The Missouri Humanities Council Selects Two BOMH Artists to Provide Award Pieces

The Missouri Humanities Council has selected BOMH ceramicist Dawson Morgan to create award pieces for the upcoming 2013 Missouri Humanities Awards.  Woodworker Dan Burleson has been invited to provide award pieces for the 2014 awards.

MHC Chair Michele Hansford shares that the selection committee was impressed with both the craftsmanship and artistry of Morgan and Burleson’s work as well as the connection to Missouri evident in the artists’ submissions.  She states, “Many times the arts and the humanities disciplines are intertwined, so it is a pleasure for the Missouri Humanities Council to highlight Missouri artists through their creation of our annual MHC Humanities Award pieces. It was an added bonus that the selected artists for the 2013 and 2014 awards took their inspriation for their award designs from the wonderfully diverse Missouri landscape surrounding them.”

For the 2013 pieces, the council selected stoneware vessels by Dawson Morgan. The ceramic artist says, “I’m honored to have my work selected to represent extraordinary humanities achievements in the state of Missouri.  I also see this as an opportunity for outreach and exposure. Thank you BOMH for your leadership in our community of Missouri artists.” Dawson Morgan’s award winning ceramic works communicate a beautiful relationship with nature and function. These durable stoneware pieces are inspired by local flora found in Saint Louis. The artist perfected her techniques through working in a Swiss ceramic studio, bringing a unique approach to her hand built ceramic art. Dawson Morgan’s works are currently exhibited through galleries in the Midwest, New York, Southeast, and www.dawsonmorgan.com.

Dan Burleson’s work, which will be presented in 2014, utilizes Missouri’s resources and inspirations. Burleson’s wood bowls are hand crafted from Missouri hardwoods rescued from farmers or tree services that were going to be burned, chiped, or put in a landfill. They will be created free hand on a wood lathe.  Dan states, “The BOMH has opened many new doors for me in the last year.  Being selected out of many other fine artists to make awards for MHC is at the top of the list.  The MHC is a great organization recognizing some very special people who are making a difference.  I hope my art will give recipients a small token of how much their hard work and dedication is appreciated.”

 

Each year the Missouri Humanities Council honors individuals and organizations whose achievements set an example worthy of statewide attention. The awards recognize outstanding teaching in Missouri schools, outstanding community outreach activities by individuals and humanities institutions, and exemplary achievement in literature. The 2013 awards will be presented in Jefferson City in April.

The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) is a 510 ( c )( 3 ) non-profit organization that was created in 1971 under authorizing legislation from the U.S. Congress to serve as one of the 6 state and territorial humanities councils that are affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about MHC visit www.mohumanities.org.