Powerful new work by Beth Cavener Sticher

I'm just haunted (and not because it's almost Halloween) by these images of new work by Beth Cavener Stichter from her exhibition: On Tender Hooks now showing at Claire Oliver Gallery in New York.

The exhibition runs Oct 22nd to Dec 5th so please check it out if you can.

Craft Council Exhibition - Mel Bolen

RECENT WORKS BY MEL BOLEN

Fri, Oct 9, 2009 » Thu, Nov 26, 2009
Saskatchewan Craft Council

View the exhibition online here.

Found a great website

Art Radar Asia - Contemporary art trends and news from Asia and beyond

This website list upcoming events, exhibitions, calls for entry for the Asia Pacific Region. Check it out and subscribe to their twitter or email posts.

Toronto artist Shary Boyle wins Iskowitz prize

"Multidisciplinary Toronto artist Shary Boyle, whose live-drawing work has been projected during concerts by musicians such as Feist and Peaches, has won the 2009 Gershon Iskowitz Prize.

The $25,000 prize, awarded by the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Iskowitz Foundation, is given to aid the development of a promising Canadian artist."

VIA CBC News - Read the whole article here.

Check out more of Shary Boyle's work here.

Finally updated my website...

Well it's been busy around here lately to say the least. I've been preparing for a completely handmade Christmas this year (i know early, but handmade needs the time), plus a sale coming up in a few weeks and the prep work for a new body of sculptures. An exciting time for sure. But I also found a few minutes to update my website with images from the show at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, so if you have a moment please take a minute and head on over for a look, I'd love to have some feedback good, bad, whatever. You can shortcut to the images here.

Cheers!

Exhibition opening - All Handmade Gallery

SmallSculptureShow

October 31 - November 28

An exhibition of sculptures in mixed media by established and emerging

artists to coincide with Sculpture By The Sea

Bruce Nuske
Never believe anything you hear
and only half you see, ceramic

Keiko Matsui, Conversations 2. ceramic

Opening Saturday October 31, 5pm

Exhibitors

Gerry Wedd, Maria Parmenter, Toni Warburton, Rod Bamford, Bruce Nuske, Sarah de Teliga, David Ray, Stephen Bird, Keiko Matsui, Shan Short, Marguerite Derricourt, Peter Cooley, Trevor Fry, Tom Gardiner, Gus Glutterbuck and Brian Cox.

Helen Stephens Gallery and All Hand Made
252 Bronte Rd, Waverley 2024
(02) 9386-4099
URL: www.allhandmadegallery.com

Call for entry - Emerging artists

EMERGING ARTISTS 2010
EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL AWARDS EXHIBITION

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SlowArt Productions presents Emerging Artists 2010, the eighteenth annual competition for group exhibition, and awards. Open to all artists working in any media this event is devoted to the discovery, introduction and promotion of emerging artists.

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EMERGING ARTISTS AWARDS

Cash Award: A $1000 grand prize cash award will be presented to one artist.
Publication Awards: One artist will be awarded a two page display in 2010 edition of Direct Art Magazine.
Two artists will be awarded one page display pages in the 2010 edition of Direct Art Magazine.
Gallery Exhibition: A group exhibition of the artist winners will be held at the Limner Gallery, March 5 - 27, 2010.
Internet Exhibition: The exhibition will also be featured on the Limner Gallery web site.
ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to all artists, national and international, working in all media. All forms of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, graphics, digital and installation art are eligible. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older to apply.
DEADLINE: The final postmarked deadline is November 30, 2009. Winners will be notified by December 31.

Upcoming Scholarship Benefit Sale
Call for donations

Exhibition and sale coming in February 2010

Charlie Cummings Gallery has partnered with the National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition Foundation to host the debut benefit exhibition for the foundation's scholarship fund.

Proceeds from this exhibition and sale of high quality ceramic artworks will assist promising high school seniors with scholarships toward college degrees in ceramic art. The foundation's annual exhibition showcases ceramic artworks by kindergarten through 12th grade students from across the nation while also recognizing art teachers who inspire their students to excel.

