BIO
Zuzka Vaclavik is an artist whose practice has developed through a sustained engagement with material, labor, and process. Her work has moved between painting and ceramics, with wood-fired clay becoming a central focus over time as a way to work with uncertainty, duration, and exposure.
She is drawn to methods that resist full control and require patience and physical presence. Rather than treating clay as a neutral support, she works with it as a responsive body that carries memory of contact, heat and atmosphere.
Her practice continues to evolve through repeated firings, long observation, and an interest in how systems leave evidence without narration.
In a contemporary context defined by speed and distance from material consequences, wood firing offers a way to think through systems that are energy intensive and only partially knowable. Its relevance doesn’t rely in tradition, but in how it makes visible the conditions under which transformation occurs, both physically and symbolically.
She lives and works in the United States and is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Slovakia.
PAINTING WEBSITE CAN BE FOUND AT: www.zuzkavaclavik.com
ZUZKA VACLAVIK
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia: Masters of Fine Arts in Painting 2008.
The University of Texas , Austin, Texas: Bachelors of Fine Arts 2003. Summa Cum Laude
The Maryland Institute College of Art, Foundations 1999-2000.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Sanctuary, The Smithsonian Affiliated National Czech and Slovak Museum, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2023.
Modular, Raumen Gallery, Vienna, Austria, 2018.
Lucid, Poem 88. Atlanta, Georgia, 2018.
Dance This, Fight That, Cine Gallery. Athens, Georgia, 2017.
MESH, Wesleyan College. Macon, Georgia, 2016.
Thirst, Poem 88. Atlanta, Georgia, 2015.
ORO, The Friday Gallery. Munich, Germany, 2014.
Sonderaustellung 2013, Steinberger Galerien, Weikersheim, Germany, 2013.
Neue Gemalde auf Leinwand und Papier. Steinberger Galerien. Weikersheim, Germany, 2012.
Tales of Impermanence, The Foreign Correspondents Club. Phnom Pehn, Cambodia, 2005.
JURIED EXHIBITIONS
The 50th Anniversary Lyndon House Exhibition with Guest Curator Michael Rooks of the High Museum of Art. Athens, Georgia, 2025.
Young European Ceramics, Office Culturel de Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, Saint Quentin La Poterie, France. 2021.
Art Fair 21. Koelnmesse, Hall 1 & 2, Cologne, Germany, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.
Hambidge 2016 Art Gala. Atlanta, Georgia, 2016, 2017.
J1: Athens Institute of Contemporary Art. Juried by Michael Rooks, Director of Contemporary Art at The High Museum of Art. Athens, Georgia, 2015.
Sprawl. The High Museum of Art. Atlanta, Georgia, 2015.
MARK, The Lyndon House Arts Center, Athens, Georgia, 2015.
Beyond Grafitti. Gallery Terminus: Atlanta, Georgia, 2012.
Art Kahrlsruhe: International Art Fair. Kahrlsruhe, Germany, 2012.
The Drawing Center: Artist Viewing Program. New York, New York, 2010.
Art Fair 21. Koelnmesse, Hall 1 & 2, Cologne, Germany, 2010.
Saisonauftakt. Steinberger Gallerie. Weikersheim, Germany, 2010.
Let’s Talk About Love Baby! The Joan Flasch Book Collection, at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, Illinois, 2010.
Color Matters! The South Shore Art Center. Juried by Jen Mergel, Associate Curator of the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art. Cohasset, Massachusetts, 2009.
34th Annual Juried Exhibition, The Lyndon House Art Center. Athens, Georgia, 2009.
New Work, The UpDown Gallery. Athens, Georgia, 2009.
Perceptions Revisited. The Athens Institute of Contemporary Art. Athens, Georgia, 2006.
GROUP SHOWS
Rising in Fire. Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center and Museum. Sautee Nachoochee, Georgia, 2025.
Georgia Contemporary Wood Fired Potters. Winterville Cultural Center Gallery. Winterville, Georgia, 2025.
Leather Hard, Bone Dry: NCECA Exhibition (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts). Richmond, Virginia, 2024.
Wood Fired Pottery of Georgia. The La Grange Museum of Art. La Grange, Georgia, 2024.
Above Board Ceramics Exhibition. Online Ceramics Exhibition, www.aboveboardceramics.com, 2023.
Ceramics by Mark Johnson and Zuzka Vaclavik Two Person Exhibition. The Lyndon House Arts Center. Athens, Georgia 2022.
Summer Ceramics Invitational. Swan Coach House Gallery. Atlanta, Georgia, 2020, 2021.
Summer Show, Cole Pratt Gallery. New Orleans, Louisiana, 2019.
Ha! Gallery Summer Show. Marshall, North Carolina, 2019.
Color Spectrum Ceramics, Blue Spiral Gallery. Asheville, North Carolina, 2019.
UnCommon Ground. Blue Spiral Gallery. Asheville, North Carolina, 2019.
