About
Mychal Vens
Mychal Vens is a figurative ceramic artist from Northeast Ohio. He has exhibited work both regionally and nationally, including at Currents, the 57th annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), and gives lectures, demos, and workshops on sculpting the figure using traditional ceramic hand building methods.
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His sculptures express feelings of longing and penitence toward authority and religion (or sometimes his rejection of them), and are often subtly searching, watching, or waiting; they reflect his deeply personal experience with exploring queer identity, and examine the liminal space between self-acceptance, and harmony with the sometimes dogmatic aspects of social and spiritual governance.
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Through the tangible medium of clay, Vens delves into the intangible complexities of his own identity and the intersectionality of various fundamental aspects of his existence.
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Education
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Youngstown State University – Youngstown, OH
January 2012—December 2015, August 2022—December 2024
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Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interdisciplinary Studio Art (2024)
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Associate of Arts (2023)
Residencies & Professional Service
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2025
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Artist in Residence, Cordova Studios, Bakersville, NC
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Visiting Artist, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
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Figurative Sculpture Workshop, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
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Co-Juror, Canfield Schools Student Art Show, Canfield High School, Canfield, OH
Awards & Honors
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2024
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The Robert J. Yalch Endowment Scholarship, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
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The Florence Simon Beecher Talent Scholarship, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
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Theresa Dupre Scholarship (full), Penland School of Craft, Bakersville, NC
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Vice President’s Award, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
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President’s List, Spring and Fall Semesters, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
2023
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President’s List, Spring and Fall Semesters, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
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McDonough Museum Award, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
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Ceramics Supply Award, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
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Excellence in Writing Award, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
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Student Spotlight write-up, Cliffe College of Creative Arts, Youngstown, OH
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JPR interview, Cliffe College of Creative Arts, Youngstown, OH
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The Robert J. Yalch Endowment Scholarship, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
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2014
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Undiscovered Award, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
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Undiscovered Award, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
2013
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Excellence in Drawing Award, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
Exhibition & Publication Record
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2025
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Intercollegiate Exhibition, Phillips Lounge, Bethany College, Bethany, WV
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Reliquary, Solo Exhibition, Foster Gallery, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
2024
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YSU Holiday Art Show, Concept Studios, Youngstown, OH
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BFA Thesis Exhibition, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
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Multiples, Solomon Gallery, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
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The Art of Craftsmanship exhibition and publication, Peters Valley Gallery, Layton, NJ
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Show and Tell Exhibition, Penland School of Craft, Bakersville, NC
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Earth and Fire, Oglebay Institute Stifel Fine Arts Center, Wheeling, WV
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The Annual Juried Art and Design Exhibition, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
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2023
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Western Reserve Currents, NCECA, Cincinnati, OH
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The Annual Juried Art and Design Exhibition, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
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Visibility, Coy Cornelius and Judy Rogers Studios, Youngstown, OH
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Junior Portfolio Exhibition, Solomon Gallery, Bliss Hall, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH
2014
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The Annual Juried Art and Design Exhibition, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH
2013
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The Annual Juried Art and Design Exhibition, McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown, OH