by Carole Epp | Mar 28, 2014 | Uncategorized
About Sculpties
One cold winter day, a piece in progress captured his very own studio selfie, and began a new trend: sculpties.
Hello! My name is Jocelyn Howard and I will graduate in May 2014 with an MFA in Ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Interested in themes dealing with gender identity, sexuality, public vs private image, duality, and jungian psychology, I enjoy exploring these themes when creating ceramic figures in hopes to create a personal mythology.
When documenting my studio practice and sculptural process, I noticed that the expressions, postures, and characteristics of each figure I created lent itself to being documented in the same way a person would take a selfie. What started out as a humorous documentation of my work has evolved into an exploration that applies the act of crafting self-image through taking selfie shots to literal crafted objects.
When I think about duality, specifically the difference between public and private personas, the first thing that comes to mind is the way in which social media asks two things of us. On one hand, we want to keep in touch with friends and family, let our hair down, and share things that are deeply meaningful in our lives through venues such as facebook, twitter, tumblr, and instagram. On the other hand, we want to curate a professional image that will help further a career. Websites are good for establishing a solidly professional boundary around our public image. But sometimes the line between public image and private image is blurred when an online presence becomes a cocktail of website plus instagram, twitter, tumblr, and facebook.
When I spend time to painstakingly document my work, I am crafting a professional public image for that work. I set it carefully on a grey graduated backdrop, arrange lights to capture every detail, and spend time adjusting each setting on the camera to compose the perfect shot. However, when I create and build my figures, I feel that they take on a life of their own in the studio. They let their hair down. And so, I invite you to join me on this journey of documenting my work behind the scenes. I hope you enjoy getting to know each character when they aren’t posing for my portfolio or getting gussied up for that next show application. And, please feel free to use the submit link to submit your own sculpties!
For each piece’s pro shots, please check out: www.jocelynyhoward.com
sculpties.tumblr.com
by Carole Epp | Mar 28, 2014 | Uncategorized
March, 2014
Dear Friends,
We need your help. Our Noborigama Kiln has been damaged after the structure that shelters it collapsed due to the weight of this winter’s extreme snow. We are in critical need of funds to help rebuild the collapsed structure and repair the kiln damage.
We ask you to please consider making a donation towards this effort.
Time is of the essence as we use this kiln not only for our regular workshop season, but also for special firings that help bring in critical funds to the program in our off-season..
We are firmly committed to rebuilding and repairing the damage.
The Peters Valley Noborigama kiln was built by the famous duo of Will Ruggles and Douglass Rankin during a Wood Kiln Construction and Firing workshop that they taught on our campus in 1992. It was then featured in an article they published in Studio Potter, Volume 22, Number 1 titled ‘The Rock Creek Climbing Kiln Part II’ and has become a huge draw for our program.
We estimate that we need to raise $20,000 to properly rebuild and repair the damage.
“In the few weeks since the collapse of the roof over our two-chamber wood kiln I have received many phone calls and messages of support. Needless to say, I’ve been struck by the generosity shown toward the School and the Ceramics Department in particular. Please know that we truly appreciate whatever amount you’re able to give.” Bruce Dehnert, Ceramic Studio Department Head
Any donation of $75 or more will receive a Peters Valley T-shirt as a thank you.
Your donation will go a long way to helping us restore this critical piece of our ceramic studio. With your support, our unique kiln can continue to benefit a diverse and inspired group of people from students, to artist instructors, studio assistants, artist fellows, resident artists, and Peters Valley visitors.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Kristin Muller Executive Director
Peters Valley School of Craft,
19 Kuhn Rd.,
Layton, NJ 07851
(973)948-5200
www.petersvalley.org
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HSQEFX8EMHLXQ
by Carole Epp | Mar 28, 2014 | Uncategorized
Join us on First Friday April 4th, 6-9pm for a reception with the artist. Exhibition runs through April 26th.
Sunshine Cobb‘s
show title “Jeans and a T-Shirt” is drawn from a conversation with a
friend and references the, “…everyday, comfortable, and ultimately
utilitarian type of pots…” that she makes.
Sunshine is coming to Denver from Helena, MT where she is currently a long-term resident at the
Archie Bray Foundation.
She received her BA from Cal State Sacramento, and MFA from Utah State
University. Sunshine has been recognized as an “Emerging Artist” by
Ceramics Monthly in 2012, and the National Council for Education in Ceramic Arts (NCECA) in 2013.
Sunshine
uses a red clay body and hand builds most of her pieces using soft
slabs, coil and pinch techniques. She is known for her distinctive
shapes and finished surfaces, which she creates by sanding, or often
sandblasting, to show decay, “…wear and tear, a kind of broken-in look”.
The combination of how the surface looks as well as feels is important
in her work, it is the relationship between the visual and tactile.
