education
1996 Master of Fine Arts: Sculpture The University of Houston, Houston, TX.
1990 Bachelor of Fine Arts: Sculpture The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
awards and residencies
2015 The Helen Coburn Meier & Tim Meier Charitable Foundation for the Arts
Achievement Award.
2014 SIM: Reykjavik, Iceland.
2012 Miller Electric Purchase Prize.
professional experience
1996-Present Artist and Fabricator/Caster: Lunarburn Studio LLC, Chicago IL.
2001-Present Studio Assistant: Richard Hunt, Sculptor, Chicago, IL.
2000-2001 Studio Technician: New England Sculpture Service, Everett, MA.
1998-1999 Technical Advisor: Bob Wilson’s Art Foundry, Houston, TX.
1992-1995 Studio Assistant: Jim Martin, Sculptor and Painter, Houston, TX.
1991-1992 Studio Assistant: Rob Fisher, Sculptor, Bellefonte, PA.
Welder and Metal Refinisher: Deluxe Refinishers, Middlesex, NJ.
1990-1991 Production Potter and Studio Technician: Plum Street Pottery, Bozeman, MT.
Metal Chaser and Shop Assistant: Northwest Art Casting, Bozeman, MT.
1990 Studio Assistant: Rob Fisher, Sculptor, Bellefonte, PA.
professional affiliations
2011–2015 President, Chicago Sculpture International.
2008–present Board Member, Chicago Sculpture International (2015 Emeritus).
1992–present International Sculpture Center.
exhibitions
2019
Two Person Show: “Manifestations,” AAHD Gallery, Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN.
2018
The Other Art Fair, Mana Contemporary, Chicago, IL.
“Transformed: Digital to Corporeal,” Kresge Gallery, Marywood University, Scranton, PA.
2017
"(R) Evolution": Madron Gallery, Chicago, IL.
2016
Solo Show: "Moments of Gravity', N’namdi Contemporary Miami, Miami, FL.
SCOPE NYC: New York City, NY.
"Sculpture in the Parks", Chicago Parks District, Chicago, IL.
SCOPE Miami: South Beach Miami, FL.
2015
“Disruption”, Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ.
“Renew & Restore”, Environment Law and Protection Center, Chicago, IL.
“Nature In Motion: Sculpture at Lincoln Park Zoo”, Chicago, IL.
2014
“2014 Columbus Sculpture Biennial.” Columbus, IN.
“Chicago Sculpture International 2014 Biennial Exhibition: INVOKING THE ABSENCE,”, The Elks National Memorial, Chicago, IL.
“Krasl Biennial Sculpture Invitational”, Krasl Art Center, Saint Joseph, MI.
2013
Fusion MIA, during Art Basel, N’namdi Contemporary Miami, Miami, FL.
Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, Skokie, IL.
2013-14 Bridgeport Art Center: Sculpture Garden, Chicago, IL
“Oak Park Sculpture Walk”, Village of Oak Park , IL.
2012
“Miami” N’namdi Contemporary Miami, Miami, FL.
“2012-13 Chicago Parks Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition”, Chicago, IL.
“Miller Electric Biennial Sculpture Exhibit,” Appleton, WI.
“Chicago Sculpture Exhibit,” Clark and Drummond, Chicago, IL.
2011
“Sculpture on the Boulevards,” Franklin Blvd. Chicago, IL.
“Sculpture Under the Golden Dome,” Garfield Park Field House, Chicago, IL.
“Collection Highlights: New Acquisitions,”Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL.
“Sculpture Walk–HarborPark,” Kenosha, WI.
“InThe Light,” G.R. N’Namdi Gallery, Chicago, IL.
“5 from Chicago,” The Scarab Club, Detroit, MI.
Delta College, University Center, MI.
“Avenue of Sculpture,” Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL.
2010
“Art Prize,” Frederik Meijer Sculpture Garden, Grand Rapids, MI.
“Sculpture Invasion 2010” – Chicago Sculpture International Biennial,” Koehnline Museum, Des Plaines, IL.
2009
“PNC 11th Anniversary Odyssey Sculpture,” Purdue University North Central, IN.
Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago, IL.
2008
Lincoln Park Community Art Initiative, Chicago, IL.
“One Piece,” Penryn Art Gallery, Penryn, CA.
“The Artist Project,” Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL.
2007
Village of Oak Park Public Art, Oak Park, IL.
Lincoln Park Community Art Initiative, Roscoe and Broadway, Chicago, IL.
“Cool Globes – Hot Ideas For a Cooler Planet,” Chicago, IL.
2006
“Details,” Union League Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
“Krasl Biennial Sculpture Invitational,” Krasl Art Center, Saint Joseph, MI.
“3-D Discovery: Sculpture,” Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN.
Lincoln Park Community Art Initiative, One Burton Place, Chicago, IL.
2004
“Odyssey 2004-2005,
”Purdue University North Central Campus, IN.
2003
“Chicago Sculpture: Artists on the Map 2003,” Chicago, IL.
2002
“Portals and Paths–New Work,” Cone Center Main Gallery, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.
2000
“Portals and Paths,” Robeson Gallery, Pennsylvania State University, PA.
“GoFigure,” Louisiana Place, Houston, TX.
1999
“Chambers,” Bayou Building Atrium, The University of Houston-Clear Lake, TX.
