ABOUT
A New Jersey native, James has been exploring the endless opportunities of working with clay since first exposed to ceramics in high school. James received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University where his passion for working with all types of materials grew. He then continued his curiosities working, teaching, and making in art communities such as Clay Art Center in NY, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading PA, The Clay Studio in Philadelphia PA, and Penland School of Crafts in Penland, NC along with other art centers throughout the country.
Potter, technician, instructor, and administrator, James spent four years as Ceramic Studio Manager at GoggleWorks. He then shifted his focus to leadership and arts administration as Director of Program Operations and Chief Programs Officer at GoggleWorks along with Program Director at Clay Art Center in Port Chester NY. James has stepped back from Non-Profit leadership to focus on his own business and reconnect with his studio practice. James maintains his kiln service business and ceramic studio at his home in Bernville PA.
education & TRAINING
New York State College of Ceramic at Alfred University, Alfred, NY
2010 / Bachelors of Fine Arts
Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing, NJ
2004-2006 / Associates in Craft Studies
Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC
2017 / Winter Resident
Ox-Bow School of Art, Saugatauk, MI
2010 / Teaching Assistant to John & Andrea Gill
Studio of Walter McConnell, Alfred, NY
2008-2010 / Studio Assistant
Division of Ceramic Art at Alfred University, Alfred, NY
2009 / Summer Internship
Alfred Clay Collective, Alfred, NY
2009 / Co-Founder & Officer
AWARDS
2018 / 40 under 40 Award, Lehigh Business Journal
2009 / Val Cushing Award, Alfred University
2009 / Markell Brooks Fellowship, Anderson Ranch Craft Center
2008 / Student Scholarship, Peter’s Valley School of Craft
2007 / Jonathan Allen Award for Leadership
2006 / Miller Portfolio Scholarship
EXHIBITIONS
2016 / Faculty Exhibition, Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing, NJ
2015 / Eighth Annual Cup Show: Form and Function, Panama City, FL
2014 / New Works, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
2012 / PA Made, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
2010 / Profile 2010: Alfred University’s School of Art & Design, Gem Hotel, New York, NY
2009 / Pots & Prints, Random Room Gallery, Alfred, NY
2008 / Utilitarian Digest, Robert Turner Gallery, Alfred, NY
2006 / Some People, Alfred, NY
WORK EXPERIENCE
Current:
James Pastore Pottery & Kiln Repair, Bernville, PA
Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Jan 2020- July 2021 / Program Director
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
2012-2019 / Chief Programs Officer, Director of Program Operations, Ceramic Studio Manager
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
2010-2012 / Work Exchange Artist
TEACHING
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
2012-2018 / ceramic & special topics
University of the Arts, Continuing Education Program, Philadelphia PA
2014-2018/ non-ranked faculty, ceramics
Albright College, Reading, PA
2018 / visiting artist
Kutztown University, Reading, PA
2017 / visiting artist
