Artist Statement:
I create ceramic vessels and sculpture that tell the story of mankind’s ancient and universal partnership with clay through the study of geology, archeology, global patterns, symbols, and iconography. My recent 10-year endeavor “Conservation Through Clay” is derived from 10 Artist-in-Residency and archeological projects completed at National and State Parks, National Conservation areas and National Monuments where I completed over 200 works in situ, telling the story of each individual park, it’s history, people and the region.
Artist BIO:
Brad Bachmeier is a native of Anamoose, North Dakota currently living south of Fargo with his wife Susan and daughter Kyler. Their three oldest children are currently in college. Mr. Bachmeier is Chair of the School of Art at Minnesota State University Moorhead and serves as the Program Director of Art Education and as the Art Therapy Program Coordinator. Professor Bachmeier has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a nominee for U.S Professor of the Year and was awarded MN Higher Arts Educator of the Year by the Art Educators of MN.
Brad’s ceramic work through his business Bachmeier Pottery is collected nationally and internationally and can be found in public and private collections in all 50 states, including the ND Governor’s Mansion, The Microsoft Permanent Collection, The South Dakota Museum of Art, The Grand Canyon/Parashant National Monument ,The ND Museum of Art, The Plains Art Museum, The Dakotah Prairie Museum, Mesa Verde National Park, and Michelle Obama’s office in the White House (personal collection) to name a few. Brad is one of only 19 brick sculptors in the nation as recognized by the American Brick Association. Brad has completed many large-scale pieces of public art and has served as project coordinator for numerous others.
“In recognition of his numerous, significant and continued contributions to the state and region” he was awarded the state’s highest recognition in Art, the bi-annual ND Council on the Arts Governor’s Award. Over his 30-year career in the visual arts Mr. Bachmeier has garnered over 50 regional, national, and international grants, and awards. Mr. Bachmeier has served on Boards of numerous Art organizations including the founding boards of the Fargo Moorhead Visual Artists, The Center for Creativity at the Plains Art Museum, and the North Dakota Arts Education Association. He has also served as President of the Board at the Rourke Art Museum and The Arts Partnership and Vice-Chair of the ND Council on the Arts. Brad has completed terms on the City of Fargo Planning Commission and currently serves on the City of Fargo’s Arts & Culture Commission as well as the MN Art Educators Board of Directors.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Additional funding comes from the Bemidji Area Arts Endowment, a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation.