Mother and Child. Sugar Lift Gallery. New York, New York, 2018.
Contemporary Ceramics In Georgia. Madison Morgan Cultural Center. Madison, Georgia, 2018
Transpositions. Linda Matney Gallery. Williamsburg, Virginia. 2018.
ABSTRACT. Poem 88 Gallery. Atlanta, Georgia, 2017.
Abstraction Today. The Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia. Atlanta, Georgia, 2016.
EST ARS VITAE. Poem 88. Atlanta, Georgia, 2016.
Emerging Artists. The Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences. Macon, Georgia, 2016.
Spectra. The University of Georgia Faculty Show. Athens, Georgia, 2016.
Kunstschatsze. Steinberger Galerien. Bodensee, Germany, 2016.
Emerging Artists. Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences. Macon, Georgia, 2016.
Sideshow on Mars.. Life on Mars Gallery (Bushwick). New York, New York, 2015.
Little Things. Swan Coach House Gallery. Atlanta, Georgia, 2015.
Black and White, Poem 88. Atlanta, Georgia, 2014.
Tarot, Athens Institute of Contemporary Art. Athens, Georgia, 2014.
Day Job: Georgia, 100000 Cubicle Hours. The Contemporary. Atlanta, Georgia, 2012.
Pulse New York. Art Fair. New York, New York, 2011.
Surprise the Sky. Trace Gallery. Athens, Georgia, 2011.
Occupy ATHICA. Athens Institute of Contemporary Art. Athens, Georgia, 2011.
Post Colonials. Linda Matney Gallery. Williamsburg, Virginia, 2011.
Weihnachtsaustellung. Steinberger Gallerie, Weikersheim, Germany, 2011.
Art Bodensee. Art Fair. Bodensee, Germany 2010.
Kunstmesse Dusseldorf. Art Fair. Dusseldorf, Germany, 2010.
Acchrocage. Steinberger Gallerie. Weikersheim, Germany, 2009.
Buy Local: A Group Show Celebrating Atlanta’s Emerging Talent. Emily Amy Gallery. Atlanta, Georgia, 2009.
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation Annual Show, OCAF Gallery. Watkinsville, Georgia, 2009.
Abstraction: An Exploration of Abstract Art. Emily Amy Gallery. Atlanta, Georgia, 2008.
Esposizione di Arte Visiva. Fortezza Medicea del Gerifallco. Cortona, Italy, 2008.
Mostra Cortona. The University of Georgia Study Abroad Program Exhibition. Cortona, Italy, 2008.
Body Double. The Atlanta Alumni Center. Atlanta. Georgia, 2008.
MFA Candidate Exhibition. The Georgia Museum of Art. Athens, Georgia. 2008.
Graduate Painters Open Studios. Cedar Street Art Studios. Athens, Georgia. 2008.
Primo. Cedar Street Art Studios. Athens, Georgia. 2007.
Circulation. Evolution Salon. Athens, Georgia, 2006.
New Painters. The Austin Museum of Art. Austin, Texas, 2005.
The University of Texas Donor Art Exhibition. The University of Texas. Austin, Texas, 2003.
Senior Studio. Flatbed Press Gallery. Austin, Texas, 2003.
New Work. Gallery Six Performing Arts Center. Austin, Texas, 2002.
Young Masters. The Dallas Museum of Art. Dallas, Texas, 1998.
ARTIST LECTURES
Poem 88 Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia. ABSTRACT: Artist Lecture presented to the public, 2017.
WUGA Artist in Residence, Athens, Georgia. Radio Interview and Artist Talk presented to the public, 2017.
Wesleyan College, Macon, Georgia. Artist Lecture and Demonstration presented to students and faculty, 2016.
The Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences, Macon, Georgia. Emerging Artists Exhibition presentation, 2016.
Poem 88 Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia. Thirst: Artist Lecture presented to the public, 2015.
Emily Amy Gallery, Westside Arts District Art Walk Artist Lecture presented to the public, 2010.
The University of San Jose, Costa Rica, Visiting Artist Lecture presented to the faculty and students in the Department of Painting and Drawing, 2010.
PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS
Rangus, Eric. Zuzka Vaclavik:Third Culture Kid. The University of Georgia Magazine. Athens, Georgia, 2023.
Picard, Lia. How This Georgia Artist Adapts her Painting Prowess to Whimsical Ceramics. Luxe Interiors and Design Magazine, Boca Raton, Florida, 2022.
Gratigny, Jessica. Artist Zuzka Vaclavik finds a home in Athens. The Red and Black Magazine, Athens, Georgia, 2021.
Vangool, Janine. Encyclopedia of Inspiration: Ceramics. Calgary, Canada, 2020.
Weiss, Francine (juror). Senior Curator at the Newport Art Museum, Studio Visit Magazine number 44, 2019.
Vangool, Janine. Fabulous Tiles. Uppercase Magazine Issue 41. Calgary, Canada, 2019.
