Born in 1962 San Diego, California, Doug Kenney first worked with clay as a teenager. Next, he took classes at San Diego Mesa College where he earned an Associate Degree in Crafts with an emphasis in Ceramics in 1983. Afterwards, Kenney earned a Bachelor Degree in Applied Design – Ceramics from San Diego State University in 1985. In 1987 he enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts Program at Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craft which culminated with a MFA Degree in Ceramics in 1989. From 1989-95 Kenney taught Ceramics and Art classes at San Antonio College in Texas. In 1995, he took a hiatus from teaching and participated in an artist in residence program at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, in Shigaraki, Japan.
Returning to the US in 1996, Kenney established a studio in an industrial space in Santa Barbara, California until 1999. In 1999, he moved to Kailua, HI on the island of Oahu and built a new studio space. Kenney moved the studio once again, in 2010, to a 1.81 acre property near Mt Helix, a suburb of San Diego. It is here where he presently maintains a studio and residence.
Kenney’s ceramic exhibitions have been held in Paris, Tokyo, Seoul and many important cities throughout the U.S. Major collectors include: Smithsonian American Art Museum, The City of Honolulu and the The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park Museum.
Read more on Douglas Kenney at his website
EDUCATION
- Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craft, Ceramics, MFA 1989
- San Diego State University, Applied Design/Ceramics, BA 1985
- San Diego Mesa College, Crafts, AA 1983
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
San Diego, CALIFORNIA
Currently Teaching Kids Like Clay After School Classes at the following locations:
- Francis Parker Lower School
- Spreckels Elementary
- Doyle Elementary
- Jerabek Elementary
- Miramar Ranch Elementary
- Sycamore Canyon Elementary
- Kumeyaay Elementary
- Curie Elementary
- Tierrasanta Elementary
- Julian Charter Schools
Past Teaching Engagements
- Get Centered Clay Studio, La Mesa, CA - Fall 2015 - Spring 2016 - Teach Wheel Throwing to adults
- Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA, - Fall 2015 - Teach Handbuilding and Throwing
- Innovations Academy, San Diego, CA - Fall 2014 - Teach Handbuilding and Wheel Throwing to kids
- San Antonio College, San Antonio, TX 1989 - 1995, Teach Handbuilding and Wheel Throwing, 3-D Design, Art Appreciation
AWARDS
- California Clay Competition 2018, The Artery Gallery, Davis, CA, Second Place Award 2018
- Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Museum of American Art – Plate M5, Earthenware, 23.5” Diameter, 1992, permanent collection, gift of the Washington Post
- Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce Art Competition, First Place Award 2007
- Honolulu Martin Luther King Art Exhibition, Mayors Choice - Best of Show “Merging Diversity” Acrylic on Canvas (2) 62’ walls, 12 paintings each wall, 2003