“Convergence,” Chaplin Hall Gallery, Norwich University, Montpelier, VT.
1998
“Tools,” The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA.
1997
“Chambers and Casings: Introductions 97” Harris Gallery, Houston, TX.
“Stephenson,” The Art League of Houston, Houston, TX.
1996
“New Talent,” Simon Michael Gallery, Bee County College, Beeville, TX.
“Opening Moves 4” Harris Gallery, Houston, TX.
“Houston Area Show,” Blaffer Gallery, Houston, TX.
1995
“Art Tex,” The University of Texas at San Antonio, TX.
“Opening Moves 3,” Harris Gallery, Houston, TX.
1994
“Known and Underknown,” Allen Center Gallery, Houston, TX.
“Opening Moves 2,” Harris Gallery, Houston, TX.
Buffalo Bayou Artpark, Houston, TX.
1990
“Three Rivers Arts Festival Juries Exhibition,” Pittsburgh, PA.
“Allentown Art Museum 22nd Juried Show,” Allentown, PA.
1986
“Clay in the East,” Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, MD.
teaching experience
2002-2003 Instructor, Foundry: The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
2000 Adjunct Faculty, Ceramics: Rhode Island College, Providence, RI.
1996-1999 Adjunct Faculty, Sculpture: The University of Houston-Clear Lake, Clear Lake, TX.
1995-1996 Teaching Fellow: The University of Houston, Houston, TX.
1994-1999 Instructor, Sculpture/Foundry: The Glassell School of Art, Houston, TX.
2010 Panelist: “Public Art in Oak Park.” Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL.
2010 Demonstration/Worship: Ceramic Shell. Third Biennial Iron Casting Symposium. Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN.
2008 Demonstration/Worship: Ceramic Shell. Second Biennial Iron Casting Symposium. Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN.
2006 Panelist: “Survival Skills 101: The Business of Sculpture.” Crossroads Cincinnati: 20th International Sculpture Conference. Cincinnati, OH.
2004 Visiting Artist for Annual Iron Pour and Lecture. University of Kentucky Art Department. Lexington, KY.
2004 Demonstration/Workshop: Introduction to Ceramic Shell Investment. University of Kentucky Art Department. Lexington, KY.
2003 Juror for annual student show; Lecture. Hope College Art and Art History Department. Holland MI.
2002 Demonstration/Workshop: Smaller Scale Ceramic Shell Operations & Molding. Fourth International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art 2002. The Johnson Atelier, Mercerville, NJ.
2000 Techshop Instructor: Bronze Casting. 18th International Sculpture Conference. Houston, TX.
1999 Lecture. Norwich University, Montpelier, VT.
collections
Delta College, University Center, MI.
Miller Electric Mfg. Co., Appleton, WI.
Village of Oak Park, IL.
West Supply, Chicago, IL.
Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL.
James and Mary Bell, Chicago, IL.
Tony and Susan Grosch, Chicago, IL
Patricia and Benjamin Bieler, Chicago, IL.
Bill Wolley, Chicago, IL.
Robert Alter and Sherry Siegel, Chicago, IL.
Phil and Geri Wicklander, Chicago, IL.
Donna Kacmar, Houston, TX.
Natalye Appel Architects, Houston, TX.
Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, Inc., Houston, TX.
Brad Bucher, Houston, TX.
Elizabeth Perkins, Houston, TX.
Claire and Joel Berman, Houston, TX.
Cindy Stenioen, Houston, TX.
Liz and Mark LoRusso, Phoenix, AZ.
Rhoneymeade Sculpture Garden, Bellefonte, PA.
citations of work
Craig Keller, “Full Metal Pirouette.“ Lincoln Park Zoo Magazine, Summer 2015.
http://www.lpzoo.org/magazine/articles/full-metal-pirouette
“I Love My Job: Eric W. Stephenson.“ You and Me This Morning, WCIW-TV. February 19, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKiBekSa0kY
Philip A. Hartigan, “Invoking the Absence at a Veterans Memorial.“ Hyperallergic, May 23, 2014.
http://hyperallergic.com/127729/invoking-the-absence-at-a-veteransmemorial/“
Down and Dirty Radio with Eric W. Stephenson of Lunarburn Studio, “January 4, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwzy75WKUis
Marty Stempniak,“’ Traveler’ stops on Chicago Ave.” Wednesday Journal, August 8, 2007, p19.
Lauren Weinberg,“Lattes vs. Landscapes.”TimeOut: Chicago, October 5-11, 2006, p22.
Greg Grieco, “Artist at Work.” Penn State Intercom, November 9, 2000, p12.
Jennifer Levitz,“Convergence 2000: These cars are a trip.” Providence Journal, pC-01, September 10, 2000.
Leslie Robarge, “The Wild One: A street car made of fire.” The Boston Phoenix, April 28, 2000, p9.
Val Glitsch,“ Pleasing Site.” Texas Architect, January/February 1998, p32.
Catherine D. Anspon,“Many Voices, Many Rooms.” The Public News, June 1997.
Alisha N. Park, “ArtPark Offers Sculptures on the Bayou.” The Houston Chronicle, zone 9–p1, September 9, 1995.
Susan Chadwick, “UH Offers Up a Glimpse into the Future: Opening Moves 2 presents works of promising artist. ” The Houston Post, June 19, 1994.