Handmade for Japan: eBay auction March 18-20 to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami

by | Mar 14, 2011 | Uncategorized


Mission:
Handmade For Japan’s mission is to raise money through an online auction on March 18-20 for relief efforts to assist the victims of Japan’s catastrophic earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear emissions.

Handmade for Japan is an online auction of unique, handmade art donated by concerned, invited artists. One hundred percent of all net proceeds collected via the auction will be donated to the relief efforts in Japan.

Because of the urgency of the situation, the auction will begin on eBay on Friday, March 18th and end on Sunday, March 20th. The auction items will be listed under the “Handmade for Japan” seller ID.

Previews of the auction items will be available in English and Japanese through Facebook pages and Twitter updates. All inquiries in either language should be sent to [email protected].

Who We Are:
Handmade For Japan was borne out of concern for Japan’s residents by Japanese-American ceramic artist Ayumi Horie. She, Ai Kanazawa Cheung, and Kathryn Pombriant Manzella have mobilized to solicit, promote, and auction handmade pieces of art generously donated by talented artists throughout North America and Japan.

Another great loss – Toshiko Takaezu

by | Mar 10, 2011 | Uncategorized


Following text via Frank Lloyd Gallery

Toshiko Takaezu (b. 1929), born in Hawaii of Japanese descent, has been working in clay for over forty years.Her work has developed steadily throughout her career as she has moved from producing functional vessels to abstract sculptural forms.Over the years she has continued to draw on a combination of Eastern and Western techniques and aesthetics, as well as her love of the natural world.For Takaezu, the practice of building vessels in clay is intimately linked to everyday life:

“In my life I see no difference between making pots, cooking, and growing vegetables.They are all so related.However there is a need for me to work in clay.It is so gratifying and I get so much joy from it, and it gives me many answers in my life.”

Throughout her career, Takaezu has explored a select repertoire of forms, often focusing on the vertical closed vessel that has become a symbol of her work.While her earlier pieces were almost exclusively wheel-thrown, as she began envisioning larger forms she incorporated hand building techniques as well, which allowed her to grow her vessels vertically and eased the circular restrictions of the wheel.The simple, cohesive structures she is now well known for are united by their common form but gain individual character through the painterly aspects of their surface decoration. Takaezu’s spontaneous approach to glazing, in which she walks around the vessel freely applying glaze through pouring and painting, balances her more methodical building process and allows her to add an improvisational element to her work.

Another important aspect of Takaezu’s involvement in clay has been her roll as a teacher.Her love for clay is infectious, and she has shared it in many forms.In addition to her 23 years of teaching at Princeton and the many workshops she has performed, she has given her time to generations of apprentices.The many awards and honors she has received, from the Hawaii Living Treasure Award to her honorary doctorate degree from the University of Princeton, demonstrate the wide range of people and institutions that find inspiration, history, and meaning in her work and life.

For more info and to purchase a book about this amazing woman please visit The Earth in Bloom

Mudlat Artist Residency Program

by | Mar 7, 2011 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

Artist Residency Program

In 1998 Mudflat began offering a one year residency position to clay artists.
This highly competitive program provides a private studio space at no cost with
access to Mudflat’s facility, and opportunities for the resident to teach and sell
their work. for more information – Mudflat Artist Residency Brochure Residency dates:

September 1 – August 31

Residency includes:

  • Private 100 sq. foot studio space
  • 24 hour access
  • A monthly stipend of $50, to be applied to clay materials and firing costs.
  • Opportunities to teach in our educational programs and for retail sales at
  • our Open Studio events and at Mudflat Gallery

Residency requirements:

  • Artists are expected to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week in their studio
  • Artists are required to work 5 hours per week for Mudflat, assisting with technical jobs
  • 2 public presentations during the residency. The first, in September, is a slide show of the artist’s work.
  • Applicants should have knowledge of a variety of clay techniques and some kiln firing experience, the ability to work independently, and enthusiasm and willingness to be part of an urban clay community.

Application:

Applications for the 2011-12 residency must be postmarked by April 18, 2011. Selection notification will be made by May 28. Application form (PDF format) Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view this document.
Click here to download.

Upcoming workshop: Inspired Ceramic Surfaces

by | Mar 7, 2011 | Uncategorized

INSPIRED CERAMIC SURFACES
May 20-22, 2011
Temple, Texas
Presented by Potters Council at Cultural Activities Center
Register | Schedule of Events | Presenter Information

Are you looking for a new perspective on the potter’s wheel? Presenter Jake Allee will cover several thrown and altered techniques combined with handbuilding methods to create composite forms that break from the conventions of a wheel-thrown object.

Forming, finishing and firing lead to inspired surfaces
By bringing together these 6 talented and skillful ceramic artists, who each approach the surface in their own distinctive way, and adding the creative exchange between attendees, this conference will lead you down the path of inspiration and learning. Exceptional surfaces can be created in every stage of the creative process, from forming, finishing and in the firing process. Find out which stage sparks your creative chemistry.

Learn more about the Presenters View Details

For more info please visit their website.