Spoon Me @ Medalta is now live online.


Sean Whalley

After a wonderful opening reception in Medicine Hat last Thursday, Spoon Me, Medalta’s international juried exhibition, is now live online and works are available for purchase.

Once again I was honored to be asked to jury this international competition. My experience the previous year and the challenges of jurying the work of so many skilled artisans should have sent me running for the hills. But challenges are fun even if jurying the work of your peers is intimidating.

Kaye Pemberton

As a juror there are so many things to consider. Is the work technically proficient? Is it aesthetically interesting and skilled? Is the work a representation of the artists practice showcasing the strengths and integrity of their artistic vision and voice? And does the work speak to me and my aesthetics as a juror? 

So happy to see so many of the artists in person at the reception

Sometimes when jurying a show I have to be reminded that inclusivity isn’t always the goal. I need to stretch and challenge the boundaries of my personal aesthetic leanings, but need to also remember that it is those biases that make organizations chose specific jurors. The overall presentation and cohesiveness of the exhibition also has to be a concern. This results in good work being cut from the show at times. Every piece in the show had specific reasons to be included. And the award winning pieces were the ones that spoke to me as a juror on an even deeper level.

Joey Chiarello

Joey Chiarello‘s piece which won the top prize of a month long residency at Medalta (thanks to the Medicine Hat College and the Medalta AIR), was a show stopper. Standing out because of the technical skill involved, but also the beauty of the finished sculpture, the refinement and inclusion of the smallest of details, the overall concept of the piece.

Ellen Kleckner was the winner of the Student Prize. Ellen will receive a digital
subscription to Ceramics Art & Perception and Ceramics Technical
courtesy of the publications. This piece was purchased for Medalta’s
Permanent Collection with funds generously donated by Medicine Hat
College.

Ellen Kleckner
Ellen Kleckner
Purchase prizes went to Vanessa Holle, Adriana Christianson, and Anne Mossman. These works will now be a permanent part of the Medalta Collection thanks to the support of the Medicine Hat College.

Vanessa Holle
Anne Mossman
Adriana Christianson

 

 Huge thanks to everyone that came out, to Medalta for asking me to jury again, to Jenna Stanton for installing this difficult exhibition into the cohesive aesthetic exhibition that showcased each artist’s work beautifully, and all the rest of the staff behind the scenes that helped pull this together.

Check out the whole exhibition on Pinterest with links to buy the exhibited works.

Follow me on Instagram or Medalta on Instagram to see more behind the scenes of the exhibition.

Artist-in-Residence/Post Graduate in Ceramics

The
artist-in-residence will work to discover new ceramic technology and
cutting-edge knowledge in the field of ceramics in conjunction with the
faculty and students of the WVU ceramics program.

School of Art and Design-College of Creative Arts

Position Announcement

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE/POST GRADUATE APPOINTMENT IN CERAMICS

Position Description: The School of Art and Design with the College
of Creative Arts (CCA) at West Virginia University (WVU) seeks
applications for an artist-in-residence/post graduate appointment in
ceramic research with WVU’s Ceramic Technology Research Program. The
position is a full-time (1.0 F.T.E), temporary, benefits eligible,
non-tenure track, faculty appointment beginning October 16, 2014 and
ending May 15, 2015. The position is renewable for up to three years
contingent upon the candidate’s successful annual review and the
availability of continued funding.

This self-directed, artist-in-residence appointment is intended to
provide an emerging ceramic artist with an opportunity to produce a
significant body of work that advances the field of ceramics at WVU. The
artist-in-residence will work to discover new ceramic technology and
cutting-edge knowledge in the field of ceramics in conjunction with the
faculty and students of the WVU ceramics program.

The candidate will have full access to all WVU ceramic facilities,
materials, studio space and equipment, assist with the WVU Ceramics
3-D/Production Studio, participate with the School as a collaborator and
mentor for undergraduate and graduate students in the School’s BFA and
MFA programs, and teach one course per year. During the term of
appointment, the candidate is expected to present one public lecture on
the findings of his/her research/creative work in ceramics.

