The Lowdown: Tales from the Margin @ the Red Lodge Clay Centre.

by | Feb 6, 2012 | Uncategorized

Curatorial Statement:
The Low Down: Tales From The Margin is an exhibit of contemporary ceramics, which are bothhonest and current, reflecting narratives that are personal and shared, abstract and implied. The concept began with a volley of ideas and artists, until a group emerged whom consistentlygenerate objects that toy with definitions and tease visual, historical and/or technical boundaries. The second factor in our selection process was intent to extol the achievements of artists generating their main body of work within low temperature ranges.

Max Lehman, Carole Epp, Alex Kraft, Nick Ramey, Julie Guyot, Jason Bige Burnett and Melissa Mytty have created a spirited and vibrant collection of objects, the best of which will pull the viewer in to the tales they spin. Formal compositions pair sparse grounds with overwhelmed figures and the viewer is left to decide if the decadence is for the better or not. Some of the more obvious narratives still leave ample room for audience interpretation; and, like a visual mad-lib, we can fill in the blanks. There are elaborate dialogues between material pairings made in fantastical, imaginary worlds alongside very evident social commentary with an extremely clear point of view. This is an exhibition for a modern world with visual “sound bites” for those in search of over stimulation, however if one chooses to go deeper the conversation thread is there to pick up and carry. Perhaps this what can happen when a graphic novel impacts the oft-insular world of clay?

The exhibit is a targeted snapshot of a specific area of inquiry in the field of ceramics. A peripheral group generating more and more buzz and not just from the hum of an electric kiln. The Low Down: Tales from the Margin is a celebration of the creative exploitation possible with electric coils and eutectic compositions.

View the whole show online here.
PO Box 1527 Red Lodge, MT 59068 Ph. 406.446.3993

Upcoming deadlines : Red Lodge Clay Center

by | Dec 21, 2011 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

In order to suit the needs of a variety of artists and maintain an atmosphere of momentum and diversity, the Red Lodge Clay Center offers two residency options. Year-long residencies run from September 1st through August 15th. Short-term, proposal based residencies ranging from one to eight weeks, are considered from October 1st through July 31st. Please submit separate applications if applying for both residency options. The year-long residency is ideal for committed individuals in transition from post baccalaureate studies to graduate school, as well as those pursuing the development of professional artistic careers. Self-directed ceramic artists searching for the time, space and resources needed to explore new ideas and create new work will enjoy the rural mountainous setting. Accepted residents will be provided with studio space, housing, utilities, and a monthly stipend in exchange for twenty hours of work per week at the Clay Center. Responsibilities will include assisting in the retail operation of the gallery, teaching community clay classes, as well as cleaning and maintenance of the studio and gallery. Residents will be responsible for personal living expenses, as well as all material and firing expenses. The application deadline is February 1st. The short-term residency is ideal for the ceramic artist who is working to complete a special project requiring one to eight weeks’ time. Accepted short-term residents are provided with studio space and 24 hour access to the studio. Fully furnished apartments are available for $350.00 per month or a prorated basis congruent with the scheduled residency. Short-term residents will be responsible for personal living expenses, as well as all material and firing expenses. The application deadline is January 1st for residency proposals running March 1st through July 31st. The application deadline is August 1st for residency proposals running October 1st through February 28th. The Red Lodge Clay Center welcomes applications from ceramic artists who will thrive working as a team, in a community minded atmosphere. Apply OnlineVisit their website for more details.

The “Lowdown” on what’s been happening in and around the musing neighborhood lately.

by | Nov 5, 2011 | Uncategorized

I guess holiday season is just bound to be a busy time for artisans, no getting around it. There is a part of me that likes the pressure of deadlines looming and late nights frantically working in the studio. I feel like I’m buzzing at a different level of productivity, one that somehow makes me feel more alive while at the same time burning me right out!

So in my madness I signed up for 3 holiday sales, one of which I’m also helping to organize. Not too bad, well if it weren’t for the fact that I’m 7 month pregnant : ) It’s all good though. I reckon I’ll get the sympathy vote at the sales when I can barely stand to pack peoples purchases.

So here’s some details of where you can find me in the next month or so:

November 25th-27th – Artisans Fine Craft Market

December 3rd to 5th – Sundog Arts Fair
You can find my booth over by the stage – good lord help us all this might be what pushes me over the edge! : )

December 9th & 10th – Winter Wonders Handmade Market


Okay so that’s it for markets, but while I’m on this self promotion rank I really want to tell you about a show I’m in that’s opening right away. I’m super honored and well still kinda in disbelief to be honest to have been invited to exhibit as part of “The LowDown: Tales from the Margin” exhibition.

Here’s some info directly from the Kipp Gallery Website:

The Low Down:Tales from the Margin – This is a traveling exhibition showcasing the work of seven contemporary ceramists. The exhibition is curated by Kipp Gallery Director, Kyle Houser in collaboration with Gallery Coordinator, Jill Foote-Hutton from the Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, Montana. Each artist selected for this exhibition is exemplar of contemporary ceramics, which is both honest and current, reflecting narratives that are personal and shared, abstract and implied. The concept began with a volley of ideas and artists, until a group emerged who consistently generate objects that toy with definitions and tease visual, historical and/or technical boundaries. Another key factor in the selection process was an intent to extol the achievements of artists generating their main body of work within low temperature ranges. In joining a fluid notion of narrative, the parameter of temperature and a lineup of artists with diverse audience appeal and experience we hope to illuminate the provocative activity along a specific periphery of the field. The Low Down: Tales from the Margin is a celebration of the creative exploitation possible with electric coils and eutectic compositions. Exhibiting artists: Jason Burnett, Carole Epp, Julie Goyot, Alex Kraft, Max Lehman, Mellissa Mytty, Nick Ramey. The exhibition will originate here at IUP in the Fall of 2011 and travel to Red Lodge Clay Center in the Spring of 2012. http://jasonbigeburnett.com/ – http://www.caroleepp.com/ – http://www.julieguyot.com/ – http://alexkraftart.com/ – http://maxdna.com/ – http://www.melissamytty.com/ – http://nickrameyceramics.com/Crazy eh? I’m so excited to be exhibiting alongside these amazing artists. I only wish I could see the show in person. I reckon it’ll be great so if you can make it to one of the locations to check it out please do.
You can read more about the show, plus get a sneak peak of some of the work on Kyle Houser’s blog homefry sketchbook.I’ll be posting some images of my works in the show here on the blog once the show opens. In the meantime I’ll share with you a piece that didn’t quite make it. (thank you customs and you’re incredible inability to repack artwork! Maybe homeland security was a little worried about her chainsaw…)Oh and one last thing – I know lots of self promoting today, my apologies! – but I just wanted to mention in case you haven’t noticed that I’ve set up a musing about mud facebook page which you can visit to get even more ceramic related content and eye candy for inspiration. I’m still trying to post as much info as I can here on the blog, but the reality is that there is so much relevant content out there that I can’t find the time to post it all. Having the facebook page helps to quickly link to websites of interest and amazing photo albums of clay objects and sometimes interesting dialogues on facebook. Please stop by for a visit and “like” the page. Thanks for your time, that’s enough self promotion for one day, enjoy the rest of your weekend!Cheers,
Carole