Tamara Murphy is a contemporary mixed media artist based in Northern California. She received her Bachelors of Fine Art from Chico State University in 2022 with an emphasis in ceramics and glass while sustaining a 3-year neon apprenticeship with artist Patrick Collentine.
Tamara has produced a wide variety of functional and sculptural works ranging from small blown glass forms to large ceramic floor lamps and furniture. Her work combines brutalist minimal design with playful, intuitive expression. She uses locally collected materials such as clay, sand and agricultural waste in her work to build narratives about our ecological and emotional connections to home.
Tamara was an Archie Bray Summer Resident in 2023 and is currently teaching glass and ceramics at Chico State University and Butte Community College while exhibiting work around the western United States.
CV
Education
Chico State BFA: Ceramics- Graduated December 2022
Minor: Glass
Work Experience
Lecturer, Introduction to Glass, Chico State- 2023-2024
Associate Ceramics Instructor, Butte Community College- 2023-2024
1078 Gallery Exhibition Committee- 2023-present
Plasma Art Masterclass Teacher’s Assistant, Toledo Museum of Glass 2022
Chico State Ceramics Club President: 2020-2022
Neon apprentice and studio assistant to Patrick Collentine, Chico, CA- 2017-2021
Jacki Headley Gallery Curator, Chico State- 2020
Slow Theatre Butcher Shop set and prop design: Chico, CA 2018
Residencies
Greenhouse Residency at Mendocino Art Center- January 2025
Archie Bray Summer Resident- 2023
Publications
Suboart International Emerging Artist Interview- November 2024
“Finds” American Craft Magazine Fall 2024 Edition
Ceramics Monthly Volume 72, January 2024
Solo Exhibitions
Precious and Intelligent Self-Contained Multitudes- 1078 Gallery, Chico CA- 2022
Juried and Group Exhibitions, Conferences
Craft Aid: Hurricane Helene Relief Auction (co-organizer, curator, participant), Second Cousin Gallery, Chico CA- December 2024
Teaser Trailer, Second Cousin Gallery, Chico CA- October 2024
Bowls for Gaza: Silent Auction Fundraiser (co-organizer, curator, participant), 1078 Gallery, Chico CA- June 2024
Archie Bray Benefit Auction, North Gallery at Archie Bray, Helena MT- July 2024
Member’s Show, 1078 Gallery, Chico, CA- 2024, 2021, 2018
Make the Future, Butte College Art Gallery, Oroville, CA- 2024
Archie Bray Resident Exhibition, Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA- 2023
Archie Bray Resident Exhibition, Archie Bray, Helena MT- 2023
CCACA, Davis, CA- 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019
Glimpse, Chico State, Chico, CA 2022
Available For Discussion (BFA student exhibition), Chico State- 2022
Re-Source (Faculty and student exhibition), Chico State- 2022
Cross-Cultural Leadership Center Art Show, Chico State- 2022
Imagine Together, 1078 Gallery Chico, CA- 2021
Jack Windsor Ink and Clay, CSU Chico- 2021
Chico State Juried Student Show, Jackie Headley Gallery, Chico, CA- 2021
Unbroken Legacies curated group show, MONCA, Chico, CA- 2020
Vogue Italia PhotoVogue, Online Archive- 2012
Awards, Grants and Scholarships
Hicks Scholar- Archie Bray Foundation- 2023
Jack Windsor Ceramics Award- CSU Chico- 2023
Jennifer Tancreto Memorial Award- CSU Chico- 2023
Monty Betty Art Studio Scholarship- CSU Chico- 2022
Ruby Ravekes Scholarship- CSU Chico- 2022
Jack Windsor Ink and Clay Award- CSU Chico- 2021
Sara Frisbee Hamilton Scholarship- CSU Chico- 2021