Required Qualifications:
• MFA in Ceramics completed by October 15, 2014
• Experience with 3-D prototype software and equipment.
• Knowledge of production studio methods is desirable, but not required
• Successful applicants must have a valid driver’s license and a
personal vehicle in order to commute between WVU ceramic’s studios

Salary and Benefits: $18,044 for the initial 7 month appointment
(October 16, through May 15, 2015) and if renewed, thereafter $23,200
annually. The position is benefits eligible. Semi-private studio
space, most ceramic materials, all firings, and access to a 3-D ceramic
printer will be provided for the candidate’s use.

Deadline: Application review begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Application: For a complete application, interested candidates should
submit the following application materials via email with all files
saved as JPGs or PDFs:
• letter of application
• current curriculum vitae
• one-page artist’s statement
• names and full contact information (address, phone and email) of three (3) current references
• 15 to 20 images of the candidate’s recent creative work

• applications should be emailed to:
Shoji Satake, Associate Professor/Ceramics Area Coordinator
Email: [email protected]

• questions about the position should be directed to the same email address

The School of Art and Design (artanddesign.wvu.edu) is a dynamic
program with a growing reputation whose mission is to contribute to the
greater good of art, education and culture. Approximately 250
undergraduate students and 20 graduate students are currently enrolled,
and the graduate program is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World
Report. The School has 17 full-time and 14 part-time faculty and is the
only institution in the state that offers professionally-accredited
(NASAD) programs including a BFA and MFA in Studio Art, a BA and MA in
Art History, and a MA in Art Education. Teacher Certification is also
offered.

The College of Creative Arts (ccarts.wvu.edu) is one of 15 colleges
within the university, includes the Schools of Music, Theatre &
Dance, and Art & Design, and offers the state’s premiere training in
the visual and performing arts. Each of these units has a national
profile of excellence and all programs are nationally accredited (NAST,
NASM, and NASAD).

The College of Creative Arts is housed in WVU’s Creative Arts Center
and has more than 70 full-time faculty and 20 professional staff whose
mission is to educate succeeding generations of artists, teachers, and
scholars through an experiential student-centered approach to learning.
The College advocates the Arts as a medium through which the diversity
of human experience is understood and valued. Exemplifying excellence
and innovation in performance, exhibition, scholarship, and creative
research, the College offers artistic and cultural opportunities for the
citizens of West Virginia and the regional community.

West Virginia University (wvu.edu) is classified as a
Doctoral/Research University-Extensive and is the state’s only
comprehensive doctoral-granting, land grant institution. WVU has a
current enrollment of with approximately 28,000 undergraduate and 5,500
graduate students enrolled in more than 184 graduate and undergraduate
programs. The university community is committed to student-centered
priorities, academic excellence, research, creative activity and service
to the state.

The city of Morgantown has 55,000 residents and has been ranked as
the #1 Small City in America,” the “Best Small City in the East,” and
the “3rd Best Small Town” in the nation. Boasting a strong economy and
an unemployment rate well below the national average, the area also
offers a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities.

West Virginia University has created a dual career program to help
faculty partners or spouses find employment in and around the university
(dualcareer.hr.wvu.edu).

West Virginia University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity
employer. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans
are especially encouraged to apply.

This announcement is available in alternative format (e.g., large
print, Braille, audio tape, disk) by contacting the School of Art and
Design by phone at 304-293-2140 or by mail at Room 419-A, Creative Arts
Center, Box 6111, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6111.

RBC Emerging Artist People’s Choice Award

The Gardiner Museum presents the 4th Annual RBC Emerging Artist People’s Choice Award
from September 2 to October 14, 2014. Supported by the RBC Emerging
Artists Project, the $10,000 award – voted by the public at the
exhibition and online – honours a Canadian artist (or permanent
resident) who has been out of school and practicing professionally with
clay as part of his/her artist practice for seven years or less. A
national panel of artists, curators and arts educators nominated the
five exceptional artists.

Online voting begins Wednesday, September 3 at 12 noon and ends Sunday, October 12 at 11:59 pm.
 
You can also vote at the exhibition from September 2 to October 12.

Find all the details here….