call for artists: The British Ceramics Biennial

by | Jan 27, 2015 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

The British Ceramics Biennial is returning to Stoke-on-Trent for a fourth time from the 26 Sept to 8 Nov 2015.  Following the success of the last Biennial in 2013, the festival will again take over the spectacular China Hall at the original Spode factory site in Stoke town. Applications are now open for the prestigious AWARD and FRESH exhibitions.

AWARD
At the heart of the British Ceramics Biennial, the AWARD exhibition will again be “It is the energetic, non-conformist, challenging spirit we need to encourage. It is the spirit which brought about Stoke-on-Trent’s success in the 18th century. And the Biennial plays an important part in reviving that culture by bringing in talent, discovering new designers, and forcing us to think on an international scale.” Tristram Hunt, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, writing in Apollo Magazine

The celebrated AWARD exhibition will sit at the centre of the fourth British Ceramics Biennial taking place in Stoke-on-Trent from 26 September to 8 November 2015.

In 2015 we will be developing AWARD, with an emphasis on new work, work with little previous exposure, work which projects ceramic practice forward to match the ambition of BCB as a national showcase.

You are invited to apply for the BCB AWARD 2015 – a prestigious exhibition that celebrates the vitality and standing of contemporary British ceramics, in the context of its long history in Stoke-on-Trent.

Deadline for applications: Monday 30 March 2015

Building on the success and growing reputation of the AWARD exhibition by siting the show at the centre of the programme of exhibitions on the Spode site. A new selection panel chaired by Alun Graves (Curator of Ceramics & Glass at the V&A) will choose 10 artists, giving each exhibitor more space, providing a platform and more focused opportunity for critical appraisal.

A single cash prize of ££5,000 will be made together with an offer to the winner to be involved in both the selection process for AWARD 2017 and the subsequent BCB 2017 exhibition programme.

Artists are asked to submit proposals, outlining what work they would seek to present if selected. It is a condition that all work proposed will be current (no more than three years old). We anticipate that many of the artists will propose to make new work for the 2015 exhibition.

FRESH

“The Fresh exhibition is so much more than a collective graduate show; it is about representing our education, about being present and creating a presence in the ceramics field”

Helen Felcey
Manchester School of Art, NACHE executive
and chair of Fresh 2015 selection panel
The acclaimed FRESH show will be one of the main exhibitions at the fourth British Ceramics Biennial, taking place in Stoke-on-Trent, from 26 September to 8 November 2015.

Graduates (BA, MA) of UK higher education universities and colleges who graduated in 2014 or 2015 are invited to apply for the BCB FRESH 2015 – a prestigious exhibition that celebrates the emerging talent in contemporary British ceramics, in the context of its long history in Stoke-on-Trent.

Deadline for applications: Monday 6 July 2015

What is FRESH?

FRESH is:
A curated survey exhibition of new ceramic work by recent graduates from UK Higher Education programmes. Organised by the British Ceramics Biennial BCB and the National Association of Ceramics in Higher Education (NACHE).

Venue: BCB Exhibition Space the original Spode factory site, Stoke Town, Stoke-on-Trent

FRESH will:
Promote the high quality work of graduates to a professional and public audience through a combination of visitors to the show, symposium, journal articles and reviews.
Represent the range of practice of graduates within the field, which is anticipated to include work from across the ceramic spectrum: studio pottery, tableware and industrial design, figurative and abstract sculpture and installation.

Provide an invaluable launch pad for the exhibitors as they embark on their professional careers.
Award commendations for three exhibitors demonstrating talent and professional potential in the disciplines of craft, design and fine art.

Find all the details here: www.britishceramicsbiennial.com/get-involved/artist-opportunities/?mdid=0

Greenscapes: Of/In/From the Garden

by | Jan 27, 2015 | Uncategorized

An exhibition of work inspired by the garden and its accoutrements

January 31- March 14, 2015

Opening reception: Saturday, January 31, 6-8pm
Gallery talk with the curator 7pm

Participating Artists: Joan Bruneau, Sunshine Cobb, Sally
Aldrich, Keiko Ashida, Posey Bacopoulos, Parviz Batliwala, Deb Bedwell,
Robert Bello, Dalia Berman, Monique Brooks, Cory Brown, Julie Buyon,
Jeanne Carreau, Ben Carter, Rebecca Chappell, Jennifer Cherpock, Blair
Clemo, Jane Cohen, Chandra DeBuse, Susan Dewsnap, Kim Dickey, Kelley
Donahue, Paul Donnelly, Lindsey Francis, Ron Geibel, Carol Gouthro, Mel
Griffin, Ursula Hargens, Robin Henschel, Beth Herod, Debra Holiber,
Rebecca Hutchinson, Reena Kashyap, Sarah Koster, Martina
Lantin, Denis Licul, Loren Maron, Deborah Mawhinney, Leigh Taylor
Mickelson, Lori Mills, Bob Miranti, Rimmie Mosley, Sally Ng, Matt Nolen,
Helen Otterson, Joe Pintz, Brenda Quinn, Don Reynolds, Marilyn
Richeda, Harriet Ross, Lily Schor, Roberta Shapiro, Gabrielle Sia,
Hal Silverman, Tamar Sobol, Hatsumi Suyama, Brian Taylor, Georgia
Tenore, Holly Walker, Adero Willard and Susan Wortman

Clay
Art Center is pleased to present Greenscapes: Of/In/From the Garden, a
national invitational exhibition of functional and sculptural objects of
and for the garden by over 60 artists curated by Caitlin Brown. This
exhibition will highlight the relationship between ceramics and the
garden and will keep the memory of spring alive in the gallery though
temperatures might drop in the snowy northeast.

The
garden draws nature into relationship with people. It is no longer a
wild thing but tamed, nurtured and cultivated for harvest. Just as
ceramics are global, so is agriculture. Agrarian societies and ceramics
share technology, materials and objects, their histories are
intertwined. From agriculture to English gardens to houseplants, artists
will explore nature and its taming. Artists will describe the tenacious
nature of weeds, the implements of urban gardening, food that grows in
gardens and its presentation once harvested, composting, and cut
flowers. This exhibition will feature functional objects by over 60
contemporary ceramic artists with which to display the harvest of
flowers, ceramic garden furniture, fountains, rain barrels, water
filters, bird baths, bird houses, watering cans, buckets, baskets and
things with which to collect the harvest as well as garden sculptures.

Our Saturday Drop-in classes will feature garden themed projects for the duration of the exhibition.

Each
year, CAC hosts a themed national invitational that showcases the
breadth and depth of what is happening in the realm of functional and
decorative ceramics. This year the theme allows for the idea that
sculpture is in and of itself functional in a garden setting. This year
the garden theme expands to include sculptural objects as well, for what
is a garden without the fantasy, whim or the narrative aspects that
representational work can convey? Greenscapes and its concurrent events
combines familiar forms and artistic voices with the results of those
who branched out. Simultaneous events will allow participants and
community members to become immersed in the narrative of the garden.

www.clayartcenter.org

call for entry: FUSION AWARDS PROGRAM

by | Jan 26, 2015 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

 



Through the Awards Program, FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association
•  recognizes
ceramics and glass community volunteers through the FUSION Volunteer
Appreciation Program and through nominations of individuals for the
Ontario Crafts Council John Mather Award for outstanding service to the
crafts community

•  supports
ceramic and glass education in the province of Ontario by recognizing
graduating students enrolled in a ceramics or glass program at an
accredited Ontario college or university through Student Awards
•  nominates outstanding individuals demonstrating excellence in their field for national awards
•  encourages excellence by supporting member guild exhibitions through its Design Award
•  assists
those in financial need seeking to pursue further education in the
field of ceramics or glass by bursaries provided through the FUSION
Scholarship Fund.
Eligibility
Award
applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Awards are
announced or presented at the FUSION Annual General Meeting in May, and
are listed in the Annual Report. For additional information please call
the FUSION office.
Applicants
must apply for awards by writing the FUSION Awards Committee, outlining
the award for which they would like to be considered. All required
documentation must be included in the letter of application as described
below.
In
all cases the decisions of the awards committee are final. The
committee reserves the right not to give an award if, in its judgement,
there are no suitable candidates.
 

