musing about mud

Anagama kiln building and firing workshop

2008-07-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

When: August 22nd - 31st
Where: Devon England
More info here

Pottery holidays in Malawi

2008-07-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

"Dedza is the highest town in Malawi and Dedza mountain, reaching up to nearly 7,000 feet, forms the backdrop to Dedza Pottery. The slopes of the mountain are covered with a well managed pine forest that supplies timber and firewood to a wide region. It is a beautiful and unspoilt environment in which to create, and great care is taken not to cause any environmental damage in the pottery operations. The pottery was started, as a private business, in 1987 by Chris and Charity Stevens."

For more information about the 2 or 3 week workshops check out their website.

Must see exhibit

2008-07-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

Gallery Website
Also if you haven't yet - check out Mel Robson's blog.

THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF POSTMODERN CERAMICS 2008

2008-07-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

"The greatest and most important ceramic manifestation in Croatia will take place from March 6 to April 4 2009 in the City Museum of Varazdin.

The title of the exhibition: NATURE AS ADVENTURE

Only works which embody the concept of ceramics as a means of free artistic expression will be accepted: sculptures, installation, and works serving a non-functional and functional purpose. Artists are expected to contribute by presenting distinctively personalised, original and novel ceramic art works characterised by a sincere approach, an ebullient, vivaciously creative and imaginative form of expression. A combination of various materials may be used but the work must be done primarily in ceramics."

Deadline for submission of applications:
October, the 30 2008 (post stamp)

Check out website for more info.

CRAFT USA: National Craft Triennial

2008-07-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

Juror: Gretchen Keyworth, Director and Chief Curator, Fuller Craft Museum
Media: U.S. artists 18+; basketry, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paper, and wood
Entry Deadline: August 15, 2008
Restrictions: Any craft artist in the US
Entry Fee: : $30 entry fee for up to 3 works (1 detail of each is allowable)
Awards: 1st Prize $1000 plus
Check out Silvermine Guild Arts Center Website for more.

Clay Focus - Call for entry

2008-07-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

Call for Entries for the Clay Focus Exhibition at Gloria Kennedy Gallery.
Deadline August 1st 2008.

The ‘Clay Focus’ exhibition is open to ceramic artists worldwide.
We are focusing on extremely extraordinary ceramic art. The work can stand, sit or hang. It can be functional, sculptural or both. It must be ceramic and any exterior treatment may be applied. The application deadline is August 1, 2008. Exhibition Dates: September 10 until October 18, 2008 during the DUMBO under the Bridge Arts Festival.

There is a $35.00 fee for 3 images. Please requestion an online application HERE or send a SASE to Gloria Kennedy Gallery 111 Front Street Gallery 222, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Call for submissions - The Adi Prize for Jewish Expression in Art and Design

2008-07-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Foundation's central project is a biennial international competition in visual arts and design, with themes related to Jewish thought and tradition. The competition, which offers a monetary prize, is open to all artists above the age of 18, from a wide variety of fields in the visual art.

The theme of the fourth Adi Prize (2008) is Rupture and Repair. Information on the theme, including a source book on the subject, is available on the Foundation’s website.

Phase I: Deadline December 1, 2008, via the Web-site of the Adi Foundation
The winner will be announced in October 2009. It is planned to open the exhibition in June 2010

Call for Papers - Australian Ceramic Conference

2008-07-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Well if you ever wanted a good reason to visit Australia (and I could give you a long list!), here's one:

Call for Papers
Closes: 31 October 2008
Conference to be held in Sydney 2009

The 1st Australian Ceramics Triennale (formerly the National Ceramics Conference), Facing the Future, will focus on the relationship between contemporary ceramic practice and the emergence of diverse social, cultural and technological global forces. The panel invites individual papers or suggestions for panels on any aspect of triennale's three broad themes - Facing Asia, Future Practice and Activate/Cultivate.

Email: info@australianceramicstriennale.com
Check out their website for further information and expanded themes.

