Branden Lawless, born and raised in Southeastern Kansas, is a second-year MFA candidate at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. After obtaining his BFA from Kansas State University in 2021, he completed a post baccalaureate program at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In 2019, Lawless attended Lorenzo de’Medici, an international Italian institute in Florence, Italy. His semester abroad would influence a short-term residency at Studio Pescarella in Pietrasanta, Italy during the summer of 2023. Lawless work today is an extension of his ever-growing world Rat Bastard University and his sculptural work, which features narratives about love and identity through the lens of a Midwest Queer.
Resume
Education
2023- MFA Candidate in Ceramics, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
2022-23 Post-Baccalaureate in Ceramics, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
2021 BFA in Studio Art with a Concentration in Ceramics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
2019 Instituto Lorenzo de’Medici, Florence, Italy (Spring Semester)
Professional Experience
2023- Graduate Teaching Assistant, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS (Instructor of record)
Exhibitions
2024 It’s Been A While, Harvester Arts at The Lux, Wichita KS
2024 Wichita Ceramic Showcase, Mercer Gallery, Garden City Community College, Garden City, KS
2024 Vessel, United Colors Gallery, Kansas City, Kansas
2024 2nd Year Graduate Showcase, Project Space Gallery, Wichita State University, Wichita KS
2024 Southeast Missouri State University Ceramics NASAD Accreditation Exhibition, River Campus Art Annex Hallway Gallery, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
2024 7th Annual Emerging Artist Showcase, McKnight Hall, Wichita State University, Wichita KS, Juror: David Emitt Adams
2024 Kansas Clay, Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS,
2024 Color Pop!, Saratoga Clay Arts Center, Schuyler, NY, Juror: Didem Mert
2024 Small Favors, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
2024 Inch-By-Inch, Project Space Gallery, Wichita State University, Wichita KS, collaborative exhibition, coordinated by Aly Horn
2023 Intergalactic Open 4, Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA
2023 Emotional Thresholds, Art Fluent, online exhibition
2023 First-Generation, 4th Annual Art Showcase, Cadman Art Gallery, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, Juror: Jefferson Godard
2022 Fall ‘22 Juried Exhibition, River Campus Arts Building: Main Gallery, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO, Juror: Kelly Downes/ The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
2021 BFA Exhibition, Mark A. Chapman Gallery, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
2019 Art is in the Square, juried exhibition in ceramics and marble sculpture, Piazza San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy
Scholarships
2023-25 Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS (Awarded yearly, for three years)
2024 Esther V. & Clayton P. Staples Memorial Scholarship – Fellowship, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS (Awarded on two separate occasions)
2020 Anderson Ranch Workshop Scholarship, for tuition, room and board, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (Did not attend due to Covid Pandemic)
2020 Weary Family Art Scholarship, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Residencies
2022 Studio Pescarella, marble sculpture, Pietrasanta, Italy (Studio/event assistant)
2022 Olimagio Agriturismo, marble sculpture, Pietrasanta, Italy
(WWOOF: World Wide Organization of Organic Farms and commissioned sculpture)
Lectures & Talks
2024 Artist Presentation, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
2024 Artist Presentation, Garden City Community College, Garden City, KS
2024 Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects Symposium (GRASP), Wichita State University, Wichita, KS (Prepared and presented research poster to jurors of various departments)
2024 Artist Presentation, Kansas Clay, Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS
Workshops
2024 Assistant Workshop Instructor, Face It: Wall mounted Heads and Figures, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN (Under Benjie Heu, assisted in kiln firings, demo setup, operation of studio equipment, detailed and fine-tuned studio.)
2020 Assistant Workshop Instructor, Kansas Art Education Association, Friends University, Wichita, KS (Under Natalie Brown, assisted in kiln firings and introductory ceramics courses for K-12 Kansas educators)
Professional Service & Related Experience
2023- Ceramics Guild Member, Wichita State University Ceramics Guild, Wichita, KS (Participated in sales events and Empty Bowls)
2022-2023 Newborn Photographer, Mom365, Cape Girardeau, Mo (Captured, edited, and sold professional photos)
2022-23 Clay Club member, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO (participated in sales and events)
2021-22 Apparel Coordinator, Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (Designed, ordered, and produced apparel ~40-100 members)
2020-21 Clay Cats Ceramics Club President, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
2021 Prairie Fire Printmakers Club member, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS