Lauren Tucci
(American, b.1991)
Lauren Tucci (she/her) is an American artist whose sculptures and prints utilize curiously modified everyday objects to explore the conflicts, conditions, and dark humor of our shared reality. By transforming ordinary items into symbols of psychological inquiry, she subverts form through trompe l’oeil and the uncanny to shed light on our personalities and how interior spaces define us. Her work treats the private environment as a site for reimagining the collective human condition.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Tucci earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (Penn West), with minors in Art History and Psychology—disciplines that deeply inform the conceptual framework of her practice. Her work has been featured in Ceramics Monthly, exhibited nationally and internationally, and developed through short- and long-term residencies in ceramics and printmaking.
Complementing her studio practice, she has over 15 years of professional experience in the arts as a curator and fine art appraiser. She is the Exhibitions and Collection Manager at Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and an Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers. Having curated more than 75 exhibitions, her professional training has instilled a deep commitment to the preservation, conservation, and stewardship of art collections. Tucci remains an active leader in the Midwest arts community, having served on the advisory council for Excellence in the Arts (The Gazette) and the organizational committee for the Iowa Clay Conference in partnership with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio. She is also frequently invited to serve as a juror, visiting artist, and speaker.
There is more currency with having intrinsic connections with people one on one, than in our filtered digital world. It seems, to me, that we’ve lost effective verbal communication with one another—sentences have no syntax, words used have incorrect meaning. Because of this, I’m inclined to think that we might investigate an archaic approach that humans have used for millennia: symbolism.
My artwork is focused on sculptural ceramics as well as illustrative block printing; my approach to creating is through an intuitive process of dissecting imagery we find closest to us in our dwellings. Objects found in the home are layered with additional symbols via a trompe-l’œil effect. These curiously-modified contemporary artifacts implore surrealism through a comical lens. I incorporate the historical reference of gold and frame gilding in series of work. Pairing this traditional surfacing to contemporary commodities hone in on how funny I find it’s rampant production and consumption.
My deepest interest is in the connections we have with ourselves and how our personality and individualisms are defined by our interior spaces and the items we surround ourselves with.
My artwork is focused on sculptural ceramics as well as illustrative block printing; my approach to creating is through an intuitive process of dissecting imagery we find closest to us in our dwellings. Objects found in the home are layered with additional symbols via a trompe-l’œil effect. These curiously-modified contemporary artifacts implore surrealism through a comical lens. I incorporate the historical reference of gold and frame gilding in series of work. Pairing this traditional surfacing to contemporary commodities hone in on how funny I find it’s rampant production and consumption.
My deepest interest is in the connections we have with ourselves and how our personality and individualisms are defined by our interior spaces and the items we surround ourselves with.
Education
2011-13 BFA, Studio Arts-Ceramics Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
-Cum laude | Minor in Psychology and Art History
2009-11 AS, Art Community College of Allegheny County, Monroeville, PA
Ongoing Professional Development; Kirkwood Community College | Intro to Interior Design, Discover Sign Language
Professional Experience
2025-Present--Exhibitions and Collection Manager Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
2023-Present--Personal Property Appraiser; Fine Art International Society of Appraisers
2019-2025--Gallery Director Gilded Pear Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
2016-2018 --Gallery Committee Chair Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
2015-2018 --Gallery Assistant and Inventory Manager Gilded Pear Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
2014-2015 --Resident Artist and Instructor The Ceramic Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Residencies
2019--Summer Resident Artist (printmaking) Public Space One, IowaCity, IA
2014-15--Long-term Resident Artist (ceramics) The Ceramic Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Exhibitions
Solo
2017--Objects for Cinema: Act I Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
2014--Untitled in Haste CSPS Hall, Club Room Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
Two & Three Person
2023-- Gilty Pleasures Gilded Pear Gallery (with Suzy McGrane-Hop and Linda Ge) Cedar Rapids, IA
2021--The Gilded Girls Gilded Pear Gallery (with Suzy McGrane-Hop and Linda Ge) Cedar Rapids, IA
2019--Print Exhibit Janalyn Hanson White Gallery (with Emily Jalinsky and Mackie Garrett) Mount Mercy University. Cedar Rapids, IA
2019--Reconstitute Peter Paul Luce Gallery (with Gratia Brown and Wendy Thoreson) Cornell College. Mount Vernon, IA
2018--GuILT Gilded Pear Gallery (with Suzy McGrane-Hop) Cedar Rapids, IA
2015--In Situ The Ceramic Center Gallery (with Pip Lucas), Cedar Rapids, IA
