“In wire I am creating the edges of what is not there; in clay, I am creating the essence of what is”.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

 

2019  "Visionary Woman Award Exhibit," Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

2010  "Jill Bonovitz," Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2006  "Drawing Through Space," Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA

2005  "Penetrable Vessels," Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Monica, CA

2004  "Drawings in Space," Delaware Center For The Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE

2003  "Jill Bonovitz: A Simple Twist," John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygen, WI

2002  "Jill Bonovitz: Drawing on Air," The Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA

1999  "100 Teacups by Jill Bonovitz," Moore College of Art, The Galleries at Moore, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

1999  "Jill Bonovitz, Variations on the Vessel," curated by Leah Douglas, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA

1998  "Jill Bonovitz," Cavin Morris Gallery, New York, NY, (Catalog with essay by Judith Tannenbaum)

1994   "Jill Bonovitz: Recent Work," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

1993  "Jill Bonovitz: Recent Work," The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Morris Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

1989  "Jill Bonovitz: Recent Work," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, (Catalog with essay by Judith Stein)

1984  "Jill Bonovitz: Recent Work," Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

1982  "Jill Bonovitz: New Work," Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

 

2023

"The Beauty and The Unexpected," Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden

 

2019

"Intimate Domain," Demisch Danant, New York, NY

"Then and Now," Globe Dye Works, Philadelphia, PA

"Women in Design," Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal, Quebec

 

2018

"Making Waves," Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu, HI

"Translucency," LEMA Studio, Philadelphia, PA

"Into the Light," Benefit Exhibition for the Rail Park, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

2017

"2017 Alumni Exhibition," Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA (Awarded Best in Show)

"Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2017," State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA

"Small Favors: Think Inside the Box," The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

 

2016

"The Clay Studio International," The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

"Look Both Ways: Art at the Crossroads of Abstraction and Representation," Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA

 

2015

"Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future," American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA

"Moved by Metal: On Beauty as Interaction," Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design, Asheville, NC

Metalsmith's "Exhibition in Print 2015 - Moved by Metal: On Beauty as Interaction,"

vol 35/no 4, Guest Curator, Wendy Steiner

 

2014

"Gifts from America: 1948-2013," Hermitage State Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

Merchant House, Amsterdam, Holland

"40th Anniversary Exhibition," The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

"Benefit Exhibition for Ballet X," Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

2013

"Out Of Their Elements," Ricco Maresca Gallery, New York, NY

"Creative Hand, Discerning Heart:  Form, Rhythm, Song," James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, PA

"Summer Exhibition," Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

2011

"Close at Hand: Philadelphia Artists in the Permanent Collection," The Fabric and Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, Pa

 

2010

"Contained Excitement: Pleasures of the Void," Cavin Morris Gallery, New York, NY

"Elemental/Ornamental," Levy Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

"Storytime," JHMuse Gallery, Jackson, WY

 

2009

"Hats Off To Helen," The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

 

2007

"Contemporary Ceramics, Japanese Patchwork," Cavin-Morris Gallery, New York, NY

"Tabletops," Ceramics Invitational Exhibition, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Loveladies, NJ

 

2006

"fete," Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

"Forming Lines," Ricco Maresca Gallery, New York, NY

"materiality," J. Crist Gallery, Boise, ID

 

2005

"Group Show," Carl Hammer Gallery, Chicago, IL

"The Clay Studio: Thirty Years of Excellence," The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

"Three Moore Alumnae," The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA

"Bowled Over," The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

 

2004

"For The Table," Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM

"2004 Alumnae Exhibition," Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

 

2003

"Helen Drutt English: A Celebration of Contemporary Craft," Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA

 

2002

"Mastery In Clay," The Clay Studio, Philadelphia,

"The Clay Studio: Thirty Year Retrospective," SOFA, Chicago, IL

"Poetics of Clay: An International Perspective," Houston Center For Contemporary Crafts, Houston, TX; traveled to: DesignMuseo, Museum of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland

"Ceramic Masterworks: 1962 - 2002," Curated by Helen Drutt, Moderne Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

