An exhibition to check out.

New porcelain installation work by
Kenji Uranishi at Helen Stephens Gallery


July 15 - August 12. Opening July 15, 6pm

Helen Stephens Gallery
254 Bronte Road, Waverley 2024
P: 61 02 9386 4099
Helen@helenstephensgallery.com
www.helenstephensgallery.com

Seems somehow fitting...

Well I've been procrastinating lately. I've been even downright avoiding my blog this week as I was stuck trying to figure out exactly what would or could be fitting for posting as my 500th post...and well as procrastination often does, it gets the best of you and now this morning as I finally sat down to write I found that 2 posts that I had postdated a while back had actually gone up and thus the 500th post went through without celebration. You know in someways that's likely the best, I'm not much of a person for birthday parties or holiday celebrations. They can seem forced. And I guess in the end the 500th post might have been a forced attempt at something as well...but it should be noted that I've had a blast writing the blog over the last few years, and the main reason is because of everyone that reads it. I set out to write this blog as I was in need of a larger community of practitioners and like minded craft enthusiasts and that is precisely what I found. So thanks so much for reading, for sharing your amazing work with me, and for writing me such amazing emails. It's been a pleasure to get to know you all. So I raise my glass (of tea...it's early morning here) to the next 500 posts!

Cheers!

Townsville Ceramic Award

Closing date: 7 September 2009
North Queensland Potters' Association Inc
Applications are now open for entry into the Townsville Ceramic Award. The award and exhibition is open to established and emerging Australian ceramic artists. The Townsville City Council Acquisitive Award ensures the continued growth of the ceramic collection at the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. Form more information contact Wendy Bainbridge

Making Futures Conference, United Kingdom

September 17 - 18

Conference: Making Futures, the crafts in the context of emerging global sustainability agendas Now open for registrations, 'Making Futures' will be held on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th September 2009 within the magnificently sited Mount Edgcumbe estate on the River Tamar opposite the city of Plymouth, Devon, UK. CONFIRMED KEYNOTE SPEAKER: PROFESSOR RICHARD SENNETT (USA) The aims of the 'Making Futures' research conference are to improve understanding of the ways in which the contemporary crafts are responding to ideas and agendas connected with global environmental and sustainability issues. Also, to try to discern whether these new imperatives present opportunities for the crafts to redefine and reconstitute themselves as less marginalised, more centrally productive forces in society.

FOR FULL DETAILS PLEASE VISIT THE CONFERENCE WEBSITE
For further information, contact conference@plymouthart.ac.uk

Contest for Plate a Day Blog

As if you don't look everyday anyway...but if you don't you'd better head over to Plate a Day blog because they're having a contest to celebrate plate/post # 200. (Congrats! that's awesome!) All you need to do is send them, in the comments (on their site not mine), the url to your favorite plate, the name of the artist, and, if possible, any information you may have about how it was made. The winner will recieve a hand painted plate. The entry the winner chooses will also be posted as plate #200. The contest will close at midnight (Pacific) on Thursday, July 16th. Now if I could just figure out what to do for my 500th post...opps that's the next one!

Call for entry

Generously Odd: Craft Now, Lexington Art League
Entry Deadline: July 31, 2009

In an attempt to chronicle the unique territory currently being examined by today’s avant-garde craft artists, LAL invites artists/ craftspeople to apply for an upcoming exhibition in the historic Loudoun House. Generously Odd: Craft Now will focus on contemporary craft objects that engagingly experiment with material, form and concept. While all craft media will be considered, the exhibition will place emphasis on works that explore abundant decoration, obsessive techniques, and peculiar narratives or concepts. Travis S. Townsend, artist, woodworker, and Lecturer of Art at Eastern Kentucky University, will curate the exhibition.

For more information about the curator, eligibility and entry procedures visit: http://www.lexingtonartleague.org/calltoartist.htm (near the bottom of the page)

Call for Entry - Craft Forms 2009

September 17, 2009 entry deadline

Craft Forms 2009
Dates: December 4–January 23, 2010
Juried from digital.
Fee: $30.
Juror: Bruce W. Pepich.
Contact Nancy Campbell, Director,
Wayne Art Center,
413 Maplewood Ave.,
Wayne, PA 19087
E: info@wayneart.org
W: www.wayneart.org
W: www.craftforms.com
W: www.juriedartservices.com
P: (610) 688-3553

Call for Submissions, Come Up to My Room, Gladstone Hotel

Expression of Interest Deadline: Friday July 24th, 2009

The Gladstone Hotel seeks "Expressions of Interest" for innovative, cutting-edge, contemporary design and installation-based projects for The Gladstone Hotel’s annual alternative design event, Come Up To My Room. The seventh installment of CUTMR will take place from January 21st to 24th, 2010 at the historic Gladstone Hotel in downtown Toronto. Site-specific work will be mounted in the rooms and public spaces on the 2nd and main floors of The Gladstone.

