BIOGRAPHY
1961 Karen Atherley born Manchester.
1977-79 Two year Foundation Course at Rochdale College of Art
1979-83 specialised in ceramics at Camberwell College of Art and Crafts. Here she was exposed to the wide-ranging interests of tutors and prominent potters Colin Pearson and Janice Tchalenko.
1983 After graduating from Camberwell in 1983 she established a studio in South London with Belen Gomaz, Rimmington/Vian and Rob Turner.
1985 saw Crafts Council recognition with the award of a Setting Up Grant enabling her to invest in more equipment.
1987 Two years later in a desire for more space she moved to Cambridgeshire and supervised the building of her own studio.
1987 saw her first appearance at the Chelsea Crafts Fair.
She later exhibited there in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1994.
1988 saw her chosen by Eastern Arts for the ‘first Impressions’ promotion, a joint venture with Anglia Television and the National Trust to promote craftspeople in eastern England. This led to her taking part in the ‘Looking East’ travelling exhibition, which started in Norwich before moving to the Handwerkshammer gallery in Koblenz Germany.
1992 Beaux Arts exhibition in Bath with the watercolourist Sir Hugh Casson
October 1996 Joint exhibition with the painter Brian Lewis at the Bircham Gallery in Norfolk.
Internationally Karen has exhibited in France, Canada and in the US at Henry Bendalls in New York.
June 1997 I relocated to the USA with my husband who was working in New Jersey. Whilst there I attended the Demerest School of Art and did extensive life drawing and printmaking courses. I also attended the New York Institute of Fashion and Technology on a silk painting course.
1999 Returning to the UK she took a break from ceramics whilst raising a young family
Principal international exhibitions
June1990 Exchange exhibition between Peterborough and Bourges France in collaboration with Peterborough Museum.
1988 ‘First Impressions’ promotion, a joint venture with Anglia Television and the National Trust to promote craftspeople in eastern England.
This led to Karen taking part in the ‘Looking East’ travelling exhibition, which started in Norwich before moving to the Handwerkshammer gallery in Koblenz Germany.
June 1989 British Crafts Show Nancy Poole Studio Toronto
Main trade shows & craft fairs
British Craft Trade Fair Harrogate 2007-2011
Lustre Nottingham 2007 2010
Ceramic Art London 2010 and 2011
Great Northern Contemporary Craft Show Manchester 2009
Top Drawer London 1992
Chelsea Crafts Fair London 1987, 1989, 1990, and 1994
Harrogate Trade Fair 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993
Direct Design Show London
1986, 1987
Principal UK exhibitions
September 2010 Rufford ‘Inside Out’ Exhibition with Kevin Millward, Jackie Atkin, Karin Hassenburg
November 2011 Aberystwyth Showcase
April 2007- ‘Connect 07’ exhibition showcasing eleven artists from the East Midlands at The Collection and Usher Galleries in Lincoln
November 2006- ‘Allure’ exhibition a Design Factory
sponsored venture at The Rufford Craft Centre
July 2006- Summer exhibition at the Catmose Gallery in Oakham
April 2006 Joint exhibition with the printmaker/painter Anita Klein at the Bircham Gallery
March 2006-’Entice’ a Design Factory exhibition
at the Leicester City Art Gallery
October 1996 Joint exhibition with the painter Brian Lewis at the Bircham Gallery in Norfolk.
January 1993 Aberystwth Arts Centre showcase exhibition Wales
February 1992 Beaux Arts exhibition in Bath with the watercolourist Sir Hugh Casson
September 1991 The Cilynn Vivian Art Gallery and Museum Wales
September 1990 Liberty's Tea Time exhibition London