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Lisa Merida-Paytes holds a M.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati 1997 and B.F.A. from the Art Academy of Cincinnati 1991. Her work has been featured in exhibitions and publications regionally, nationally and internationally for 23 years. During that time, she has taught at all lev els throughout the Midwest and served in various professional positions which include, Gallery Director at FUNKe FIRED ARTS 2007-11 and Art Director / Founder of the Kennedy Heights Art Center in 2004. She was appointed a Co-Liaison for the NCECA Conference held in Cincinnati in March 2021 and serves as a NCECA Board Member 2020 - 2021.
Currently, a solo exhibition of her work is at Cincinnati Learning Collaborative and an authored article with images is published in Ceramics Ireland’s, #45 Issue. Also, her work is showcased in NCECA’s Virtual Conference in 2021 that debuts her new Flux Series which is created from sculpting, weaving and casting paper, along with various mixed media materials. This new series is moving on to the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, Ohio in March 2021. The installation will be accompanied by Marsha Karaghuesian’s raku ceramic pods for the show and NCECA Conference, as well.
Recently, Merida-Paytes served as a moderator and panelist for a 2019 NCECA Discussion she organized entitled, FOCUS: Inspiration Matters held in Minneapolis. In 2016-17, she was awarded an AIA Summer Residency at Watershed, organized a group exhibition of that work in Portland, Oregon and wrote an article about the Residency and Exhibition that was published in Ceramics Ireland Magazine. She was awarded an AIA Summerfair Cincinnati Grant for the third time in her career (2018, 2006 & 2001).
She published her own curriculum, Special Studio Teaching Manual Series: Preserving Memories with Paperclay, an Art-to ArtPalette Books publication. Her work is included in 500 Figures in Clay, Volume II and The Best of 500 Ceramics: Celebrating a Decade in Clay, Lark Books publications, 2014 and 2012. Additionally, she has feature articles published in Studio Ceramics: Advanced Techniques, (cover artist), The American Ceramics Society’s book in 2010, Pottery Making Illustrated, July / August 2009 issue (cover artist), Art-to Art Palette Journal 2008, Raku, Pit & Barrel, The American Ceramics Society’s book, In 2007, Ceramics Monthly’s October 2006 issue and Lark Book’s, 500 Raku in 2010 and 500 Animals in 2006.