Please lend your support to this worthy cause by contributing a ceramic artwork to sell in this on-line exhibition, or by being a patron of the sale.

If you would like to make a donation please send me an email for details. Charlie@claylink.com

Click here to visit the National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition Foundation website and learn more about their mission.

Congrats to Lilach Lotan...

The Nanaimo resident is the only Vancouver Island artisan among the four people recently awarded $2,500 and a 2009 B.C. Creative Achievement Award for Applied Art and Design.

Read the full article here.

And check out more of her amazing work here.

Got great news of your own? Wanna share? Drop me a note: carole_epp@yahoo.ca

THE MASQUERADE @ the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery.

Aganetha Dyck

Yours truly - Carole Epp

EXHIBITION RUNS: October 18, 2009 - January 10, 2010

With Artists:

Aganetha Dyck - THE MMASKED BALL
Lindsay Craig - PLAYING WITH DOLLS
Carole Epp - A COLLECTION OF INNOCENT CRIMES

For more info please check out the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery.

(*new images of my work for this exhibition will be posted online soon, stay tuned)

House with Wood kiln and studio for sale, Vancouver Island

SORRY FOLKS I"M WORKING ON GETTING THE IMAGES TO WORK, THEY SEEM TO ON SOME BUT NOT ALL COMPUTERS CHECK BACK


South-facing house, 2,500 sq ft, on 4 acres in rural location approx 15 minutes from Parksville, 40 mins from BC Ferries to Vancouver and one hour from Mt Washington world-class ski facilities.
The house has 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 500 sq ft studio in walk-in basement, heating is by two efficient wood-stoves with electric baseboards in bedrooms. There are 2 wells and a septic system, a car-port and wood-shed and other out-buildings. The property is fully fenced, partially treed and includes a deer-fenced garden area approx 75x75 ft
The wood-kiln is housed in its own building which includes space for wood storage. The kiln has two chambers each approx 50 cubic feet, and bourry-box. Kiln can be fired using one chamber or two. Both chambers can reach cone 10 within 36 hours using approximately 1.5 cords of wood. Local saw-mills supply waste slabs and off-cuts of maple, fir and yellow cedar.
The house is currently divided into two parts, the main or front section with two bedrooms being rented out to potentially long-term tenants as a mortgage-helper. Location is 2kms from a very popular Provincial Park enhancing Gallery traffic potential. It is also en-route to Tofino, a year-round resort on the West coast of the Island. The property is zoned for a second dwelling and has low property taxes.
Asking price: $350,000.00




Please contact Alison Tang, actang@shaw.ca for details and further information

Master Series Workshops @ Greenwich House Pottery NYC

A great line up of upcoming workshops:

"Two Days with Jeff Shapiro", November 21-22, 2009

In this workshop we will address issues of wood firing, aesthetics vs efficiency, romanticism/ pragmatism, and creative thinking. Demonstrations will include making faceted triangular bottles from wheel thrown forms, slab construction, as well as altered throwing of tea bowls, tea cups and sake cups. We will also look at trimming soft and spontaneously. Shapiro encourages discourse, and this workshop should be a lively and informative sharing of ideas and techniques. A slide presentation of The Japan Experience will reflect on the 9 years Shapiro spent studying in Japan. Tuition: $245 ($215 currently enrolled students). More of his work can be found at: www.jeffshapiroceramics.com

"Clay As Canvas: Exploring Multiple Firings", Matt Nolen, May 15-16, 2010

In this two-day, hands-on workshop, we will explore the possibilities of building rich ceramic surfaces through multiple firings. On day one, we will respond to previously glaze fired cone 6/cone 10 ware and learn techniques, materials and strategies for a 2nd glaze firing to cone 04-06. Laser print transfers will also be introduced. Day 1 work will be fired overnight. On day 2, Overglaze enamels (China Paint), decals and luster will be the focus and we will work in traditional and innovative ways on top of our fired glaze surfaces. Tuition: $245 ($215 currently enrolled students). For more info, visit: http://www.nolenstudios.com

