COURTESY OF MACON ARTS ALLIANCE See this piece by Diane Mead and the work of many other potters as Fired Works returns to Central City Park.

by RACHEL SULLIVAN

For the fifth year, the Macon Arts Alliance is bringing back Fired Works. It is the single biggest functional and sculptural ceramic works exhibit in Georgia. This year 58 different artists will present their work for viewing — and purchasing — pleasure. Cindy Hill, marketing director for Macon Arts, and Heatherly Darnell, gallery manager and exhibit coordinator for Macon Arts, gave a recent joint interview to share their excitement about the upcoming event.

“Five years ago, several local ceramic artists approached the Macon Arts Alliance to ask about putting on a show,” Hill said. “Now, the event is so popular we have a waiting list. We’ve got the maximum number of artists that the space can hold.”

Read more at - http://www.macon.com/2010/04/16/1095358/show-ell-58-artists-set-for-fired.html#ixzz0lO2GKL9F

February 11, 2010 -- ThatsArte.com, the leading web store of hand made Italian pottery, has recently introduced an entirely new category featuring high end ceramic tiles.
Loyal to its mission, thatsArte.com has selected only small companies where the production process of floor tiles and wall tiles is entirely hand made according to the most traditional techniques. Size and shape flexibility is thus granted, allowing Customers to accomplish any project and fulfill all conditions or constraints.
Ceramic floor tiles and wall tiles are divided into collections, each of them offering a large mix of colors and designs developed around a specific technique or historical background.
As usual, Renaissance and Baroque designs play a key role due to their strong inspirational power and the heritage they represent. However the highlight of the tile assortment is the Etruscan collection, created after a thorough research on the glazes and the decoration techniques used by the Etruscans more than 2000 years ago.
The introduction of a Tuscan pottery maker specializing in textured ceramic tiles will soon enhance the wall tile section and provide a larger choice to Customers who are not willing to compromise modern decoration style.
A Sicilian company from Messina will add spice to floor tiles, kitchen tiles, stair risers, and backsplashes with customized panels and carpets.
With the launch of hand made Italian tiles, the company targets high end house owners willing to invest in luxury, unique products for their homes.
A close relationship with its pottery makers is at the heart of the company Customer Service. And it’ll be even more so with tiles. Each and every product featured in thatsArte.com web store can be personalized and Special Orders for tailor made pieces are welcome.
By featuring a 4,000 piece collection of fine Italian pottery, thatsArte.com is one of the largest on line stores, rightly renowned for its quality and the service it offers.
The range of products includes Italian dinnerware, tableware, decoration accents and prized collectable pieces, handmade by talented craftsmen and artists from Umbria (Deruta and Gubbio), Tuscany and Sicily.
Large pictures and thorough descriptions provide an easy and exciting shopping and learning experience. A Free Personalization and a Special Order service allow the Customer to commission the craftsmen for personalized or tailor made ceramics, just like Italians have been doing since the Renaissance.

Mary Rose Young

Mary Rose Young has an eye for aesthetics and a knack for originality. The English artist’s love for pottery took form in college. Since then, her body of work has grown into an empire of distinctly creative objects, all exquisitely executed and helplessly enchanting.

Her expertise with ceramics is fluently manifested in vibrant pieces, decorated in exuberant colors and appealing patterns. Through her works, Young creates a whimsical and cheerful world, one no different than a fairytale.

“I would like to say it reflects my personality, that there is a big party going on, and really, my pottery is a party. That’s kind of the way I would like life to be like. And I would like people to notice that it is dramatically going on,” Young said in an interview for The Forest of Dean’s official tourism Web site. “My idea is to make the whole world a more glamorous and fun place through making beautiful pots.”.....

Read more at  -  http://www.themonitor.com/entertainment/rose-35129-artist-young.html

Andy Rogers is climbing the ladder of the art show circuit with his unique style of organically shaped pottery pieces inspired by nuts and shells.Photo by Eric Keith

by Ken Newton

Curiosity left Andy Rogers with pockets full of the natural world. People hike for different reasons. He returned home with seeds, nuts and fungi.

The detail, the texture, the nuance of these small objects fascinated him, stuck in an artistic memory.

Even now, he considers razor coral and the underside of a mushroom, from sea and land but with like lines. “I’m curious to see how things develop in different environments,” he says.

Snow lingers outside the window of his Maryville, Mo., home, but beneath the freeze rest spores and berries and other dormant marvels. Mr. Rogers takes note, his work their reflection.

In his hands, a pound and a half of clay becomes an anemone. Or maybe a cactus or a morel. Technique is learned, a discipline that can be mastered. Artists, the good ones, operate with an image in mind of the finished work.

Mr. Rogers, a ceramic sculptor, can’t get to all the images.

Not that he doesn’t try. His home studio expresses a dedication to craft. Shelves carry thrown clay in various stages of drying and production. A row of glaze ingredients lines one wall, labels reading “cobalt oxide” or “iron chromate.” A potter’s wheel stands nearby, foot pedal set to power its rotations, and a dirty stew of discarded material sits alongside.

