Sarah Ferrency on fri 21 may 10
Hi everyone. I wanted to let you know that the University of Alaska
Southeast in Sitka, AK is recruiting an MFA-level Ceramics Professor. Sit=
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ka
is a really fantastic community that is very supportive of the arts. Ther=
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e
is an established community of hobbyist and professional potters working =
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in
the University studio, and we are really hoping to find an excellent prof=
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essor.
The studio is relatively small, but well-equipped, with 15-20 wheels (5
kick, the rest electric, all new within the past 7 or so years), a Peter
Pugger pugmill, 2 fully functional computer-controlled cone 6 kilns and a=
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variety of out-of-use kilns, a cone 10 gas kiln, multiple raku setups, a
spray booth, a pretty comprehensive supply of ceramic chemicals for mixin=
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g
glazes, a bronze foundry and other sculpture stuff, etc.
Students are generally community members or AA students seeking to fulfil=
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l
General Ed Art requirements. Our last professor was very involved with th=
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e
local arts community, bringing working artists in to teach workshops and
classes, and collaborating with the Greater Sitka Arts Council and the Si=
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tka
Fine Arts Camps, and I know this is something folks would like to see
continued. He also imported other ceramicists about once a year to teach
workshops.
Sitka is a beautiful coastal community located on Baranof Island, which i=
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s
on the outside waters of the famous Alaska Inside Passage. The community=
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is
relatively isolated, with a population of about 9,000 and 14 miles of roa=
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d
end-to-end. All regular services (groceries, hardware, some clothing, car=
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repair, etc.) are available, but specialty items are generally mail-order=
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ed.
Access is by ferry or commercial airline (with regular 747-type planes). =
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The
main economic engines in Sitka are tourism, commercial fishing, health ca=
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re,
education, and resource management.
The environment is rich and stunning, comprised of some of the northernmo=
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st
temperate rainforests in the country. Weather is a lot like Seattle, but
slightly cooler- generally 50-60 degrees and rainy in the summer and 30-5=
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0
degrees and rainy in the winter. Annual highs are generally in the 70s an=
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d
lows are in the teens, and we don't get a ton of snow. We do have some su=
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n,
but expect rain! The fishing is abundant and fantastic, with crab, prawns=
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,
halibut, and several types of salmon all available within a half day's bo=
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at
ride, usually closer. About 20% of Sitka's population is Alaska Native
(mostly Tlingit), and some of the best collaborations with the University=
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art department in recent years have been with Native artists, teaching wo=
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od
carving, weaving, beading, silver carving, and form line design.
Finally, as a stop on many cruise lines' Alaskan Inside Passage cruises, =
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we
do have a thriving summer tour industry (April-Sept) and several art
galleries that are always looking for local artists to represent. It's a
very friendly and welcoming place, and the school district is well-regard=
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ed
for its size. Property costs are relatively high, although they are more
affordable now than I've seen them in the 12 years I've been here.
I am not an official representative of the University, although I have be=
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en
filling in as a studio lab assistant this year while our current professo=
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r
has been on sabbatical. I just wanted to make sure the job announcement g=
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ot
spread far and wide so we can find the best candidate possible. Here is t=
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he
link to see the official job description and to apply:
https://www.uakjobs.com/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=3D=
3D=3D
1274480670273
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