Bonnie BishoffEducation
Oberlin College, Oberlin OH.1981-1985
J.M. Syron Education
Westchester Community College, Westchester County, NY, 1977-1982
Apprenticeship musical instrument maker, Steven Silverstein, NY, NY, 1977-1982
Apprentice Furniture Maker, Charles Thompson, Charleston, SC, 1982 – 1985
Collaborative Professional Experience
Furniture Society; Founding members, Steering Committee, Board of Trustees, 1996-2003,
Resource Directory committee chair, volunteer coordinator, Advisory Board 2003-04
Massachusetts Craft Organization, steering committee 1998-2000
The Society of Arts and Crafts, resource council, education committee 1999-2019
Fine Furnishings Providence Show, Advisory Board 2001-2005
Fuller Museum, Artist Advisory Board, 2005
American Craft Council Shows, Juror 1995, 2008
Fine Furnishings Providence, Juror, 2002
Craft Boston, Juror, 2006
Teaching Experience and Presentations (Bonnie Bishoff)
Silvera School of Jewelry, Berkley, CA - Virtual Classes about beginning and advanced polymer techniques 2023-2024
Metalwerx Studios, Waltham, MA. - Varied in person and virtual classes on polymer techniques and metal armatures 2020-2024
Portland Polymer Clay Guild, Marquetry with Polymer Clay and Earring Construction, Virtual ,2023
Kansas CityPolymer Clay Guild, Marquetry and Statement Necklaces,Virtual 2023
Newark Museum of Art, Simple Polymer Beads, April 2021
Studio Mojo, Columbus OH, Polymer and Wire Armatures, Sept 2019
New England Polymer Artist Guild, Franklin, MA, May 2018, Sept 2019
Creative Journeys Studio, Milton GA, 2019, 2022, 2024 various 3 day workshops on polymer clay techniques
SnowFarm, Polymer Marquetry, Pallet Pins and Pendants, Polymer Clay and Wire Armatures 2016, 2020,2023
EuroSynergy, Malta,“Polymer Clay without Limitations” “ Polymer Clay on a Large Scale”, April 2014
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle Maine, Open Door Workshop, Polymer Clay Marquetry, Oct 2013
Saddleback Mountain, Summer Artist workshop Series, “The Marriage of Surface and Form”, July 2012
Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, artist presentation, International Bead Designers, 2010, 2015
Fuller Craft Museum, “Marquetry with Polymer Clay”, workshop, Feb 2010
Fuller Craft Museum, “Sculpting Color: Works in Polymer Clay”, Panel discussion August 2009
SOFA Chicago, Artist presentation “Expressive Veneers: Painting with Clay”, Nov 2008
Washington Craft Show, “Strange Friends: Polymer Clay and Furniture” Nov 2007
“Meet the Artist”, lecture –demonstration, Museum of Art and Design, NY,NY July 07
CraftBoston, “Collector, Architect-Designer, Artist, A Major Collaboration” panel discussion March 07
Renwick Gallery – Artist’s Presentation, 2005
Fuller Craft Museum, Artist Presentation, 2005
James Renwick Alliance, Distinguished Artist’s Series, Workshop on Polymer Clay techniques, 2005
CraftBoston, Walking Tour, Studio Furniture 2004, 2005, Artist’s Presentation 06,
Amer.Craft Council Baltimore Show, “The Emergence of Design and its Affect on the Craft World”04
Providence Fine Furnishings Show, “Successful Collaborations Between Artist and Clients”, 2002
CraftBoston, Artist Presentation, “Polymer Clay in Furniture”, 2002
Society of Arts and Crafts, Artist Symposium, 2001
Furniture Society Annual Conference 99, 02, Seminar, “Use of Polymer Clay in Furniture”, “Making a Living as a Furniture Maker, 99, Women in Furniture, 02
Ravensdale Conference, Evergreen St. College, “Large sculptural Forms in Polymer Clay”, Illuminated Vessels”, 98“Large Clay Tiles”, Lace Cane Patterns, 00
Gallery Representation
Center for Maine Craft, Gardiner, ME
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine
Left Bank Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
Lights Out Gallery, Norway, Maine
Juried Shows
American Craft Council Shows,Columbus 92, 96, 97 Baltimore, winter 94-08,2014-2020
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Phila., PA 1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008-2011, 2018-2019
Craftboston Spring, Boston, MA, 2002-2019, Craftboston Holiday 2010-2020, Studs and Drops Virtual 2021
Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington D.C. 2004, 2006, 2009,2010,2011,2014,2018, virtual 2020
Maine Crafts Guild and MCA, Mount Desert Island Craft Show 2016-2019, 2021
Maine Crafts Guild Brunswick Show, 2017, 2019, 2021
Portland Fine Craft Show, August 2019
Paradise City North Hampton, MA 2011, 2012, Marlborough Craft Show 2014, 2019
Chicago 98, Minneapolis 92, Baltimore Summer, 99-00
International Contemporary Furniture Fair, NY, NY 1992
Philadelphia Furniture Show, Philadelphia, PA 1995-2004
Fine Furnishings Providence, RI, 97-05,09
Crafts at the Castle, Boston, MA 2001-2002, 2005
Westchester Craft Show, Westchester, NY, 2003 Washington Craft Show, Washington D.C. 03, 04, 07, 2015
SOFA Chicago, represented by Function + Art, 2004-2008
Palm Beach Fine Craft Show, West Palm Beach FL, 2008
