Artist of the Day: Xanthe Isbister

Installation: White Athabaska III, Red, Red III, Red IV Athabaska 120 W x 75 H inches

Shifted & Drift Ceramic, Terra Sigillata, Oil Paint 74 H x 58 W inches, 25 H x 52 W x 91 L inches

Red Athabaska IV Ceramic, Acrylic 36 W x 73 H inches

@font-face { font-family: “Arial”; }@font-face { font-family: “Goudy Old Style”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); }div.Section1 { page: Section1; Xanthe Isbister was born in 1980 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Honors degree from the University of Manitoba in 2004 and her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2008. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Lila Acheson Wallace Readers Digest Scholarship, from the University of Manitoba, a Hixson-Lied Graduate Fellowship and the Eisentrager Howard Scholarship from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Most recently she was awarded a Special Opportunities grant from the Manitoba Arts Council, and is currently a yearlong artist in residence at the Medalta International Artists in Residence in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Since 2002 she has exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at the National Conference on Education for the Ceramic Arts in Phoenix, AZ. Her large ceramic sculptures and installations explore the psychological significance and impact the natural environment has on human identity.

Installation: Burnt Ceramic and Glazes 144 H x 240 W x 180 L inches

www.xantheisbister.com.

Call for makers: Craft NI’s Exhibition Programme

Craft NI is now inviting proposals for its annual, selected exhibitions programme 2011-12 from craftspeople, designer-maker, curators, craft networks and retail outlets.
The Craft NI gallery is a showcase platform for displays and exhibitions of quality contemporary craft. Through an annually selected exhibitions programme, Craft NI offers year round access to displays and exhibitions of quality contemporary craft in the centre of Belfast. The ground floor gallery is housed in the historic Cotton Court building, a former Bonded Warehouse and is conveniently located opposite the Merchant Hotel in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

Each year Craft NI invites designer-makers, craftspeople, curators, craft organisations and retail outlets to submit exhibition proposals for an annual programme of exhibitions at the gallery. Normally, exhibitions run for two months. A craft curator selects exhibitions on the basis of proposals submitted to Craft NI and on our general quality criteria. Find out more about the exhibition programme here → Selection Process and Criteria
Work will be selected for display by an independent panel on the basis of the exhibition proposal and Craft NI’s general quality criteria.

By this, Craft Northern Ireland means contemporary work that:

  • extends practice as well as ensuring high standards of technical skill and design;
  • does not reproduce or restore but is innovative in its use of materials and aesthetic vision;
  • reflects the signature of the individual maker and demonstrates investigation of processes and critical enquiry.

Your application should contain:

  • Contact details
  • 4 jpeg images of recent work or link to website/blog
  • CV (no more than 2 pages)
  • Brief description of the work you are proposing (max 150 words)
  • Indication of how you will use the space/any special technical requirements
  • Information on when the proposed work is available
Venue: Craft Ni
End: 14th March, 2011 16:00
How To Take Part: Please complete an application form and return with required information to [email protected] or post to Craft NI, Cotton Court , 42 Waring St. Belfast BT1 2ED The closing date is 14 March 2011.

collect 2011

Peter Chang, Ring, 2009. Represented at COLLECT by The Scottish Gallery

COLLECT 2011, 6-9 May: Public viewing

Relaunched at the Saatchi Gallery in May 2009, COLLECT has an enviable reputation as a premier, annual fair for contemporary craft. Through its presentation of work from the best international applied artists, COLLECT has become a prestigious event in the international cultural calendar gaining the respect and support of many private collectors, museum curators and galleries.

For more info please visit their website.

The American Craft Council Show

The American Craft Council Show runs from February 24-27 in Baltimore, USA.

American Craft Council Show
February 24-27
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD, USA

More than 700 contemporary home decor, clothing, furniture and jewelry artists will show their wares at the American Craft Council Show, America’s largest juried, indoor craft show. The event provides a wide selection of crafts and artworks including furniture and decorative accessories for lawn & garden, environmentally friendly art, art made by college students and a new section for 2011: handmade objects under $100. The American Craft Council also organizes shows in Atlanta (March 11-13), St. Paul (April 15-17), and San Francisco (August 12-14).
http://shows.craftcouncil.org/baltimore

via the independent

Artist of the Day: Heidi Fahrenbacher aka Bella Joy Pottery




Bio
As a child my parents took me on numerous trips to wonderful places such as Berea College, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and any potter’s studio that was open along the roadside. My parents always had Rowe Pottery and Bennington Pottery around the house and I became intrigued by the texture of the clay and the raised slip decoration. At the time I just thought it was fun but, in retrospect, it was the foundation for my love for ceramics. When I enrolled at Kalamazoo College I planned on majoring in Biology. However when I was a sophomore my dad sat me down and advised me that he thought I should pursue what I really loved and what made me happy. At that point I changed majors and graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Fine Arts and Art History. Having worked for several ceramic artists I decided to open my own studio in 2005.
Artist Statement
I strive to make work that is well made and a pleasure to hold. My work is decorated with images that range from humorous to more abstract. My hope is to create pieces that enhance everyday life from drinking your morning coffee to enjoying your favorite piece of cake. My designs are influenced from taking walks. It is during these walks alone I clear my head and observe everything from architecture to wildlife. Did you know there are freshwater jellyfish? Or what osage oranges are? I like looking at objects without distractions so I can absorb their form and process it into my own designs.
www.bellajoypottery.com