson for principle fundraising
Baton Rouge, LA
White Light Night Annual Art Festival
Studio C, Baton Rouge, LA
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Uncommon Thread Wearable Art Show, International Juried Showcase
Baton Rouge, LA
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2014
Work selected for the University Medical Center
New Orleans, LA
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2013
White Light Night Annual Art Festival
Studio C, Baton Rouge, LA
Highland Nights Annual Arts Festival
The Stockade, Baton Rouge, LA
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2012
Real Life Experience
Baton Rouge Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
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