"China Painting: New Directions", Paul Lewing, July 9-11, 2010

China paint (or overglaze enamel) is a 1000-year-old medium which few clay artists know today. This introductory workshop explores the use of this exciting painting medium on tile and pottery, either commercially made or handmade. Emphasis will be on water-soluble mediums, rather than the traditional oil. All skill levels of potters, painters, and traditional china painters are welcome. Potters will enjoy the bright colors and immediacy of the painting; china painters will discover non-toxic and non-allergenic mediums. Some hands-on, and students will leave with finished work. Includes slide show of Paul’s and other china painted work. Tuition: $365 ($325 currently enrolled students). For more info, visit www.paullewingtile.com

"A Couple of Days with Donnie: He's Back", Don Reitz, July 10-11, 2010

"I will be demonstrating my techniques of making large scale sculpture from wheel thrown parts. I will also demonstrate wheel thrown sculptural vessels, which will include functional and non-functional forms. I will use slips and colored engobes to enhance form. Slab construction, painting and decorating techniques on wet clay will also be explored. The workshop will be supplemented with slides." Tuition: $245 ($215 currently enrolled students). For more info: www.donreitz.com

"Mapping Out the Village: A Mural of Greenwich House" Bruce Howdle, July 16-18, 2010

In this workshop Bruce will demonstrate, from start to finish, how he conceptualizes and constructs his ceramic murals. He will be creating a special mural to commemorate Greenwich House Pottery’s 100th Anniversary. Additionally, Bruce will be discussing the logistics and the how-to for Public Art Commissions. This workshop will be a primer for anyone interested in designing, making and mounting outdoor, or indoor, murals. Tuition: $365 ($325 currently enrolled students). For more info: www.brucehowdle.com

"Throwing and Altering Porcelain" , Matt Long, July 16-18, 2010

The demonstrations will concentrate on exploring the gestural qualities of porcelain through functional pottery. I will be making work that is thrown and immediately altered off the wheel. Through the exploration of line and gesture, I have been working with thick slip as a way to express yet another kind of line that highlights the material in a different way. It is this exploration of line and gesture that continues to captivate me as I continue to express those qualities that is inherent in the material. We will cover many areas of pot making, including functional and aesthetic choices that lead to a better understanding of material, and the generation of new ideas and processes. Tuition: $365 ($325 currently enrolled students). For more info: www.fullvictory.com

For all the info check out their website here.

Call for entry - BIENNIAL OF VALLAURIS CONTEMPORARY CREATION AND CERAMIC

XXIst INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL OF VALLAURIS

CONTEMPORARY CREATION AND CERAMIC (BICC)

July – November 2010

Deadline December 31st 2009

THE COMPETITION

The competition is intended to encourage and make known European talents using

the reputation of Vallauris, the town of ceramics, as a springboard facilitating their

recognition around the world.

The sections:

Three sections have been organised:

- Containers: Plastic reality or symbolic value (reflection / work on shape and

decor).

- Design: usual industrial or semi-industrial mass produced ceramics.

- Architectural, sculptural or conceptual ceramics (installations)

For the full prospectus go here.

Place Jacques Cavasse 06220 Vallauris – phone: 04 93 64 34 67–

e-mail: biennale@vallauris.fr - Website : www.vallauris-golfe-juan.fr

Artist talk - Joan Bruneau

Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:00pm Lunenburg Academy Auditorium

Joan Bruneau has been a Part Time Faculty member in the Ce ramics Department at NSCAD since 1995 and is celebrating her fifteenth year in business in her Lunenburg Studio and Gallery, Nova Terra Cotta. Over the years, Joan has developed both a national and international profile as an inspiring teacher and innovative studio potter. Joan has taught at the Emily Carr Institute in Vancouver, The Australia National University, Canberra, Glasgow School of Art, Scotland , Greenwich House Pottery, NYC and Peters Valley, New Jersey. She is one of two presenters invited to the 2010 Fusion Conference in Ontario. Her work is exhibited in high profile exhibitions across North America and is included in ceramics periodicals and books and in public collections including the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute, China.

