This year the theme for NCECA’s Pittsburgh conference is CrossCurrents: Clay and Culture. The ideas imbue robust program content with tremendous range of ceramic expression. Attention to cultural context amplifies voices and issues of representation, power, identity, social justice, and equity.
Clay permeates our lives. Clay remembers, tells stories, and shifts through histories and geographies. Its ubiquity evokes the social and political, domestic space and public place, the private and shared. We illuminate intent and content, power and mythologies, aesthetics and functions. Clay and culture communicates and educates, celebrates the mundane and the sacred, transcends borders and engenders agency and interdependence in our communities. This breadth and depth is most apparent when we see the hands that have worked it, hear the voices, and understand the abundance of narratives. Clay and culture manifests multiple systems of knowledge, articulates hidden objects, and amplifies the expansiveness of ceramics, thriving ecologies of arts, ideas, and actions.
Here is a very non-comprehensive set of highlights from the NCECA program of talks, exhibitions, presentations, and demonstrations that address issues of clay and culture. Please contribute more to the growing list that pertain to these germane subjects.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
2:00pm-3:00pm
301-303
TOPICAL NETWORKING: CULTURE’S IMPACT ON A CLASSROOM STUDIO Group Leader Rachel Dorn
Under-resourced students bring different cultural expectations and behaviors to the studio. How can we design projects and approaches that value students’ diverse cultural backgrounds? How can we develop clay studio classrooms that are vital to each student’s educational experience and development?
304-305
TOPICAL NETWORKING: CREATING A CERAMIC COMMUNITY FOR MINORITIES Group Leaders Natalia Arbelaez and April Felipe
Join the discussion of creating a community for ceramic artists of color. What kind of organizations are you looking for? What groups would you want to be a part of? What can we do for each other? We should grow together and our voices and suggestions all matter, help make these ideas a reality.
315-316
TOPICAL NETWORKING: CULTURAL APPROPRIATION; THEFT OR INSPIRATION IN THE INFORMATION AGE?
Group Leader Sharbani Das Gupta
The cooption of cultural symbols is a hot button topic in today’s culture wars. An artist’s work often crosses cultural boundaries, leading at times to unintended transgressions. How does the responsible artist, in a world of instant communication, negotiate the edge between inspiration and abuse?
8:45pm-9:15pm
RANDALL SESSION by Vanessa German
German has pioneered a performance style called “Spoken Word Opera,” which brings all of the drama and theatricality of traditional opera to intimate performances and contemporary themes through a dynamic hybrid of spoken word poetry, hip hop, storytelling, music and movement.
THURSDAY, MARCH 15
9:00am-10:30am
304-305
BLINC 20:20
Grappling with Politics in Art” by Rachel Dorn
“Peruvian Process and My Multicultural Identity” by Liz Luna-Gagnon
9:00am-12:00pm
Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom B DEMONSTRATING ARTISTS Cristina Cordova
9:45am-10:15am
315-316
LECTURE: CONTEMPORARY POLISH CERAMICS H+C By Michal Puszczynski
Polish contemporary ceramics includes artists from different generations and the Ceramics Department of the Eugenisz Geppert Academy of Arts & Design in Wroclaw, which has been the most important ceramic center in Poland for last 70 years.
10:30am-11:00am
315-316
LECTURE: CREOLE CLAY: A GLOBAL STORY H+C By Patricia Fay
Creole Clay is the story of traditional potters working today in Saint Lucia, Nevis, Antigua, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana, and the diverse global influences that have shaped their work. Closing comments emphasize the importance of publications by potters in support of heritage ceramics.
10:30am-11:30am
301-303
CO-LECTURE: SEEKING ETHICAL CRAFT By Deighton Abrams and Owen Marc Laurion
Ceramics artists are faced with a dilemma – produce ethically or produce efficiently. Is there a way to participate in the arts without sacrificing one’s financial and social stability nor sacrificing one’s responsibilities to our shared human-ecology and how do we approach material use ethically?
10:45am-12:00pm
Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom A
DISCUSSION: INCLUSION: DAVE, HBCU & CLAY
Moderator: David Mack
Panelists: Blaise DePaolo, David MacDonald, Jim McDowell, April Hyes
Listen to a distinguished body of educators, potters, and a research genealogist who will present compelling discussions on “Cross Current” issues of Inclusion: Race, Culture, and the roles of historically black colleges and universities with clay and creation.
11:15am-11:45am
315-316
LECTURE: CERAMIC TRENDS IN LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA By Mathodi Motsamayi
This presentation intends to contribute to and update existing insights in theoretical and practical knowledge about contemporary South African ceramics by paying attention to local African vernacular tradition, and iconographic features as signifiers of ongoing changing society.