Cullum, Jerry. Cullum’s Notebook: “October brings sumptuous new work to Atlanta galleries”. Arts ATL, 2018.
Burns, Emily. Maake Magazine Issue 6 Curated by Holly Coulis. New York, New York, 2018.
Brantley, Rebecca. Poem 88’s “ABSTRACTS” engages 20th century traditions in markedly different ways. Arts Atlanta, June 2017.
Roscio, Jessica (juror) Curator at the Danforth Art Museum, Studio Visit Magazine number 35, 2017.
Bortone, Angela. EST ARS VITAE AT POEM 88. Arts Atlanta, May 2016.
Stamey, Emily (juror) Curator at The Weatherspoon Art Museum. New American Paintings number 124, 2016.
Cullum, Jerry. Nymphs and Shepherds: BurnAway, January 2016.
Weiskopf, Dan. Review Round-Up: {Poem 88}: ArtsCriticATL.com, January 2016.
Cullum, Jerry. Zuzka Vaclavik explores pattern, color in “Thirst”: ArtsCriticATL.com, February 2015.
O’Callaghan, Jacquelyn. Zuzka Vaclavik’s Cosmic Maps: BurnAway, February 2015.
Feaster, Felicia. Kaleidoscopic Paintings: The Atlanta Journal Constitution, January 2015.
Strein, Jurgen. Galeriesten brauchen einem langen Atem: Frankische Nachricten, April 2012.
Cotter, Christina. Review: In Contemporary’s “Day Job: Georgia” Artists make the most of work: ArtsCriticATL.com, January 2012.
Veneruso, Tatiana. Artistically Speaking: Athens Food and Culture, September 2011.
O’ Brien, Barbara (juror) Curator at The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. New American Paintings number 88, 2010.
Catherine, Fox. 3 Must-Sees for Gallery Goers: The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 2010.
Hitselberger, Brian. Hi-Tech and Worth the Trek: The Athens Flagpole, 2010.
Hackenbeck, Astrid. Querschnitt Internationaler Kunst: Sudwest Presse, 2009.
Norman, Megan. Buy Local at Emily Amy Gallery: www.burnaway.org, 2009.
Fox, Catherine. Inspired Examples of New Works: The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 2009.
Fox, Catherine. Of Dinosaurs and Graffiti: www.artscriticATL.com, 2009.
Hicks, Cinque. Buy Local: A Group Show Celebrating Atlanta’s Emerging Talent: Creative Loafing, 2009.
Starrs, Chris J. Perceptions Revisited: Athens Institute of Contemporary Art: Marquee, 2006.
Carranza, E. & J.A. McDonald. A New Species of Ipomoea cuprinacoma: In Southwestern Mexico:
Lundellia, 2003.
Turner, B. New Species of Seneci: Hidalgo: Lundellia, 2002
Angelo, Sandra McFall. Exploring Colored Pencil: DavisPublications, 1999.
GRANTS, AWARDS, AND RESIDENCIES
Merit Award for the 50th Anniversary Lyndon House Exhibition in Athens, Georgia. March 2025.
Skopelos Arts Foundation Residency in Ceramics in Skopelos, Greece. September 2021 and September 2023
Fulton County Department of Arts and Culture “It’s a Wrap” Grant. June 2018
Hambidge Center for the Arts and Sciences Residency. December 2015
Nomination for the Joan Mitchell Award in Painting. The Joan Mitchell Foundation 2008
Nomination for the Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. The Lamar Dodd School of Art, The University of Georgia 2007
The University of Georgia Graduate Assistantship in the Department of Art and Art History.The Lamar Dodd School of Art, The University of Georgia 2006
The Marshall F. Wells Scholarship and Fellowship Endowment in the College of Fine Arts.The University of Texas 2002-2003
The Houston President’s Excellence Endowment Scholarship. The University of Texas 2002-2003
The Maryland Institute College of Art Scholarship.The Maryland Institute College of Art 1999-2000
TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Innsbruck Summer Studies Abroad Program, The University of New Orleans, 2019. Art History Survey II Instructor and Drawing 1 Instructor.
The Lamar Dodd School of Art, The University of Georgia, 2005-2016.Drawing 1 Foundations Instructor, Drawing 2 Foundations Instructor.
Costa Rica Studies Abroad Program, The Lamar Dodd School of Art ,The University of Georgia 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, Aqueous Media and Scientific Illustration Instructor.
The Cortona Studies Abroad Program, The Lamar Dodd School of Art, The University of Georgia, 2010, 2008. Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Painting Instructor.
COLLECTIONS
The High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia.
The Fulton County Central Library, Atlanta, Georgia.
Martha B. Vida, Executive Director: The Marks Project.
REPRESENTED BY
Mason Murer Gallery. Atlanta, Georgia
Cole Pratt Gallery. New Orleans, Louisiana
Meghan Candler Gallery. Vero Beach, Florida