"Luminaries," Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

 

2001

"Poetics of Clay: An International Perspective," curated by Helen Drutt, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

"Smaller," Carl Hammer Gallery, Chicago, IL

 

2000

"Sublime Servers," curated by Gail M. Brown, travels to Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD, Jane Hartsook Gallery, Greenwich House Pottery, New York, NY and the James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, PA

 

1999

"Celebrating the 1999 Leeway Award Recipients," The Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA, (Award - The Leeway Foundation Grant for Excellence)

"Pennsylvania Artists from the Permanent Collection," The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, PA

 

1998

"Connexions in Clay: Jill Bonovitz, Eugene Von Breunchenhein, Rudolf Staffel," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

1997

"Eight Long Beach Island Artists," Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Loveladies, NJ

"Nexus is 21," Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

"The Society of Arts and Crafts Centennial Exhibition: Five Perspectives - Clay," organized by Beth Ann Gerstein and Gail M. Brown, The Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA

 

1996

"Selected Moore Alumni," Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

"Clay on the Walls," Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA

 

1994

"Clay Figure & Function," Clark Gallery, Lincoln, MA

"Twentieth Anniversary Exhibition," The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA

"Settings: The Art of the Table," Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

 

1993

"The Space Within: The Vessel As Sculpture,: Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission, Haddon Township, NJ

"Soup Tureens '93," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

1992

"From the Ground Up: Ten Philadelphia Clay Artists," curated by Richard Torchia, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

"Contemporary Ceramics from the Permanent Collection," Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
(Catalog with essays by Danielle Rice, Paula Marincola)

"Clay Studio Alumni," Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA

"Chthonic Realms: Philadelphia Collects Clay," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

1991

"Seventeen Years: 1974-1991," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

1990

"Contemporary Philadelphia Artists," Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA (Catalog with essay by Richard Torchia)

"Philadelphia Artists," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

1989

"Biennial '89," Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, DE

"Fifteen Years 1974-1989," Helen Drutt Gallery, New York, NY/Philadelphia, PA

"American Clay Artists," Port of History Museum, Philadelphia, PA

 

1988

"Work in Progress," Helen Drutt Gallery, New York, NY

"Functional Dinnerware," The Signature Gallery, Atlanta, GA

"Group Show," Clark Gallery, Lincoln, MA

 

1987

"Investigations of the Mind," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

"Functional Glamour," curated by Yvonne Joris, Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst,'s -Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands (Catalog with essay by Helen S. Drutt English)

"Windows, Tables and Doors," The Fabric Workshop, Philadelphia, PA

 

1986

"Contemporary Arts: An Expanding View," The Squibb Gallery, Princeton, NJ. Travels to The Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, NJ and the Wellesley College Museum, Wellesley, MA

"The Creative Spirit, A Celebration of Contemporary American Craft," Maier Museum of Art, Randolph Macon Women's College, Lynchburg, VA

 

1985

"Gallery Artists," Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

1983

"Soup, Soup, Beautiful Soup," Invitational Exhibition, Campbell Museum, Camden, NJ

 

1982

"12 Moore Alumnae," Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

 

1980

"Clay: Philadelphia 1980," Invitational Group Exhibition, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA

 

1978

"10th Annual New Talent Exhibition," Marian Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

 

1977-79

"Philadelphia Craft Show," Philadelphia, PA

 

SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

 

Comcast Corporation, Philadelphia, PA

The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, HI

Duane Morris, Philadelphia, PA

Fitler Club, Philadelphia, PA

The Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA

John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI

The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts, Montreal, Canada

Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY

Museum Voor Hedendaagse Kunst, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands

Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI

Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, Holland

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

 

AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES

 

2019

Visionary Woman Award, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

 

2017

Alumni Exhibitions, "Best in Show,&quo; Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

 

2013

Acadia Summer Arts Program, 1 week residency, Bar Harbor, Maine

 

2008

Acadia Summer Arts Program, 1 week residency, Bar Harbor, Maine

 