12:15pm-1:15pm
Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom A
FILM: DISCOVERING DAVE: SPIRIT CAPTURED IN CLAY
offers a glimpse into the story of the extraordinary potter known as Dave Drake, a slave from the Edgefield District of South Carolina. Today, Edgefield is known as the home of ten of South Carolina’s historic governors, but during Dave Drake’s lifetime, the economy had been dependent on an agriculture of slavery. With the discovery of “superior clay” in 1809 by Dr. Abner Landrum, Edgefield would also be known for the reproduction of stoneware pottery. “Discovering Dave: Spirit Captured in Clay” introduces the viewer to this enigmatic figure in American ceramics, discusses examples of his verses, and puts his life into the context of the time. Dave not only learned to read and write, but also left us his words, inscribed on a few of the alkaline-glazed stoneware vessels that he produced for the ages- Buddy Wingard, director.
12:30pm-2:00pm
301-303
PANEL: CERAMICS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE Moderator: Michelle Clesse
Panelists: Sharif Bey, Lauren Karle, Milo Berezin
Ceramic art has the power to bring people together, transform lives, and create positive social change. Panelists will share ceramic projects designed to foster conversation and empower the community to take action. These projects have taken place throughout the country, in a variety of venues.
1:00pm-4:00pm
Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom B DEMONSTRATING ARTISTS Kevin Snipes
1:15pm-2:45pm
Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom A
PANEL: THE ART OF OTHERNESS
Moderaator: Courtney Leonard
Panelists: Habiba El-Sayed, Mac McCusker, Raven Halfmoon
The Art of Otherness features the experiences of ceramic artists who face challenges of belonging to a marginalized culture through ethnicity, religion and gender identity. This panel seeks to challenge diversity, and offer real solutions in tackling cultural invisibility in the ceramic community.
2:45pm-4:15pm
315-316
DISCUSSION: NEW QUEERS EVE: LGBT CLAY Moderator: Dustin Yager
Panelists: Ron Geibel, Kathy King, Marval A. Rex, Maya Vivas
Four LGBT artists will discuss aspects of catharsis, vulnerability, empowerment, community building, and activism in their practices. Each makes choices about the legibility of their queer experience in overt and coded ways in their work.
UK based arts group Collective Matter will present their most recent social outreach project, Material Action, with Tate Exchange. They will question how alternative learning methods can progress the ceramic field and how this work can be used as a vehicle for social change and cross disciplinary practice.
4:00pm-5:00pm
301-303
PANEL: UNSPOKEN, UNSEEN: INVISIBLE
Moderator: Emily Schroeder Willis
Panelists: Sara Morales-Morgan, Jamie Bates Slone, Ashleigh Christelis
Being a working artist is difficult enough without facing the social and personal obstacles of a mental or physical illness. This panel aims to end the stigma and silence and start a conversation about mental and physical health with the artistic community, out of the shadows of invisibility.
FRIDAY, MARCH 16
9:00am-10:30am
Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom A
CHIPSTONE DISCUSSION: WHICH CRAFT HISTORIES SHOULD WE TEACH? WHOSE HISTORIES, FROM WHERE, AND HOW?
A conversation with Jon Prown, Namita Gupta Wiggers, Janet McCall, Jesse Albrecht
In assessing understandings of craft in the broader culture within the arts and across disciplines in the 21st century, there is evidence that critical voices and perspectives on the role and practice of craft have been too narrowly shared and represented. How can makers, scholars, and arts leaders re-orientate their work and institutions to engage audiences with meaningful experiences that reveal more about where we come from, where we are going, and the stories that craft carries?
9:30am-10:30am
304-305
BLINC DOUBLETAKE
“Living with Conflicting Cultures” by Sally Lee
“Rituals of the ‘In-Betweens’: Translating the Flux of Identity through Ceramic Installation” by Varuni Kanagasundaram
12:30pm-1:00pm
315-316
LECTURE: ATYPICAL LEARNER AND CLAY by Christina Herbert
This lecture will seek to demystify some of the kinds of puzzling behaviors we often encounter in our clay classrooms and busy studios, and address the “least you should know and do” about autism spectrum and ADHD behaviors.
1:00pm-5:00pm
Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom C
CERAMIC WATER FILTERS AND THE GLOBAL WATER CRISIS: A MINI SYMPOSIUM
Coordinated by Richard Wukich and B Stephen Carpenter, II
A series of talks and presentations by artists and activists from around the world on the production, distribution, and research of point of use ceramic water filters and water receptacles in response to the global water crisis. The session includes concurrent water filter demonstrations, posters, and information.
