About the Artist

Bert Bogdany is a Central Florida artist and educator who was born in Winter Park, Florida. He began his professional career in 1998 as a student lab assistant in ceramics. In 1999, he became a community education instructor in ceramics at Seminole Community College. During this period, he worked with a variety of students, ranging from kindergarteners and high school students to adults and retirees. He provided instruction for summer youth programs and weekly evening Ceramics I and II classes.

In 2004, Bogdany earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics. In 2007, he earned his master’s degree in Studio Art and the Computer from the University of Central Florida. As a graduate student, he gained experience teaching sculpture as a teaching assistant. He taught for three semesters and became a teacher of record, solidifying his ability to adapt his teaching skills to other areas of art.

In 2006, Bogdany became an adjunct professor at Seminole State College, where he taught Ceramics I, Ceramics II, and Directed Studies for advanced ceramics students. In the following years, he expanded his curriculum to include Design Fundamentals I and II, as well as Drawing I and II.

Bogdany’s work has earned him numerous awards, including the Eleanor J. Matthews
Altrusa Award, Best of Media, and Best of Ceramics in 1998 at Seminole Community College. The following year, he received awards for Best in Drawing and Best in Ceramics, as well as the Purchase Award and the Lee G. Henderson Award of Excellence. In 2000, Bogdany again received the Best in Ceramics Award at Seminole Community College. That same year, he became one of the founding members of the Orlando Visual Arts League.

In 2005, he became a studio artist at Gallery on First in Sanford, Florida. Bogdany was also an award recipient at the City Arts Factory “Ovalution” reunion show in 2015. He was selected to serve as a judge for the Longwood Arts and Crafts Festival in 2013 and 2014. 

Bogdany has an extensive exhibition record, including his 2019 solo exhibition, Organic Geometry, at South Florida State College. He is currently a professor at Seminole State College and an instructor of ceramics at the Art and History Museums Maitland.