Biography : Randall Nelson : Artist

Randall R. Nelson

EDUCATION

MFA in Visual Arts, 2006, Vermont College, Union Institute and University, Montpelier, Vermont
Graduate Courses, Metalworking and Ceramics, 1994 & 2004, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
Sculpture Apprenticeship, 1973-77, Woodcarving and Cabinetry, Toshio Odate, Woodbury, CT
BFA, Sculpture and Printmaking, 1974,Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Undergraduate Courses, Archeology and Anthropology, 1973, Merton College, Oxford, England

WORK EXPERIENCE

Member, American Institute for Conservation, Conservator in architectural materials, objects and sculpture.
Restoration Artist, 1983 to present, Decorative architectural restoration of historic buildings, monuments
and statues, specializing in wood and stone carving, mold making and casting.
Old State House, Hartford, CT 1996-2000. Commission to create statues of eight historical figures for tops of flagpoles around landmark building. Modeled in clay, cast in polyester resin and gold-leafed.
Decorative Projects Foreman, 1987-91, Joseph Gnazzo Co., Sturbridge, Mass. Director of stone carving, mold making and casting for masonry restoration projects.
Patternmaker and Mold Maker, 1983-85, Art Cement Products Company, Wilbraham, Mass.
Restoration Woodcarver, 1980-82, Bushnell Park Carousel Society, Hartford, CT
Bronze Casting Technician, 1983, School of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Sculpture Technician, 1977-78, Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, W. Hartford, CT

AWARDS

Golden Hammer Award, 1997, Worcester, Mass. Brownstone restoration of historic Burnside Building.
New England ICRI Concrete Repair Award, 1996, for Newport Preservation Society projects.
Board of Trustees Preservation Award, 1991&93, Historic Savannah Foundation, for terra cotta projects.
Best in Show, 1981, Sculpture, Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts.
Sculpture Commission, 1981, Art in Public Schools Program, CT Commission on the Arts, Willington, CT
Alva Museum Replicas Award, 1981, Art of the Northeast USA Show, Silvermine Art Guild.
One Year Working Grant, 1979, Connecticut Commission on the Arts.

ONE MAN EXHIBITIONS

Windham Arts Center Gallery, "MYTHS AND MEMORIES", December 30- January 24, 2007, Windham Area Arts Collaborative, Willimantic, CT
Family Memorial Installation, "LEST WE FORGET" April 26- May 21, 2005, Memorial Park, Willimantic, CT
The Great Hall, "HISTORICAL FIGURES", Feb. 22- May 20, 1996, Old State House, Hartford, CT
Governor Office, "CABINETS AND CARVED ANIMALS" April 6-October 25, 1992, State Capitol Building, Hartford, CT
Ward -Nasse Gallery, "ANIMALS AND FIGURES" September 7-26, 1985, New York, New York.
M. S. Gallery, "FIGURATIVE PIECES" August 2-28, 1985, Hartford, CT
Artworks Gallery,"METAL AND WOOD" April 23- May 16, 1983, Asylum Hill Artist's Cooperative, Hartford, CT
Hartford Insurance Group, "LARGE WOOD PIECES" July 6-25, 1980, Hartford, CT
Artworks Gallery, "CARVED WOOD FIGURES" June 19- July 6, 1980, Asylum Hill Artist's Cooperative, Hartford, CT
Kent Memorial Library Gallery, "LARGE WOOD ABSTRACTIONS" October 15- November 17, 1977, Suffield, CT
Pratt Institute Gallery, "ABSTRACT VISIONS", May 1- July 10, 1975, Brooklyn, New York.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Annual Members Show, February 1- March 3, 2007, Windham Arts Center Gallery, Willimantic, CT
Exhibitions During Graduate Studies, Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont
- Fourth Semester Exhibition, "THE PROMISE OF LOVE", July 28- August 6, 2006
- Third Semester Exhibition, "TEDDY'S SECRET SAFARI", February 3- 12, 2006
- Second Semester Exhibition, "EARLY BIRD FARMS" & "CHOICES", July 30- August 7, 2005
- First Semester Exhibition, "LEST WE FORGET" & "EMPTY NEST", February 4-13, 2005
- New Student Exhibition,"CERAMIC PORTRAITS" & "DREAMTIME", August 1-9, 2004

Artworks Gallery, 30th Anniversary Celebration, May 20- June 4, 2006, Hartford, CT
Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts Annual Juried Show, May 21- July 10, 2004, Mystic Art Association, Mystic, CT
Second Annual Juried Spring Show, May 21- June 30, 2004, Art League of New Britain, New Britain, CT
Canton Artist's Guild, May 5- June 27, 2004, Gallery on the Green, Canton, CT
Collinsville Juried Outdoor Exhibition, May 5- July 30, 2004, Collinsville, CT
Central Connecticut State University Graduate Exhibition, April 16- May 7, 2004, Art League of New Britain, New Britain, CT
Society of Connecticut Sculptors, Aug. 21-Sept. 18, 1993, Aug. 20-Sept. 17, 1994, Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
14 Sculptors Gallery, May 8-June 14, 1986 NY, NY
Ariel Gallery, March 10- April 6, 1986, NY, NY
M. S. Gallery, March 29- May 8,1985, Hartford, CT
Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, June 23- August 22, 1985, William Hart Benton Museum, University of CT, Storrs, CT
Hartford Jewish Community Center, Jan. 13- Feb 17, 1985, Jan 29-March 31, 1984, West Hartford, CT Artworks at the Athenaeum, Oct. 4- Dec. 1, 1983, Wadsworth Athenaeum, Hartford, CT
Farmington Valley Art Center, August 28- Sept. 25, 1983, Avon, CT
Lions Gallery of the Senses, Nov. 30-Jan. 27, 1981, Wadsworth Athenaeum, Hartford, CT
Artworks Gallery, July 11-27, 1980, March 9- April 1, 1981,Sept. 7- Oct. 10, 1982, Sept. 7- Oct. 4, 1983, Hartford, CT
Silvermine Guild for the Arts, Art of the Northeast USA, May 30- June 21, 1981, May 17- June 29, 1983, New Canaan, CT
New Haven Paint and Clay Club, March 8- April 4, 1981, New Haven, CT
Temple Beth El Art Show, March 21-25, 1981, West Hartford, CT

Animals in Art , Sponsored by the Connecticut Humane Society
- Lyme Art Association, May 20- June 10, 1981, Old Lyme, CT
- Art Gallery, Miss Porter's School, Sept 22- Oct. 15, 1981, Farmington, CT
- Marlborough Art Gallery, April 10- May 22, 1982, Concord, MA,
- Hartford Civic Center, Feb. 14- March 26, 1983, Hartford, CT
Oggi Gallery, May 20- June 15, 1976, Ridgefield, CT