2:30pm-3:00pm
315-316
LECTURE: ALL HANDS ON DECK by Sharon Virtue
A call to art action, this talk identifies practical entry points for those ready to be more socially active and hands-on with clay in their communities, using examples of cross-cultural community-focused projects by British artists Clare Twomey, Stephen Dixon, and Sharon Virtue.
3:15pm-4:15pm
315-316
DISCUSSION: UNPACKING/REFRAMING/ENGAGING- Moderator: Janna Longacre
Panelists: Jasmine Baetz, Paul Briggs, Sheila Pepe
Human imagination was first recorded in prehistoric caves with clay. We touched it; we created. Clay has since been institutionalized and marginalized. We are challenging artists, teachers, curators to think beyond traditional perspectives and barriers to open up to new values, language, and audiences.
3:45pm-4:15pm
304-305
LECTURE: QUEERING CLAY by Saba Stoval
A personal narrative of how we can improve and diversify the ceramics community by providing open representation and discussion of queer identities, artists, and ceramics.
4:00pm-5:30pm
Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom A
AWARDEES/HONOREES Honorary Members
Bill Strickland intro by Joshua Green
Outstanding Achievement
Sana Musasama intro by Judith Schwartz
4:30pm-5:00pm
315-316
LECTURE: IRAN, CURRENT DIRECTIONS by Raheleh Filsoofi
International Ceramics Exhibitions promoted by the Ad Academy of Art in Tehran encourages artists around the globe through conceptual freedom and interest in works that address issues at the level of the individual and society as a whole.
Hall C
CLOSING LECTURE: THE POWER OF ART AND OUR PRECARIOUS FUTURE by Richard Notkin
What is our role as ceramic artists in the world at large? How can we be effective in generating social and political change? The recently termed “craftivism movement” is a rapidly rising direction in our field as we face existential threats to human civilization on our only planet. It is time to reconsider the ceramic artist’s many roles– and that of all artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, etc.– in changing our world, through sheer creativity, occasional social/political commentary, various social outreach programs, and myriad other ways. We are more than artists; we are human beings who need to restore sanity to our planet through our daily lives and actions. The works of artists — whether functional pottery, figurative sculpture, abstract and/or conceptual work, in ceramics and all other media — have always illuminated the potential of our species’ creative spirit. After five decades of infusing my art with political narratives, I have come to the following conclusion: for those who choose the overt role of artist as social critic, it is the aesthetic and conceptual strength of the art which can carry profound messages. The message alone will not carry the art.
EXHIBITIONS
Convention Center
David L. Lawrence Convention Center 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA,
Room 307
Garden (Feast) of Paradise, An exhibition of ceramic tableware and objects for the table inspired by the worlds of Islam and the Middle East. Anat Shiftan, Sanam Emami, Dominique Ellis, Julia Galloway, Ibrahim Said, and Sarah Heitmeyer. Organized by Sanam Emami and Anat Shiftan.
Concourse B/C
Syncope, An installation that creates an interactive experience where one can reflect upon the role of trade unions in relation to modern sensibilities of craft, learning, and working. Andy Rahe
Parked outside Convention Center (outside east lobby).
POTS ON WHEELS: Peculiar Connections, Intriguing Objects, The show explores culture and community, pairing unusual functional forms by established makers with ceramic work made by young people reflecting upon culture and purpose. Mara Superior, Martina Lantin, Matt Towers, Liz Quackenbush, Didem Mert, Kevin Snipes, Ahrong Kim, Mary Barringer and others. Curated by Hannah Niswonger and Adero Willard. potsonwheels.com Mar 14-16
Downtown
BNY Mellon Center, Contemporary Craft Satellite Gallery 500 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA, 412-261-7003, contemporarycraft.org, Hours during conference week: Mon-Sun 6am-12am
Storyteller, Albuquerque based artist Jami Porter Lara uses a 2000-year-old process to make objects that resemble a ubiquitous icon of modern life—the plastic bottle. Curated by Natalie Sweet. Feb 16-May 6
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust-707 Gallery 707 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-325-7017, trustarts.org, Hours during conference week: Wed 11am-6pm, Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 6-9pm
LAS (Latin American Status), A collection of Latin American artists encompassing the Caribbean, Central, and South America have come together to share their stories of immigration, culture, and inclusion. Natalia Arbelaez, April Felipe, Salvador Jiménez-Flores, Morel Doucet, Christina Erives, and Renata Cassiano. Organized by Natalia Arbelaez. Mar 14- Apr 15.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust-Education Center 805-807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-456-1076, trustarts.org, Hours during conference week: Tue-Wed 10am-6pm, Thu 10am-9pm, Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-12pm. Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 6-9pm
ORIENTED, explores the concept of ceramists who identify with both Western and Eastern cultures; their stories are unique and give a taste of what goes on in contemporary America. Adam Chau, Ayumi Horie, Steven Lee, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Beth Lo. Organized by Adam Chau. Mar 13-17
Strip District
Contemporary Craft 2100 Smallman St., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-261-7003, contemporarycraft.org, Hours during conference week: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (Thu 10am-9pm). Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 6-9pm. 
