Tag: ceramics

CLEMSON – The Clemson Visual Arts at Clemson University is set to celebrate artistic excellence with a series of fall showcases featuring a diverse array of compelling student exhibitions. The public is invited to witness the exceptional work of rising art undergraduates showcased in various exhibits, including the highly anticipated Annual Ceramic Bowl Sale. Notable highlights encompass the unveiling of Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) senior works and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) thesis exhibits, symbolizing the culmination of extensive research endeavors.

Art Sale

Annual Ceramic Studio Bowl Sale

Date & Time: Wednesday, Nov. 15, Noon-5 p.m.
Location: Lee Gallery Hallway
Art enthusiasts can purchase bowls from Clemson Ceramics Association student members, with a vast selection of functional works offered at various price points. Proceeds will support student scholarships and travel to the National Council on Education for the Ceramics Arts Conference. Light refreshments will be provided with each purchase.

Exhibitions

Undergraduate Drawings of the Upstate Juried Art Exhibition

Date & Time: Nov. 6 – Dec. 14, M–F, 1–5 p.m.
Reception: Friday, Nov. 10, 5:30–6:45 p.m.
Location: Brooks Center for the Performing Arts – Lobby Area
The exhibition showcases the foundational role of drawing in artistic development, recognizing the vulnerable yet limitless nature of this medium. It fosters camaraderie within the regional artistic community and allows undergraduates to professionally showcase their work.

The BFA Senior Art Exhibit

Date & Time: Nov. 13–30, M–F, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Artist Talk & Reception: Thursday, Nov. 16, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Location: Acorn Gallery
The Lee Gallery hosts the “Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Exhibit,” featuring the final creative research of graduating students. This fall, the exhibit spotlights Sydnay Greene’s senior drawing.

The MFA Thesis Art Exhibit

Date & Time: Nov. 13–30, M–F, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Artist Talks & Reception: Friday, Nov. 17, 5–7 p.m.
Location: Lee Gallery
“Underlying Patterns” is a two-person MFA Thesis Exhibit by Emily Collins and Nicole Weldy, exploring hierarchical relationships and the tangible experience of the unseen. The exhibition provides a space for healing and growth.

Ink Travels: MFA Alumni Selections Art Exhibition

Date & Time: On display-Apr. 12
Location: Cooper Library, Fourth Floor
This print exchange between Clemson alumni honors Sydney A. Cross and celebrates the wide-reaching influence of Syd as a teacher and mentor. The exhibition features selected works from MFA alumni.

Alumni Works Art Exhibition

Date & Time: On display-Apr. 18
Location: CAH Dean’s Gallery in Strode Tower
“Alumni Works” showcases MFA and BFA works created by artists during their enrollment at Clemson University, featuring photography, drawing, printmaking, and painting.

Harvey Gantt Curriculum Vitae Art Exhibition

Date & Time: On display – Nov. 17
Location: Sikes Hall Showcase, Ground Floor
This exhibition, based on research conducted through an independent study, showcases the curriculum vitae of Harvey Gantt. It includes photographs taken by Cecile Williams and a graphic created by Gregg Ussery.

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Clemson Visual Arts at Clemson University

Clemson University, honoring Thomas Green Clemson’s vision, incorporates art throughout its facilities. Visitors are encouraged to engage with Clemson Visual Arts by exploring gallery spaces, public art, and attending special events. Exhibitions and events are made possible through generous support to the Center for Visual Arts.

For more information and the full event calendar, visit clemson.edu/art.

Exhibitions, artist talks, and receptions are free to the public, thanks to the generous support given to the Center for Visual Arts. To support Clemson Visual Arts, visit clemson.edu/caac/academics/art/about-us/giving.html.

The Department of Art’s Ceramics studio at Clemson University is presenting World-Fire: A Project Invitation on April 18-22, with the lighting of the Catenary kiln occurring Tuesday, April 18 at 1 p.m.

Zoom, Skype, and other similar platforms have redefined teaching, learning, and general communication considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This access now allows for remote events to be accessible, creating an opportunity for wood firers to share techniques and approaches in real-time.

