Studio Nong: International Sculpture Collective and Residency Program

Studio Nong is an International Sculpture Collective of artists and educators from the Guangxi Arts Institute in Nanning City, China, the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Memphis College of Art in Memphis, Tennessee, explores residencies in Southern China, the United States and Europe. The current members are: Zhenhai He (GAI), Jigang Qin (GAI), Bangmin Nong (GAI), Shanwu Huang (GAI), and their American counterparts, Jessie Fisher (KCAI), Misty Gamble (KCAI), Scott Seebart (KCAI), Michelle Gregor (SJSU) and Leandra Urrutia (MCA). Future members from across the globe will join the collective as it matures and expands. The collective, who have worked together at residencies in Guangxi Art Institute, Nanning and Qinzhou Nixing Pottery Factory, Qinzhou, China 2013, Memphis College of Art 2015, Kansas City Art Institute 2015, have recently completed their third residency program (2016) at Jigang Studios and the new Studio Nong campus at the Sanmin Arts Village in Nanning City, China. Members come together out of a shared interest in traditions and techniques within the field of figurative ceramic sculpture. While, each member of the collective approaches creating work in an individual manner, all members share an interest in past traditions of both eastern and western practice as a platform for innovation.