Bio
Artist, Maker, Teacher; these words are the words that best describe Nathan Ward. Growing up in Oxford, OH. in a neighborhood that was young and therefore new construction was an every summer occurrence, Nathan watched this all around him and the fascination with creating and building was born. Eventually attending Miami University, while taking an Art class it was clear that Art would be the pursuit and sculpture would be the method.
It was at Miami that Nathan learned to weld while earning his BFA and MA in studio art. This began a journey that would last a lifetime eventually becoming both an occupation and an identity. After moving to Arizona and receiving his MFA from Arizona State, Arizona Artistic Welding was created. During these next fifteen years many large scale projects were created in and around Phoenix, Arizona. Eventually, the opportunity to teach was presented and Nathan moved into education.
Nathan’s current focus is woodturning and woodcarving. Both of these pursuits provide the opportunity to explore the beauty of the material, something that has always been important to Nathan. “I love to have the material be the material. I hate covering it up with paint or stains. If it is steel, let it be steel and likewise if you want wood that is dark, use dark wood.” This attitude drives the decisions as he makes his work.
Select Exhibitions
“A Show of Heads” Juried group exhibition. Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY. October 2023
“Excessive Measures” Juried group exhibition. Vestige Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA. August 2023
“50 and Over, 2023” Juried group exhibition. Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA. August 2023
“Absurdity -In Dada We Trust'' Juried group exhibition. The Art Center, Highland Park, IL June 2023
“Flower Power, 2023” 6th Annual international juried group exhibition. Camelback Gallery, Phoenix, AZ. May 2023
“Spectrum” Group exhibition. GAG Chicago, Chicago, IL February 2023
“Yearly Faculty Exhibitions” Group exhibition. Stark Gallery, Phoenix, AZ. Yearly from 2010-2019
Artist, Maker, Teacher; these words are the words that best describe Nathan Ward. Growing up in Oxford, OH. in a neighborhood that was young and therefore new construction was an every summer occurrence, Nathan watched this all around him and the fascination with creating and building was born. Eventually attending Miami University, while taking an Art class it was clear that Art would be the pursuit and sculpture would be the method.
It was at Miami that Nathan learned to weld while earning his BFA and MA in studio art. This began a journey that would last a lifetime eventually becoming both an occupation and an identity. After moving to Arizona and receiving his MFA from Arizona State, Arizona Artistic Welding was created. During these next fifteen years many large scale projects were created in and around Phoenix, Arizona. Eventually, the opportunity to teach was presented and Nathan moved into education.
Nathan’s current focus is woodturning and woodcarving. Both of these pursuits provide the opportunity to explore the beauty of the material, something that has always been important to Nathan. “I love to have the material be the material. I hate covering it up with paint or stains. If it is steel, let it be steel and likewise if you want wood that is dark, use dark wood.” This attitude drives the decisions as he makes his work.
Select Exhibitions
“A Show of Heads” Juried group exhibition. Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY. October 2023
“Excessive Measures” Juried group exhibition. Vestige Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA. August 2023
“50 and Over, 2023” Juried group exhibition. Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA. August 2023
“Absurdity -In Dada We Trust'' Juried group exhibition. The Art Center, Highland Park, IL June 2023
“Flower Power, 2023” 6th Annual international juried group exhibition. Camelback Gallery, Phoenix, AZ. May 2023
“Spectrum” Group exhibition. GAG Chicago, Chicago, IL February 2023
“Yearly Faculty Exhibitions” Group exhibition. Stark Gallery, Phoenix, AZ. Yearly from 2010-2019