Curriculum vitae

Education


2010 – MFA, Ceramics, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI

2009 – Teaching Diploma, Brown University, Providence, RI

2006 – Diploma in Craft and Design, Sheridan School of Craft and Design, Oakville, ON

2004 – BFA, Interdisciplinary, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, NS


Exhibitions: Solo


2027 – Idea Exchange, Cambridge, ON

2026 – Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Toronto, ON

2024 – Pullulate, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ON

2018 – Every Thread That Binds You, Fentster Gallery, Toronto, ON

2017 – Viral, Gallery House, Toronto, ON

2015 – Serotiny, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo, ON

2013 – NCECA Projects Space, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

2011 – Sprouting at Bone, Katherine Mulherin Projects, Toronto, ON

2011 – Golem and Dybbuk: New Works by Jessica Riva Cooper, Kniznick Gallery, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA


Exhibitions: Group


2025 – What Holds, Vessel and Sticks Gallery, Toronto, ON
2025 – Sights of Convergence, Varley Art Gallery, Unionville, ON
2025 – As it Unfolds, NADA, New York, NY

2024 – A Living Palette, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo, ON

2024 – Of Many, NCECA Richmond, Richmond, VA

2023 – Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramic Prize, Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London, UK

2023 – ICAF, Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON

2020 – Ceramattack III: Delicate Multiplex, Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis, MO

2017 – The Evocative Garden, NCECA Annual Exhibition, Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, Portland, OR

2015 – Women: A Celebration, Arcadia Contemporary, New York, NY

2014 – Souvenirs from the Future: A Survey of Contemporary Ceramics, Lawrence Arts Center, KS

2014 – RBC Emerging Artist Exhibition, Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON

2012 – Archie Bray Resident Artist Exhibition, Kolva Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA


Collections

John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Kent Monkman Collection, Toronto, ON
Cynthia Corbett Collection, London, UK
Belinda Chun Collection, Toronto, ON
Private Collections


Art Fairs

2025 – Art Toronto, IOTA Institute, Toronto ON
2024 – Collect 2024, Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London, UK

2024 – Precious Objects: A Collector's Showcase of Young Masters Ceramics, Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London, UK
2015 – OFF Artfair, Espace Art 22, Brussels, BE



Awards & Recognition

2025 – International Residency Grant, Canada Council for the Arts, Canada
2023 – Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramic Prize, Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London, UK

2023 – Helen Copeland Memorial Award in Ceramics, Craft Ontario, Toronto, ON

2014 – RBC Emerging Artist, Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON

2012 – Wingate Scholar, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT


Artist Residencies


2026 – Gardiner Museum Artist Residency, Toronto, ON

2025 – Mid-Atlantic Keramik Exchange, Kópavogur, Iceland

2013 – The Wassaic Project, Wassaic, NY

2013 – Arts/Industry, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI

2012 – Medalta Historic Clay District, Medicine Hat, AB

2012 – Wingate Scholar, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT

2011 – Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL

2011 – Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

2011 – 2nd Street SE Public Art Project, Medicine Hat, AB


Academic, Teaching & Visiting Artist Roles

2026 – Medalta, Medicine Hat, AB

2014–2023 – Sessional Faculty, Sheridan College, Oakville, ON

2015–2019 – Instructor, Barbra Schlifer Clinic / Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON

2015 – Visiting Artist, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON

2012–2013 – Visiting Assistant Professor, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR

2011 – Visiting Artist, Concordia University, Montreal, QC


Publications / Bibliography


2017 – Montgomery, Marc. "Artist Jess Riva Cooper: Ideas in 3 Dimensions," Radio Canada International, May 27
2016 – Viral: Ceramic Sculptures by Jess Riva Cooper, Inspiration Grid, July 25
2016 – Hey, Anne. 4 Degrees Arts, Ankama Éditions

2016 – Stouffer, Hannah. The New Age of Ceramics, Gingko Press

2015 – Insidious Ceramic Plants, The PhotoPhore, September
2014 – Jobson, Christopher. "Haunting Ceramic Faces Overgrown with Vegetation by Jess Riva Cooper," Colossal, April 7

2014 – Viral Series: Ceramic Busts by Jess Riva Cooper, Hi-Fructose Magazine, April 22.
2014 – Kohler, Ruth DeYoung. Arts/Industry: Collaboration and Revelation, John Michael Kohler Arts Center

2014 – RBC Emerging Artist People's Choice Award, Gardiner Museum

2011 – Golem and Dybbuk: New Works by Jessica Riva Cooper, Brandeis University

2010 – Featured Artist Profile, RISD XYZ Magazine, Fall Edition