The exciting announcement – Have I kept you in suspence for long enough?

Oh seriously who am I kidding, I think it’s only been my family that’s been wondering what’s up. And no, I would not announce on my blog the news of new additions to the family or similar such things…so rest assured it’s nothing that thrilling.

The news is sadly shameless self promotion, yup even I have to pay the bills sometimes folks. The glamorous life of a blog writer is just not all it’s cracked up to be : )

So here’s the deal: I’ve got a show coming up at the Sask Craft Council that I’m super excited about. Not only am I showing in my hometown, I’m also showing with two artists whose work I greatly admire – Jody Greenman-Barber and Robin Lambert – but on top of all that lately it’s also been a bit of a private anniversary for me. It’s silly really but in August of 2005 I graduated from Grad school, so this year is my 5 year anniversary of living in the ‘real’ world as an artist. Maybe it’s silly, but maybe it’s not. Sometimes we have to take note of our achievements, and not belittle the trials, risks and challenges that we’ve undertaken to get to where we are. Sure I would like my career to be further along at this point. But realistically i’d say it’s not so bad. I’m not working a crappy job instead, so I must be doing something right.

Oops I’m steering off course so before I go too over the top sentimental and lose you all, if I haven’t already (mom and dad I know you’re still here reading) my big announcement today is that in celebration of the last five years that I’ve been working on my Collection of Small Miseries series, I’m putting together a small self-produced publication highlighting pieces from the last few years. This publication will be launched at the upcoming exhibition.

Now I know some of you know about this already from the blog, facebook, etc., but what you don’t know is that for the rest of the month I’m going to be offering pre-orders of the publication at a discount of 20%.

As it sits right now (i’m in the final stages of editing) the publication will be a lovely 30 page full color, soft cover book. There will be over 70 color images of pieces from the collection from 2005 to 2010, plus a bit of text and quotes taken from my thesis/artist statement.

In fact here’s a sneak peek!


Of course two lucky people who contributed their opinion of their favorite will be randomly selected to win a free copy. You still have a chance to be one of these people – find out more here.

So if you’re interested in a copy you can purchase pre-orders here. The books will ship in early October.

Upcoming exhibition – Connected

3 September to 3 October

The three dimensional artists that form the Clay Feet group of ceramists will transform the Main Gallery space into a feast of surface, texture, pattern and form. With sculptural ceramics by eight emerging and established female artists; Jillian Archibald, Elaine Bradley, Sascha Durack, Belinda Johnson, Pauline Mann, Narda McMahon, Gillian Treichel and Andrea Vinkovic.

7190 Great Eastern Highway
Mundaring
Western Australia 6073

Tel: (08) 9295 3991
Fax: (08) 9295 3994
email:[email protected]
http://mundaringartscentre.com/

“ASK A CURATOR” DAY SEPT 1 VIA TWITTER

Museums and galleries not only house facinating collections, they are also the home of leading experts who love to share their passion for art, history and science. ‘Ask a Curator Day‘ on September 1st 2010 will open the door to these experts with a unique worldwide question and answer session which will let interested members of the public put questions to museum and gallery curators. We are using the popular website Twitter to host ‘Ask a Curator‘. You can find a list of participating cultural venues in the ‘who to ask?’ section of this website, or simply follow the hashtag #askacurator on September 1st to follow the questions other people are asking.via vaaa art blog

STAY TUNED…

…for an important message from the gal who brings you musing about mud each and everyday (that would be me!) to hit the airwaves (or interwaves?) thursday morning.

That’s all I’m saying. You can’t drag it out of me. Nope I won’t tell….

what’s in the studio these days…

It’s been a while since the wonders of Medalta. And I guess it’s been a while since I posted about what has been going on in the studio. It’s been an adjustment to get back into the pace of daily home life rather than all day/all night studio life, but work has been progressing none the less. I’m trying to finish up the rest of the china painting this week for the show in early October. There’s still so much to do in terms of finishing the pieces so to have the china painting done would be pretty sweet. More on the show later…







BAM Biennial 2010: Clay Throwdown!


August 28th 2010 to January 16th 2011

BAM Biennial 2010: Clay Throwdown!
is the inaugural edition of BAM’s new, juried exhibition competition. With over 30 participating artists, it provides a panoramic survey of ceramic art created in the Pacific Northwest and a glimpse into the many directions in which this dynamic medium is moving.
Clay Throwdown! features a select blend of both emerging and established artists with an emphasis on new and site-specific works. It reflects the diverse responses of contemporary artists to one of the oldest media known to man: clay. From personal gestures to commentary on today’s social issues, Clay Throwdown! assembles a wide range of voices unique to the Pacific Northwest and our time. The competition is accompanied by two distinct awards. The John & Joyce Price Award of Excellence, a $5,000 cash prize plus the opportunity of a future solo exhibition at BAM. The Samuel & Patricia Smith People’s Choice Award comes with a $5,000 cash prize and will be selected by Museum visitors. Be sure to cast your vote when visiting BAM! The winner will be announced at the October 28th Members’ Reception.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Chris Antemann (OR)
Brian Benfer (WA)
Nicholas Bivins (MT)
Frank Boyden (OR)
Nathan Craven (MT)

Daniel Duford (OR)
Sean Erwin (MT)
Robert Fornell (WA)

Carol Gouthro (WA)

Damian Grava (WA)

Heidi Preuss Grew (OR)

Charles Krafft (WA)
Cynthia Lahti (OR)
Kate MacDowell (OR)
Paul Mathieu (BC)
Sequoia Miller (WA)

Saya Moriyasu (WA)
Yuki Nakamura (WA)

Richard Notkin (MT)
Nicholas Nyland (WA)
Arun Sharma (WA)

Ken Shores (OR)
Mike Simi (WA)
Kevin Snipes (MT)

Dirk Staschke (BC)

Brendan Tang (BC)

Timea Tihanyi (WA)

Tip Toland (WA)

Kathy Venter (BC)
Jamie Walker (WA)
Jason Walker (WA)
Patti Warashina (WA)

Gwendolyn Yoppolo (MT)


ABOUT BAM BIENNIAL
BAM Biennial is a juried exhibition that occurs every two years starting in 2010. It brings attention and exposure to the work of contemporary artists and craftsmen in the Pacific Northwest. For each edition, the Museum designates a new focus, exploring a specific medium, technique, process or theme in art, craft and design, the Museum’s artistic focal point. More than 170 proposals were submitted to the 2010 edition which is focused on the theme of clay. 34 artists have been selected to participate in the competition. Submissions were reviewed by a select panel of four jurors comprised of: Bif Brigman, collector (Seattle, WA); Stefano Catalani, Director of Curatorial Affairs/Artistic Director, Bellevue Arts Museum (Bellevue, WA); Akio Takamori, artist (Seattle, WA) and Namita Wiggers, Curator, Museum of Contemporary Craft (Portland, OR).For more info please visit their website.