Indigenous Ceramic Art Award - Australia

2008-07-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

Indigenous Ceramic Art Award
Closes: 3 October 2008

Email: art.gallery@Shepparton.vic.gov.au

The award was developed by Shepparton Art Gallery to support Indigenous ceramic artists and acknowledge the special industry of ceramic art practice. This biennial award exhibition will survey Indigenous ceramic art practice, demonstrating current developments in the field.

Check out Shepparton's website for more information.

2008-07-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

Art Off The Wall Sydney is still accepting applications (until August 1 2008)
Art Off the Wall is dedicated to the promotion, career development and exposure of emerging and independent artists. All ages and mediums are invited to apply.

Check out their website for further details.

NCECA Clay National Biennial Exhibition

2008-07-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

August 30, 2008 entry deadline

Held in odd-numbered years, the NCECA Clay National Biennial Exhibition is the premier juried exhibition. Entered works must have been completed within the last 2 years. The exhibition is juried from digital images by three prominent professionals in the field. Entry fee is $15 for Members, $30 Non-Members. Please note: Artists must be at least 18 years of age and all artists from outside the U.S. (including Canada) must be current NCECA members to enter. Merit and purchase awards totaling approximately $5,000 are determined by the jurors. NCECA produces a color catalog featuring work by all participating artists. Extension with late fees deadline is September 6, 2008. For more information visit the NCECA website.

USA Call for entry

2008-07-02T15:03:00.000-07:00

October 24 – November 22, 2008
National Juried Ceramics Exhibition

Calendar
August 1 Final Postmark deadline for submissions
September 2 Accepted notification to entrants
October 14 All accepted work must be received

Clay3 is open to all artists working in the continental
United States.

For more info and entry form download the pdf from the ClaySpace website.

And now for the canadians out there...

2008-06-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramists
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 15, 2008 by 5pm

SENT TO: Winifred Shantz Award
c/o Robert Achtemichuk, Director
Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery
25 Caroline Street North
Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5

AWARD GALA: September 25, 2008

The Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramists is a national award for ceramic artists and potters. Thanks to the ongoing partnerships with Mrs. Winifred Shantz and the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, the award is presented every year to a practicing artist working between 5 to 10 years consecutively from the date of the annual application date. The winner of the Winifred Shantz Award receives $10,000 and is intended to allow for a period of independent research at a key moment in the artistic practice of the applicant.

The selection panel is comprised of experienced contemporary ceramic artists, potters and curators. This jury will choose one winner and the results will be announced at a gala event on September 25, 2008. Projects must demonstrate the capacity to advance the artistic practice of the artist.

All of the Winifred Shantz Award winners to date have represented the remarkable practices that make up contemporary ceramic art. Previous winners include:
Rory MacDonald (2007)
Ying-Yueh Chuang (2006)
Kate Hyde (2005)
Joan Bruneau (2004)
Marc Vincent Egan (2003)
Laurent Craste (2002)
Susan Collett (2001)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To apply to the Winifred Shantz Award, you must be a Canadian citizen or have Permanent Resident status, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You must also meet the definition of a professional artist, which is an artist who:
-has specialized training in the field (not necessarily in academic institutions)
-is recognized as such by his or her peers
-maintained an independent professional practice for at least five to a maximum of ten years from the date of application
-Students are not eligible

The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery is accessible to Aboriginal artists and artists of diverse cultural and regional communities of Canada.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
(Activities may be combined, and are to take place within the year period. Project duration is dependent on applicant needs and proposal.)
-travelling for career development
-connecting with mentors
-visiting other studios
-studying museum collections
-investigating kiln sites
-liaising with industry to perform research that will further in-studio production
-participating in national/international residencies or symposia

Not Eligible:
-tuition fees

SUPPORT MATERIAL (to include with your application)

1. PROJECT PROPOSAL (maximum 1 page)
A single page outlining how the award will be used: a proposal of the research program and its intended relevance to the applicant's future work.

