ASU Art Museum hires new ceramics curator for its Ceramics Research Center

TEMPE, Ariz. - The ASU Art Museum announces the addition of a curator of ceramics to its staff. Peter Held, who has been the executive director and curator for Holter Museum of Art in Helena, Montana, since 1994, accepted the position at the museum's new Ceramics Research Center and takes up the position today, Jan. 15.

Held has more than 25 years of experience in the visual arts, specializing in ceramics. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Studio Art (Ceramics) from SUNY Brockport, NY, and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Oregon State University. He also was a resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana in 1974-75.

Held described the position as "tailor-made" for him and his experience in the ceramics and museum field.

"I'm thrilled to be part of the Herberger College's new Ceramics Research Center," Peter Held said. "My hope is to create a growing awareness of the collection among students, artists, scholars and collectors."

He added that developing the scope of the collection was another goal that he believed would add immeasurably to the visibility of the institution.

Held has curated more than 30 exhibitions, including A Ceramic Continuum: 50 Years of the Archie Bray Influence, a traveling exhibition of 85 works drawn from the Bray's permanent collection. This exhibition opened at the Holter in 2001, in honor of the Bray's 50th Anniversary. Other major traveling shows have included Ashen Beauty: Woodfired Ceramics, David Shaner: A Potter's Work, 1963-1993, and Sisters of the Earth: Native American Ceramics. He has also authored numerous articles on contemporary art and crafts,

"We are fortunate to have found the ideal person for this position," ASU Art Museum Director Marilyn Zeitlin said. Peter's commitment to artists and community is strong. He knows contemporary ceramics inside out, and contemporary art as well. The curators already on staff look forward to creating crossover projects and having another vital curator on our team."

The ASU Art Museum's Ceramics Research Center opened in March 2001 and houses one of the country's largest and most important collections of 20th century and contemporary British and American ceramics.

The ASU Art Museum is a division of The Katherine K. Herberger College of Fine Arts
at Arizona State University.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Pringle
480-965-8795
jennifer.pringle@asu.edu