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Bio

Kara "Zuzu" Zupancic received her BA in Studio Art and Art Education from Saint Vincent College in 2007. She continued her education at Edinboro University and earned her MA in Art Education in 2012. She maintained a professional career as an arts educator while pursuing her work as a professional artist. 
As a Pittsburgh-based ceramic sculpture artist, Zuzu makes both smaller, functional art (like mugs with hand-sculpted embellishment) as well as large sculptures. Her one-of-a-kind sculptures are inspired by animals, women, and narratives from her lived experiences. To further deepen her skills, Zuzu attends workshops held by a variety of independent studio artists. She also traveled to Bali, Indonesia to complete a workshop with artist Allesandro Gallo. She connects with other sculptors through her membership in the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors and Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.
Especially an animal lover, the creatures Zuzu chooses to sculpt are often those that cross her path and leave her imprinted with a feeling evoked by that animal.  Intentionally chosen, Zuzu relies on the calming energy of animals to tell humanistic and personal stories. Her sculptures draw you in, asking you to look beyond an initial impression for interpretation. Animals are a non-threatening way to engage an audience in an experience of allowing for multiple perspectives and self-reflection.

Exhibitions 

2022

Full Spectrum: Society of Sculptors, Brewhouse Association, Pittsburgh PA

12 Annual Workhouse Clay International, Workhouse Art Center, Lorton VA

Turning the Corner, (Dual Show)Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA

Four Questions, Merrick Gallery, New Brighton, PA 

Surface Circus, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore MA

Mother of All Pottery Sales, Union Project Spotlight Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

OH+5, The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, OH

2021

Words Matter, Brewhouse Association, Pittsburgh, PA

The Third Dimension, Greensburgh Art Center, Greensburgh, PA

NCECA Virtual Cup Exhibition and Sale, Online

Bat Country, You Are Here Gallery, Jeanette, PA

Subversion, Kipp Gallery, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA

Member and Student Exhibition, Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, Pittsburgh, Pa

Women's Work, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN (Best 3D Artwork Award)

Unprecedented: Art Responds to 2020, View Center for Arts and Culture, Old Forge, NY

SIP Ceramic Cup Show(Online), Savannah Clay Community, Savannah, GA

Hand to Mouth, Sweetwater Center for the Arts, Sewickley, PA 

Women's Works, You Are Here 406, Jeannette, PA (Jurors Choice Award)

Pittsburgh Artist Showcase, Vestige Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

Associated Artist of Pittsburgh New Member Exhibition, 100 43rd Street, Unit 107, Pittsburgh, PA 

2020

Vertigo, 422 Wood St. Pittsburgh, PA

Small Works & a Big Chimpanzee, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh, PA 

Art on the Walls: Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Stanwix 11 Building, Pittsburgh, PA 

Southern Miss Ceramic National, Hattiesburg (Online Gallery), MS 

Merrick Masters, Merrick Gallery, New Brighton, PA (honorable mention) 

Favorite Things, Boxheart Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA 

Hoyt Regional Juried Exhibition, Hoyt Art Center, New Castle, PA 

Sensation Pop-Up Exhibition, North Hills Art Center, Pittsburgh, PA

The Collectors Circle: A Curated Exhibition of Select Artists from the Society of Sculptors, Christine Frechard Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA 

Society of Sculptors Travels, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Media, Pittsburgh, PA 

Distilled: Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Members Show, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Media, Pittsburgh, PA 

Mastermind, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Media, Pittsburgh, PA 

In the Mix, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts School NCECA Access Member The exhibit, Pittsburgh, PA 

2019

Education 

Art Residencies

2019

2018

2012

2007

2022

Strange Encounters: Figuration and Narrative in Clay, Alessandro Gallo Workshop, Bali, Indonesia

Dynamic Expressions, Travis Winters Workshop, Pittsburgh, PA

Masters of Arts Education, Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA 

Bachelor of Studio Art and Arts Education, Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA

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Spring Artist in Resident at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, Tucson AZ

Awards 

2021

Best 3D Artwork, Women's Work, Indianapolis Art Center,            

Indianapolis, IN 

Women in Arts Choice Award, Women’s Work Exhibit, You Are Here Gallery,       Jeanette, PA

Honorable Mention, Merrick Masters, Merrick Gallery, New 

Brighton, PA

Contact Me

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