Ideal candidates for juried consideration are makers who focus their practice in the areas of experimental, inter-disciplinary, self-taught, hand-made/craft-based work in any creative medium. We are looking for practitioners and emerging designers who approach their discipline with a radical personal vision, and who use design to converse, connect, collaborate and construct delight in the unexpected.

There are two ways to participate in Come Up To My Room 2010.

1) Room Installations: participants will create new work that is site-specific installation. Participants must be new to CUTMR or have not shown in past three years at CUTMR. The curatorial focus and submission review will be on strength of previous works.

2) Public Spaces: participants will create functional lighting, seating or wall-based projects which responds to the site, or a DJ booth and/or bar for the event. Past Participants of CUTMR are welcome to submit to this category. The curatorial focus will be on actual project proposals, as well as previous work. Please submit sketches and/or a written paragraph on your proposed installation.

For more information visit http://www.gladstonehotel.com/cutmr.html

Residency Opportunity @ the Living Arts Centre

The Resident Artist Program has been created to provide opportunities for a blend of recent graduates of arts and design institutions, as well as mid-career artists, to create, explore, learn and exchange ideas and insights within a multi-disciplinary environment. They have eight professional studios in Wood, Flameworking, Glass, Sculpture, Textiles & Fibre Arts, Photography, Painting & Drawing, and Ceramics.

Short and long-term residencies are available. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Operating within a facility that offers a diverse choice of performing and visual arts programs, patrons of all ages enjoy a line-up of musicians and artists, and opportunities for hands-on creative expression in a professional arts environment. This marriage between visual and performing arts, community education and professional art practice provides a valued and unique atmosphere for emerging artists.

Resident Artist Benefits:

* Resident Artist office – computer, printer, slide scanner, fax machine, telephone, Internet
* Teaching and assisting opportunities
* Opportunity for inter-disciplinary activities
* Representation on the Centre’s website
* Annual Resident Artist Exhibition
* Opportunity for corporate commissions and to sell work in the Centre’s Gift Shop
* On-site Studio Technician
* All utilities provided
* Free parking

The Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5B 4B8

For more information about the selection criteria and the application form, please visit our website at www.livingartscentre.ca or contact Cole Swanson, Exhibitions and Residency Coordinator, at 905.306.6161 or via email at cole.swanson@livingarts.on.ca

European Ceramic Context 2010

Well the website doesn't have all the info yet, but I could wait to share the news of an amazing ceramic opportunity in 2010. Three extensive exhibitions with the best of European contemporary ceramics, workshops, lectures, masterclasses and artist residencies will take place on the island of Bornholm September 2010! Could it get much better?

From their website:

European Ceramic Context 2010 forms part of a biennial symposium for European contemporary glass and ceramics on the island of Bornholm in Denmark. Through comprehensive exhibitions, workshops, master classes, lectures and an artist in residence program, an opportunity will arise to discuss and present the best of contemporary European ceramics today. All 27 members of the European Union as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland will be participating.

European Ceramic Context 2010 is organizing a conference that will spotlight and discuss current themes in contemporary European ceramics. Lecturers and speakers will be among the leading theorists, curators and artists within the field of ceramics. The conference will take place at the Glass and Ceramic School on Bornholm.

European Ceramic Context 2010 is organizing a number of Master Classes, that will be open for enrollment to all professional ceramic artists who wishes to extend their knowledge or seek inspiration and challenge for their daily studio-practice. Master classes will be taught by accomplished instructors and professional artists.

European Ceramic Context is organizing a series of artist residencies in collaboration with Res Artis, a world wide network of artist-residencies and residential art centers. Selected artists will be given the time and space to develop a new project or body of work in ceramics. Artists will be working at Svaneke Gaarden, Møbelfabrikken and The Glass and Ceramic School for a period of approx. 6 weeks. During the residency artist will be asked to work on a given theme, to be presented at the ECC2010 conference at the end of their AiR session.

More details will be forth coming so bookmark the site and start booking your time off and flights!

Margaret Matsuyama

Nothing makes my day like when readers send lovely emails which end with links to their websites and blogs. There are only so many hours in the day to get things accomplished and hours it seems get eaten up in front of the computer, either productively or otherwise...so when people can help to direct me to gorgeous art to share with you guys it completely makes my day.

When Margaret Matsuyama contacted me I was immediately drawn to her work. (You likely get a sense by now that I'm a bit partial to figurative work, it's my weakness.) But seriously how sweet are these?


Not only are they charming, they pack a good punch in terms of subject matter. Here's a bit from Margaret's artist statement:

"Art acts as a crossroads between my varied interests, and the different sides of my identity. I am drawn to work evoking childhood experience and the repression of identity when it does not conform to social norms. I am also interested in exploring the subtle differences of identity, and its fragility or impermanence."


For more insight into her work and more images of other pieces check out her website, and of course you should become a follower of her blog as well! (Oh and make sure you make the little guys dance on the home page of her website, hours of entertainment!)

Studio Open House

URBAN FOREST DESIGN STUDIO
WILDWOOD POTTERY
Christian D. Barr & Enzien Kufeld
June 26 - July 6
10am - 9pm
(For those willing to make the trip out we will help you by covering your GST.)
Approx. 115 km west of Edmonton on Hwy16(9km west of Wildwood)turn South on RR102, 250m

Urban Forest Design Studio
Box 636 - Wildwood,
AB T0E 2M0 - Canada
Ph: (780) 325-2360
Email: cbarr@planet.eon.net

Artist Talk - Gilbert Poissant

From the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery:

"Don't miss Gilbert Poisssant's Artist Talk scheduled for 1pm June 28. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the distinctive vision of Gilbert Poissant and gain a fuller understanding of his intent and aesthetic. In a world enthralled with the virtual, Poissant has an abiding and profound attachment to and appreciation for his materials - he is grounded in the reality of "things". Poissant has spent his professional life exploring all aspects of the discipline of creating ceramics. He is recognized for his contribution to public art. Poissant won a national competition for the realization of a work to adorn Quebec City's "Ecole the Outremont Metro Station". He was made a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 2003 and was invited to participate in the international symposium, Barro de Americo in Venezuela. This is just a short list of his many accomplishments. You will most definitely enjoy connecting with this artist and his work prior to the official opening of "VARIATIONS ON DISCS, SPIRALS, AND XUANJIS"."

Read more about Gilbert here or visit his website to see more work here.

Angels amoung us

Lately I've spent way too much time working on a new series of sculptural work that is filled with skulls, wanna be angels and the darker side of humanity. When I stumbled across Valerie's work in her etsy shop Goodliving I was quite taken back. The serene beauty of her work, it's speechless elegance spoke volumes to me about the emotions and aspects of humanity that I often try to capture in my own work. Here it was in front of me. Addressed from a completely different perspective and approach, and oh so beautifully rendered.

Each piece has such personality in their eyes. Such narrative in their stance.


Check out more of Valerie's work here in her etsy shop.

"Earth to Form" Exhibition

Tin Shed Gallery, Faculty of Architecture

The University of Sydney

Opening: 16 July 2009, 3pm-5pm
Opening speaker: Janet Mansfeild
Show runs 17 July ~ 8 Aug 2009

Artists: Walter Auer, Anna Choi, Kim Dickey, Helen Earl, Gundrun Klix, Jia-Haur Liang, Bill Lungas, Pip McManus, Bruce McWhinney, Virginia Scotchie, Anegala Valamanesh and Yen Yonetani

By Hand Trade Show

By Hand
August 16 - 19, 2009
Northlands Park AgriCom Edmonton, Alberta

By Hand features the finest handmade work by Canadian artisans, artists and designers.

If you are looking to introduce or expand your wholesale business in Western Canada then By Hand Alberta is a show you should seek to participate in. By Hand Alberta is Canada's Artisan Gift Show that runs concurrently with the Alberta Gift Show at Northlands Park in Edmonton August 16 - 19, 2009. There is no larger marketplace for wholesaling in Western Canada. It has been a major destination for trade Buyers since the 1970's.

Apply now while there is still space. For applications visit byhand.ca or contact: Peter Harbic pharbic@signatures.ca Toll-free: 1-888-773-4444 ext. 226

Residency opportunity - Montreal Canada

Artist Residency at Creative Boost, Montreal

Emerging and established artists, as well as artist sponsors and organizations, are invited to apply for artist residency at Creative Boost. Situated in the heart of downtown Montreal, Creative Boost is surrounded by a thriving cultural scene, offering artists a stimulating space in which to realize their artistic vision.

The facility consists of both private and communal studios, a fully equipped clay studio, and an art gallery. Creative Boost also offers a unique language immersion program where students improve their English or French through planned learning activities where art in all its forms plays an important role.

For all applications, please visit our website, www.creativeboost.ca.

Craft Cubed - A festival of contemporary craft and ideas

From the Craft Victoria Website:

Craft Cubed is a new national event presented by Craft Victoria. This annual festival promotes experimental, skilled and ideas-based craft and design. It will provide a platform for conversation and exchange across all spectrums of the craft and design communities. A key feature of the event is the thematic linking of current craft trends among local, national and international practitioners.

There are three components to Craft Cubed:
WHITE BOX showcases 50 international design projects in a virtual format.
PERSPECTIVE is a curated exhibition of 50 new works by Craft Victoria’s Professional Members.
PROGRAMS include professional development opportunities, satellite exhibitions and open studios.

2009 THEME
Craft Cubed provides artists with an opportunity to generate new work in response to the 2009 festival theme CITY|COUNTRY. Local geographical boundaries have shifted dramatically in recent times. Populations are literally moving, profoundly effecting the environment, public space, urban planning and design. What are the ramifications of these changes in geographical composition? How is contemporary craft and design influencing these new forms of spatial engagement? Is craft production being affected by the new societies?

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
In 2009 Craft Cubed will run 1 August – 12 September. Submissions are now being sought for WHITE BOX and PERSPECTIVE in response to the theme CITY|COUNTRY. The submission deadline for both projects is Tuesday 30 June 2009.

For more details on WHITE BOX click here

For more details on PERSPECTIVE click here

2 must see exhibitions...

If I was anywhere near the Jam Factory over the next month I would do anything I could to check out these exhibitions. Some of my faves without a doubt...

JamFactory
Contemporary Craft & Design Presents:

A Secret History of Blue and White
Stephen Benwell, Robin Best, Bronwyn Kemp, Vipoo Srivilasa, Gerry Wedd
new ceramics

Gerry Wedd, Arcadia (detail), 2006

Gallery 2: Cool
Takeshi Yasuda
new ceramics

Takeshi Yasuda, Porcelain Bowl, 2008

Opening: Friday 26 June 2009 at 6pm
Guest Speaker: Stephen Bowers
Managing Director, JamFactory Contemporary Craft & Design
Artist Talks: A Secret History of Blue and White, 11am Saturday 27 June
Gallery 1, JamFactory Contemporary Craft & Design, FREE
Takeshi Yasuda, 2.30pm Saturday 4 July
Ron Radford Auditorium, Art Gallery of South Australia
Exhibitions in Gallery 1+2 run from 27 June - 26 July 2009
A Secret History of Blue and White is an Asialink and JamFactory Contemporary Craft & Design exhibition toured nationally by Object Gallery JamFactory acknowledges the support and assistance of Arts SA.
www.jamfactory.com.au

Exhibitions at Horus & Deloris

Gallery One - NYOU

A SYDNEY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
CERAMICS STUDIO EXHIBITION
Clare Bond, Joy Bye, Laelia Douglas Brown,
Beverley Gallop, Jan Howlin, Trevor Fry,
Jia-haur Liang, William Lungas, Mee-Sun Park,
Jesse Rasmussen, Adam Ridgeway,
Rayathip Seignarack, Mitchell Svenson,
Hsin-Yi Teng, Yi Hui Wang.


Gallery Two - EREWHONS by JAN GUY

Opening Night - Please join us for opening night drinks on Wednesday, 1st July, from 6pm – 8pm

Exhibition Dates 1st – 29th July, 2009
Address
Level 2, 102 Pyrmont Street,
Pyrmont, New South Wales, 2009
Telephone/Facsimile +61 2 9660 6071
Gallery Director - Caroline Wales
Email caz@horusanddeloris.com.au
Website

Clayfest - Workshop in BC, Canada

Northern BC Clayfest in Prince George.

This exciting event will offer you the opportunity to learn about advanced clay techniques. You will have the opportunity to network with your fellow artists, and meet our exciting workshop presenters. We are hosting four acclaimed clay artists to present two days of techniques. Presenters will also provide a 45 minute slide or video along with their hands-on techniques for the benefit of the participants.
August 13 - 15, 2009
Prince George

Registration fee is $150 for two days of workshops, a welcoming wine and cheese, lunches for two days, and guest slide shows and presentations.

REGISTER ONLINE

This year our presenters are:

Katheryn Finnerty
Sarah Jaeger
Katheryne Koop
Judy Weeden

Prince George Potter's Guild
2880 - 15th Avenue,
Prince George, BC V2N 2W2
email: clay@pgpotters.ca

Watershed invitational WoodFire Auction

The online portion of the Watershed Invitational WoodFire Auction is now open, you've got to go and check it out. Some amazing pots by some major names in the community. Here's a few of my faves in the auction, now if I could just convince my hubby to lend me some cash....

Louise Rosenfield
Molly Hatch
Seth Rainville

The Auction will run from June 12 to June 20th with the live event taking place in June 20th. There are plenty of ways to donate without having to be there in person so check out the website for all the details.

For more info about Watershed and the programs they offer go here.

Call for entry - Undergrad students

Ceramics Monthly has just sent out a call for an upcoming issue that will profile work by undergrad students. What a fantastic way to get some exposure! The competition is open to all undergraduate students enrolled in ceramics classes at accredited post-secondary educational institutions, including 2009 graduates. The winners get their work featured in Ceramics Monthly.

Apply now, tell your friends, tell your students! Check out their website for all the details, images from last years amazing students and the downloadable prospectus.

Surveying all clay artists...

Erin of the blog Ceramic Erin is putting together a survey of ceramic artists and will be posting answers every Monday on the blog. You should check it out and you should contribute to the survey! (...she says while still searching for time to do the survey herself!)

Upcoming events - International Ceramics Studio

The international Ceramics Studio in Hungary has an amazing list of upcoming events you should definitely check out if you're looking for some great workshops.

June 21-28
MARIA GESZLER COURSE II
Working with one of the world's leading exponents of printmaking on ceramic surfaces.

July 1-29
THE FIGURE
This symposium will investigate figurative ceramic sculpture in its technical and conceptual aspects.
Invited artists include: RIMAS VISGIRDA (USA), DALIA LAUCKAITE-JAKIMAVICIENE and RYTAS JAKIMAVICIUS (Lithuania)

July 8-17
FAST FIRE KILN
Kiln building with FRED OLSEN. Join Fred Olsen, the world's leading kiln building expert, and learn to build and fire a new Fast Fire wood kiln.

August 4-31
WHITE GOLD
Porcelain symposium with invited guest artists including JINDRA VIKOVA (Czech Republic), MICHAEL MOORE (Ireland)
In the studio we have one of the best examples of this 'noble material', porcelain, available in the world. To co-incide with the symposium there will be visits to the world famous porcelain factory at Herend.

August 12-19
EXPERIMENTAL CERAMIC SURFACES
A master-course with PETER BEARD (GB)

September 16-23
NAKED RAKU
A master-course with DAVID ROBERTS (GB)

Check out their website for all the details and info about the Studio.

Melissa Mytty at the Clay Studio

I'm just loving these pieces by Melissa Mytty, the Clay Studio's recent resident artist. Check out the show online here or in person if you can before the 28th of June. There's also a great artist statement on the website and a few other shows running concurrently that also look amazing.


The Clay Studio
139 North Second Street
Philadelphia PA 19106
215-925-3453

New work by Kate MacDowell

New works by Kate MacDowell will be on display in Santa Fe Clay during SOFA West. Check out "Curiosities" a four person show also including new work by Lindsay Feuer, Andy Rogers, Kathleen Royster Lamb.The work all focuses on issues of growth, decay, and metamorphosis in the natural world.

You can see the exhibition in Santa Fe at http://www.santafeclay.com/gallery.htm (to be posted soon) or all of Kate's her work at http://www.katemacdowell.com/portfolio.html

Pete Pinnell Video

Tumblestack just twittered about Pete Pinnell's video "Thoughts on Cups" and I figured it was too great not to share it with all of you that don't twitter so check it out here. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to embed a Google video.

Call for Entry - V Fira de Ceràmica 2009

July 3, 2009 entry deadline

V Fira de Ceràmica 2009
Dates: October 15–18
Juried from digital.
Contact: Patronat Municipal de Serveis Culturals,
La Rambla,
24 El Vendrell,
43700 Spain
E: ceramica@elvendrell.net
W: www.elvendrell.net/default2.aspx
*** NEW LINKS to try http://www.elvendrell.cat/visita/PaginaLLiure1.aspx?MWS_Seccio=3&MWS_IdElem=101427&MWS_Tip=Obj
http://www.elvendrell.net/visita/PaginaLLiure1.aspx?MWS_Seccio=3&MWS_IdElem=101425&MWS_Tip=Obj
P: 0034 977 66 56 84

Call for entry - Hands in Clay

The San Joaquin Potters Guild Presents " Hands in Clay" a juried exhibition of northern California ceramic artists.

July 1st to Aug 1st.

For all the details check out the guild website.

A sneak peek at some work in progress in the studio...

I don't normally post pics of my work in progress, not due to a need for secrecy, but rather because I figure that my process is fairly straightforward and not all that interesting until (hopefully) the work is done. But well as with any rule there are always some exceptions so today here's a vague glimpse into what i've been making lately. These are all little parts of much larger sculptures, but you'll have to wait to see those...The new body of work is dealing with similar themes to previous works, but with more of a focus on innocence, death, love, expectations and childhood.

White Heat exhibition

Image: Pru Morrison

Exhibition runs from the 12.06.2009 - 19.07.2009 @ Manly Art Gallery & Museum
Official Opening: 13 June 2009, Special Event: Sunday, 19 July in conjunction with the Australian Ceramics Triennale.
From the Triennial website:

WHITE HEAT
[ n. an extreme heat that stretches the limits of the safety and familiarity]

Transformative practices that move beyond the object of utility, often take risks that propel the maker and viewer into unfamiliar territory. The exhibition titled White Heat offers a space for discourses of social, political and cultural concern. The articulation of issues that may be personal or affect others has a strong presence in recent ceramic history and is often manifest with an understanding of clay, its materiality and process. Exploring ideas, while refusing to jettison matter, encapsulates a challenge to the modernist separation of meaning, making and materiality. Boundary-crossing practices such as these are engaging, and extend into risky territory, embracing the slippage between the domains of art, craft and design while confronting the topical, the contentious and the unexpected. Your concerns may be the human condition, the environment, consumerism or a critique of ceramics practice. What risks do you take through your practice?
Dr Julie Bartholomew
Curator of White Heat
President of The Australian Ceramics Association


Image: Chris Headley
Participating Artists: Avi Amesbury, Penny Byrne, Lynda Draper, Kate Dunn, Bern Emmerichs, Fiona Fell, Honor Freeman, Madhulika Ghosh, Irene Grishin-Selzer, Chris Headley, Andrea Hylands, Virginia Jones, Dr Kathy Keys, Gudrun Klix, Laura McEwan and Liz Stops, Pru Morrison, Biljana Novakovic, Mel Robson, Avital Sheffer, Penny Smith, David Tucker, Kenji Uranishi, Gerry Wedd, Rachel Williams and Meng-shu You

Some Australia news

Soooo behind on everything lately, an email inbox that's fuller than ever, work piling up as the little kiln fires steady day after day. So I missed posting this one on time, sorry to the artists, but there's still time to check out the show if you're in Australia.

artroom 5
5 Kent Street Henley Beach, SA

Artists: Chris De Rosa, Lesa Farrant, Prue Gramp and Maria Parmenter

On a different note, I have a bit of news about the Australian Ceramics Triennial this July. Oh I can barely write this I'm so sad...Well my husband and I were scheduled to present a paper at the conference and sadly due to our travel grant application falling through we can't afford to go anymore. Sigh...months of preparation and anticipation down the tubes. Such is the life of an artist I guess. Anyway we'll sort out what to do with the paper since it's already written, needs a bit of expansion if it'll stand alone without the multi media presentation we were planning to give...anyway, this sadly means that I won't be visiting so many of my cherished friends or meeting so many new ones that I've only every spoken to online. But Australia will always be near and dear to my heart so I'm already working on other ways of getting back sometime soon...

In the meantime if you haven't yet you should check out the Triennial's website for what looks to be an amazing conference. So many great exhibitions and speakers. If you can go please do...and then tell me all about it so I can live vicariously! Also check out Shannon Garson's blog for the triennial, it's full of artist/speaker profiles and gorgeous images of works to be exhibited during the conference.

Here's some work by Penny Byrne one of the main reasons I wanted to go to the conference.


Okay must go and make myself feel better with a cup of tea and a timtam...

Liz Emtage Ceramics

Maybe it's the fact that lately I seem to find myself spending alot of time in a dimly lit room reading to put my little guy to bed, but I find myself really draw to these ceramic lamps by UK artist Liz Emtage.

I'm loving some of the textures she comes up with. But you're going to have to go and check out her website yourself to figure out what she uses to create this one!


Liz works in a studio complex in London called Cockpit arts alongside about 80 other crafts people. Wow, it must be such an amazing space to work - makes me feel pretty lonely in my studio garage... Check out their website or stop by during an open studio;
June 12 - 14th
Friday 6-9pm
Sat & Sun 11am - 6pm
There's some pretty gorgeous ceramics being made at Cockpit, oh and glass and jewelery and textiles and the like.

US call for entry - Clay3 2009 National Juried Ceramics Exhibition

Clay3 2009 National Juried Ceramics Exhibition
Deadline: August 1, 2009
Exhibition runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 21, 2009

Best of show $575, 2nd place $250, 3rd Place $100, Honorable Mention $75
Juror: Mary Kay Botkins
Eligibility: Clay3 is open to all artists working in the continental United States. Work must be no larger than 12" X 12" x 12", and use 75% of clay as the primary medium. Accepted works should not be too fragile for shipping and public display, and may not be removed before the conclusion of the exhibition.
Fees: non-refundable entry fee is $25.00 for 2 entries, $5 for each additional entry (limit 5 total entries).
Send SASE to: Clay3, ClaySpace, 28W210 Warrenville Rd., Warrenville, IL 60555
Phone: 630-393-2529
Website
Prospectus

Katrina Chaytor talk and demo

Calgary Clay Arts Association presents:

Katrina Chaytor


Saturday, June 27, 2009
10:15 am - 2:45 pm
at Ceramics Canada
Bay 152, 2880 - 45th Avenue, SE, Calgary
403-255-1575

10:15 am Talk
11:30 am Pot Luck Lunch
1:00 pm Demonstration

Join us to hear Katrina present her career highlights and show examples of her work in a lively and passionate talk. After a pot luck lunch, Katrina will demonstrate her exquisite handbuilding techniques which have garnered recognition across Canada, and internationally. Her intricate, complex and creative pieces take handbuilding to a whole new level.

To reserve a spot, please contact:
Monika Smith, 403-242-6162 or smithpr1@telus.net

CCAA thanks Ceramics Canada for donating their facility to hold this special event.

$15 CCAA members
$20 non members
(Reserve early, limited space)
For more information on the Calgary Clay Arts Association, please contact
Monika Smith, sithpri1@telus.net, or call 403-242-6162
Or go to: www.calgaryclayarts.org

Call for entry - Strange Figurations

SlowArt Productions presents the group thematic exhibition, Strange Figurations. The exhibition will be held at the Limner Gallery from October 1 - 31, 2009. This exhibition is open to all interpretations of the concept, Strange Figurations. Included are all forms of unique and unusual figurative art from the realist to the surreal and visionary. All artist interpretations of the theme "Strange Figurations" will be reviewed and considered.

Eligibility: The competition is open to all artists, national and international, working in any media. All forms of art are eligible. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older to apply. 96" maximum for wall hung work, 72" for free standing sculpture.

Image Presentation: Refer to the image presentation page for details.

Awards: One artist from Strange Figurations will be awarded a two page display in Direct Art Volume #17, Fall 2010 issue. Two artists will be awarded a single page display. Direct Art is distributed to bookstores across the USA including Borders and Barnes and Noble. For more information on Direct Art view: www.slowart.com/about.htm

Deadline: The final postmarked deadline is June 30, 2009. There will be no extension of the deadline, all entries must be postmarked by that date.

Prospectus: www.slowart.com/prospectus/figure.htm

Call for Entry - Australian Artists

$1500 AWARD in association with Craft Victoria

The Pan Gallery Award has been established to demonstrate excellence in ceramics produced throughout Australia. Pan Gallery supports the creation of ceramic artworks of an innovative nature and seeks to celebrate ceramic traditions as well as provide a forum for artists to challenge the boundaries of contemporary ceramic practice. We encourage the exchange of ideas between artists and a diverse audience and aim to promote public appreciation and understanding of the form.

CALL FOR ENTRIES
EXHIBITION: BOTTLED
Ceramic art requires patience, considered decisions and attention to detail. This emphasis on technique raises an important question: Is ceramic art capable of embodying sentiment? BOTTLED seeks to explore the ability of the ceramic object, in this case in the form of the bottle, to express emotion.
The bottle is a practical object: its primary purpose is to function as a vessel that contains the tangible. What happens then, when this tangibility is replaced with the impalpable – such as emotion? Is the bottle able to contain the fleeting intensity of anger, the all-encompassing feeling of euphoria or the continuous simmering of long term grief? Can a ceramic artist bottle emotion?
Pan Gallery, in association with Craft Victoria and Northcote Pottery Supplies, invites Australian ceramic artists to submit entries of significance for inclusion in an exhibition entitled Bottled. Work submitted must be new work and not previously exhibited.
Submissions are due by Friday 18 September and will be presented to a selection panel for consideration of inclusion in the exhibition.
The exhibition will open on Thursday 5 November 6-8pm and runs to 25 November with Anita Cummins and Kim Brockett from Craft Victoria as guest curators and ceramicist Jane Sawyer making the final judging decision.
More information available at www.northcotepottery.com.au

2nd Annual Lillstreet International

Exhibition dates: September 14 - October 11, 2009
Juror: Beth Lo

Lillstreet International is a juried exhibition that addresses contemporary issues in ceramic arts. The show is designed to challenge and showcase the ever changing scope of ceramic art. Lillstreet International is open to all artists working in clay. Each year the show will take on a different theme, this year the focus is on functional forms related to drinking. Questions or requests for additional information can be directed to gallery@lillstreet.com.

PROSPECTUS INFORMATION:
This year's theme is Drink : Functional Forms for Every Libation, which means that all submissions must be functional and related to drinking.

Prizes:
First Prize: $500 and Solo show in the Lillstreet Gallery
Honorary Mention (2): $100

Location: Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Dates:
Application deadline: July 12, 2009 (postmark)
Notification begins: July 29, 2009
Accepted work due: September 2, 2009
Exhibition dates: September 14 - October 11, 2009

Eligibility:
Open to functional ceramic forms related to drinking.
Submitted work must have been produced in the last two years.
Size may not exceed 24 inches in any dimension or 20 pounds.

Rules:
Enter up to three functional pieces or sets.
All exhibited work MUST BE FOR SALE.
Work will be disqualified if, upon receipt, it is not the same piece presented in the accepted image.
Work must arrive in time for the opening. (Work must be received by September 2, 2009).
If accepted work shows poor craftsmanship upon receipt, it will be disqualified.
Entry fee: $30, non-refundable. Make check or money order payable to ‘Lillstreet Art Center’.

Commission: 50% artist, 50% LSAC

Freight and Insurance:
The artist pays shipping and insurance to and from Lillstreet.
Lillstreet Art Center is responsible for insurance during the exhibition.

Digital Image Requirements:
Submit one image per piece (one detailed images per piece is allowed).
Save file as a Jpeg at 300dpi.
Save each image with your name and entry letter (ex: Smith A, Smith B, Smith C)
Place (copy) all images onto a CD and label CD with your name.
CD will not be returned
Slides will NOT be accepted.

Photography: LSAC reserves the right to use selected work in future publications.

Application Checklist:
Your completed entry form. A stamped, self-addressed business envelope (.47 postage) for notification. Check or money order for $30, payable to ‘Lillstreet Art Center’.

Check out their website here.

The debate continues...

China or Japan, who was the first culture to make pottery? New site in China dates back to between 17,500 and 18,300 years ago. Read the whole article here.

Darell Oike @ Numen Gallery in Vancouver

So many great looking shows out there...so far away from me...
Check out Darell Oike's show online at Numen Gallery.
Show runs until June 20th.

New shows at the Gardiner Museum you should check out.

Find them on line here.

Call for entry - "For the Table"

Entry Deadline June 15, 2009
Location: 18 Hands Gallery, Houston Texas

18 Hands Gallery is looking for entries for its 2009 “For the Table Show,” a juried exhibition that will run the month of August (in conjunction with the Houston Heights White Linen Night celebration). This exhibition will feature original hand-crafted items that might be found on a dinner table. All artwork must be original and produced within the last 18 months. All media are eligible and submissions are open to Texas and Louisiana artists only. Entry fee is $25.00, payable to 18 Hands Gallery. A maximum of 5 works per artist may be entered.

18 Hands Gallery is a new Ceramic Arts gallery located in the Historic Heights District in Houston, Texas. For more information, go here to download prospectus.

via Clay Art Web Guide

Daven Hee workshop part 2

As promised here's more pics from this weekend's amazing workshop. I'm still buzzing with ideas and craving a good solid week in the studio (yeah right like my little guy will let me have that! ) to work through some new ideas I've got thanks to all the inspiration.

Call for entry - Art of Fine Craft 2009

July 1, 2009 entry deadline

Exhibition dates: October 1–November 8
Fee: $30 for three entries.
Jurors: Jason Briggs, Victoria Goro-Rapoport, Lulu Smith, Jess Starkel and Sonya Clark. Contact Regina O’Rear,
Nebraska Wesleyan University and Lux Center for the Arts,
5000 Saint Paul Ave.,
Lincoln, NE 68502W
E: rorear@nebrwesleyan.edu
W: www.luxcenter.org
P: (402) 465-2529

Daven Hee Workshop

So I realize I've been fairly quiet on the blog lately. I've been busy with making work for a big show, enjoying my garden, spending time in the sun with my family and having a blast hosting a visit from Hawaiian born ceramic artist Daven Hee. I first met Daven when we were both grad students at the Australian National University. When he mentioned he was going to visit the mainland I knew I had to get him out for a workshop. Last night he had us laughing like mad at his artist talk and today's workshop was filled with amazing insight into his process and some lovely, lovely pots. I can't wait for tomorrow's demos. Here's a brief look at today's highlights, more later...

My Top 10 List (how does Letterman do it? )

So I was recently presented with the challenge to compile a Top 10 list of ceramics blogs. Quite the honor to be asked, I soon discovered exactly how difficult this task would actually be. I spent a few days filtering through my blogroll and bookmarks, re-aquainting myself with old favorites, friends and ceramic practices from all over the world. What this left me with was an insanely long list of fantastic blogs and a road block of how I was going to narrow down all of these blogs, the individual lives, practices and fantastic work behind them. Well it had to be done so if you head over to blogs.com you'll find my final selection. I'm sure there are many that would compile a very different list than this and again my favorites list was long...I'd love to hear though in the comments what would be your Top 10.

Cheers

Job Posting - Red Deer College

CERAMICS TECHNICIAN – VISUAL ART Permanent Full-Time DUTIES: This is a great opportunity to work within the creative and stimulating environment and brand new state of the art facilities of the Red Deer College Visual Art program. As the Ceramics Technician, you will support both the Credit and Continuing Education Visual Art programs. You will provide technical support for students and instructors in ceramics. Duties include preparation for, and assistance with, classes; monitoring supplies; and ensuring safety standards are met. You will achieve results through effective utilization of strong technical and communication skills. You will consistently exhibit the ability to multi-task and prioritize large workload demands from all areas of the department. In the credit program, you will oversee studio processes as well as the capital and operational inventory of the Ceramics Studio and provide some materials and studio management support in the area of Printmaking. For Continuing Education, you will provide technical support for non-credit programming, primarily through the summer months. QUALIFICATIONS: Grade 12 completion Good comprehension of ceramic processes and studio maintenance Ability to lift 50 lbs Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work with a variety of people Some knowledge of the variety of technical processes related to the needs of the ceramics area Willingness to work with Chair of Visual Art and Continuing Education Visual Art Coordinator in the scheduling of vacation in order to facilitate effective support of both credit and credit-free programming. For further information, contact: Jason Frizzell, Chairperson Red Deer College Phone: (403)342-3328 Email: jason.frizzell@rdc.ab.ca SALARY: $35,726 per annum START DATE: August 10, 2009 COMPETITION NUMBER: 2009-S-045 All applicants (internal and external) must submit a current resume and the names of three references to: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT RED DEER COLLEGE BOX 5005 RED DEER AB T4N 5H5 FAX #:(403)342-3161 EMAIL: HRO@RDC.AB.CA (Send in Microsoft Word or ASCII Text format) http://www.rdc.ab.ca/about_rdc/employment/

All applications must be received before NOON on May 29, 2009. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

Micheal Kline at Ferrin Gallery

After last month's Artist of the Day, I'm left craving images of beautiful pots. I've been tied up in the studio and garden this month working away and admitedly intentionally trying to avoid my computer as the sun is finally shinning (and it doesn't last long enough in this neck of the woods). But I couldn't resist taking a break and indulging in some great ceramic eye candy when I saw Micheal Kline's new work on exhibition at the Ferrin Gallery.



I love how the firing process softens the contrast of the imagery with the white surface. Check out the show online here or take a peek at the process behind the magic on his blog Sawdust and Dirt.

Free ceramic molds

Been searching for ceramic molds? Head over to Bella Joy Pottery for a list of molds she's trying to get rid of to clean out her garage. Free molds (you pay the shipping) how could you go wrong?