2015 State of the Art: Ceramics Invitational curated by Chris Berti

Exhibit: Monday, November 16, 2015– Saturday, February 6, 2016

Reception: Thursday, November 19, 5–7 p.m.

Gallery Talk by Chris Berti at 6:30 p.m.

Music by Parkland Guitar Ensemble

Pre-exhibit artist lecture: Doug Jeppesen, Thursday, November 12 at 9am in room C-191

Additional artist lecture: Randy Carlson, Wednesday, January 27 at 1pm in room C-191

image: Beth Lo, Swimmers Cups, porcelain, 4" x 4" x4", 2015

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Giertz Gallery at Parkland College will host works by ceramic artists from across the U.S. during its "2015 State of the Art: Ceramics Invitational" opening Monday, Nov. 16. Curated by Parkland Art and Design Professor Chris Berti, the exhibit will run through Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. A reception will be held Thursday, Nov. 19, 5-7 p.m. in the gallery lounge that features a curatorial talk by Chris Berti at 6:30 p.m., music by the Parkland Guitar Ensemble, and refreshments. Both the ceramics exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Giertz Gallery at Parkland College presents Four by One, a group ceramic exhibition with each artist contributing four works, focused on how ceramic artists often create works that reinforce each other so that the whole is stronger than the sum of the parts. These four works may be either two pairs or one set of four or even four bodies of work.  The works may be utilitarian, sculptural, or both. This exhibition allows contemporary ceramic artists to investigate form, surface, and other processes while utilizing techniques they’ve mastered. The artists include Randy Carlson, Sunshine Cobb, Michael Corney, Paul Eshelman, Meredith Host, Doug Jeppesen, Jan McKeachie Johnston, Randy Johnston, Beth Lo, Joe Pintz, and Luba Sharipan.

“This is a terrific group of artists.”  Chris Berti said, speaking about the show. “ I think the work in this exhibition begins to represent some of the exciting things happening in ceramics today.”

The exhibition will include two visiting artists from Illinois including Doug Jeppesen and Randy Carlson. Jeppesen’s visit includes a  pre-exhibit lecture and demonstration in the ceramics studio (room C-191) on Thursday, November 12 with a lecture at 9am followed by a demonstration. Doug is an Associate Professor of Art/Ceramics at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois where he has taught full time since 1998.  He specializes in wood firing and has built a number of different styled wood fired kilns at the college including an anagama kiln. Doug has presented workshops at area colleges and universities, he was a panel member during the International Wood Firing Conference at Northern Arizona University and most recently he was a presenter at the 2^nd European Wood Fire Conference hosted by Guladagergaard International Ceramic Research Center in Skaelskor Denmark.

Randy Carlson will also give a lecture and demonstration on Wednesday, January 27 at 1pm in the ceramics studio (room C-191). Carlson worked as a production potter in Minnesota, Maine and Wisconsin before joining the faculty of Bradley University ‘s Department of Art, Peoria, Illinois in 1993. He has recently had work published in Ceramic Monthly magazine and Lark Books 500 Pitchers and 500 Teapots.

In addition, please save the date for "Coffee and Tea: Cups and Dessert," the biennial benefit for the Parkland Art Gallery set for Dec. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the gallery lounge. Tickets will include selecting a beautiful handmade cups donated by Parkland faculty and students, live music by Fair Play featuring traditional Irish music, tasty desserts provided by Parkland College Hospitality Program, and coffee and tea. A silent auction of ceramic works—perfect for holiday gifts (or for yourself)—will round out the evening’s festivities. Tickets are $30 (2 for $50) and may be purchased at the Giertz Gallery, or through the art gallery office by calling 217/351-2485 or emailing giertzgallery@parkland.edu. Tickets will also be on sale Nov. 19 during the reception.

Giertz Gallery at Parkland College hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. The gallery will be closed November 25 (5pm) – 30; December 14 – January 11, and January 18.

To find the gallery when classes are in session, we suggest using the M6 parking lot on the north corner of the campus. Enter through door X-7, turn left, and follow the ramps uphill to the highest point of the first floor, where the gallery is located. The gallery windows overlook the outdoor fountain area.

Programs at the gallery are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. All events in the handicapped-accessible gallery are free and open to the public. Parkland College is a section 504/ADA-compliant institution. For accommodation, call 217/353-2802 or email crobinson@parkland.edu.

For more information on the exhibit, please call the gallery office at 217/351-2485 or visit www.parkland.edu/gallery.