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Fusion Scholarships
The
FUSION Scholarship Fund provides funding for clay or glass artists
wishing to further their education. Workshops, summer courses, formal
education programs through universities and colleges, travel assistance
and research projects are all formats that may be included for
consideration. The jury will have the final decision as to how many
recipients will receive a scholarship each year, and how much money each shall receive based on merit and funds available.
 Application guidelines:
•  Apply
by writing a letter to the FUSION Awards Committee. Applicants are
required to provide details of the educational program they wish to
pursue and what they hope to gain from the program.
•  Applications
must be accompanied by 5 high quality digital Jpeg images of recent
work, an artist’s statement describing the kind of work you do and your
philosophy in making of not more than 200 words, and a current resumé.
•  Applications
may be forwarded to the FUSION office at any time during the year.
However, to be considered for selection by jurors, applications must be
received by January 31 in any given year. Award notifications to be sent
by March 31st. FUSION is interested in supporting innovative artists
who excel in their chosen medium – clay or glass. The jury is asked to
evaluate (1) design excellence, (2) quality and workmanship, and (3)
originality in the work submitted. The applicant should also (4) be able
to articulate how the educational program will advance their long-term
artistic practice, the dissemination of their work, or their career
development.
 

FUSION DESIGN AWARD

 Each
member Guild (affiliated) or Association is entitled to give one FUSION
Design Award to a participant in the guild’s juried exhibition to
honour excellence in design. The award consists of admission to a FUSION
Conference, and a one year FUSION membership.
Application guidelines:
•  A letter of request for the award, including names of the juror(s) must be forwarded to the FUSION office.
•  The guild must provide FUSION with the name and address of the recipient within 30 days of the award presentation.
•  To
be considered for publication, images and copy regarding the exhibition
and award winners should be forwarded to the editor of FUSION Magazine.

FUSION VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
 Each
year individuals who have volunteered outstanding service to FUSION are
recognized at the FUSION Annual Conference. The Award consists of a
certificate, gift, and recognition of the activity in FUSION NEWS.
Nominees for the award may be proposed by FUSION Board members, guild
executives, or individual members. A letter from either guilds or
individuals describing their rationale for proposing a volunteer for the
award is due at the FUSION office April 30. Maximum length for
nominations is two pages.

FUSION STUDENT AWARDS
 Students
enrolled in ceramics and glass departments at accredited Ontario
universities and colleges are eligible for FUSION Student Awards. Each year, students nominated by faculty are eligible to receive awards.These
awards are based on technical achievement,community involvement and
merit. Faculty should request award packages for presentation at their
awards ceremony from the FUSION office. Students must notify the FUSION
office of their current address to receive the award.

JOHN MATHER AWARD

 Since
1981, to honour a founding member and former treasurer John Mather, the
Ontario Crafts Council presents three awards annually for service to
crafts over an extended period. The OCC award consists of a medal and a
life-time membership in the Crafts Council. As an affiliate of the OCC,
FUSION is eligible to make nominations.

 Application guidelines:

•  Nominees must be residents of Ontario
•  Nominees need not be craftspeople.
•  Each nominee must be proposed and seconded by the nominating group
•  Application must be accompanied by the nominee’s resume
•  Applications must be accompanied with nominator’s rationale for proposing the individual for the award.
•  Maximum length for nominations is two pages.
•  Nominations are due at the FUSION office March 31 and will be forwarded to the OCC by the published deadline in any given year.

Mail letters of application to:
The FUSION Awards Committee
1444 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M4L 1E1
Or e-mail applications to: [email protected]
FUSION
gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council. The
Ontario Arts Council is an agency of the Government of Ontario

To download a PDF of awards information, please click on this link:
FUSIONAwardsProgram 2015 draft.pdf