Collaborations: A Ceramic Collage

Collaborations: A Ceramic Collage is a Fired Works event that is taking place at Macon Arts. The Macon Arts gallery has featured monthly shows, and the show closest to Fired Works always centers on ceramic work.

This year, Diane Mead curates the show, and came up with the concept of ceramic collaborations. She loosely based this idea on the Surrealists' game of "The Exquisite Corpse"; a game of folded paper played by several people, who compose a drawing without anyone seeing the preceding collaboration or collaborations. Obviously, such an "Exquisite Corpse" can hardly be achieved with ceramics! However, each artist mailed or traded pieces after the initial firing, and their corresponding partner finished each piece in their personal style.

I had the joy of meeting one participating artist last Friday; Ken Horvath dropped off his collaborative work with Fired Works artist Eileen Braun. He has yet to see Eileen's applications on his forms, but looks forward to seeing them on First Friday.

Participating artists in "Collaborations" include Heather Davis, Diane Mead, John Britt, Susan Feagin, Ken Horvath, Eileen Braun, Joy Raynor, Meg Campbell, and Roger Jamison. Please join us for the first of several Fired Works events during the opening reception for "Collaborations". First Friday, April 3rd, from 5 to 8 p.m. Light refreshments and wine will be served.

Call Macon Arts for more information: (478) 743-6940



While you're at it, check out John Britt's Blog about the up-coming Collaborations show.

Serving Art: new artist Shelia Bradley

Ceramic artist Shelia Bradley has been considered for previous Fired Works; we're quite happy that she is finally able to participate this year. Her work is quite vibrant, and she lets her love of cooking inspire her work. Read her artist statement below:

Shelia Bradley

Loving art and being an artist all my life has caused me to be led down many diverse paths, from graphic designer to chef. The sum of these experiences has served me well and left me with the belief that all art, no matter what we are drawn to as the observer, or what we decide to touch as the artist, comes from a place locked deep inside all of us. It is a soulful search to make a connection, a longing for a moment of clarity, a complete and reconciled thought, a state of joy that delivers us from the antagonists in life and the complexities and inconvenience of being human.

My connection and love affair began when I was a child as I played with clay for many hours at the waters edge, on the riverbank in North Carolina. Those cherished memories followed me into young adulthood when I was compelled to take a pottery class. I remember crying and being overcome with the feeling that I had, at last, come home.

Since 2005, I have devoted all of my creative energy into exploring the world of clay. The focus of my work revolves around and is inspired by my love of food and the joy that comes from preparing it. I am completely absorbed with the opportunity to create a functional pot based on the food I would like to see in it. I have become aware that the elements of cooking and making a pot are one in the same, for me. Although I am admittedly attached to the outcome, I am profoundly in love with the process.

I work, for the most part, on the wheel turning out functional pieces. I like the smooth, bright surface of porcelain like clay body. I glaze fire for stoneware in gas reduction to cone 10. I enjoy creating a certain attitude about the piece beyond its shape. The variety of shapes and the mixed bag of surface decoration that I use excite me like having a bounty of fresh herbs and exotic spices at my fingertips. I have many favorites and cannot limit myself. Some would say that I am indulgent, and that could be true, but I cannot live in a world without daring to experience the joy of exploration. My fondest hope is that I can invite hands to touch, persuade eyes to see and compel the user to enjoy every aspect of the piece, to have the piece become a part of someone’s life through daily use.

I have attended several Craft Schools on work study, including Penland in North Carolina, Arrowmont and Shakerag in Tennessee. I have been a continual student at Good Dirt Studio in Athens Ga., and regularly attend many workshops and seminars. I am an instructor at Good Dirt and have taught adult education classes at Gainesville State College in Gainesville Ga. I work from my studio at home in Bishop Ga., producing work for a number of galleries and pottery shows.

Fired Works 2009: Preview Party

Fired Works is the regional exhibit and sale that takes place each spring in Macon, GA, sponsored by Macon Arts It's become an event many locals and visitors look forward to, and attendance, as well as artist participation, has increased drastically since 2005, the first year of Fired Works.

The dates for Fired Works, 2009, are April 17th through April 26th. April 17th is the preview party for artists, patrons, sponsors, and the tickets to this wonderful catered event are $25 a piece. This gets you full access to the wine/beer bar, all kinds of food, live entertainment, and grants you first opportunity to view and purchase the wares of over 50 ceramic artists. Many of the artists will be present for the Preview Party, and attendees will have the unique opportunity to discuss the ceramic piece with the artist.

This Fired Works event is great fun, and a wonderful way to kick off a week's worth of ceramic related events.

Please call 478.743-6940 if you are interested in pre-purchasing your tickets.

Plate by Barry Gregg, Fired Works Artist, 2009

check out his youtube video: a beautiful slideshow featuring the inspiration for many of his pieces.