For more info contact NSCAD

Joan's website.

Aaron Nelson - New Artistic Director in the Historic Clay District

"Medicine Hat –The Historic Clay District is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Nelson as Artistic Director for the Shaw International Centre for Contemporary Ceramics. Nelson succeeds Les Manning, who served in a voluntary capacity as the District’s Artistic Director for the past eight years.

Nelson first came to Medicine Hat in June to participate in the Medalta International Artists in Residence (MIAIR) program and led a kiln-building workshop during which students from across Canada built two new kilns at the Medalta Potteries site. Most recently, Nelson worked as a Consultant for the Archie Bray Foundation, a leading ceramic arts centre in Montana. Nelson, the Historic Clay District’s first full-time Artistic Director, acknowledges Manning’s remarkable contribution to Medicine Hat’s growing arts community. “Les has exhibited and taught around the world for the past 20 years. Those experiences and contacts were instrumental in attracting hi-calibre international artists to a quality program in Medicine Hat,” he explains.

During his time as Artistic Director, Manning oversaw the expansion of MIAIR and was a driving force behind the development of the Shaw Centre. While he is leaving the post of Artistic Director to focus on his art, Manning will remain with the District as a consultant and senior artist in residence. “There is a time in each program when new energy is needed,” says Manning, adding that “the facility is now in place, which leaves the opportunity for young leadership to take it to its next level. Aaron’s international experience and awareness of art issues will be valuable tools in building a world-class program.”

The establishment of a contemporary ceramic arts program in a place known more for its historical significance may seem like an odd pairing, but Barry Finkelman, Executive Director of the District, explains “one of our major goals is to celebrate clay and its importance to Medicine Hat and Canada. Although historic preservation has been a major focal point for us, we have also worked to develop a world-class ceramic arts centre. By bringing the past and the future together, we are able to showcase Medicine Hat as a major heritage, artistic and cultural centre in Canada.” Finkelman adds that hiring Nelson as the Artistic Director allows Historic Clay District to continue its growth and properly showcase Medicine Hat as an artistic and cultural community with international appeal.

The Historic Clay District is one of eight tourism attractors in the Canadian Badlands, featured in AMA’s “Alberta 100 Journeys” and is Western Canada’s largest National Historic Site. The museum – in the Medalta Potteries National Historic Site – provides visitors a unique opportunity to visit a restored 1912 pottery factory, which once produced three-quarters of all stoneware in Canada. It is operated under the stewardship of the Friends of Medalta Society.

The Shaw International Centre for Contemporary Ceramics is a world-class ceramic arts facility situated in Medicine Hat’s Historic Clay District. The facility, which is part of the iconic Medalta Potteries National Historic Site, provides year-round residency opportunities and has many unique kilns, including soda, salt and wood in addition to gas and electric kilns. Programming in the Shaw Centre attracts some of the top ceramic artists in the world."

For more information, interviews or visuals, contact:

Quentin Randall

403.529.1070

quentin@medalta.org

www.medalta.org

LAST OF THE HANDMADE BUILDINGS: LECTURE AND WALKING TOUR WITH SUSAN TUNICK

Bayard Building façade, 65 Bleecker"Last of the Handmade Buildings: Terra Cotta In and Around New York"

Lecture: October 21st, 7-9pm

This presentation will start by focusing on the manufacture of terra cotta and the changes in building technology which helped lead to the great popularity of terra cotta during the early part of the 20th century. Remarkable examples abound in all five on New York¹s boroughs and include nearly all building types -- theaters, schools, skyscrapers, apartment houses, and commercial structures. The village has some superb examples of architectural ceramics ranging from Louis Sullivan¹s only NYC building at 65 Bleecker Street (1898) to polychrome apartment houses such as 37 Washington Square W (1928, Groenberg & Leuchtag) to a more modern use of terra cotta at The Church House of the First Presbyterian Church, 12 West 12th Street (1960, Edgar Tafel). We will look at how these and many other terra cotta and tile buildings have contributed to the richness and beauty of the city's architecture.

RSVP to Lisa Chicoyne, admission is free.

