Clay National XVI "Say It With Clay"
“Tangerine Thief” by Wesley Anderegg of California (ceramic, wood, metal)
“The chief characteristic of handmade work is that it maintains, by its very nature, a direct link to the human heart.”
Carbondale Arts collaborated with the Carbondale Clay Center to present “Clay National XVI: Say It With Clay” at the Carbondale Arts R2 Gallery, on display August 19 - October 1, 2022. The community was invited to the opening reception on Friday, August 19, from 6-8pm at The Launchpad.
Carbondale Clay National is a national exhibition of ceramic art held annually at the Carbondale Clay Center Gallery in Carbondale, CO. Each year CCC’s selected juror(s) develop a theme for the exhibition, invite a handful of contemporary ceramic artists who emulate the theme, and choose about 25-30 works (scale dependent) from the jury pool.
2022 Guest Juror: Diane Kenney (founder of the Carbondale Clay Center)
Invited Artists: Blair Meerfeld, Alison Severance, Wesley Anderegg, Sam Harvey,
Lynn Smiser-Bowers, Barbara Hoffman, Stuart Gair
This exhibition was generously sponsored by Angela Bruno, executive director of the Carbondale Clay Center, and her husband Greg McClain.
Thank you!!
Enjoy a virtual tour of "Clay National XVI: Say It With Clay"
“I am beyond happy and honored to be invited to jury Clay National XVI. To my astonishment, this year we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary year of the Carbondale Clay Center, although it still feels new to me! In these past 25 years, so many fine ceramic artists have graced the Clay Center with their work and presence. It has been a huge gift to have such quality ceramic art and artists here in our small, but mighty, mountain town. We are part of that wonderful, worldwide clay tribe that keeps growing in skill, diversity and talent. I am in awe of all the things clay can do –in your hands.
We experience the powerful presence of handmade work in our homes and everyday lives. Each piece has a story to tell that connects us with the maker and a memory. We can feel their spirit, as we live with the work. It is a beautiful, essential and sustaining part of our lives.
The theme of this show is “Say It with Clay”. The parameters of this show are intentionally broad, reflecting the wide range of ceramics today. Years ago, I read a quote from the journalist, Dorothy Parker, she wrote simply: “I have so much to say.”
Right now, ceramic artists/potters/sculptors are burgeoning with so much to say. What is it you have to say? What are you expressing in your clay work? Joy, struggle, awe of nature, investigation of pattern/form/materials, comfort, dance, wildness, beauty for its own sake, social criticism, economic and social justice issues, climate concern, integrity of form and surface, poetry, wonder? Let us see it!”
- Diane Kenney
Diane Kenney, founder of the Carbondale Clay Center and juror of “Clay National XVI: Say It With Clay”
Kenney has been a potter for almost 50 years. She accidentally stumbled upon clay in the early seventies, and fell in love. Kenny’s most intensive training in clay was during her two and a half years at the KC art Institute as an “older” student. Over the years, Kenney built (with help) and fired a reduction kiln in KC; a raku kiln briefly at CRMS; a wood-fired kiln in Colorado with fellow potter, Peggy Malloy; and a soda kiln, with help of Blair Meerfeld and Trevor Dunn. Additionally, she has deeply explored terra cotta electric firing for Majolica and slip glazed work, briefly including tile installations. After many years of atmospheric firing, Kenney is reverting to terra cotta work. Production is limited these days.
Kenney’s work was featured in a 1995 issue of Ceramics Monthly, and also included in various ceramic arts books. She participated in NCECA for many years, and many juried and invitational shows around the county, even winning a few awards here and there.
“I am very happy that I have been able to work doing what I loved all these years. I am especially grateful that I was able to give birth to the Carbondale Clay Center (with enormous help and funding). Creating community through clay and promoting excellence in the ceramic arts are what has motivated me for many, many years.”
About the Carbondale Clay Center
OUR MISSION
Carbondale Clay Center exists to enrich lives through the ceramic arts.
OUR VISION
Carbondale Clay Center welcomes all to explore the art of ceramics, from the casually curious to the established artist. Clay is a universal language connecting us to people, cultures and world history. Knowledge of ceramic processes is shared through class and workshop offerings, residencies, lectures, gallery exhibits, and programs that reach out to schools and special groups. The Clay Center is committed to a learning environment that is supportive and exciting.
Learn more at carbondaleclay.org
Learn about the Invited and Juried Artists!
INVITED ARTISTS
Wesley Anderegg, Stuart Gair, Wesley Harvey, Barbara Hoffman, Blair Meerfield, Alison Severance, and Lynn Smiser-Bowers
JURIED ARTISTS
Ian Bassett, Mary Catherine Bassett, Casey Beck, Indigo Cristol, Ian Dunton, Benjamin Eberle, Julia Feld, Brian Grow, Dara Hartman, Elina Jurado, Heather Kaplan, Emma Kaye, Jaime Kelly, Quinn Maher, Juni Margrie, Andrew McIntyre, Taylor Mezo, Dan Molyneux, Vince Montague, Muscle Memory Collective, Alex Olson, Carter Pasma, Mark Rossier, Zoey Scheler, Chance Taylor, and Samantha Wickman