by Carole Epp | Dec 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
I know recently done a post about the centennial at Greenwich House Pottery, but I just wanted to put it on your radar again as there are so many amazing activities, exhibitions, talks, you name it, going on.
Greenwich House Announces Centennial Celebration “100 Years of Clay” to Feature Exhibitions, Studio Sales, Soirees, Community Open Houses, Field Trips, and Classes ———————————————————————————————————————————– Greenwich House Pottery (GHP) has unveiled its plans for its much-anticipated Centennial, “100 Years of Clay,” a true smorgasbord for pottery enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The hope is to reach well beyond the traditional boundaries of those affiliated with the ceramics world, and to connect with people of Greenwich Village and the greater New York community. Having begun in September 2009, “100 Years of Clay” will showcase some of the world’s most noted ceramic artists, play host to open houses and studio sales, offer a full roster of classes and workshops, and–most importantly–celebrate ceramics, New York City, and Greenwich House Pottery as an institution. “This Centennial is a thank you, from Greenwich House to the Greenwich Village community and beyond,” said Sarah Archer, director of Greenwich House Pottery. “Rarely has such a rich symbiosis existed between an arts institution and the community that nurtured it. Indeed, we strongly believe that Greenwich House Pottery has helped shape the community, just as we have been shaped by it.”
Over the last century, GHP has pioneered the field of ceramics in New York City offering courses in hand building, wheel-throwing, photo-ceramics, ceramic jewelry, glaze chemistry, kiln classes and sculpture, as well as classes for children and seniors. Greenwich House, the parent organization of GHP, was founded in 1902 by Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch and other social reformers. Its mission was to improve the living conditions among the predominately immigrant population in Greenwich Village, at that time New York’s most congested neighborhood. Seven years later, Greenwich House Pottery was founded and extended that mission. While the audience may have changed throughout the years GHP has continued to provide a rich, tactile experience in the face of rampant mechanization, and an individuated product in the face of encroaching uniformity.
“Greenwich House Pottery has added to New York’s cultural tapestry in so many ways over the last century,” says Sarah Archer, Director of Development and Communications at Greenwich House. “We look forward to a year’s worth of celebration, the opportunity to reach out to legions of new pottery enthusiasts, and the second one hundred years of GHP.”
Greenwich House Pottery Located at 16 Jones Street, Greenwich House Pottery has been introducing New Yorkers to clay since 1909, and over the years has become an internationally recognized center for ceramics. It features diverse programs, classes, exhibitions, residencies, community outreach and special events. Greenwich House Pottery is a program of Greenwich House Inc., a settlement house founded in 1902 by Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch.
Greenwich House Pottery maintains an ongoing exhibition series in the Jane Hartsook Gallery. The Jane Hartsook Gallery and Storefront Gallery are committed to supporting both emerging and established ceramic artists, and to the educational mission of making, exhibiting, and learning from contemporary ceramics.
About Greenwich House:
Located at 27 Barrow Street, Greenwich House offers a wide array of programs designed to enrich the lives of New Yorkers, including a Music School (46 Barrow Street), nursery and Preschool programs, health care and services for people living with HIV/AIDS, and Senior services.
by Carole Epp | Dec 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
Today is bursting with beauty, prepare yourselves…. for Kalika!
In her own words:
I am a potter working in Nelson BC. All the pots are made from red cone 6 stoneware, decorated with slips and glaze. I use a variety of forming methods-wheel throwing, hand building and press moulding.
Biography
Living in numerous towns and cities across Canada while growing up placed an emphasis on the importance of familiar domestic objects. The ability of domestic ware to be an integral and intimate part of daily life continues to have a strong influence on my studio practice. After an introduction to ceramics at a communal clay studio in Edmonton, Alberta I completed a diploma in Art, Craft and Design majoring in ceramics at Kootenay School of the Arts. I continued my education at Alberta College of Art and Design where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts with distinction. After completing a 10 month residency at Red Star Studios in Kansas City, Missouri, I have set up a studio in Nelson, B.C.’s historical brewery building making pots that celebrate our daily rituals of eating and drinking.
Statement
Handmade pottery celebrates the simple activities of daily life. The forms are known and familiar, they are reinventions of objects that have been made to serve basic human necessities for thousands of years.