Lecture will take place at theGreenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow Street.

Walking Tour: October 24th, 2-4pm

As we visit some of the stellar examples of architectural ceramics in the Greenwich Village area, we will discuss how to identify terra cotta a material renowned for its ability to mimic other materials, particularly stone. We will also try to note buildings that date from around 1909, when Greenwich House Pottery was first established. This will give us an opportunity to think about what the city looked like and what architectural use was being made of ceramics (for tile and terra cotta) during this era. Highlights of the tour will include Sullivan¹s Bayard-Condict Building, Judson Memorial Church, and the Devinne Press Building.

Limited to 20 participants, two hour walk, meet at GHP.

RSVP to Lisa Chicoyne. Walk is $50 per person, mail payment to Greenwich House Pottery, 16 Jones Street, NY, NY 10014, Attn: Susan Tunick Walking Tour.

Pour - Call for entry

Deadline December 16th!

Get the full prospectus here.

Masters Series Workshop with Peter Callas

Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery Masters Ceramic Workshop Series for 2010 - Peter Callas

Launched in 2009, with the Robin Hopper workshop, the Ceramic Master’s Workshop is a special weekend-long event for professional potters or ceramics artists. Hosted by the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, it is designed to provide a high level of professional development for Moose Jaw professional potters and others as space allows.


The 2010 workshop, One of a Kind Forms, will be led by Peter Callas. Peter Callas has forged a career over 35 years, which has earned him a worldwide reputation for both his pioneering work with the anagama kiln and his unique style of ceramic art. Callas, “is credited with bringing the first anagama and the technique of prolonged wood firing for aesthetic affects to America in 1976. For many years he fired Voulkos’ work in his New Jersey kiln and traveled extensively worldwide with Voulkos as his assistant. Today Peter Callas is considered to be one of America’s foremost authorities on the wood fire anagama kiln tradition.”[i] At this workshop Peter Callas will demonstrate ways to deal with slab and wheel surfaces, and the aesthetics of One of Kind Forms. Technique/Focus will emphasize sculptural challenges, abstracting vessels, and constructing maquettes. Callas’ work often “speaks” to the viewer and his spirited, poetic approach will help and encourage students to handle clay in new and exciting ways. This intimate presentation will make it a rewarding experience for participants at all levels. Visit his website www.petercallas.com for more information,




The Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery is nestled in the heart of Moose Jaw, on the edge of Crescent Park, and provides an excellent facility for this kind of informal workshop. Other events such as studio tours and social activities are designed to allow everyone at the workshop to learn in a collegial and supportive environment.

The key goals of the workshop are:

· To provide an opportunity for interaction among professional ceramic artists.

· To observe a prominent ceramic artist, in an informal setting.

· To have the group tour the local pottery studios and to interact with the vibrant local ceramic community during both social and demonstrative events.

· To provide participants with an opportunity to bring work for discussion with other peers and presenter.

· To raise the profile of the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery.

2010 Workshop Fee: $150

If you are accepted into the workshop then your fee of $150 must be paid in full by December 31, 2009. Partial refund of workshop fee will be considered only in the event of illness or injury.

Billeting: is available by special request.

Application Required Information: Please submit 8 to10 labelled images of recent work in jpeg digital format on disc or by email, or on printed hard copies by mail, a CV, a one paragraph summery biography, a statement about your work, and a statement about why you would like to attend this workshop. Space is limited.

The selection committee will make their selections n the first week of December, 2009.

Deadline: Applications must be received in by the MJM&AG by December 1, 2009.

Workshop Dates: Friday January 22, 2010, 7:30 p.m.- Peter Callas will give a lecture that is free and open to the workshop participants and the public.

January 23 to 24, 2010 - Workshop for invited participants 9:30 to 4:30 daily.

Contact information: Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery 461 Langdon Crescent Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0X0 692-4471 Heather Smith or Christy Schweiger educator.mjmag@sasktel.net

[i] Cited from: http://www.americancontemporaryceramics.com/blog/2009/04/15/sparks-the-ceramic-art-of-peter-callas/

Pottery and Glass Show this weekend in Toronto!

