This fall, six ceramic artists from across the country and one from Australia will join together to work on a
collaborative venture at Project Art in Cummington, Massachusetts. Their objective is to produce a unified
tablescape installation that includes tableware, plates, serving pieces, and decorative centerpieces. The
experience is intended to provide an opportunity for the artists to explore the differences and
commonalities of their aesthetics, creative processes, attitudes, and working styles and methods
culminating in an expanded world view as well as the tangible ceramic work.
artKamp was envisioned by Vipoo Srivlasa, an Australian ceramic artist who works to promote
international interaction between artists through social media and collaborative projects. “Working in a
foreign country, I often question my assumptions about life, which ultimately helps me to become a better
artist. Facing cultural divergence helps me understand the conflicts and contradictions in issues regarding
race, religious, and sexual discrimination from personal, regional, and global points of view. This is why I
am actively involved in organizing projects that create opportunities for cultural exchange between artists
internationally.”
artKamp is supported by a generous grants from The Australia Council, a governmental arts funding and
advisory board, and the Lighton International Artists Exchange Program. LIAEP “works to make the world
a smaller place by giving artists of different cultures the opportunity to work together in the hope that
lasting friendship and understanding will develop.”
The participating artists will be: Elenor Wilson, Massachusetts; Ben Carter, California; Chase Gamblin, Tennessee; Mara Superior,
Massachusetts; Bonnie Smith, New York; Francis Palmer, Connecticut; Alexandra Jelleberg, North
Dakota and Vipoo Srivilasa, Melbourne, Australia.
Project Art will host the event in the studio of their renovated 19th century mill building as well as provide
organization, help, and support. Resident artists Elenor Wilson as well as Project Art director Alexandra Jelleberg will be on hand to assist.
Two artist salons will be held during the session. With the intention of sharing the experience beyond the
group, participating artists will offer visual presentations and welcome discussion. These events will take
place at Project Art on Friday, September 26 and Friday, October 3 from 6 to 9pm and include a potluck
dinner. They are free and open to the public but are limited to 30 people. RSVP by e-mail to
[email protected].
To expand the reach of the project and build connections in the wider community, the artists will engage in
digital social networks during and after the project as well as podcasts produced by participant Ben Carter
of Red Clay Rambler.
artKamp participants will visit several local museums, galleries, and cultural hot spots. Studio Potter
Michael McCarthy in Goshen, Massachusetts, will welcome the artists to participate in the firing of his
wood-fired kiln. Guest artists who will visit during the final weekend include Sin-ying Ho, Garth Johnson,
Ayumi Horie, and Suwanee Natong. A final dinner during that weekend, by invitation only, will be served
on the art installation and in the process celebrate the completion of the project.
Project Art
projectartO1O26.com • 54 Main Street, Cummington, MA O1O26 • 413-446-O614