1999

"The Leeway Foundation Grant for Excellence," The Leeway Foundation, 1999 Awards for Artists in Sculpture & Three-Dimensional Craft

 

1977

"Prize for Excellence in Craftsmanship and Design," Philadelphia Craft Show, Philadelphia, PA

 

COMMISSIONS AND PROJECTS

 

2019

Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Philadelphia, PA

 

2011

Studio show to benefit arts education in Philadelphia public schools

 

2008

Three Large Wire Pieces; Providence, RI

 

2004

"JILL BONOVITZ; Raveling," 2004, Etching. The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA

Fine Print Edition, Philadelphia, PA

 

1999

"100 Cups by Jill Bonovitz," Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Limited Edition of Porcelain Dishes, Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA

 

1991

Centerpiece, "All About Art," Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA

 

1990

Hearth and Counter Tops, Private residence, Philadelphia, PA

 

1986

Tablecloth and Napkins, The Fabric Workshop, Philadelphia, PA, Artist in Residence

Limited Edition of Porcelain Dishes, Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia, PA

 

1984

Limited Edition of Porcelain Challah Plates, Solomon Schecter School, Philadelphia, PA

 

1983

Plan for City of Philadelphia, Redevelopment Authority, 1% for Fine Arts

Program, Shields Business Machines, Inc., Philadelphia, PA

 

1981

Tile Entrance, Private residence, Philadelphia, PA

 

1974

Tile Kitchen Floor, Private residence, Philadelphia, PA

 

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

2019

Sandstrom, Natalie, “Moore College of Art & Design honors the work of three visionaries,” Artblog

Ceramic Arts Yearbook 2020

 

2014

Hluch, Stephen A., “American iPottery,” 2014

Salisbury, Stephan, “Drutt Conveys Donated Works to Russia,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 2014

 

2013

Khmelnitskaya, Tina, “Choice from American Ceramics from the Collection of Helen Williams Drutt English,” Ahtnkbapnat, 68

 

2010

Donohoe, Victoria, "Two Visions, shown in Ceramics," Philadelphia Inquirer, April 16, 2010

Korman, Jane, Splendid Settings, Chester Book Co., 2010

 

2009

Newhall, Edith, Review, Philadelphia Inquirer

 

2004

Schumacher, Mary Louise, "Jill Bonovitz at John Michael Kohler Arts Center," American Ceramics, 58, ill.

Zakin, Richard, Electric Kiln Ceramics, third edition, 2004

 

2003

The Donna Moog Teapot Collection, "Tea Anyone?," Racine Art Museum

 

2002

Peterson, Susan, Working With Clay, 2002

Easlea, Janet, "Alumni Focus" Oak Lane Day School, 2002

Mariscotti, Maria, "Jill Bonovitz: Drawing on Air," Digitalcity.com, (Philadelphia), 2002

"Essentials: Art," Philadelphia Inquirer, April 20, 2002

 

2001

Hluch, Kevin A., The Art of Contemporary American Pottery Krause Publications

Rice, Robin, "Clay Motion," City Paper, Philadelphia, PA

 

2000

Cover Art, Moore News, Moore College of Art, Spring 2000

Temin, Christine, "Creativity is their cup of tea," Boston Globe, Boston, MA December

 

1999

Sitton Stanley, Lea, "At Airport, Flights of Creative Fancy," Philadelphia Inquirer, 1999

Robin Rice, "Fly Robin Fly," City Paper, Philadelphia, PA, 1999

"Art at the Airport," Philadelphia Magazine, Stepping Out, June 1999

"New art exhibit unveiled at Philadelphia Airport," Progress, Horsham, PA, June 23, 1999

"Philadelphia International Airport Unveils Art Exhibit," The Key, Philadelphia OIC, Philadelphia, PA, June 1999

 

1998

Tannenbaum, Judith, Corps de Vases, Catalog essay, "Jill Bonovitz," Cavin Morris Gallery, New York, NY

 

1997

Temin, Christine, "Handmade Harmonies," Boston Globe, Boston, MA, April 3, 1997

 