Toronto's Largest Show and Sale of Fine Handcrafted Clay and Glass.

Featuring 50 clay and glass artists ranging from internationally recognized leaders in the field, to emerging clay and glass craftspeople presenting som of the best decorative and functional clay and glass in Canada.

CNIB Building, Conference Centre, 1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto

Thursday, Oct. 15th noon to 9 pm
Friday, Oct. 16th 9 am to 9 pm
Saturday, Oct. 17th 9 am to 6 pm
Sunday, Oct 18th 11 am to 4 pm

For more info check out the website here.

Workshop - Ash Glazes At Cone 6

Hosted by the Saskatoon Potters Guild
October 16 and 17th

featuring John Boyd, Glaze Specialist

Albert Community Center Loft

610 Clarence Ave.
Saskatoon

Register by e-mail: tuchacz@yahoo.ca

Early registration by Oct. 14th is $45.00

Door registration starting at 8:30 am Oct. 17 is $50.00

Oct. 16th - Artist talk 7:00-9:00pm- in the loft

Oct. 17th - Sessions 9:00-12:00, 1:00-4:00

Lunch not provided, but coffee, water and snacks provided for breaks.

Call for entry - Objects of Virtue: A National Exhibit of Contemporary Pottery

Deadline to enter - October 21st.
December 1, 2009 - January 31, 2010

As an amalgamation of surface, color, texture, and mass, clay in its fired state is potentially one of the richest art mediums. This exhibition will show why artists working in clay are celebrated for the innovative ways in which they take advantage of the sculptural and painterly opportunities ceramics offer to create varied and distinctive new vessels.

This juried exhibition will explore the breadth of contemporary ceramic pots and vessels as utilitarian and aesthetic objects, revealing the ever-developing synergy of clay, glaze, and heat.

Entry Information
A propectus and entry form for Objects of Virtue can be downloaded as a PDF file here.

If you have any questions please send an email to galleryinfo@bedfordgallery.org.

Eligibility: Open to all artists in the United States, 18 years of age or older. Entries must be original work completed within the last 3 years.

Juror: Julia Galloway, Ceramist and Professor/Chair of the School of Art at the University of Montana, Missoula.

Media: Work must be fired ceramic, a functional or decorative pot of any shape.

Entry Fee: A non-refundable fee of $35 is required for entry. This fee covers up to 3 entries. Please make checks payable to City of Walnut Creek.

For complete entry information, please download the prospectus.

To request an entry form by mail, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Bedford Gallery, Objects of Virtue Entry, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, CA, 94596.

Call for Entry - Currents: Contemporary Ceramics

Exhibition - Entry Deadline: October 21, 2009

"Currents: Contemporary Ceramics is a juried exhibition dedicated to capturing the diverse landscape of ceramics across the nation. The exhibition is sponsored by H.O.T. Clay, a University of Florida student group whose mission is to increase the awareness and understanding of the ceramic arts. Over $200 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the juror’s discretion.
The exhibition will be featured in the University of Florida’s Focus Gallery from Jan. 11-29, 2010.
The opening reception will be on Friday, January 15 from 7-9 p.m.

Accepted artists are responsible for shipping or hand-delivery both to and from the University of Florida’s Focus Gallery. Works will be insured while in the gallery. Accepted artists are responsible for shipping costs to and from the exhibition. Details for submitting return shipping costs will be sent with acceptance notices.

Currents is open to ceramics artists age 18 and over who currently reside in the U.S. Work must incorporate clay, be original and completed within the last two years. H.O.T. Clay reserves the right to reject work that the gallery is unable to physically accommodate or which differs from the submitted image. Pieces should not exceed 60 inches in any direction."

Jurors Linda Arbuckle & John Byrd (oh one of my personal faves, do check out his site!)

All the info you need here.

