Ed Deren, a multifaceted artist and animator, holds an M.F.A. from Florida State University. Ed has received prestigious awards, including a National Endowment Award and a Florida State Fellowship in the arts. With a diverse background in various mediums such as metal, enamel, ceramic, 3D animation, and 3D printing, Ed has had a distinguished career. Notably, he spent 17 years as an animator at DreamWorks Studio. Ed’s work has been shown in galleries across the United States and Japan, demonstrating his remarkable talent and versatility. Ed is currently working in ceramics and incorporating 3-d printed patterns in his work.

about The Artist

Biography

Education:

1977 B.A., Studio Art, Florida State University
1986 M.F.A., Studio Art, Degree Florida State University

Work experience:

1982-1985 began career as Assistant Art Director with WFSU-TV, Public Television Tallahassee Fl.

1981,1982 Panel Member, Great Western Enamel Symposium, Colorado Mountain College, Vail Co. Workshop Leader in 1983 and 1984.

Enamels Instructor at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina in 1981 and 1982

Animation Background

1988-1993 Background Art Director, American Film Technologies, San Diego, Ca.

1993-1997 Game Designer GTE Entertainment, Carlsbad, Ca.
1997-2017 3-D Texture Artist, DreamWorks Animation, Redwood City, California

Movie Credits:

ANTS, Shrek 1-4, Madagascar 1-3, MegaMind, Dragons 1.

Awards:

1980 "Flux, Fusion, Fireworks", Contemporary Craft Gallery,Rochester, New York "Outstanding Merit Award"

1980 Portland, Oregon, - Outstanding Merit Award, Vitrearc Enamels Co.

Lemoyne Southeastern Regional Craft Competition, Lemoyne Gallery, Tallahassee, Florida. "Best of Show"
1982 University Fellowship in the Visual Arts, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fl.

1985 SAF/NEA Regional Fellowships for Emerging Visual Arts 1985 Crafts - Florida State University, Tallahassee Fl.

1983 Vitreous Enamel (Competitive), Beasley Gallery, San Diego, California. Juror's Award

Publications:

"Flux, Fusion, Fireworks", American Craft Magazine, December, 1980. "Contemporary Hollow Ware", Metal Smithing Magazine, July, 1984.

2024 CCACA Catalog “Trojan Dog” Ceramic sculpture

Selected Exhibitions:

1979 Young Americans (Invitational), Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York City. including; the exhibition traveling exhibit 1980

1980 Invitational Enamels Exhibition, North Seattle Community College, Seattle, Washington
1981 International Exhibition of Enameling Art in Japan, Tokyo Central Museum.
1981 Southeastern Contemporary Metal Smiths Traveling Exhibition, Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Southern Arts Foundation.
1983 Rochester Invitational Enamels Show, Gallery of Contemporary Metalwork

1983 Enamel Boxes and Bowls: 5 Artists from Tallahassee (Invitational), Renwick Gallery Museum Shop, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Ceramics Exhibitions:

2023 CCACA, Group Exhibition, “Plant Sale” Davis California

2024 CCACA, Group Exhibition, “Dog Park” Davis California

2025 CCACA, Group Exhibition, “Wine and Cheese Sculptural Display” Davis California

2023 “Out Of The Fire” Pajaro Valley Arts (Juried), Watsonville, California

2023 Mud Gallery, 111 River Street Santa Cruz Ca. Group Show

2024 Mud Gallery, 111 River Street Santa Cruz Ca. Group Show

2024 "12x12" Open invitational, Cabrillo Gallery 6500 Soquel Dr. Aptos, California. "Peoples choice Award"

2025 "12x12" Open invitational, Cabrillo Gallery 6500 Soquel Dr. Aptos, California. "Peoples choice Award"