Well this press release was a little late for consideration for inclusion in the printed version of Carolina Arts but it has an interesting collection of Carolina potters, so we wanted to let our blog readers know about and it will be on our web version of the paper at Carolina Arts Online on Oct. 1, 2009. Two of the potters are Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke of Bulldog Pottery in Seagrove, NC. They are also fellow bloggers – now with two blogs: Around and About with Bulldog Pottery and Three Corners Clay.
“Fish Platter” by Bruce Gholson
“Why all the attention for Seagrove potters?,” the new reader to Carolina Arts Unleashed asked. Well, it’s a personal project, plus I’m getting people ready for a big event coming in November.
Here’s the article:
University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, Presents Ceramics Exhibition
The University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, will present the exhibit,Ceramics : Southeast, in the McMaster Gallery, on view from Oct. 12 through Nov. 19, 2009.
The exhibition brings together the creative talent of thirteen individual artists from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Each has taken their own unique path that celebrates contemporary ceramics from traditional pottery to non-traditional sculptural forms. Chosen to represent multiple approaches to clay and backgrounds the artist represent both full time studio potters to practicing academics.
Artists included in this exhibit are: Alice Ballard (SC), Russell Biles (SC), Jim Connell (SC), Don Davis (TN), Lauren Gallaspy (GA), Bruce Gholson (NC), Samantha Henneke (NC), Frank Martin (TN), Scott Meyer (AL), Gay Smith (NC), Paula Smith (SC), Mike Vatalaro (SC), and Jerilyn Virden (NC).
Alice Ballard’s pods are a reflection of her relationship with natural forms, while Russell Biles’ figurative works provide artist as social critic.
“Wall Podds” by Alice Ballard
Jim Connell serves up elegance with senuous curving vessels. Don Davis combines the figure with function. Lauren Gallaspy’s porcelain explores the mixed media of sculptures and drawing.
Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke are a couple that founded Bulldog Pottery and are exhibiting functional works with a painterly flair.
Frank Martin’s slip cast functional ware focuses on a painterly use of color. Scott Meyer’s interest turns to the sculptural – combining wood with clay. Gay Smith throws and sculpts geometric porcelain forms.
Paula Smith’s sculptural ceramics challenge us with the role of women. Mike Vatalaro deals with architectural thrown forms and Jerilyn Virden’s interest are in the notion of containment.
In conjunction with Ceramics : Southeast there will be a panel discussion and a workshop with Gay Smith as well. The public is invited. Call for further details.
For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, contact Mana Hewitt, Gallery Director at 803/777-7480 or visit (http://web.mac.com/mcmastergallery/McMaster_Gallery/Ceramics_Southeast.html).