2014--Sandoozles and Ocelots Ceramic Center Gallery (with Will Rimel), Cedar Rapids, IA
2013--Hypnopompic Bates Gallery (with Kristina Kaiser and Rebecca Polk), Edinboro University, PA
Group
2024 Making Connections: Ceramics Invitational. Iowa Clay Conference. Janalyn Hanson White Gallery. Mount Mercy University. Cedar Rapids, IA
2020
FOR/BY. Stanley Museum benefit for the acquisition of American Women Artists. Coralville, IA
Bluestockings: 2020 Member Showcase. Sinclair Galleries; Coe College. Cedar Rapids, IA
2019
Resident Exhibition. Public Space One. IowaCity, IA
Into the Blue (Juried regional). Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Cedar Rapids, IA
Part & Parcel (International). Northrup King Building; Studio 394 Gallery. NCECA Concurrent Exhibit. Minneapolis, MN
Women's March (Juried regional). University of Iowa Stanley Museum. Film Scene. Iowa City, IA
2018-2019
Terra Nova: Ten Years (Acquisition). Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Cedar Rapids, IA
2018
A Formed Community: Current Works of Past Residents. Iowa Ceramics Center Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
River 2 River; Iowa Clay Conference 2018 (Juried regional). Coe College Sinclair Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
Workhouse Clay International (Juried international) Workhouse Arts Center. Lorton, VA
A Bridge to be Crossed (Invitational) Community College of Allegheny County. NCECA Concurrent Exhibit. Pittsburgh, PA
2017
Women's Work (Invitational) The Yards, Rochester NY
2016
Yunomi (Invitational) AKAR, Iowa City, IA
Divided|Attraction (Juried national) Gilded Pear Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
2015
River 2 River; Iowa Clay Conference 2015 (Juried regional) Coe College Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
Sculpture Show Cherry Building Commons Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
2014
Bizen-American Cultural Exchange Exhibition Bizenware Traditional Industry Hall Gallery, Bizen, Japan
NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition (Juried international) Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Milwaukee, WI
2013
Chimera XI Student Juried Exhibition (Juried) Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA
39th Annual October Evenings (Juried regional) Meadville Council on the Arts-Heeschen Gallery, Meadville, PA
2012
Annual Juried Cup Show (Juried national) Clarion University, Clarion, PA
Potterfest (Juried) Baron-Forness Library, Edinboro, PA
Transitions Bates Gallery, Edinboro, PA
Honors / Awards/ Commissions
2019
Honorarium Reconstitute. Cornell College. The Peter Paul Luce Gallery. Mount Vernon, IA
2017
Honorarium Juried Student Exhibition. Northern State University. Aberdeen, SD
2014
Studio Potter Merit Award NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, Milwaukee, WI
2012
First Place, NonFunctional Award Annual Juried Cup Show, Clarion, PA
First Place Potterfest, Edinboro, PA
Membership
International Society of Appraisers (ISA)
National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)
Curatorial
2023
Advisory Committee Excellence in the Arts. The Gazette. Eastern Iowa High Schools
2019
Juror High School Art Show. Mount Mercy University. Presented cash awards and associating scholarships. Cedar Rapids, IA
Juror Marion Arts Festival . Marion, IA
Curator Reconstitute. Cornell College. Peter Paul Luce Gallery. Mount Vernon, IA
Organizer Part & Parcel. Northrup King Building. Minneapolis, MN
2018
Juror A Formed Community: Current Works of Past Residents. Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
Juror 2018 Student Art Show. Presented cash awards. Mount Mercy University. Cedar Rapids, IA
Curator Crash Currents. Gilded Pear Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
2017
Juror Juried Student Exhibition. Presented cash awards. Northern State University. Aberdeen, SD
2014
Juror Playdate National Juried Exhibit. The Ceramic Center Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
Teaching / Workshops & Lectures
2024
Self Portrait Bust Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio. Cedar Rapids, IA
2023
Portfolio Photography Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio. Cedar Rapids, IA
2019
Professional Development Presentation Bluestockings Art Collective. Iowa City, IA
Featured Artist Talk Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Art Bites. Cedar Rapids, IA
Artist Talk Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Kids Camp. Cedar Rapids, IA
Juror Gallery Talk Mount Mercy University. Janalyn Hanson White Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
Curator Gallery Talk Cornell College. The Peter Paul Luce Gallery, Mount Vernon, IA
2017
Presenting Artist Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
Visiting Artist Lecturer Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
Visiting Lecturer (Arts Management) Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
2015
Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Resident Artist (Welcome) Slide Lecture The Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
2014-15
Instructor The Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Collections
Notable Private: Portland, OR--Conway, AK--Iowa City, IA--Cedar Rapids, IA--St.Louis, MO
Corporate: Skogman Companies, Cedar Rapids, IA
Teaching: Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Public: Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA
Public: The Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
Bibliography/Press
-Ceramics Monthly, September 2023 Issue. Gallery Guide, pg 68
-Culture Crawl #641 The Gilded Girls. KCCK, 88.3 FM Radio. June 30, 2021.