1996

Fairbanks, Jonathon and Fina, Angela, The Best of Pottery, Quarry Books, 1996

Mayhew, Elizabeth, "In Fine Form," House Beautiful, October 1996

Scott, Bill, "Primitive Meets Posh," Seven Arts, Philadelphia, PA, September 1996

Review, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, February 25, 1996

Review, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, April 5, 1996

 

1995

Rice, Robin, "Jill Bonovitz," Ceramics Monthly, December 1995

 

1994

Rice, Robin, "Jill Bonovitz," American Ceramics, Spring 1994

Nussbaum, Debra, "Feats of Clay" Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, January 1, 1994

 

1993

Rice, Robin, "Earthtalk & Fiber Optics", City Paper, Philadelphia, PA, 1993

 

1992

Torchia, Richard, "Good Earth," Catalog essay, From the Ground Up: Ten Philadelphia Clay Artists, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Rice, Robin, Review, City Paper, Philadelphia, PA, March 13, 1992

 

1991

Scott, Bill, "Jill Bonovitz," American Ceramics, February 1990

 

1989

Stein, Judith, Jill Bonovitz: Recent Work, untitled catalog essay, Helen Drutt Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Rice, Robin, "Layers and Doodles," City Paper, Philadelphia, PA, December 29, 1989

Seidel, Miriam, "Anti-Lamps and Bowls with Words," Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, November 10, 1989

"Jill Bonovitz at Helen Drutt Gallery," Art Now Gallery Guide, November, 1989

Review, La Revue de la Ceramique et du Verre, March, 1989

 

1987

Drutt English, Helen W., "Jill Bonovitz," Catalog essay, Functional Glamour, Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands

Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, September 13, 1987

 

1986

Dormer, Peter, The New Ceramics: Trends and Traditions, Thames and Hudson Ltd., London, 1986

 

1985

Donohoe, Victoria, "Reconciling the Traditional and the Modern," Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, May 18, 1984

 

1984

Beckman, Susan, "Jill Bonovitz," Ceramics Monthly, November 1983

 

1978

Review, Art News, December, 1978

 

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

 

2022-present, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA, Exhibitions Committee

2018–present, The Fabric Workshop, Philadelphia, PA, Vice President of the Board of Directors

2014–2017, Prints, Drawings and Photographs Committee, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

2013–2018, Advisory Board for Visionary Woman Awards, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

2005–2013, Co-Founder of the Foundation For Self-Taught American Artists

2002–2005, The Galleries at Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA, Advisory Board

2001–2003, The Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA, Exhibitions Committee

1998–2012, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, New York, NY, Board of Directors

1993–97, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Philadelphia, PA, Board of Directors

1987–present, The Fabric Workshop, Philadelphia, PA, Board of Directors

1974–present, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA, Founding Member, Advisory Board

Juror: Fleisher Challenge Exhibition; Clay Studio Juried Solo Show; Moore College of Art Alumnae Exhibit, Penn Charter School Art Show, Germantown Friends Craft Show

 

THE JILL AND SHELDON BONOVITZ COLLECTION, EXHIBITIONS

 

2013  Great and Mighty Things, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

An exhibition and promised gift of two hundred works of self-taught art to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

 

2017  Phulkari: The Embroidered Textiles of Punjab from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Collection, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

An exhibition and gift to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

 

2009  Kantha: The Embroidered Quilts of Bengal from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz and the Stella Kramrisch Collections, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

An exhibition and gift to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

 

THE JILL AND SHELDON BONOVITZ COLLECTION, PRESS

 

2019

Sheets, Hilarie M., "Where Outsider Art Got a Warm Welcome Before It Was Cool," The New York Times, New York, NY, September 5, 2019.

 

2013

Smith, Roberta, "No More on the Outside Looking In," The New York Times, New York, NY, April 11, 2013.

Salisbury, Stephan, "‘Great and Mighty Things,’ from Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz at Phila. Art Museum," The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, March 1, 2013.

 

EDUCATION

 

1971-74  Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

1962-64  Columbia Teachers College, New York, NY

1962  B.S., Columbia University, New York, NY

1958-60  University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI