Mary Swain,

Born in 1963 and raised by the mighty Miramichi river in the small village of Nelson, Miramichi, New Brunswick. My childhood was filled with adventures and freedom difficult to offer a child in today's world. We had the woods behind our house with brooks for fishing, wild berry picking and great fort material. Across the road and down the lane was the river; it’s a huge river and very dangerous but we knew when and where it was safe to swim. Growing up I was close to nature and this is reflected in the art I produce. Motherhood has also been a strong element within my artwork and in the mist of it all somehow I’m managing to raise four wonderful children.

I was first introduced to Raku at the School of Art and Design, Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1981 by a very talented and enthusiastic teacher, Craig Schneider. I was extremely taken in by the process and have continued to practice and developed my own style of Raku over the years. For me, Raku is more than just a firing process; it is a thought process and a way of life. Sculptures and drawings outside of the clay studio are also a major part of my creative process, which I pursue on a regular basis, through the use of charcoal, pastels, acrylics and mixed media.I work with clay because of Raku.


Studies:
New Brunswick School of Art and Design, Fredericton N.B. Canada, 1981
John Abbott College, Montréal, Quebec, Canada, 1984
Ecole Des Arts Appliqué, Cote D’Ivoire, West Africa, 1985
University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada, 2001


Graduated with distinction from the B.F.A program at the University of Calgary in 2001 with a major in drawing and sculpture and continue to live, work and teach in Calgary.

Recent Workshops:
Warren McKenzie, ceramic artist
Nik Semenoff, waterless lithography
Vincent Massey, Ceramic artist


Financial Awards:
University of Calgary Merit Award
Big Rock Breweries Scholarship


Exhibitions:
Untitled Art Gallery,” Inspirations” Solo exhibition
The little gallery, Group show, University of Calgary
New Gallery Fundraiser, Calgary, AB. May 29/04
Out of Hand, North Mount Pleasant City Arts Center, Calgary, AB. Sept-Oct 03
The Edmonton Art Gallery, Biennial 2001, “Springs Eternal”
Ex-Nihilo, BFA Grad, The Nickle Arts Museum, Calgary, AB. April-May 02
Open House, Arts Dept, U of C, Calgary, AB. 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998
Miniature Show & Auction, Little Gallery, U of C, Calgary, AB. Oct 01, Nov 00,

Affiliations:
Member of the North Mount Pleasant Ceramic Centre
Raku Instructor at North Mount Pleasant Art Centre, City of Calgary
Alberta Arts Council