-Current Obsession Magazine. Polyphonous 2021-Mimetic Lives II. March 31, 2021, pg 57-58
-Minneapolis Exhibition Highlight: Part & Parcel. NCECA blog. February 1, 2019. Cindy Bracker, Communications Director
- Workhouse Clay International 2018 Exhibit Catalog. January 30th, 2019. pg 57
-The Gazette. My Biz: Gilded Pear Gallery keeps its artists roster full. March 14th, 2018, pg 10A.
-Culture Crawl #328 Featuring...US. KCCK, 88.3 FM Radio. March 1st, 2018.
-Daily Palette. University of Iowa online publication, February 26th, 2018. Wendy Parker- Curator
-RSK Evening news, FM Okyama, Japan, October 3, 2014
-Ceramics Monthly, September 2014 Issue. 2014 ‘National Student Juried Exhibition’, pg 56
-Daily Palette Double feature. University of Iowa online publication, August 27th and 28th, 2014. Emily Kerrigan- Curator
-NCECA Student Juried Exhibition Journal 2014
-Chimera XI, Jan Northey, Chimera Journal 2014
2011-13 BFA, Studio Arts-Ceramics Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
-Cum laude | Minor in Psychology and Art History
2009-11 AS, Art Community College of Allegheny County, Monroeville, PA
Ongoing Professional Development; Kirkwood Community College | Intro to Interior Design, Discover Sign Language
Professional Experience
2025-Present--Exhibitions and Collection Manager Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
2023-Present--Personal Property Appraiser; Fine Art International Society of Appraisers
2019-2025--Gallery Director Gilded Pear Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
2016-2018 --Gallery Committee Chair Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
2015-2018 --Gallery Assistant and Inventory Manager Gilded Pear Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
2014-2015 --Resident Artist and Instructor The Ceramic Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Residencies
2019--Summer Resident Artist (printmaking) Public Space One, IowaCity, IA
2014-15--Long-term Resident Artist (ceramics) The Ceramic Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Exhibitions
Solo
2017--Objects for Cinema: Act I Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
2014--Untitled in Haste CSPS Hall, Club Room Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
Two & Three Person
2023-- Gilty Pleasures Gilded Pear Gallery (with Suzy McGrane-Hop and Linda Ge) Cedar Rapids, IA
2021--The Gilded Girls Gilded Pear Gallery (with Suzy McGrane-Hop and Linda Ge) Cedar Rapids, IA
2019--Print Exhibit Janalyn Hanson White Gallery (with Emily Jalinsky and Mackie Garrett) Mount Mercy University. Cedar Rapids, IA
2019--Reconstitute Peter Paul Luce Gallery (with Gratia Brown and Wendy Thoreson) Cornell College. Mount Vernon, IA
2018--GuILT Gilded Pear Gallery (with Suzy McGrane-Hop) Cedar Rapids, IA
2015--In Situ The Ceramic Center Gallery (with Pip Lucas), Cedar Rapids, IA
2014--Sandoozles and Ocelots Ceramic Center Gallery (with Will Rimel), Cedar Rapids, IA
2013--Hypnopompic Bates Gallery (with Kristina Kaiser and Rebecca Polk), Edinboro University, PA
Group
2024 Making Connections: Ceramics Invitational. Iowa Clay Conference. Janalyn Hanson White Gallery. Mount Mercy University. Cedar Rapids, IA
2020
FOR/BY. Stanley Museum benefit for the acquisition of American Women Artists. Coralville, IA
Bluestockings: 2020 Member Showcase. Sinclair Galleries; Coe College. Cedar Rapids, IA
2019
Resident Exhibition. Public Space One. IowaCity, IA
Into the Blue (Juried regional). Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Cedar Rapids, IA
Part & Parcel (International). Northrup King Building; Studio 394 Gallery. NCECA Concurrent Exhibit. Minneapolis, MN
Women's March (Juried regional). University of Iowa Stanley Museum. Film Scene. Iowa City, IA
2018-2019
Terra Nova: Ten Years (Acquisition). Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Cedar Rapids, IA
2018
A Formed Community: Current Works of Past Residents. Iowa Ceramics Center Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
River 2 River; Iowa Clay Conference 2018 (Juried regional). Coe College Sinclair Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
Workhouse Clay International (Juried international) Workhouse Arts Center. Lorton, VA
A Bridge to be Crossed (Invitational) Community College of Allegheny County. NCECA Concurrent Exhibit. Pittsburgh, PA
2017
Women's Work (Invitational) The Yards, Rochester NY
2016
Yunomi (Invitational) AKAR, Iowa City, IA
Divided|Attraction (Juried national) Gilded Pear Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
2015
River 2 River; Iowa Clay Conference 2015 (Juried regional) Coe College Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
Sculpture Show Cherry Building Commons Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA
2014
Bizen-American Cultural Exchange Exhibition Bizenware Traditional Industry Hall Gallery, Bizen, Japan
NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition (Juried international) Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Milwaukee, WI
2013
Chimera XI Student Juried Exhibition (Juried) Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA
39th Annual October Evenings (Juried regional) Meadville Council on the Arts-Heeschen Gallery, Meadville, PA
2012
Annual Juried Cup Show (Juried national) Clarion University, Clarion, PA
Potterfest (Juried) Baron-Forness Library, Edinboro, PA
Transitions Bates Gallery, Edinboro, PA
Honors / Awards/ Commissions
2019
Honorarium Reconstitute. Cornell College. The Peter Paul Luce Gallery. Mount Vernon, IA
2017
Honorarium Juried Student Exhibition. Northern State University. Aberdeen, SD
2014
Studio Potter Merit Award NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, Milwaukee, WI
2012
First Place, NonFunctional Award Annual Juried Cup Show, Clarion, PA
First Place Potterfest, Edinboro, PA
Membership
International Society of Appraisers (ISA)
National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)
Curatorial
2023
Advisory Committee Excellence in the Arts. The Gazette. Eastern Iowa High Schools
2019
Juror High School Art Show. Mount Mercy University. Presented cash awards and associating scholarships. Cedar Rapids, IA
Juror Marion Arts Festival . Marion, IA
Curator Reconstitute. Cornell College. Peter Paul Luce Gallery. Mount Vernon, IA
Organizer Part & Parcel. Northrup King Building. Minneapolis, MN
2018
Juror A Formed Community: Current Works of Past Residents. Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
Juror 2018 Student Art Show. Presented cash awards. Mount Mercy University. Cedar Rapids, IA
Curator Crash Currents. Gilded Pear Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
2017
Juror Juried Student Exhibition. Presented cash awards. Northern State University. Aberdeen, SD
2014
Juror Playdate National Juried Exhibit. The Ceramic Center Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
Teaching / Workshops & Lectures
2024
Self Portrait Bust Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio. Cedar Rapids, IA
2023
Portfolio Photography Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio. Cedar Rapids, IA
2019
Professional Development Presentation Bluestockings Art Collective. Iowa City, IA
Featured Artist Talk Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Art Bites. Cedar Rapids, IA
Artist Talk Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Kids Camp. Cedar Rapids, IA
Juror Gallery Talk Mount Mercy University. Janalyn Hanson White Gallery. Cedar Rapids, IA
Curator Gallery Talk Cornell College. The Peter Paul Luce Gallery, Mount Vernon, IA
2017
Presenting Artist Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
Visiting Artist Lecturer Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
Visiting Lecturer (Arts Management) Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
2015
Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Resident Artist (Welcome) Slide Lecture The Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
2014-15
Instructor The Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Collections
Notable Private: Portland, OR--Conway, AK--Iowa City, IA--Cedar Rapids, IA--St.Louis, MO
Corporate: Skogman Companies, Cedar Rapids, IA
Teaching: Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Public: Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA
Public: The Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, Cedar Rapids, IA
Bibliography/Press
-Ceramics Monthly, September 2023 Issue. Gallery Guide, pg 68
-Culture Crawl #641 The Gilded Girls. KCCK, 88.3 FM Radio. June 30, 2021.
-Current Obsession Magazine. Polyphonous 2021-Mimetic Lives II. March 31, 2021, pg 57-58
-Minneapolis Exhibition Highlight: Part & Parcel. NCECA blog. February 1, 2019. Cindy Bracker, Communications Director
- Workhouse Clay International 2018 Exhibit Catalog. January 30th, 2019. pg 57
-The Gazette. My Biz: Gilded Pear Gallery keeps its artists roster full. March 14th, 2018, pg 10A.
-Culture Crawl #328 Featuring...US. KCCK, 88.3 FM Radio. March 1st, 2018.
-Daily Palette. University of Iowa online publication, February 26th, 2018. Wendy Parker- Curator
-RSK Evening news, FM Okyama, Japan, October 3, 2014
-Ceramics Monthly, September 2014 Issue. 2014 ‘National Student Juried Exhibition’, pg 56
-Daily Palette Double feature. University of Iowa online publication, August 27th and 28th, 2014. Emily Kerrigan- Curator
-NCECA Student Juried Exhibition Journal 2014
-Chimera XI, Jan Northey, Chimera Journal 2014