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William Attaway

Biography to Display: 

1963/4 Born New York, New York

 

EDUCATION

University High School, Los Angeles, California

 

APPRENTICESHIPS & RESIDENCIES

1995 Visiting Artist, Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon

 

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1980 – Studio Artist, Venice, California

1996 Co-founder, Venice Building and Clay Works, Venice Community Housing Corporation, Venice, California

 

BIOGRAPHY

William Attaway is known for public mosaic murals and decorative sculptural vessels. His work features heavily carved surfaces, most often in low relief. Signature designs include full-figure male and female nudes, or fish carved into clay among a variety of abstract patterns. Works are most often finished with a cool color glaze palette with warm color accents.

Until 2015, Attaway's studio was a hallmark of “Old Venice” in Venice, California. From his 334 Sunset Avenue studio, he created numerous sculptures and mosaics that are installed across California public spaces and schools. Attaway often worked with at-risk youth through Venice Building and Clayworks.  Attaway's contributions have made a significant impact on Venice, California, and its creative and economic growth. 

 

Public Collections

Public Collections to Display: 

Clear Channel Outdoor, Torrance, California

Dreams Come True, 25 ft. Ceramic Column, Ceramic Seating Area, Historic Venice Ocean Front Walk Refurbishment Project, City of Los Angeles, Venice Beach, California

Embassy Suites Hotel, Los Angeles, California

Hilton Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach, California

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Santa Monica, California

Mosaic, 10 ft. Column, Venice Community Housing Corporation. Venice, California

Past Present Future, Three 13-foot Ceramic Columns, Pomona-Downtown Metrolink Station, 100 West Commercial Street, Pomona, California

Pasture of Imagination, Mosaic, National Medical Enterprises Inc., Santa Monica, California

Running of the Grunion, Mosaic, Historic Venice Ocean Front Walk Refurbishment Project, City of Los Angeles, Venice Beach, California

Scripps College, Claremont, California

Sheraton Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

Sun Ray, Mosaic, Los Angeles Community Housing, Los Angeles, California

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, California

 

Bibliography

Bibliography to Display: 

Piasecki, Joe. “The Short Goodbye: Venice Loses a Piece of Itself with the Eviction of Artist William Attaway.” The Argonot, August 12, 2015.

“William Attaway Clay Works in the Inner City.” NCECA Journal (1998).

 

Website(s):

https://www.facebook.com/attawayfineart/

 

Typical Marks

"Attaway" edged into wet clay at base of the foot

1995
Vase
Date: 1995
Materials: Earthenware
Method: Thrown and Altered
Surface Technique: Glaze
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, Scripps College, 97.1.16
Photo: TMP
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, Scripps College, 97.1.16
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Plate
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, Scripps College, 97.1.31
Photo: TMP
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Marer Collection, Scripps College, 97.1.31
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP

Citation: Kuratnick, Jeff. "The Marks Project." Last modified January 17, 2024. http://www.themarksproject.org/marks/attaway