Staff Picks: Top Three Ceramics Exhibitions and Events – April 2011

Dinner set, by Ursula Hargens, on view at the Clay Studio, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

For the April 2011 edition of Staff Picks, Bill Jones, editor of Pottery Making Illustrated, Sherman Hall, of Ceramics Monthly fame, and Erin Pfeifer, editorial assistant for both magazines, share their choices for three ceramics exhibitions not to
miss this April.

To see a more complete listing of ceramic exhibitions and events from around the globe, please check out the Ceramics Monthly calendar.- Jennifer
Harnetty, editor.

Ceramic sculpture by Corrine Vetger.

Ceramic Showcase

Sometimes you just need to go look at a gigantic room full of ceramic art—and maybe buy some. If you’ve never felt that need, then you likely have never been to the Oregon Potters Association’s “Ceramic Showcase.” They hold this exhibition/sale every year, and it’s one of those events that restores my trust in the fact that plenty of people are making good ceramic work.

And it presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate the arrival of spring by buying pots! – Sherman Hall, editor, Ceramics Monthly.

Scot Cameron-Bell’s goodmorningcups.

The details...

Where:
Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon
What:

Ceramic Showcase 2011, presented by the Oregon Potters Association
When:

April 29–May 1
Web:
www.oregonpotters.org

Dinner set, by Ursula Hargens.

For the Table: Dinnerware

From bourbon aperitif cups to chopstick rests, and every size bowl and cup in between, The Clay Studio’s Dinnerware exhibition has a little something for everyone. This amazing functional exhibition features work from over 25 artists from around the country, including the delightful earthenware of Ursula Hargens. I was first exposed to Ursula’s work by the lovely Ms. Jennifer Harnetty, editor of Ceramic Arts Daily, when I was still an intern for Ceramics Monthly a few years ago. Since then, Ursula’s rich decorative surfaces with folky floral patterns have only grown more beautiful.

The exhibition’s introduction states that “Objects have power and
possess the ability to evoke memories of time, place, and of their
maker,” a perfect observation of the relationship we as ceramicists
develop with individual pieces. As many of us do, I have a particular
mug in my cabinet made during my first year of undergrad that brings a
big smile to my face and evokes memories of the first day that I was
put in charge of a very large (and very scary) gas kiln.

Plate, by Ursula Hargens.

While I don’t yet own work by Ursula Hargens (I will hopefully be
receiving a bowl in the mail soon!), I am excited for the day when I am
nibbling on something delicious from an Ursula Hargens bowl and am
fondly reminded of my intern days here at CM. So be sure to check out
the Dinnerware exhibition (if not in person, then online) and perhaps
discover an artist’s work that might one day evoke a fond memory or two. – Erin Pfeifer, Editorial Assistant, Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated.

The details...

Where:
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What:
For The Table: Dinnerware
When:
March 4-April 10, 2011
Web:
www.theclaystudio.org
www.theclaystudio.org/exhibitions/forthetable.php

Jar, by Bowie Croissant

The Shoulders We Stand On

My selection for a must-see exhibition is the Potters Council members show “The Shoulders We Stand On” in Tampa, Florida, being held at the Nancy Markoe Gallery. This show is being held in conjunction with the NCECA (Nationa lCouncil on Education for the Ceramic Arts) Conference and offers a wide selection of work produced by Potters Council members. The Potters Council is an organization that meets the needs of studio potters and ceramic artists by providing resources and conferences to help them in their artistic pursuits.

I will admit that I am a bit prejudiced about this exhibition since I was the juror. I viewed more than 300 entries to arrive at this final selection and the task was a bit daunting. In looking over all the possibilities, I focused on selecting a representative range of styles while trying to strike a balance between functional and nonfunctional work. As part of the them, each artist was also required to include a brief essay about which person or persons influenced their work. And since I’ve only viewed slides and read the essays so far, I’ll be particularly interested in seeing all the work in person. – Bill Jones, Editor, Pottery Making Illustrated.

"Under the Big Top," by Scott Ziegler

The Details…

Where:
Nancy Markoe Gallery, Tampa, Florida
What:
The Shoulders We Stand On
When:
through April 15
Web:
/potters-council-members/announcing-winners-of-2011-potters-council-juried-show/

www.nancymarkoegallery.com