“There’s only one way to fail in this, and that’s to be lazy,” he says. “When you really love what you do and want to be working, there’s the draw.”.....

Read more at  -  http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2010/jan/28/ceramic-sculptor-inspired-nature

Family Clay Day provides community members a place to engage in worthwhile and enjoyable projects at its Main Street, Poughkeepsie facility.

by Anthony Musso

Since opening in 2005, Barrett Clay Works on Main Street in Poughkeepsie has provided a creative, educational and motivational atmosphere for both local residents and those from surrounding communities. Hosting a regular schedule of classes, it also makes studio space available to artisans and hosts exhibits in its gallery.
Lauren Aitken became an artist-in-residence at Barrett Clay Works in May 2009 and was recently named its director. She holds degrees in ceramics and art education from SUNY New Paltz.
“We really believe that Barrett Clay Works is a huge asset to the community,” Aitken said. “We are trying to get the facilities up to date, to get kilns installed and to market the center to local residents. A lot of people don’t know that we are here.
“It’s a beautiful facility that has a lot of potential. We brought in some really good people who volunteer their time to keep it open.”
About 20 artisans currently rent space at the center and work there regularly. ....

Read more at  -  http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20100123/NEWS01/100120006/1006/news01

Ceramic Art by Jane Muir - specialises in idiosyncratic figures representing a witty and uncluttered observation of the world.

Ceramic Art London 2010 is the major selling fair for contemporary studio ceramics
At the Royal College of Art on 26 February to 28 February 2010.

Ceramic Art London 2010 provides a unique showcase for contemporary studio ceramics featuring work from leading national and international makers.

•Discover and buy work from over 75 leading contemporary ceramic artists
•Enjoy an integrated education programme of talks, demonstrations and films designed to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of studio ceramics
•Talent spot young emerging ceramic artists from the Royal College of Art

If you are a ceramic artist interested in exhibiting at Ceramic Art London 2010, visit our exhibitor registration page for details of how to apply.

If you are a Collector, gallery owner, potter or enthusiast and want to see the best in contemporary studio ceramics check out our visitor registration page to receive regular updates on Ceramic Art London 2010.

SOURCE -  http://www.ceramics.org.uk/home.php

"Brown Trout Jar" by Cynthia Link

by Ann Hicks

Clay art, whether it is carved, molded, shaped, painted or naked – realistic in form or abstract in nature – is a beloved and enduring form of artistic expression that is a sure-fire way to keep visitors returning to museums, galleries, studios or gift shops.
That fact is not lost on the organizers of a Pickens County Museum of Art and History exhibition featuring works of some of the Upstate’s best ceramic artists through Feb. 11, at its upper floor gallery.

Museum director Allen Coleman says the show, “The Up’State of Clay,” was guest-curated by artist Johnny Nutt who assembled a collection of works from the area’’s most influential ceramic artists.....

Read more at -  http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20091227/ENT01/912220381/1056/ENT/Upstate-artists-say-it-with-clay

Kyle Patterson, a ceramic artist who teaches at The Clay Connection in Spokane, sits with some of his creations, most of which are whimsical characters.

by Jennifer Larue

Kyle Patterson fashioned his first pinch pot in kindergarten. In the first grade, he made a pinch-pot pig. After that, his imagination was set free: He made robots, buildings and cars out of paper, and, on snow days, he steered clear of the typical snowman. Instead, he sculpted the snow into otherworldly creatures, adding color with a spray bottle filled with food coloring. Among his inspirations were television producers Sid and Marty Krofft, who created characters in shows such as H.R. Pufnstuf and the Banana Splits.

At Lewis and Clark High School, Patterson, now 36, excelled in ceramics. In his senior year, he studied studio art, ceramics and wood shop. For his senior project he built a love seat with ceramic inlays.....

Read more at -  http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/05/now-he-has-a-clay-job/

Color Me Mine has teamed up with Santa for a special event!

The kids will Sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. They will create a HandPrint Ceramic Plate (featuring Santa's handprint, child's handprint,custom-painted lettering & Santa's autograph. And, they'll Paint a ceramic ornament too!

Ceramics Club President Daniel Bennett places wood into the kiln on the MHCC campus.Photo by Sanne Godfrey

The 25th annual ceramics Christmas sale will be held Dec. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2.

“This gives students an opportunity to sell their work and see how involved they have to be,” said Ceramics Club president Daniel Bennett.

All students, staff and alumni are invited to participate in the event.
Ceramics instructor Stephen Mickey said, “It is the major fundraiser the students do to support their club activities. This year we are trying to raise money to help them go to a conference in Philadelphia.”

Mickey said the students will get 75 percent, the club will receive 20 percent and 5 percent will go to the Visual Arts Gallery.

Bennett said 5 percent of the club proceeds will go to Barney’s Pantry.
Mickey said, “I think in the last three years we have given close to $2,000” to charitable organizations such as Barney’s Pantry....

Read more at -  http://www.advocate-online.net/112009/N_Ceramics.php