Shawn O’Connor completed his BFA at the University of Southern Maine in 2005. After undergraduate studies, he went on to be a resident and staff member at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, ME. In May of 2010, he received his MFA in Ceramics from Syracuse University. The main focus of his research in graduate school revolved around wood firing. While at Syracuse, O’Connor designed and constructed a Train style wood kiln. He later went on to publish his first article about his kiln in the Log Book, #42. Since graduate school Shawn has continued to focus on making utilitarian wood fired vessels, which he has exhibited both national and internationally. Shawn is currently an Assistant Professor, teaching ceramics and sculpture, and Associate Director of Galleries and Museums at Sweet Briar College in Virginia.
Shawn O’Connor completed his BFA at the University of Southern Maine in 2005. After undergraduate studies, he went on to be a resident and staff member at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, ME. In May of 2010, he received his MFA in Ceramics from Syracuse University. The main focus of his research in graduate school revolved around wood firing. While at Syracuse, O’Connor designed and constructed a Train style wood kiln. He later went on to publish his first article about his kiln in the Log Book, #42. Since graduate school Shawn has continued to focus on making utilitarian wood fired vessels, which he has exhibited both national and internationally. Shawn is currently an Assistant Professor, teaching ceramics and sculpture, and Associate Director of Galleries and Museums at Sweet Briar College in Virginia.