Sunshine says, “I always use the favorite T-shirt idea, I want my work
to have the worn in feel to it, loved and used to the point it has your
own personal history embedded in its surface.” Enthusiasm and fun are
major parts of her studio practice and we
are excited to have Sunshine and her work at Plinth. We look forward to
this casual and fun exhibition and we hope you will join us, wear your
comfortable jeans!
Sunshine Cobb Workshop
SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE!!
On April 5th and 6th, Plinth Gallery will host a two-day workshop with
Sunshine Cobb.
This hands-on workshop will encourage experimentation with new forms
and methods of construction. Geared toward creative expansion,
beginners, intermediate and advanced students will use hand-building
techniques such as coil and pinch methods and soft slab construction to
generate a variety of vessel forms. Collaboration and fun is the goal.
Price
for the workshop is $250 per student which includes most materials and
lunch both days. College credit is available through Adams State
University. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. For
more information and to register,
contact Plinth Gallery or call 303-295-0717.
3520 Brighton BLVD
Denver CO 80216
plinthgallery.com
by Carole Epp | Mar 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
by Carole Epp | Mar 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
Coalescence
by ceramic artist Brenda Danbrook
March 29 – May 3, 2014
Opening Reception: 2-4 pm, Saturday, March 29
This
body of work developed out of a passion for functional ceramics and
interest in work that explores the ceramic narrative. The imagery and
pattern used as an embellishment not only fits decoratively, but is
placed intentionally to increase the sense of vitality.
In
a domestic setting a ceramic vessel has the opportunity to express a
visual experience beyond the very useful and tactile qualities. This
series honours the individual user and embraces the family by evocating
groupings intended to be used to serve a specific function and to
enhance a special event such as Sunday breakfast.
“In my daily practice, I strive to find a balance between form,
function and imagery that come together in unity to heighten an object’s
utility, which placed in the hands of the user, brings an experience or
connection to their daily life.”
Danbrook owns and operates a pottery studio in Opal, Alberta. In 2006,
with support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Brenda began to
pursue an education in visual art as a means of expanding and deepening
her existing artistic practice in clay. She studied in Jingdehzen, China
with the Australian National University, where she received a Diploma
of Art (with high distinction). Brenda also received a Diploma in Visual
Art from Red Deer College (2010), and a BFA (with distinction) from the
Alberta College of Art + Design (2013). She has exhibited ceramics both
nationally and internationally.
Brenda’s work is included in the ACC’s group exhibition Potworks which
has travelled to the Yuill Gallery, Medicine Hat, and will be at Red
Deer College during SERIES this summer. Brenda’s work is represented in
various private and corporate collections including the Institutions she
attended, the Canadian Consulate (Australia) and the AFA (2010). Brenda
has also been the recipient of numerous awards, scholarships and
grants, including the Illingworth Kerr and Louise McKinney Scholarships.
Coalescence runs
in the Alberta Craft Council’s Discovery Gallery, 10186 – 106 Street
from March 29 – May 3, 2014 with an opening reception on Saturday, March
29 from 2-4pm.
For more information on this exhibition contact Joanne Hamel
(780) 488-6611 ext 221 | [email protected] or visit www.albertacraft.ab.ca
ACC Discovery Gallery | 10186 – 106 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1H4
by Carole Epp | Mar 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
The
Ceramics Center is now accepting submissions for “Playdate”, a juried
show exploring the role of games, toys, and childhood memories as
inspiration in the creative process. Artists working primarily in
clay, glass, or a combination of both are invited to submit work.
Submissions must have been completed in the last two years and reference
or be inspired by toys, games, or childhood memories. Mixed media and
all traditional or innovative clay and glass forming techniques are
welcome, but artwork must be primarily clay and/or glass.
Jurors
“Playdate”
will be juried by the current Resident Artists at The Ceramics Center:
Gratia Brown, Teresa Childers, Tammy Kopecky, Amy Nichols, Will Rimel,
Wendy Thoreson, Lauren Tucchi, and Amythest Warrington, Lindy Ethier
Awards
Best of Show and two Honorable Mentions will be awarded by Coe College Faculty John Beckelman and Jen Rogers.
CASH prizes will be awarded to a “Best of Show” and up to two “Honorable Mentions”
Calendar
April 4th- 2014 – Deadline to apply.
April 25th – Accepted Work Due at The Ceramics Center
May 2nd – June 5th – “Playdate” is exhibited in The Ceramics Center Gallery.
July 15th – All work returned to artists.
Entry Fee
Artists pay a $25 entry fee for up to three images of three submissions.
The Ceramics Center
Located In The Cherry Building
329 10th Ave. SE, Suite 117
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Phone: 319.365.9644
[email protected]
