RESEARCH
Emphasis & Aesthetic Concerns
Author of Confrontational Ceramics
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- Emphasis upon the American ceramic art sculpture movement, its history and impact on ceramics and upon those artists using clay in contemporary sculpture.
- Researching, writing, and lecturing about American artists who work in traditional craft media in non-traditional ways and whose aesthetic concerns transcend craft orientations.
- Identification, documentation, and aesthetic analysis of artists worldwide who deal with social commentary in their ceramic sculpture. Most notable outcome of this research was curatorial grant from Exhibits USA for a two year traveling exhibition at selected museums titled “Confrontational Clay” and most recently the book Confrontational Ceramics, A&C Black, London, University of Pennsylvania Press.
- Developing strategies to revitalize three-dimensional craft/art making in kindergarten through 12th grade, with an emphasis upon secondary education. Most notable outcome: serve on national board of K12 Ceramic Art Foundation and various teacher training workshops.
- Organizing symposia, "The Case for Clay in Secondary Art Education," "Crossings, Alignments and Territories: Criticism in the Craft Arts,” and “Clay Forum.”
- Researching Art Deco Porcelains of the Noritake Company, 1923-1932. Photography and manuscript completed.
- Multiculturalism in the crafts and interdisciplinary approaches to craft education organizing numerous workshops with guest artists across all media.
- Design and technology advances in craft education. Most notable outcome is faculty technology grant from ITS for training on computerized embroidery sewing machines which integrates Photoshop, embroidery software and computerized sewing machines.
- Future of craft education.
“On the wall in Schwartz’ office is a bumper sticker that she saved from the 1960s. It proclaims, “Ceramics – the World’s Most Fascinating Hobby.” Schwartz insists that clay is “the most interesting material being used today.” She sees a human necessity to return to something so elemental in light of the 21st century’s digital revolution. “People need to touch something that responds so tactilely to their fingers,” she says. “There is a human need for authentic material.” For Schwartz, this authentic material, this clay, has nourished a lifetime of creativity and thought.”