Nicola Cornford

I started on this love affair with clay when I was fifteen years old at school in Brighton, England, but the passion was not rekindled until I moved to Virginia Beach in the USA, over 10 years ago. Here, I found a community of artists when I took ceramic classes at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and created art to hang on the walls of my new home. I was fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate instructor, and attend a workshop with Courtney Mattison, when she exhibited her large coral installations at MOCA in 2016. I remained at MOCA until March 2020 when the ceramics classes ceased due to Covid 19. Since then, I have attended numerous virtual ceramic workshops and conferences taught by world-famous ceramic artist, gaining valuable knowledge, techniques and inspiration. This has helped me to learn and grow as an artist. I have carved out a corner in my garage and continue to create with clay and at the end of November 2020, my kiln arrived, and the adventure of experimentation, exploration, pushing the boundaries really started.

University of Lancaster, UK - Bachelor's Degree
University of Stirling, UK - Master's Degree

2023

Fabulous Forgeries: A statewide juried exhibition, Virginia Beach Arts Center, VA - If Van Gogh Played With Clay - Sunflowers won 3rd place

Vivid: A national juried exhibition, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA

Show Off!: A national juried exhibition, Virginia Beach Arts Center, VA.

Mother Earth: A statewide juried exhibition, Virginia Beach Arts Center, VA.

Flourish - A national juried exhibition, at the d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA, featuring floral and botanical artworks.

Name that Tune: A statewide juried exhibition, Virginia Beach Arts Center, VA - Marry Me - Honorable Mention

Shades of Gray: A statewide juried exhibition, Virginia Beach Arts Center, VA,

Dynamic: A national juried exhibition, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA, featuring contemporary artworks, October 20th - November 25th

2022

Terra Firma: A statewide juried exhibition, Virginia Beach Arts Center, VA.

Florish: A national juried exhibition, at the d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA.

Surface: A national juried exhibition, highlighting the use of textures and patterns, d’Art center, Norfolk, VA.

Going to Extremes: A statewide juried exhibition at the Virginia Beach Arts Center, VA - Beneath the Waves won Best in Show

Dynamic: A national juried exhibition of contemporary...