Ceramics: Southeast

Invitational Ceramics Exhibition featuring the works of: Alice Ballard - Russell Biles - Jim Connell - Don Davis - Lauren Gallaspy - Bruce Gholson - Samantha Henneke - Frank Martin - Scott Meyer - Gay Smith - Paula Smith - Mike Vatalaro - Jerilyn Virden

Exhibition runs October 12th to November 19th. And while I always prefer to see art first hand, this one is available online here.

Panel discussion " Facing the Future" Thursday October 15th @ 4pm followed by reception with the panelists : Don Davis, Scott Meyer, Gay Smith. Led by Virginia Scotchie.

Workshop Oct 15 & 16 with Gay Smith "Throwing with Porcelain"

For more information contact:

Ph: 803-777-7480

email: mcmastergallery@mac.com

Website

Happy Turkey Day (cdn edition)

I love long weekends, extra sleep in time, they always seem more relaxed and they always seem to equate to more time in the studio for me. So i've been a busy bee, well when I wasn't sitting and digesting way too much yummy food! Every thanksgiving for me is such a reminder of how blessed my life has been thus far, and while I have many personal things to be thankful for, I wanted to mention publicly how thankful I am to all of you who have been reading the blog over the last few years. You all have made my job very rewarding, so thank you, each and everyone of you!

And in honor of Thanksgiving I figured I had to find some ceramic turkeys for you.

Turkey salt and pepper shakers
by Guy Michael Davis
find them here on etsy.

Finders Keepers Market in Sydney

Deadline to apply is October 16th

The next Sydney markets will be Spring/Summer 2009 held on the 4th and 5th December 2009. The markets will be held at Sydney's best contemporary art centre CarriageWorks in Sydney’s Inner West.

The markets brings together new contemporary independent artists and designers of original and high creative standards. Our aim is to always introduce new designers and new product to cater for a wide range of our customers and supporters.

Interested in applying and want to find out more?

FAQ and Criteria are all listed here: http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/sydney_markets_criteria.php

Or check out their website here.

2009 Artists in Residence Exhibition ONLINE

Kelly Garrett Rathbone
Apparizione - terra cotta, glazes, sculpted glass


2009 Artists in Residence Exhibition

October 2-30, 2009
Kolva-Sullivan Gallery
Spokane, Washington

To see the show online check out the bray's website here.
Also make sure to check out their latest acquisitions
to the permanent collection while you're there.

Call for entry - Stanthrope Art Festival

Closing date: 20 November 2009

The Stanthorpe Art Festival 2010 is an acquisitive art award and exhibition, open to all forms of art media and organised by the Stanthorpe Art Gallery Society Inc. (SAGS). Mr John McDonald will be the Judge for The Stanthorpe Art Festival 2010.

Find more information about the gallery and the application form here.

New works by Brendan Tang @MAI in Montreal

Brendan Tang

Diyan Achjadi & Brendan Tang @MAI Gallery Sugar Bombs From November 12th to December 12th, 2009 Art curator: Kristen Lambertson "Diyan Achjadi’s digital images and Brendan Tang’s ceramics are colourful, kitsch, and playful. Rooted in a neo-pop aesthetic and taking cues from toys, animated cartoons, and manga, their work touches on geopolitics, war, and military culture, often paradoxically glorified in advertising and the media." Opening ceremony: Thursday, November 12 at 5:30pm Guided tour with art curator Kristen Lambertson: Thursday, November 12 at 5pm www.achdiyan.com / www.brendantang.com Diyan Achjadi

a bit wobbly but back at the wheel.

So I have to admit it's been a very long time since I sat down at the wheel to throw so today was particularly joyful for me. Finally a bit of quiet time in the studio, the little one finally napping a bit better and longer. There are numerous reasons (excuses) as to why I haven't been throwing; making a lot of figurative work, been developing a mad sewing obsession, life in general getting in the way and likely that which hinders it the most is an awful skin condition I developed on my hands back when I was pregnant that just doesn't seem to want to go away. So I sorta listen to my dermatologist's orders of not messing with clay too much (actually he told me to quit, but yah right!) I now wear gloves for everything I do which sucks with a tactile medium and throwing just hasn't been the same since. It's worse than throwing blind I reckon, the clay is too dry or too wet and I'm never sure, and the thickness - well lets just say I've made pots recently that rival my very first attempts 12 years ago in terms of weight. But I'm not complaining. It's life and things happen, we are organic beings and our bodies do what they need to. Someday hopefully my hands will be back to normal, and until then I make do.

