January 28th - February 14th

Closing Reception: Feb. 12th 6-8:30pm

Tom Alward
"Under the Ashes"
Wood-Fired Ceramics

After a few introductions to clay as a young adult, Tom Alward began to pursue ceramics on a serious level in 2002.  Studying and working at a community college propelled him to later enroll at Northern Arizona University (NAU) in 2005, to obtain a BFA in Ceramics. 

It was in Flagstaff and NAU that Tom learned about many new facets of ceramics.  He quickly became immersed in the exciting and challenging process of wood firing, which ended up revolutionizing his whole perception of the medium.  This new technique allowed him to see the beauty of imperfections, uncertainty, and natural splendor.  Pots could suddenly be transformed, naturally colored and glazed by flame patterns and the build up of melted ash.   It also made him take a deeper look at nature, to up close textures and surfaces, that eventually began to influence his style into a more loose and organic expression.  Being an Arizona native also exposed him to the dramatic and contrasting landscapes of the southwest, which played an obvious roll in his background and inspiration as an artist. 

Thus far, Tom has shown his work in numerous juried shows and solo exhibitions across the country, as well as in Australia.  Being back in Arizona now, Tom Alward aims to continue wood-fired ceramics in contemporary contexts, and anticipates the use of more indigenous clays to bring further meaning and location into our daily lives.  Ultimately, Tom says he is seeking ‘a sense of place’ in his latest work, to reaffirm a connection to natural landscapes and the places we live.