CLAY NATIONAL XVI
Say It With Clay juried by Diane Kenney
Sponsored by Angela Bruno & Greg McClain
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
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.
On display at The Launchpad and online
August 20th - September 30th
First Friday Reception
August 19th, 6-8PM @ The Launchpad
“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.”
Photos by Sarah Overbeck, courtesy of Carbondale Arts.
“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
INVITED ARTISTS
Wesley Anderegg, Stuart Gair, Sam Harvey, Barbara Hoffman, Blair Meerfeld, Allison Severance, Lynn Smiser-Bowers
AWARDS
Juror’s Choice: $500
Staff Selection: $250
People’s Choice: $100
Submit your vote for your favorite piece in Clay National XVI
photo by Michele Cardamone
JUROR BIOGRAPHY
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.”