2. CURRICULUM VITAE (maximum 2 pages, include copy of all texts in print and digital format in CD-Rom)

Please include the following information:
-professional training (educational background, mentors, workshops, etc.)
-exhibition or public presentation history (including the dates, titles, names and locations of galleries or place of presentation, whether solo or group shows)
-collections: public, corporate and private
-bibliography of critical reviews of your work
-prizes, awards and other grants
-other activities related to your practice.

3. IMAGE LIST
-List must follow titles of each image as identified in the CD-ROM

4. IMAGES
-Fifteen (15) digital still images on one CD-ROM (slides are no longer accepted)
-present your works chronologically, from the oldest to the most recent work
-one digital image can provide an installation or exhibition view, giving an idea of the dimensions of the work relative to the space (if applicable)
-title each file (image) with a number, your initials, the year and title of your work
-Ensure that the numbers for the first nine images begin with a zero (for example: 01initialsyeartitle.jpg, 02initialsyeartitle.jpg).

SPECIFICATIONS
Submit jpg files only
Submit files at a resolution of 72 dpi only
Submit files of a maximum of 1024 x 768 pixels (height must not exceed 768 pixels)
Submit files of 1 MB maximum
Don't submit any type of presentation (such as PowerPoint)
Don't submit compressed files (WinZip, Stuffit, etc.)
Don't include hyperlinks to Internet sites with your images
Don't submit material that requires software, plug-ins, extensions or other executables that need to be downloaded or installed
Don't submit any files by email

Test your material before submission to ensure that it is formatted correctly. It is your responsibility to ensure that all material reaches the Gallery in a readable format.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SUPPORT MATERIAL
You will need to submit a letter of confirmation and profile of host institution, documents outlining itinerary, as well as confirmation from mentors or industrial partners and disclosure of the terms of agreement between partners and the recipient.

FINAL REPORT
A final report is to be submitted summarizing the benefits received from the award no later than two years after the award is granted.

You must send all required support material in one package. An application that does not include all required support material will be considered incomplete, and will be withdrawn from the competition. All submissions will be kept on file at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery's Artists' Registry for archival purposes and cannot be returned.

$10000 Prize for Ceramic Arts!

2008-06-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Lucky you if you live in Australia as you can apply for the upcoming Ergon Energy Central Queensland Art Awards 2008.

All entries will be selected and judged in regard to overall excellence, originality and innovation in concept and design and use of materials and technique.

The artworks will be judged by 12 December and exhibited at the Rockhampton Art Gallery from 12 December 2008 – 8 February 2009.

Deadline - October 10th 2008

All enquiries should be directed to:
Shane Fitzgerald
Telephone 07 4936 8248
Email: shane.fitzgerald@rrc.qld.gov.au
Sue Smith
Telephone 07 4936 8248
Email: sue.smith@rrc.qld.gov.au

Download the entry form for more information.

A long list of upcoming workshops

2008-06-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

In case you can't make it to Australia for the Print Symposium, maybe you can attend one of these:

June 23-28, 2008
Glazing, Handbuilding and Kiln Firing Exploration for Art Teachers
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Instructor: Diana Faris
For more information and to register:
(800) 232-8634 or (317) 788-3253

July 6-July 19, 2008
Michigan, Saugatuck
Sadashi Inuzuka - Site-Specific Installations with Clay
Ox-Bow, School of Art and Artists' Residency
For more information, visit www.ox-bow.org or email ox-bow@artic.edu

July 12 & 13, 2008
Amaco Underglaze Decorating and Texture Mold Hand-Building Workshop
Pewabic Pottery
Detroit, MI
Instructor: Diana Faris
Explore various surface decorating and hand-building techniques. Bisqued tiles, liquid, chalk and semi-moist underglazes, Majolica Gloss Decorating Colors, and AMACO Texture Molds will be provided for this two day workshop. Pre-registration is necessary.
For more information and to register:
(313) 822-0954 or visit www.pewabic.com

July 17 & 18, 2008
Image Transfer Techniques
Georgies Ceramic & Clay Company
Portland, OR
Instructor: Paul Andrew Wandless
For more information and to register:
http://www.georgies.com

