Bio

 

Brian Harper is a Professor of Fine Art and Head of the Ceramics Area at Indiana University Southeast. He has been teaching at the university level for 20 years, 18 years at IU Southeast and two years prior at Baylor University. He holds a BFA from Northern Arizona University, an MA and MFA from the University of Iowa, and the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington. His artwork has been exhibited in over 100 national and international exhibitions, and he has given over 50 lectures at conferences, schools, and art centers, including the 2023 Keynote Lecture at the Indiana Clay Conference in Bloomington, Indiana.

In addition to his academic career and studio practice, Brian is the Founder and Executive Director of Artaxis, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the ceramics field. Brian has grown Artaxis into a globally recognized organization, connecting over 1,000 members across all 50 U.S. states and more than 50 countries. It is a vital platform for artists, educators, students, curators, and collectors by fostering visibility, engagement, and collaboration. Artaxis actively supports the field through promotional, educational, and networking programs, strengthening the ceramics community and amplifying diverse creative voices.

Brian was tenured at IU Southeast in 2014 and promoted to full Professor in 2023. He has received two IU Trustees Teaching Awards and several Summer Faculty Fellowships to support his creative research. In March 2025, he was awarded the National Council on Education of the Ceramic Arts’ “Outstanding Achievement Award” for his contributions to the field through his work building Artaxis. This prestigious honor recognizes contemporary artists, educators, writers, and others who have accomplished singular projects that have made extraordinary contributions to the field of ceramic arts.

Brian sees his teaching, his creative research, and his work with Artaxis as deeply interwoven, each informing the others and reflecting his commitment to lifelong learning, a belief that knowledge comes from a range of experiences, including mentorship, self-discovery, and the pursuit of wonder and excitement. More information about his research can be found at BrianHarperStudio.com/, his teaching resources at Claybucket.com/, and Artaxis at Artaxis.org/.