The kiln firing is under the direction of Art Faculty in Ceramics, John Cummings this year. A community of art faculty, students and alumni have kept wood-firing kilns in the Experimental Forest near the civil engineering research facility for almost 20 years. At the opposite end of an Anagama kiln is a Catenary kiln named after its arched opening, which is somewhat smaller in size.

A Catenary kiln is used for firing ceramics and is known for its energy efficiency and sustainable design. This kiln is built with a curved shape, which allows it to distribute heat more evenly and efficiently than traditional rectangular or square kilns. One of the critical ways a Catenary kiln is considered sustainable and earth-friendly is through its use of renewable energy sources. This kiln can be fired using wood, a renewable and carbon-neutral fuel source that does not produce the same greenhouse gas emissions as fossil fuels.

Additionally, the curved design of the Catenary kiln reduces the amount of energy required to maintain consistent firing temperatures. The curvature of the kiln allows for more even heat distribution, reducing the need for frequent adjustments and energy-intensive cooling and reheating cycles.

The World Fire event allows artists as far away as Taiwan to participate via Skype. While there is no single philosophical view that everyone shares, firing kilns simultaneously around the world involves adopting new perspectives, pursuing creative goals beyond tradition, and engaging in experimentation.

Cummings, a ceramic artist from the Asheville, NC area, obtained a B.S. from the University of Southern Indiana and an M.F.A. from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, M.S. Following his graduate studies, he served as an artist assistant for Jun Kaneko for three years, where he gained expertise in creating extremely large works. He is a Ceramics Art Faculty member at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C.

World-Fire: A Project Invitation Q&A
What kilns will be used by the World Fire participants?
All participants will be using an Anagama kiln except Clemson’s Ceramic Studio will be firing their Catenary kiln.

What is a Catenary kiln?
A Catenary kiln is a type of wood-fired kiln with an arched roof shaped like a catenary curve. The catenary curve is a naturally occurring shape formed when a chain is suspended between two points, creating a strong and self-supporting curve. In the case of a Catenary kiln, the arch provides structural strength to the kiln while also allowing for more even distribution of heat and smoke throughout the chamber. This type of kiln is commonly used in pottery and ceramics to create unique surface effects and finishes on the pieces being fired.

What are the plans for the work that is fired in the Catenary kiln?
Some of the work will be used for end of the year class assignments, while most of the work will be available for sale at the popular annual Spring Ceramic Sale.

When will the Catenary kiln be opened to reveal the work?
The kiln will be opened Monday, April 24, revealing the most recent work of art students, just in time for the Spring Ceramic Sale.

When is the Spring Ceramic Sale?
Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the Lee Gallery Hallway.

Reference Clemson World Magazine’s “All Fired Up”

GREENVILLE — During the second weekend of May, connections to Clemson University’s visual art program were on full display at Artisphere, Downtown Greenville’s annual arts and crafts festival. Beyond the orange splendor of Clemson’s festival tents, STEAM and the Art Department demonstration, there were numerous more connections to Tigertown to be found by looking a little harder at the other displays that lined Main Street. We are proud to announce the orange ties for those who may have missed them.

• Syd Cross, Visual Art Professor Emerita, Contemporary Print Collective
• Tom Dimond, Visual Art Professor Emeritus, Artists of the Upstate Exhibit
• Marty Epp-Carter, MFA, OpenStudios Retrospective
• Michael Marks, MFA alumnus, Artists of the Upstate Exhibit
• Jo Carol Mitchell-Rogers, MFA, OpenStudios Retrospective
• Carey Morton, MFA candidate, metalworking demonstration
• Alexia Timberlake-Boyd, MFA, OpenStudios Retrospective
• Ryan Roth, MFA alumnus, Artists of the Upstate Exhibit
• Kathleen Thum, Visual Art Faculty, Artists of the Upstate Juror
• Mike Vatalaro, Visual Art Professor Emeritus, OpenStudios Retrospective

We were inspired by all of the work of our former and current students and faculty. It is always encouraging to see Clemson’s innovative spirit on full display. Greenville, Clemson’s ‘Home City,’ certainly got a taste for the excellent and talented people who represent the Visual Arts at Clemson University. Thank you and congratulations!

To see photos from the Clemson exhibits at Artisphere 2016, click here.