by Carole Epp | Mar 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
There was far too much to do, far too much to see, far too many lovely people to meet over the last week in Milwaukee at NCECA. It had been the Portland NCECA years ago since I had last attended the annual conference. The clay world, and my role and engagement in it had changed substantially since. Take any full time parent and artist out of their day to day and place them in the all inspiring world of exhibitions, talks, and 2 in the morning late night chats with old friends about art and the result will likely be the overwhelmed yet childlike wonder and excitement that I felt over the last week. It wasn’t an exaggeration that I felt like a kid at Christmas. Seeing some of my favorite artists’ work in the flesh meant more in depth investigation and engagement in their work. Having my eyes opened to new, vibrant and challenging art also meant that I felt I needed to spend more time researching and expanding my views on contemporary ceramics. I have had my eyes and mind opened to the value, strength and support that this inclusive clay community offers.
There were so many ideas and discussions that I want to continue here online, and hopefully over the next few weeks once the thoughts have peculated and settled a bit (and of course when i can carve out some time) I’ll try to get posting some more thoughts on the blog again. I feel like that’s been something that has been missing over the years, something I’d like to grow. Perhaps I can try harder to get some of the amazing minds of this community doing more guest posts on the blog as well. If you’re interested or know someone please drop me a line!
For now it’s time for me to dive back into the studio; for 2 reasons. One because the last week was so damn inspiring and 2 because I’ve got bare shelves and a major sale at the end of April!
Thanks to everyone that made the point of stopping me and introducing themselves. I can’t remember the last time I received so many hugs or felt so happy. It really meant the world to me.
xoxox
Carole
by Carole Epp | Mar 16, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
My interest lies in medicinal herbs and plants that directly
affect the body. I am interested in using the ceramic vessel the explore
ethnobotony, which is defined as the study of “the relationship between people
and plants including various aspects of how plants are used for food . . . and
medicine” (Rai, Acharya, & Rios, 2011). As an artist I am questioning what
is the role of the plant in today’s society? What connects plants and people? I
am working to explore the relationship between plants and people through the
ceramic vessel.
I have set out to better understand specific plants through
researching the growing, harvest, and consumption. I supplement my ceramics
studio practice with a growing practice that includes an Herb Garden and greenhouse growing. I considered specific plant
needs for example companion planting and root structure in designing and
building growing containers. I used my hands to transform the clay through pushing,
pinching, and pulling creating vessels of containment.
At the same time I am growing, harvesting, and creating vessels
specific for the herbs I am also integrating vessels into my daily life. I
recently created a dish set that I used for every meal for a 30 days period. I
was thinking about the throw away culture we live in and how disconnected it is
from the growing practice that I am so deeply involved in. I question shouldn’t
what we eat and drink from have more value than trash? I performed the 30 Days
Project Part II later called
The Dish Set
Challenge I through the month of November with a dish set that includes a
cup, bowl, and plate. I used it for every meal recording through photos and
updates on my blog. In December, I create
The
Dish Set Challenge II with my husband Forrest where we used a connected dish
set plate, bowl and cup for every meal for one week. You can view both projects
at
gardclaystudios.blogspot.com
The work displayed in Coeval
as a product of my growing practice and includes turmeric, cayenne, and
moonseeds held in balance with a social practice. The Dish Set Challenge III will take place during the duration of
the exhibition from January 10th through February 7th,
2014. The project involves the help of five participants Belenda
Flucker, Aurelio Diaz, Keith Karchella. Violeta Chinni, and Jenny Lucas
Kaufman. These five participants and myself will be competing a 28 day Dish Set Challenge. The participants
will be presented with a handmade dish set made specifically for them. They
will eat and drink from it every day during the course of the exhibition. Each
day the participants will post on a group blog recording meals and reflecting
as they experience the project. The project
will commence at the opening reception with a meal that I prepare from 100%
local food I have collected from farms surrounding Mansfield. You can view the
projects daily progress at
by Carole Epp | Mar 11, 2014 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
Heath
Ceramics is a more than 60-year-old California company that makes
dinnerware and architectural tile of good and enduring design.
We believe in the benefits of local manufacturing
and, with more than 100 employees and growing, we support a growing
community of people committed to and inspired by the process of
designing, making and sharing.
We believe in fair compensation, provide full health
care benefits and make retirement benefits available. If you are
someone who shares these values and is inspired by designing, making and
sharing, we’d love to hear from you.
If you would like to be considered for one of the
positions below, please send your resume and cover letter and let us
know about your availability (if you’re looking for part-time or
full-time work and location preference).
Thank you for your interest! Email us at
jobs(at)heathceramics.com
Production Director
We’re looking for a Production Director to oversee
the production of Heath’s dinnerware and tile products, made in our two
factories in Sausalito (dinnerware) and San Francisco (tile). This
position will be taking over from our current Production Director, who,
after seven successful and growth-filled years, is retiring.
See the full job description and apply
here.
Communications Director
We at Heath take an untraditional approach to Brand
Marketing. We don’t like either of those words, which is why this
position is titled Communications Director. That said, we recognize the
importance of said words in the industry and in large companies and we
mean no disrespect in using them sparingly in our company.
See the full job description and apply
here.
Ceramic Engineer
In a newly created position to address our growth
and expansion, the Ceramic Engineer at Heath will oversee technical
aspects of Heath’s dinnerware and tile production in our 2 factories
(dinnerware in Sausalito, CA and tile in SF, CA).
See the full job description and apply
here.
Industrial Machinery Electrician
We’re looking for a part-time Industrial Machinery Electrician to help at our Sausalito factory.
See the full job description
here (pdf download).
Merchandise Planner
Heath’s Merchandise Planner maintains stock levels
of Heath Home offerings in our four retail showrooms in California.
After product selection by our creative buying team, this position is
responsible for the full product cycle from vendor to sell through.
See the full job description and apply
here.
