Associate Professor of Art Michael Hough came to Bridgewater College in 1997. A native of California, Hough earned a B.A. in art in 1983 and an M.A. in ceramic sculpture in 1989 from California State University, Sacramento.
He was engaged in post-graduate work at the Rhode Island School of Design after earning his M.F.A. in 1993 and looking for a fulltime faculty position when he applied to work at Bridgewater. Succeeding the legendary Paul Kline ’53, who taught art at Bridgewater for nearly 40 years, was a tall order, but Hough embraced the opportunity to teach ceramics, sculpture and “a little bit of everything.”
Reflecting on his Bridgewater career, he commented that he has probably worked with nearly 300 senior art majors and taught close to 700 people to throw on the wheel in his ceramics classes. He also took more than 130 students to Spain as part of travel courses. “I’ve had some fabulous classes.”
One of those senior art majors, K. Alex Soler ’12, said, “Professor Hough was the greatest catalyst for my artistic growth at Bridgewater College. He always pushed us to go bigger than we thought possible, to plunge into the unknown, and to practice and perfect our skills.” She said she has been inspired to recreate Hough’s “environment of energy and support” in her own sculpture classes.
Hough has also served as director of the College’s art gallery for his entire tenure at BC, scheduling more than 200 exhibitions throughout the academic year. The College recognized his work with the Faculty Scholarship Award in 2024.
A specialist in metal sculpture, ceramic sculpture and pottery, Hough has received a number of awards for his sculpture, held numerous solo exhibitions in local and regional galleries and exhibited in several museums. Images of his work have been published in books and magazines, including the Korean magazine Monthly Ceramic Art, Mastering Raku by Steve Branfman, The Ceramic Design Book from Lark Books and Raku Pottery by Robert Piepenburg.
In time, Hough’s entire family joined him at Bridgewater. His son Alden graduated in 2017 as a double major in applied physics and art. Alden said his first class was his dad’s Introduction to Design class.
“He made it apparent that he wasn’t going to go easy on me—not that I expected him to—and told me he would be grading me tougher than the rest. Since he knew the kind of work I was able to produce, he had an expectation I had to fill.” During Alden’s senior year, completing his thesis work in both physics and art was incredibly challenging, and he said his dad’s support was invaluable.
Hough’s daughter Lydia graduated from Bridgewater in 2024, also majoring in art. And his wife Tracy began teaching fulltime at the College in 2021 as Assistant Professor of Education.
In retirement, Hough plans to devote himself to his work, including his signature scrap metal sculptures, “while I still can.”
– Olivia Shifflett
4/28/25
