Carla B. Collins

Chair of the Department of Art
Kruidenier '40 Chair in Art and Architecture
Appointed
2010
Carla Collins

Education

B.F.A. Plymouth State University

M.A.T. Plymouth State University

Biography

A New Hampshire native raised by photographers, Carla Voelcker Blakely Collins earned her BFA in studio arts in 2007 and her Master of Arts and Teaching in 2009 from Plymouth State University. Prior to teaching at Exeter, Ms. Collins spent time in Skælskør, Denmark, at the International Ceramic Research Center, working on her ceramic sculptures.

Ms. Collins has exhibited locally at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery, Karl Drerup Art Gallery and Jaffrey Civic Center, and had a solo show at the Starving Artist in Keene, New Hampshire. She has also exhibited internationally in Turkey and Denmark. While her concentration was in ceramics, she loves making all kinds of artwork. She has taught all levels of art classes in areas including ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking and advanced studio arts.

Upon Ms. Collins’ arrival at Exeter in 2010, she continued to support and work with ESSO to enhance Empty Bowls and helped raise more than $2,000 to help fight hunger. She also raised money for traditional pottery towns in Japan that were greatly affected by the 2011 earthquake. During her subsequent visit to Mashiko, Japan, she connected with many potters, including internationally renowned artist Ken Matsuzaki, whom she later invited to Exeter as a visiting artist to demonstrate and share his craft with students.

Traveling internationally has become a passion for Ms. Collins. She is energized by learning about new cultures and their pottery techniques and art history. Since coming to Exeter, she has traveled to Japan, Hungary, China and Hawaii. 

Ms. Collins is an assistant adviser to the yearbook, the PEAN, and adviser to the Empty Bowls Club. Ms. Collins was married in Phillips Church in August 2012. She lives in Merrill Hall with her husband, Cornelius Collins IV, who is also an artist, trained in classical painting.