Alex Lanham — Ceramic Arts, Portraiture & Tile Mosaics
- Alex Lanham has an infectious enthusiasm for clay creation. He started working with clay at Lane Community College where he was a teacher's assistant for two years and attended the University of Oregon where he earned an MFA in 1994.
- Alex and his students have created 20 permanent tile mural projects installed in 16 different schools in seven school districts in Lane County. Library tile installations can be found at Fairfield Elementary (Bethel) and Veneta Elementary, as well as the Fern Ridge Public Library created by Elmira students. Self-portraits and animal portraits were created for the new Thurston Elementary. All schools in Crow-Applegate-Lorane have an Alex Lanham and students' tile creation. Both interior and exterior tile projects can be seen in six Eugene 4-J schools.
- When a tile project is made to be permanently installed students also make a tile to take home. All tile projects involve drawing lessons in portraiture, as well as color theory, design, and landscape. When a school chooses basic clay construction, students learn pinch pot, slab pot, and coil pot techniques, as well as 3D sculptural and glazing methods. All students create a treasure they take home.
- Alex works to promote positive energy and self-confidence among his students. One of his strengths is addressing the special needs of students as he works very well with students from other cultures and those in self-contained classrooms. "I encourage students to explore and create from the smallest pinch pot to the tallest sculpture. What is important is the discovery of the wonder of creating."
- "Alex's residency was amazing. Each student had the opportunity to create a self-portrait and an animal from the local area. Students had a fantastic time and the products were fantastic." Brenda Moyer, Principal, Mapleton Elementary
- "Alex encouraged staff to be his students with the children. I gained some skills and felt successful with my projects." Rodney Cooper, Teacher, Combination grades 4,5,6, Lorane Elementary
- "I was impressed with how Alex made an extra effort to identify challenging students and take them under his wing." Wayne Laut, Superintendent Blachly School District
- Recent Artist Residencies include Mapleton Elementary, Lorane Elementary, River Road El Camino del Rio Elementary (extended multi-week Residency, 2007-2009), Thurston (Springfield 2009).