August 8-12, 2008
Image Transfer Techniques
Kelowna Clay Festival
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Instructor: Paul Andrew Wandless
For more information and to register:
http://www.kelownaclayfestival.com

September 19-21
Surface, Form & Substance
Potters Council Regional Conference
AMACO/BRENT Contemporary Clay Gallery/Classrooms
Indianapolis, IN. Presenters: Deb Fritts, Ovidio Giberga, Susan Kemenyffy, Eva Kwong, Jeffrey Nichols and Lana Wilson
For more information:
Call Potters Council 866-721-3322
http://www.ceramicartsdaily.org/potterscouncil/

September 20-21
Surface Decoration and Majolica Techniques
Orchard Vally Ceramic Arts Guild
Sunnyvale, CA
Instructor: Linda Arbuckle
For more information:
www.ovcag.org/_workshops/_2008/2008_09_SEP_20/

October 4-5, 2008
Brevard Art Museum; Museum School
Melbourne, FL
Instructor: Linda Arbuckle
For more information:
(321) 242-0737

October 4th & 5th 2008
Colorado, Carbondale, Carbondale Clay Center
Jim Connell - Functional Pottery and Carving Techniques
For more information call (970) 963-2529 or visit http://www.carbondaleclay.org/sitepages/pid47.php

October 17-19, 2008
Image Transfer Techniques
MudFire Clayworks & Gallery
Atlanta, Georgia
Instructor: Paul Andrew Wandless
For more information and to register:
http://www.mudfire.com

October 18 & 19, 2008
Florida, Orlando
Charlie and Linda Riggs
Saggar Firing and other Alternative Firing Techniques
Recreation Division, Cultural Arts Pottery Studio
For more information contact Kimberly Miller, Cultural Arts Coordinator at Studio (407) 246-3595 or Office (407) 246-2646 or Kimberly.Miller@CityofOrlando.net

January 23-24, 2009
Legends of History, Myth, and Current Events; Satirical and Whimsical Figures
Brickyard Ceramics and Crafts
Indianapolis, IN
Instructor: Dee Schaad
For more information and to register:
(800) 677-3289

Upcoming Print Workshop

2008-06-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

The Australian National University will be hosting an exciting symposium on Ceramics and Print this month. The workshop runs from June 24th to 28th with both demonstrations as well as opportunity to work with the presenting artists and apply what you've learned.

For all the info and to register contact Lia.Tajcnar@anu.edu.au

2008-06-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

My previous advisor and one of the major reasons I studied in Australia, Janet Deboos, recently had an exhibition of new work at Skepsi On Swanston in Victoria. Gorgeous gallery, one of my faves when I was visiting Melbourne. Avicam has also recently posted some of Janet's writing about her beautiful functional work which is worth a read. So much for the non believers that think that a bowl is just a bowl, function mere function, Janet has always had an interesting methodology behind her work. Read the article here.

If you're into woodfiring...

2008-06-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Craft Australia has just published (online) a few articles written about the recent Sturt Woodfire 2008 conference.
There's articles by John Freeland, Janet Mansfeild,Megan Patey,and the ever so lovely Avi Amesbury (of Avicam).

Also check out these sites for more woodfiring info:
The Log Book which lists upcoming international woodfiring events. Check out the upcoming events in Hungary, Tennessee, and England to name a few...
or check out Sidestoke for a range of interesting articles about kilns - make sure you have some time on your hands for this one!
Or look here for a links page.

Beyond the Brickyard - International call for entry

2008-06-02T20:53:00.001-07:00

First Annual juried competition presented by the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts.
Juror: Patti Warashina
Deadline August 15th 2008
Exhibition in January 2009.

For more info and downloable application form check out the Bray's website.

Don't forget to check out their residency opportunities and summer workshops as well, taught by Donovan Palmquist, Takamori & Weiser, Josh DeWeese, McConnell & Sormin, Ron Meyers and Patti Warashina.

Exposition of Pottery and Ceramic of La Rambla 2008

2008-06-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

Deadline:July 10 2008
Where:Spain, La Rambla (Córdoba)
What:
Contest of Traditional Pottery for pieces in bisque
Traditional Ceramic Contest
Contest of Ceramics Design and New Shapes

Full guidelines and applications can be found here.