Today's throwing was magical though. It's been cold and raining lately, but today the sun is shinning gloriously through the studio window right onto my wheel giving me a good dose of vitamin D. And I've been playing around with some loosely thrown bowls that make me feel like dancing. As tight and rigid of a thrower as I normally am, drawn to more graphic designed lines and forms; there has always been a potter in me that craves the organic movement of the material, that enjoys the play. But i've always struggled to make work that was looser without it coming across contrived. I love it on the wheel, but once it goes through the kiln, they seem to tighten up in all the wrong ways. It's an ongoing challenge and project for me, to make the perfect wobbly bowl.

I remember once having a conversation with a potter, whose opinion thankfully I didn't care too much for in the first place. He told me that the reason I couldn't throw organically was because I wasn't a very good potter yet. Only good potters could throw loosely well. The comment urked me, as though my pots weren't as good because I had chosen an aesthetic that was more geometric and rigid. Wobbly or rigid, they are just two different aesthetics, or languages to me. One is not better or worse than the other. It's simply like learning another spoken language, it'll help you to make your way in the world a bit easier; the more people you can communicate with. At least that's how I feel about it. When I was younger I took french emmersion. I can sorta still speak french if I have a minute to think about it and you don't speak too quickly to me. I love the language, I wish I had learned more languages, and hopefully I one day will. But today is the day to work on my wobble speak...

Got plans for Saturday?

If you happen to be in or near Baltimore this weekend, make sure you check out Adornment Adored

The show runs October 3rd – November 6th, 2009 but the opening reception is this Saturday, October 3rd, from 6 to 8 pm and we all know it's so much more fun to go the opening!

Hosted by Baltimore Clayworks; the exhibition Adornment Adored, will showcase a range of artists who create "beautiful and exquisite jewelry made with ceramic, polymer clay or PMC elements."


(Images – by BEST member, The Broken Plate Pendant Co.)

For more info contact Baltimore Clayworks

CALL FOR TOPICAL DISCUSSIONS AND NCECA CONNECTIONS

Deadline November 5, 2009

Topical Discussion and NCECA Connection group leaders are needed for the 2010 NCECA 44th Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA.

“NCECA 2010-entitled INDEPENDENCE--celebrates the individual and the choices they make. An independent spirit is necessary to tear down existing walls, to explore new ideas and to create work that pushes conventional understanding of one medium. An independent spirit is also necessary to maintain tradition, to be bound loosely by historical precedent and function. NCECA 2010 celebrates the independent spirits of traditionalists and groundbreakers.”

NCECA is seeking a diverse group of leaders from its membership that will appeal to our conference attendees. Students (Undergraduate, Post-Bacc, Graduate), Studio Artists, Educators (K-12, Community College, University), Gallerists, Curators, etc. are all encouraged to apply!

Link to details and Online Submittal form

Call for Artists: Calgary Clay Arts Association Christmas Sale, Calgary

Deadline for entry is October 15

The Calgary Clay Arts Association is looking for artist for their upcoming Christmas Sale. This year's sale will be held at Bearspaw Lion's Hall in Calgary on November 1st from 10am - 4pm. $2 admission fee/donation in support of the Calgary Food Bank.

Vendor Information:
1) Entry fee is $25, submitted before or on October 15, 2009. (CCAA special: New members get your 2010 membership included!)
2) Participants must be CCAA members.
3) Entries accepted, before or on (postmarked) October 15, 2009, which includes your SIGNED LOAN AGREEMENT form
4) Sale items: the commission split is 90% artist, 10% CCAA. (Insurance for the work is the responsibility of the artist)
5) Setup by the artist, before the show, no later than 9:30 am, November 1, 2009.

For more information and vendor forms please contact the Calgary Clay Arts Association: www.calgaryclayarts.org