BEN BLANC
Born 1978, Moline, Illinois. Currently living and working in New Haven, CT
Education
2001-2004MFA, Furniture Design with Honors, Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI
1997-2001BFA, Visual Studies, Iowa State University Ames, IA
Exhibitions
2008ICFF, Décor Craft Inc, New York, NY
2008New York Gift Fair, Décor Craft Inc, New York, NY
2007Material Culture, Contemporary American Design, Max Lang Gallery, New York, NY
2007Operation Arctic Hare, Edith Gallery, Köln, Germany
2007Coming of Age Continued, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, Ohio
2007Coming of Age Exhibition, Wood Turning Center, Philadelphia, PA
2007New York Gift Fair, Décor Craft Inc, New York, NY
2006Input/Output, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, New York, NY
2006Living Spaces (ICFF), Supreme trading Company, Brooklyn, NY
2005Providence Fine Furnishing, Convention center, Providence, RI
2005Altoids/Living Spaces (ICFF), Supreme Trading Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2005Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Salon Satellite, Milan, Italy
2004Traces, restaurant design, Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Milan, Italy
2004Emerging Artist’s, Reside Gallery, Cambridge, MA
2004Cultivating Objects, Tazza Gallery, Providence, RI
2004Faux Real, Group exhibition, Providence, RI
2004Annual Graduate Thesis Show, RISD Museum of Art, Providence, RI
2003Fidelity Investments All Media, Providence Art Club Providence, RI
2003Body, Carr House Gallery, Providence, RI
2003Providence Fine Furnishing, Convention center, Providence, RI
2002Group Furniture Show, Woods Gerry Gallery, Providence, RI
2001Collective Perspective, Gallery 181, Ames, IA
2001Mixed Media Exhibition, Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA
2001Studies In Creativity, Memorial Hall Gallery, Ames, IA, Best In Show
2000Iowa Crafts 33, Charles H. Macnider Museum, Mason City, IA
2000Annual Mixed Media, Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA
2000Iowa College Salon, Brunnier Art Museum Ames, IA
Publications
2008Yoga Journal, November, USA
2008Iidea Creativity Design Magazine, Summer Issue, China
2008LMNOP PDF Magazine, Issue 3, Australia
2007Romantic Homes Magazine, December Issue, USA
2007Exibart.onpaper magazine, November Issue pg 74, Italy
2007Reflect Magazine, August Issue, Germany
2007Core 77.com blog, featured product, June 27th
2007Prinz Magazine, May-June Issue, Germany
2007NOTCOT.COM, featured designer April 22nd, USA
2007Design-Milk.com, featured product April 5
2007Actitudes Magazine, Summer, Spain
2006Metropolitan Home Magazine, “Fifty Nifty Gifts,” December issue, USA
2006Decor8.blogspot.com, December 18th,featured products
2006A Passion for fashion, September, featured product, Italy
2006Metropolismag.com, Input/Output-Martha Stewart, May 29th
2006Financial Times Deutschland, September Issue, Germany
2006Providence Business News, Aug. 28-Sept. 3 Issue, USA
2006Shaping The Future of Craft, Published by American Craft Council
2006Cool Hunting, Published by East Street Publications, Australia
2006MacAddict, September Issue, USA
2006Zink Magazine, September Issue, USA
2006New York Times, Home&Garden section May, USA
2006Value Rich Magazine, May Issue, USA
2006ProductDose.com, June, USA
2006BOINGBOING.com, June, USA
2006NOTCOT.COM, featured designer June 19th, USA
2006!!! Magazine, SoundMachine feature, Russia
2006Inspire Magazine, Studio Feature, Russia
2005Ottagono Magazine, December Issue, Italy
2005Elle Decor Magazine, “Ispirazione Vintage,” November Issue, Italy
2005Monument, “Global Warming: Monument’s 2005 Hot Young Designers,” August Issue, Australia
2005Clear Magazine, August Issue, USA
2005Designum Magazine, August Issue, Netherlands
2005Dwell Magazine, “What We Saw….Milan” July/August issue, USA
2005Interior Design Magazine, “Matters of Design,” November issue, USA
2005Between Art & Business: DESIGN Magazine, July Issue, Korea
2005Casa Magazine, July issue-Beijing, China
2005Arhitectura Magazine, June issue, Romania
2005Rodeo Magazine, May Issue-Milan, Italy
2005Suddeutsche Zeitung, Zur Sache, Issue 24, Germany
2004400 Wood Boxes, Published by Lark Books
2000Sketch Magazine, Ames, IA
Media Appearances
2006I Want That! Tech Toys, Home and Garden Network (HGTV), Episode 107
2006Martha Stewart Living Show, CBS, Episode aired 05/16/06
Teaching
2007Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Adjunct Faculty, Furniture Department
Professional Practice: A course designed to provide students with the necessary skills to enter the professional art and design market post graduation. In conjunction with lectures and studio visits to emerging and established designers, students were also asked to complete a series of written and visual documentation to compliment their studio work.
2007Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Adjunct Faculty, Furniture Department
One by One: Designed and taught this project based course in which students explored the use of non-traditional industrial materials. Technical demonstrations, interactive workshops on practical applications, and prototype critiques examining design and material innovation.
2004Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Teachers Assistant, Lines In Space: Welding For Furniture Jan.-Feb.
Teachers Assistant, Material Research March-May
2001Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Teachers Assistant, Visual Studios Photography Lab Aug.-May
Guest Lectures/Critic
2008Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Lecture, Professional Practice, presented Ben Blanc studio projects and discussed life as a freelance designer from 2004-2008
2008Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Critic, 1st and 2nd year grad studio, Instr. Rosanne Somerson/Peter Walker
2008Purchase College, Purchase, NY
Lecture, Visiting Artist Lecture Series, provided insight into studio life as a designer. Establishing and sustaining an independent design studio post graduation.
2008Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Critic, Junior Studio I-wood technique, Instr. Lothar Windels
2007Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Lecture, Professional Practice, presented Blanc&Reed studio work and discussed royalties, contracts, business partnership and strategy.
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Critic, Senior Upholstery Studio, Instr. Alphonse Mattia
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Critic, Three-Dimensional Drawing and Design, Instr. Josh Enck
2006Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Critic, Winter Session Upholstery, Instr. Rosma Gutierrez
2001Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Critic, Visual Studios Photo. 2