Ceramic lecture - Relational Ceramics

2008-06-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

The North- West Ceramics Foundation is hosting a public lecture by Amy Gogarty on the subject of Relational Ceramics.

If you're unsure about what exactly that is read the following from the press release:

"“Relational Aesthetics,” a concept developed by French curator Nicholas Bourriaud, has created frisson in the art world through its linking to a series of exhibitions that stress participation, interactivity and “event” over residue or artifact. Asserting that “all works of art produce models of sociability,” Bourriaud evaluates artworks “on the basis of the inter-human relations they represent, produce or prompt.” While generally considered “outside” the exalted circle of fine art, functional ceramics generate exemplary models of sociability; which by their nature “prompt” inter-human relations. Functional ceramics resist exhibition on plinths in the “white cube” of the gallery; instead, they operate performatively in rituals of eating, drinking and commensal exchange. My presentation will examine functional ceramics in light of relational aesthetics, using primarily contemporary Canadian examples. Examining ways in which functional ceramics perform rather than how they look or how they are made reveals surprising continuities between ceramics and other forms of contemporary visual art practice."

I've had the opportunity to hear Amy speak twice now and she's fantastic! Well worth it.

Check it out:
Thursday, June 12, 2008
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Emily Carr University, North Building room 245
1399 Johnston St
Vancouver, BC

Ceramics Conference - Call for Abstracts

2008-05-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

What: International Khmer Ceramics Festival
Theme: Ancient Khmer and Southeast Asian Ceramics: New Archaeological Findings, Production and the Revival of Techniques
When: December 10-12, 2008

" This conference aims to bring together Cambodian and international scholars specialized in ancient Khmer and mainland South East Asian ceramics, with contemporary potters and craftspeople working to revive ancient production techniques. In light of illicit trading in antiquities, the objective is to raise awareness of the archaeological importance of ancient Cambodian and mainland South East Asian ceramics, and to highlight the new opportunities for sustainable economic development in the region through contemporary ceramic technology."

For more info including ways to participate, conference schedule, list of participating artists and contact info please check out their website.

2008-05-22T07:02:00.000-07:00

Well I've just shipped off a bit more work to a new gallery in Vancouver - Numen Gallery. Slowly but surely the shelves in my studio are becoming bare. Gotta find some more time somewhere to get more work done I guess! Too bad a 4 month old baby is too young to teach how to trim pots or glaze bowls, man the extra hands would be helpful! But anyway, if you find yourself in the area with a bit of time please do go and check it out! Cheers.

Numen Gallery - Suite 120, 1058 Mainland Street - Vancouver, B.C.

2 calls for entry - 1 national, 1 international

2008-05-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

THE CLAY STUDIO OF MISSOULA has 2 calls for entry on their site:

SODA SALT NATIONAL
and
INTERNATIONAL CUP

Application, slides, check, and self addressed, stamped
envelope must be received by AUGUST 1ST, 2008 for either competition.

Application forms and further info available on the website.

Call for entry - Postmodern Ceramics

2008-05-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

The International Festival of Postmodern Ceramics
Organized by: KERAMEIKON, Croatian Ceramic Association in partnership with The City Museum of Varazdin
Deadline for submission of applications:
October, the 30 2008 (post stamp)

"Only works which embody the concept of ceramics as a means of free artistic expression will be accepted: sculptures, installation, and works serving a non-functional and functional purpose. Artists are expected to contribute by presenting distinctively personalised, original and novel ceramic art works characterised by a sincere approach, an ebullient, vivaciously creative and imaginative form of expression. A combination of various materials may be used but the work must be done primarily in ceramics."

KERAMEIKON,
Croatian Ceramic Association
Krizaniceva 13
42000 Varazdin
Croatia
Tel: ** 385 42 211 227
Fax: ** 385 42 210 450
e-mail: info@kerameikon.com

Or visit: www.kerameikon.com