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September Issue 2003
Green Hill Center for NC in Greensboro, NC, Art Presents Major Exhibition on History of Clay in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina's great pottery tradition at Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art in Greensboro, NC, this fall, Sept. 12 through Nov. 15, 2003, in a major showing themed Clay: Past to Present. Three exhibitions - Timeline in Tradition: North Carolina Pottery, The Story of the Face Jugs, and 10 from Penland, together feature select and historically significant clay pieces demonstrating the skill and variety of 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st century potters and fine craftsmen. Experience and learn about the historical and cultural traditions of NC pottery through the centuries - the functional vessels, art, pottery, whimsical face jugs, "figuratives," and contemporary fine craft items made of clay.
Ben Owen III
Timeline in Tradition: North Carolina Pottery is a look at the heritage of NC pottery from its early beginnings with the Native Americans and early European settlers, and demonstrating the traditions, methods, influences that have grown to form this continuing NC culture. The exhibit is a selective presentation of clay vessels and "whimsies" featuring works by well known NC potteries of the 19th and 20th century, such as Jugtown, Pisgah Forest, North State, and works from established pottery families, such as Craven, Owen, Cole, and Teague.
The Story of the Face Jugs features a sampling of powerfully grotesque and often comical face jugs by several of NC's famous potters. Potters often produced face jugs at the end of the day in order to blow off steam. The arguments as to the origin of these vessels are many, and theories abound as to the intent of the artist in creating them. Perhaps they were created as a mimicking portraiture of one's rival, or to impart the character of the liquor concealed within. In any case, face jugs are evocative and remain highly prized collectibles.
Michael Sherrill
10 from Penland offers a look at the contemporary art object in clay featuring ten artists who present a range of techniques. Work by the ten ceramic artists who wrote chapters for the book, The Penland Book of Ceramics: Master Classes in Ceramic Technique, a collaboration between Penland School and Lark Books (Sterling Publications), are featured. Artists include Linda Arbuckle, Mary Barringer, Joe Bova, Cynthia Bringle, Clara Couch, Sergei Isupov, Nick Joerling, Angelica Pozo, Michael Sherrill, and Tom Spleth. The exhibit was organized by Penland School of Craft.
Many related educational programs will be offered by the Center during this exhibition. Call the Center for details or check this article for links to programs on our website at (www.CarolinaArts.com).
Clay: Past to
Present is supported by:
Marion Stedman Covington Foundation; Halstead Foundation for ArtQuest
tour underwriting; Hanson Brick; Procter & Gamble; Twinings;
United Arts Council of Greensboro, North Carolina Arts Council,
and the Grassroots Arts Program. Individual contributors to the
exhibition include: Dr. Allen and Barry Huffman, William Ivey,
David Blackburn, Robert Lock, Michael Tomlinson, Lynn Melton,
and Greensboro Historical Museum.
Green Hill is offering several programs in conjunction with this exhibition. They are listed below.
Collectors Round Table - Oct. 2, 6-7:30pm - The "High Priests of Pottery" toss around what makes NC Pottery so collectible, the E-bay phenomenon, as well as other choice topics, while fielding questions from the audience. Panel includes collectors, Dr. Allen Huffman, William Ivey, and David Blackburn; renowned and highly collectable potter, Billy Ray Hussey; with moderator, Mike Smith, owner of At Home Gallery. Collectors of North Carolina traditional pottery and those interested in NC History and folklore will find this an enjoyable and stimulating event. Guests are encouraged to bring pottery items for informal identification session.
Mini Auction after the Round Table - Oct. 2, 7:30pm - Greensboro appraiser and dealer David Kane will take bids from the audience on "show pieces" created by exhibiting living potters.
The Catawba Tradition in Pottery - Oct. 29, 5:30-7pm - The Catawba pottery tradition is made up of a certain number of forms, these forms being created and handed down for over 3000 years. Catawba potter, Keith Brown, will do a presentation on the various forms and processes of these ancient clay traditions and how they have continued to be a part of the modern Catawba culture. Mr. Brown is brought to Green Hill Center courtesy of the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project of Rock Hill, SC.
Freckles, Pink Plymouths, and Give-Aways, a presentation by Kathryn Lucci-Cooper, Cherokee, writer and artist - Nov. 6, 6-8pm - Understanding multicultural ethnicity and reclaiming identity seems to be the current American pastime. But how much of this "reclaiming" is based on stereotypes perpetuated by literary and media misrepresentation a kind of "Identity Imagination"? Having multiple ethnicities can be challenging in modern society. In this presentation Ms.Lucci-Cooper asks the audience to explore these questions and many more through pictures and literary works, with particular emphasis on North Carolina's indigenous writers, as we attempt to understand the complexities of contemporary cultural circumstance. Kathryn Lucci-Cooper is presenting at Green Hill Center courtesy of the NC Humanities Council Speakers Bureau.
The Clay Talk Project - Sept. 21-Nov. 23 - On exhibition at Green Hill's satellite gallery, The Hill at the Stage at Triad Stage, Green Hill Center, with support from the NC Arts Council's Arts-in-Education program, piloted an exciting Artist-in-the-Schools residency in Native American culture, history, science, art and writing. One hundred fourth graders worked with Haliwa-Saponi, Native American artist, Senora Lynch as she guided them through the creative process of inventing personal animal and plant forms to tell a story by making a red clay tile. The results of this experience will be on exhibition at The Hill at the Stage, located at Triad Stage, 232 S. Elm Street, Greensboro.
ArtQuest Field Trips: Hands-On Clay Tours -Sept. 12-Nov. 15 - Special Tours of the North Carolina Clay Exhibition supporting 3-5 grade curriculum. Offered in addition to the group/ school tours held throughout the year. *Call 336.333.7460 to schedule. Group rate: $3 per person. Times available: 9-10:30am and 10:45am-12:15pm.
ArtQuest Connects: Mudmakers
Workshop
5:30 6:30pm Wednesdays Sept. 17 Nov. 12
7 years and older: fee: $5; Reservation suggested; call 333-7460
For more information check our NC Institutional Gallery listings, call the center at 336/333-7460 or on the web at (www.greenhillcenter.org).
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