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Photo Courtesy of Rochester Democrat and Chronicle |
R. Scott Oliver
Robert Scott Oliver was born on July 16, 1971 in Summit NJ. The child of an elementary school teacher and a fireman, he enjoyed exploring the streams and woods of Suburban Union and Essex counties. After showing proficiency for history in High School, he studied Political Science at the State University of New York, College at Cortland. It was there that he discovered art, first fabric design and weaving, and then sculpture, particularly welded steel.
After graduation Oliver and two friends sought summer jobs on fishing boats in Alaska. After three months in the Bering Sea, he traveled down the coast, eventually settling in San Francisco. Oliver eventually moved back to the East Coast. It was in Buffalo NY that he saw an article about an upcoming blacksmithing conference. After volunteering at the conference, Oliver was able to gain an apprenticeship at Paley Studios, where he helped build many monumental steel sculptures.
After two years at Paley’s, Oliver was offered a job running the metals shop at the Rochester Folk Art Guild. It was there that he met Molly Finnan, a stunningly beautiful potter, who later let him become her husband.
In 2000, Scott and Molly moved to Rochester where Scott opened Flour City Forge. After four years of running his own studio, Oliver decided to further his education and enrolled in the Graduate program for metals at the School for American Craft at Rochester Institute of Technology. He is currently studying for his masters as well as continuing to do commission work in his studio.
Resume
R. Scott Oliver
177 Hampden Rd, Rochester, NY 14610
Birth Date
Summit, New Jersey, 1971
Education
M.F.A. 2005, Rochester Institute of Technology
B.A., Political Science, 1993, State University of New York College at Cortland
One/two Person Exhibitions
2005 The Struggle and the Quiet, Arts and Cultural Council, Rochester, NY
2004 Uncommon Connection, with Juan Peridiguero, String Room Gallery, Wells College, Aurora, NY
2003 Meet The Olivers, with Molly Oliver, Genesee Center For the Arts, Rochester, NY
Group Exhibitions
2005 On the Verge, Reinberg Gallery, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
2005 Crafts National 39, Penn State University, University Park, PA
2005 Passages, Wendell Castle Gallery, Scottsville, NY
2005 Emergent, Rochester Contemporary, Rochester, NY
2005 M.F.A. Thesis show, Bevier Gallery, Rochester Institute of Art, Rochester, NY
2004 New Directions ‘04, Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY
2004 Works from the Abana Membership, Giles Gallery, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
2004 Made In NY, Shweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY
2004 Contemporary Craft, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
2003 Great Lakes Invitational S.U.N.Y Fredonia, NY
2003 The Big Show, Gallery R, Rochester, NY
2003 The Small Show, Mornings Canvas Gallery, Rochester, NY
2004 Clothesline Arts, Rochester, NY
2002 The Small Show, Mornings Canvas Gallery, Rochester, NY
2002 Clothesline Arts, Rochester, NY
2001 1620 Show, High Falls Arts Center, Rochester, NY
2000 Iron and Clay, Gallery on Main Street, Canandaigua, NY
2000 Summer Show, East Hill Gallery, Middlesex, NY
1993 Student Select, S.U.N.Y. Cortland, NY
1993 Student Select, S.U.N.Y. Cortland, NY
Notable Collections
Monroe Community Hospital, Rochester, NY
Friends Meeting House, Rochester, NY
Heron Hill Winery, Naples, NY
Rochester Folk Art Guild, Middlesex, NY
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Zarrella, Rochester, NY
Mr. Edward Rayburn, Rochester, NY
Mrs. Dorothy Mariner, Canandaigua, NY
Mr. Brian Jackson, Rochester, NY
Mr. Steve Joslyn, Smyrna, NY
Mr. And Mrs. Richard Storm, Rochester, NY
Mr. Andy Buck, Mendon, NY
Mr. Robert and Willy Hursh, Rochester, NY
