Visiting Artist
Susan Cooley-Gilliom Artist in Residence and Teaching (ART) Program
ART Program
The Susan Cooley-Gilliom Artist in Residence and Teaching (ART) Program is a lasting gift to the many artists, arts educators and students, and arts enthusiasts we are fortunate to have in our community. The program represents a significant part of Susan’s lasting legacy–as a beloved local artist and environmental advocate.
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The ART program works to develop and enhance the visual arts through short-term residencies and workshops taught by nationally-established and highly reputable artists who create in a range of media. Past visiting artists include: Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen, Michelle Ross, Richard Notkin, Katherine Ace, Laura Ross Paul, Tip Toland, Sergei Isupov, Phoebe Toland, Michelle Gregor, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Jason Walker, Mark Abildgaard and Jennifer Rugge, Marsha Godoy-Schindler and Ruth Ellen Hoag.
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This program is offered in partnership with Blue Line Arts. To learn more about open Calls to Artists click here.
2025 VISITING ARTIST
Ray Gonzales
The Susan Cooley-Gilliom Artist in Residence and Teaching (ART) Program recipient for 2025 is ceramicist, Ray Gonzales.
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Hosted by Blue Line Arts, Ray will be offering two hands-on workshops, a lecture and open studio hours.
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To see the schedule of events during the residency, click here.
About the Artist
Ray Gonzales’ work has always been in clay. The tactile, visual and narrative qualities are what inspired him and have kept him focused since the beginning. Contemporary, historic, ancient and cultural works in clay provide endless inspiration for Ray.
Sculptures are the narratives and reflections of Ray's experiences and world events-both past and present. Traditional and contemporary color, form, surface and scale are included in his creative process. He constantly explores variations with clays, glazes, raw surfaces and multiple firing techniques using electric and gas fired kilns as well as Raku and primitive firings.
Our 2025 local artist in residence, Ray received a B.A. in Art from California State University, Sacramento and holds an Art, Special Education and Community Arts Credential. He is an adjunct art professor at Sierra College and is an art instructor for the Western Placer Unified School District. Ray has also received specialized training in indigenous maskmaking (Alaska), traditional water whistles (Mexico), architectural ceramics (Florida) and Raku (Lake Tahoe). Ray has been an active member of the local arts community since 1983.