Paradise City North Hampton, MA 2011, 2012, Marlborough Craft Show 2019
Exhibitions and Awards
“Please Be Seated”, Henry Morrison Flager Museum, Palm Beach, FL, 1995
“The Chair Show” Southern Highland Craft Guild. Asheville, NC 1995
“Furniture, Details in Color”, The Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, MA, 1995
Niche Awards, Winner; Wood; One of a Kind, 1996
“Pull up a chair” annual show, Meredith Gallery, Baltimore, MD 96-99
“Collaborative Forms”, Individual Show, Meredith Gallery, Baltimore, MD 1996
Fine Furnishings Providence, 1st prize: Best Company Presentation, 1997
Annual Lighting Show, Del Mano Gallery, Pasadena, CA, 1998-1999
Featured Artist, The Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, Nov 98, June 00, July 02
“Overview in Polymer Clay” The Target Gallery, Alexandria, VA, 1998
“Moving Forward”, Nat. Polymer Clay Guild, Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Bethesda, MD, 1998
Artist of the Month, Creations Gallery, Delaware, October, 1999
“Polymer Clay” Society of Arts Crafts, Boston, MA Nov-Dec 1999
“Contemporary Studio Cabinetry: The Inside Story” ELVM Museum of Art, U of WI, Madison, WI 2002
“For your Collection” Attleboro Museum, Attleboro, MA 2003
“Furniture: Future Tense” DeCordova Museum, Lincoln, MA April 2003
Wilsonart Invitational Furniture Exhibition, Lord and Taylor, Philadelphia, PA May-June 2003
“Contemporary New England Art Furniture” Lynman Allyn Art Museum, Feb-May 2004
“The Perfect Collection”, Fuller Museum, March-May 2004
Priority in Seating Award, Philadelphia Furniture Show, 2004
Best of Media, 2004,2009, Artist Choice Award, 2004’Craftboston
Furniture Invitational Clark –Naga Gallery, June 2004
“Cut it Out”, Fuller Craft Museum, Oct-Nov 2004
“Inspired by China”, Peabody Essex Museum, Museum of Art and Design, NYC, Mu of Art, Ft Lauderdale, Oct 07-Jan 08
“The Artful Home Show”, NYC, Nov, 2007
“ In the Palm of Your Hand” Messeler Gallery, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship Rockport,ME, Dec 08
“Progress & Possibilities, Polymer Clay International Juried Exhibition, 1st -2nd place for Functional Objects, 08
“Sculpting Color: Works in Polymer Clay”, Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA, Aug. –Oct. 09
“Boxes and Their Makers”Messler Gallery,Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rckpt ,ME Sept -Nov 09
“ For North Bennet Street”, Gallery NAGA, Boston, MA, Feb 2010
“Terra Nova: Polymer Clay at the Crossroads”, Racine Museum of Art, Racine WI, 10/2011- 3/ 2012
“The Teapot, Redefined”, Mobilia, Cambridge MA, October 2012
“ Your Personal Hang-Ups”, The Center For Art in Wood, Nov 2012-Feb 2013
“Cape Ann Artisans 30th Anniversary Exhibition”, Cape Ann Museum , March 2013-May 2012
“Made in Massachusetts: Studio Furniture of the Bay State”, Fuller Craft Museum Oct 2014- Feb 2014
Japanese Polymer Clay Association, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 2017
Decade Artists, CraftBoston 2017-2019
“Nuptials,: Adornment for a New Age”, Maine Craft Association, Portland Maine, May 2017
“Wildflower Wall” , Maine Craft Association, Portland, Maine, October 2021
“Outside the Lines”, Monique Rancourt Gallery, Waltham, MA, July 2021
“Cape Ann Artisans 40th Anniversary Exhibition, Rocky Neck Cultural Center, Gloucester, MA, September -October, 2023
“Little Sparks”. Lights Out Gallery, Norway, Maine , August -October 2023
“The Ruby Jubilee” – Celebrating 40 Years Of MCA, Maine Craft Association, Portland, ME November 2023.
“Adorn: A Jewelry Invitational “ Atlantic Center for the Arts- Downtown:Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna Beach, FL, Jan.– Feb. 2024
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, ME, May - July 2024
Publications
American Woodworker April 1995
American Craft April/May 1995
Home Furniture, Fall ‘95 cover, April ’97
House Beautiful, November 1997
Fine Woodworking, Feb ’07, back cover
Road Island Monthly, November 1997
American Style Magazine, summer 1999
Woodworkers Journal, August 2002, The Guild
Boston Globe, 5/15/02“Scratching the Surface” 2002, Michael Hosaluk
Fine Woodworking, 2/2003
“Studio Furniture, The Heart of the Functional Arts”99, Kelsey & Mastelli
“Studio Furniture Tradition in Contemporary Furniture” 2001, Kelsey and Mastelli
Niche Magazine,Spring,96, Winter98,Autumn99,Summer 02
“400 Polymer Clay Designs” 2004, Lark Books
“Discovering Drawing” 2007, Ted Rose, Sally Mahan Cox
“Inspired by China” 2006, Nancy Berliner, Edward Cooke
“500 Chairs”, 2008 Lark Books
“ 500 Tables” 2009 Lark Books
“Boxes and Their Makers”, Fox Chapel Publishing, 2009
“Progress and Possibilities”, IPCA, 2009
“ Chairs” Lark Studio Series, 2010, Lark Crafts
“ 500 Cabinets: A showcase of Design and Craftsmanship”, 2010, Lark Crafts
“ Master, Polymer Clay: Major works by Leading Artists”, 2011, Lark Crafts
“ How Polymer Hit the Big Time” American Craft Magazine, Oct/Nov 2011
“ Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads” Racine Art Museum