Keeping On: More Exhibiting Artist Features

“Keeping On” shares how GAC instructors have engaged with their art to help them “keep on” during this time of the pandemic, or even how they have struggled, or changed creatively. Featured works include ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber art, metals, and sculpture by members of our 50 person faculty. This exhibit is up in the gallery through March 27. Admission is free and open to the community. Open W-F, 12-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm.

 

We’re sharing artist works and statements over the coming weeks. Enjoy!

 

$200    

 

“The Pandemic presents life-changing perspective on my career as an artist. For 46 years, my central sense of self has been that of a producing potter, selling to galleries, and teaching my craft to students of all ages. As a body of work developed over time, each piece became a springboard to the next idea, into series of pieces within certain themes. 

 

Suddenly, galleries closed, in-person teaching stopped. Left to myself in my studio, I question the need to stay the course. What now?

 

My answer to ‘keeping on’ is freedom to experiment. I’ll not rework old ideas or extend their life, but try to break into new territory. These experiments are incomplete, and works in process.

 

The piece I submit to this exhibition is from repertoire. New works will emerge, but are as yet unborn.” 

 

“The story of quiltmaking has always been as fascinating to me as the quilts themselves. If you view quilting in a contemporary light, an exciting transformation occurs. Combining modern color and design sensibilities with time honored traditions allows me to create something unexpected.”

 

 

 

“During quarantine my work did not change much physically or conceptually.  However, there was a hyper awareness of the need to make work and the calm that it brought.  My practice was to make a small drawing every day. 

 

My work often focuses on the space beyond the line – the liminal space between unveiling and concealing.  Materials are methodically manipulated. The process is meditative, even ritualistic. Repetition plays an important role. The mark making is intuitive, deliberate, spontaneous, and fluid.”

 

 

“The pandemic has been a real challenge for me. I have built my life and living on making things out of clay and teaching others for more than fifty years. The last year saw workshops, classes and shows all cancelled. Yes, it has been a year like no other.

 

I have continued to make pottery (at a reduced rate) because it gives me peace and harmony in my life. A positive enhancement came from my wife building a website to handle ecommerce. I was able to sell pottery online allowing my customers curbside pick-up or shipping. I had pieces go to Colorado, Minnesota, Louisiana and other places, so we made space in the studio for packing and shipping. In addition, we helped customers make decisions on pieces of pottery though FaceTime and Zoom. Finally, the silver lining has been the time to focus on my work, allowing me to play with new forms and glazes.”

 

 

“The truth is that I felt both emotions; at first I struggled with fear. Then I began to struggle with the open span of time; time that I always coveted before the virus hit last March. Once I realized that I didn’t have to feel guilty about quiet hours, I set out to clean up my art supplies and I found all sorts of treasures; namely my pastel sets. I rediscovered my love of this medium and spent hours working with them and different papers. And for the first time in many years, I have a somewhat organized workspace.”

 

The GAC gallery is open Wednesday – Friday, 12:00-4:00pm and Saturdays 10:00 am-4:00pm. The gallery is free and open to the community. Mask wearing and social distancing is required upon entry. Click here for more information