Up & Coming Weekly

OCTOBER 21-27, 2009 UCW 9 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 15th Annual Nellie Smith Juried Pottery Competition Exudes the Sensual by SONI MARTIN Getting right to the point, ceramics can be one of the most sensual mediums an artist can work in and it can be equally sensuous for someone seeing a fine work in ceramic. My point is easily proven by visiting the Cape Fear Studios this 4th Friday, Oct. 23, when the Studio opens its gallery doors to its national ceramic competition — the 15th Annual Nellie Smith Juried Pottery Competition. Sensation and touch is all around us in nature. The tactile nature of ceramics also lends itself to the extremes of touch. In this exhibition, the weathered exterior of one form and the slick smooth glaze on another draws us to the surface of the clay body. The forms and their surfaces are irresistible — craggy, burnt black, smooth, rough, slick and polished surfaces are all very physical. The works in the exhibition are not overly contemplative interpretations of the meaning of art; instead they are a response to the knowing and feeling of form. The stacked yellow triangles in the work of Mark Gordon, from Wilson, N.C., attest to ways of knowing. The hard edge, repeating pyramidal shapes are in contrast to the oozy clay between the forms, the ooze has hardened, like mortar, between the patterns. Linda Dalton, from West End, N.C., is exhibiting a beautifully crafted form. Brightly colored abstract colors swirl upwards across a smooth glossy surface in contrast to a black stenciled fern shape. Several bamboo-like forms, in rich browns, have been placed and fired onto the top of the form to emphasize balance and poise. Complicated and extremely well crafted, the work by Dalton appears effortlessly stunning in its beauty and grace. Julie Hilliard, from Scaly Mountain, N.C., is exhibiting a raku work. She glazed the open form in shades of blues and greens to create triangular patterns across its surface. A simple triangular form, torso-like, seems to be wrapped in a brightly colored fabric, its delicate neck opening sits on broad shoulders. Due to the glazes and heat of the raku fire, each color has a different crazing pattern that adds to the simplicity and minimal quality of the form. The juror for the 15th Annual Nellie Smith Juried Pottery Competition was Rick Berman, a well known studio potter, curator and ceramic historian from Georgia. Berman has served as associate editor of Clay Times magazine, founded and directed Callanwolde Ceramics program, and has taught at the University of Georgia, West Georgia College, North Georgia College and Georgia State University. Presently he is teaching at Pace Academy. Sixty five pieces were entered into the competition from across the nation; 33 works were accepted by Berman. Of the 21 artists in the exhibit, 10 are from North Carolina. Chris Kastner, executive director, of the Cape Fear Studios made sure to note the large number of artists from North Carolina selected for the exhibition. She remarked, "The artists who entered the competition were from across the country, from Montana to Florida, California to Minnesota, and many states in between; I was so pleased the juror selected so many artists from North Carolina. I think it speaks to the quality of the ceramics being produced in our state." She further commented, "During this 4th Friday opening we will be announcing the Best in Show Award, three awards for functional ware, and three awards for non-functional. As an art organization, we are happy to be celebrating the 15th Annual Nellie Smith Juried Pottery Competition with our first national call for art." From my perspective, K astner is being modest. In spite of the sluggish economy, her leadership at the Cape Fear Studios is making a huge difference in the Studios, in the community and in the region. Not only did she lead in moving a national ceramic competition forward, she also helped to spearhead the first Cape Fear Studios two-dimensional national competition that opened during the Dogwood Festival this year. When I asked Kastner what she felt was most rewarding about hosting two national competitions in one year, she said: " We were excited to have so many artists from across the nation send in work. It builds the Cape Fear Studios reputation and the reputation of the arts in Fayetteville. It also gives artists in Fayetteville and art enthusiasts a chance to see what is being produced by artists around the country." Kastner noted that Nancy Edge was the only local artist to be selected for this exhibition and Edge would be doing a demonstration during Fire Arts Day, Saturday, Oct. 24, in the parking lot of the Transportation Museum (next to the Cape Fear Studios). During Fire Arts Day, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., artists have volunteered to do demonstrations and will be talking about their craft, including how fire is used in the creation process. Edge and local artist Greg Hathaway will demonstrate raku firing in ceramics, an exciting oxygen-deprived firing technique. In addition, three local metalsmiths will demonstrating how to form wearable art using torches: Erica Stankwytch Bailey, Connie Bennett and Kathy Moore. In the area of hot glass, Stephanie Crider will demonstrate lampwork, a technique she uses to create glass beads for her jewelry. A type of glasswork, a torch is used to melt glass rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing, shaping, using a variety of tools and hand movements. During Fire Art Day the Cape Fear Studios will award door prizes and items for sale inside the Studio. If you can't get to the hot celebration on Saturday or the opening of the 15th Annual Nellie Smith Juried Pottery Competition this 4th Friday, the exhibit remains up until Nov. 23. For information on the exhibit, the demonstrations or hours of operations, call the Cape Fear Studios at 910-433-2986. The Studios is located at 148 Maxwell St., one block behind the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County. SONI MARTIN, Contributing Writer COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 106 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com. Pottery by Linda Dalton

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