While they're closed - Chapter 1

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is closed for the holidays.
So while you can't visit the gallery, I'll offer some photos of the beautiful ceramic pieces being shared by the Clay Studio's teachers and adult students.  The Center will be open again Jan. 3, 2017.

 Yes, an elegant bacon cooker!

 Teresa's pierced bowls that are Asian influenced by her travels in Nepal (I think!)

 

Teacher, Mathilda Tanner's dragonfly appliques.

A huge leaf platter by Mathilda Tanner.

There are at least 3 teapots in this show...here's Teresa's (I think the first she's ever made!)

Today's quote:

We do not need to suffer or be in misery in this life in order to do well in the world. Madisyn Taylor, Daily Om

Just a bulletin board

Outside the Black Mountain Center for the Arts CLAY STUDIO, hangs a bulletin board.
It now has been updated, thanks to yours truly.

So 18 of the students (those willing to have their picture taken while involved in some clay activities) have volunteered to let the public know some of what transpired inside the studio.

And the schedule of classes and Open Studios is now available, as well as information for private classes.

And the piece' de resistance is having a photo of all three of our current teachers!

Taking a bow, I am.

Idea passed along

to the next generations... (I think it's a good idea, but I'll let the qualifier be your decision)

Here are some student works from Jacksonville, FL where a teacher asked my permission (thank you) to have her students make Tree Shrines like I'd posted on my blog a while back.
here and here

Aren't these great?  I'll quote the assignment that the teacher gave them...

"They were to use Floridian Trees, paint a background and include a pattern around the edges. I think they enjoyed it and there are some fun pieces here."

Kuddos to these students, and to their teacher, Kristy King.  She gave me permission to post their works on my blog.  I am honored.

What diversity of images!  And they show the personality of the young artists as well.  I don't know if they've been exposed yet to Art History with classic sculptures or the old painters.  Their class has given them basics of creating art, as they certainly have demonstrated good use of color and form in their creations.

Was it glaze (underglazes?) or paint used to finish them?  They certainly are fun.  Again, thank you to an art teacher.  (I'm so dismayed that art classes have been cut back with budget cuts in our schools.)   My life would never have become as creative if it weren't for Miss. Patterson, my art teacher who taught me from 7th through 12th grades.

Who did I learn from anyway?

I don't have a picture of Charles, the man who first taught me how to throw clay, and I glazed most of his works for about a year as we were part of a crafts co-op in Tallahassee.  We certainly had fun, and I lived on my savings, because I certainly didn't live on my production!

Then I returned to college and studied at the University of Florida and got a BFA to prove I could throw clay.  I really enjoyed myself, though there were some personal challenges that happened about that time in my life.

Nan Smith, U of FL

Maria Martinez, New Mexico

Adelaid Alsop Robineau with Scarab Vase

Nan Smith 2011 with students U of FL

MC (Mary Caroline) Richards, Black Mountain College

If I hadn't read "Centering, In Pottery, Poetry and the Person" by MC RIchards, I wouldn't have been so drawn to expressing myself in clay since the 70's.

Goddess (replica) Ankara Museum, Turkey

The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago, Susan B. Anthony plate

Judy Chicago

Chestnut, by Fidelma Massey

Garden by Nan Smith, 2010

So there were lots of women (as well as men) who worked in clay that I  learned from...or at least looked up to as mentors.  Who taught you?