The objects I make prepare, serve and celebrate food. They call attention to the importance of the food and rink that nourishes us. Unlike handmade objects, the majority of objects we interact with are disposable, replaceable and do not allow the development of intimate, meaningful interactions. Objects have the potential to contain history and provide a sense of comfort-familiarity through repeated use. Hand making each object, with attention to details in a an industrialized society is a social and political action valuing intimacy and sustainability.
I leave marks of making visible with a desire to engage with the uncertainties, sensuality and intimacies of being human. Obvious attachments, drips from slip and glaze application, these idiosyncrasies can be perceived as imperfections but I consider them the remnants of spontaneity. Intentional variation makes each piece unique, every piece is related but different.
Working with clay is inherently physical. Through all its processes-making, firing and finally using-our sensual, physical existence cannot be denied. To nourish our bodies, senses and minds is to acknowledge our humanness. Our need for sustanence and care is a common experience which can bridge the distance between individuals providing a space for compassion and understanding. We can all relate to the hunger, thirst and the desire for intimacy. Pottery acts as a reminder of our basic needs, revealing our vulnerability.
www.kalikabowlby.wordpress.com
by Carole Epp | Dec 3, 2009 | Uncategorized
Sorry about this morning’s little problem with the images. Should be fixed now. Let me know if anyone is still having problems seeing them. Cheers.
by Carole Epp | Dec 3, 2009 | Uncategorized
Oh I’m loving me a bit of texture! Check out these gorgeous pieces by Nora Jean:
and in her own words:
With thoughts of fabric in my head I use thin slabs of clay to build objects of function that are textured with patterns of nature. Referencing a material that we live in everyday I hope to bring a feeling of life to my work. I love objects in particular cups because of there ability to bring ones daily experience and art together.
Do take some time to checkout her website full of images (i particularly love the whiskey bottles)
norajeanceramics.com
by Carole Epp | Dec 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
Exhibition runs December 5-13, 2009
Opening Friday December 4 @ 6pm in the Art School courtyard
To be opened by Jason Smith, Director and CEO , Heide Museum of Modern Art
Graduate screening 4pm Friday 4 December.
ARC Cinema National Film and Sound Archive 5pm post-screening drinks National Film and Sound Archives courtyard.
The exhibition continues until 13 December, open daily from 10.30am to 5pm
This year’s ANU School of Art Graduate Exhibition features the works of students completing their studies in Bachelor of Visual Arts Honours, Bachelor of Visual Arts, Bachelor of Digital Arts and the Diploma of Art.
Students have majored in wood, textiles, sculpture, printmedia and drawing, photography and media arts, painting, gold and silversmithing, glass and ceramics. Visitors to the School will witness the talent of its emerging artists and experience the quality and diversity of art and craft education offered by the School, from fine furniture making to installation, digital imagery to ceramic objects.
The works are displayed in the School of Art Gallery, Foyer Gallery, Photospace and in Workshop spaces throughout the School. Many of the works are for sale and provide a great opportunity to support our recent graduates.
For more details: http://soa.anu.edu.au/
by Carole Epp | Dec 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
This conference brings together five of North America’s most adept and experienced porcelain potters. With an average of 42 years of working with porcelain between them, this porcelain dream team will share their expert tips and techniques for working with this beautiful yet challenging ceramic material.
SAVE $75 UNTIL DECEMBER 13, 2009
Featured Artist: Elaine Coleman, Tom Coleman, Mary Cuzick,
Meira Mathison and Tom Turner
For more information and to register visit: http://ceramicartsdaily.org/education/porcelain/
What you will learn:
Slip decoration
Throwing and altering on the wheel with porcelain clay
Understanding the character and handling of different types of porcelain clay
Carving techniques and how it relates to Coleman clay
The use of intricate patterns and designs through a combination of carving, slip trailing and glaze application
Use of multiple layers of glaze in relation to delicate carvings
Altering techniques that include cutting, scoring, stamping and the manipulation of the form
Use of clay sprigs, stamps and thick slip
Discussion of glaze technique including mid-fire electric glazes that look similar to high-fire reduction glazes
Develop surfaces using faceting, paddling, and fluting