(WS) (WT) (TRS)
NCECA ANNUAL EXHIBITION: Visual Voices: Truth Narratives, Guest curator Winnie Owens-Hart invited artists Syd Carpenter, Roberto Lugo, Sana Musasama, Reginald Pointer, and Janathel Shaw to frame the curatorial concerns of the 2018 NCECA Annual, which features work by 35 ceramic artists. Jesse Albrecht, Crista Ann Ames, Natalia Arbelaez, Sharif Bey, Jill Birschbach, David Bogus, Abigale Brading, Angelique Brickner, Nora Brodnicki, Jim Budde, Syd Carpenter, Bryan and Brad Caviness, Sean Clute, Tara Daly, Matthew Dercole, Yewen Dong, Elhan Ergin, Richard Freiwald, Dennis Gerwin, Ronnie Gould, Jocelyn Howard, Hsinyi Huang, Stacey Johnson, Marsha Karagheusian, Ahrong Kim, Rob Kolhouse, Bethany Krull, Roberto Lugo, Patricia Maloney, Sana Musasama, Kelly and Kyle Phelps, Reginald Pointer, Kristine Poole, Janathel Shaw, and Lydia Thompson. NCECA, curated by Winnie Owens-Hart. Mar 14-Aug 18
Hill District
MOKA Art Gallery 2297 Center Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, mokapgh.com, Hours during conference week: Tue 12-6pm, Wed- Sat 10am-6pm (Thu 10am-7pm). Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 5-7pm. (WT)
African American Ceramic Artists: A King of Clay and Five Queens, King Woodrow Nash with Five Queens of Clay will be joined in holy Claytrimony. A union of their love of clay and earth. Witness the majesty of the jewels of the Queens and Nash. King Woodrow Nash, Queen Christine: Christine Bethea, Queen Mary: Mary Martin, Queen Altha: Altha Pittrell, Queen Dominique: Dominique Scaife, and Queen Janet: Janet Watkins. Mar 11-Apr 29
City of Asylum @ Alphabet City 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-435-1110, alphabetcity.org, Hours during conference week: Tue-Fri 9am-5pm (Fri 9am-9pm), Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 12-4pm. Reception: Fri, Mar 16, 6-8pm. (WS) (FRS)
ClayVoiceRomania, Curator Vlad Basarab presents a survey of contemporary Romanian ceramics focusing on 10 active contemporary Romanian ceramics artists coming from various demographic areas of Romania expressing themselves in their own styles. Arina Ailincăi, Cristina Russu, Cristina Bolborea, Mónika Pădureț, Lucia Lobonț, Emil Cassian Dumitraș, Simona Tănăsescu, Márta Jakobovits, Georgiana Cozma, and Gherghina Costea. Mar 13- 18
Community College of Allegheny County, Allegheny Campus, West Hall 828 Ridge Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, Hours during conference week: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (Thu 10am-8pm). (WS)
Intercultural Connection, This exhibition showcases the diverse international presence at the Cub Creek Foundation, which invests in the importance of cross-cultural learning. Ashwini Bhat, Akira Satake, Hitomi and Takuro Shibata, Sukjin Choi, Dan Molyneux, Mitch Iburg, Zöe Powell, Shasta Krueger, Rachael Jones, John Jessiman, and Tom Alward. Curated by Shanna Fliegel. Mar 12-17. Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 6-8pm
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild 1815 Metropolitan St., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-323-4000, mcgyouthandarts.org, Hours during conference week: Mon-Thu 9am-8pm, Fri 9am-9pm. Reception: Fri, Mar 16, 6-9pm (WS) (WT) (FRS)
FUNK: American Dada, Iconoclast George Clinton crossed currents to obliterate genre and subverted norms through Funk music. Funk: American Dada artists do the same using clay not notes. Sharif Bey, David MacDonald, Yinka Orafidiya, Kyle & Kelly Phelps, Angelica Pozo, Janathel Shaw, Malcolm Mobutu Smith, Lydia Thompson, and James Watkins. Curated by Anthony Merino. Jan 22-Mar 30
Shadyside
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts 6300 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-361-0873, center.pfpca.org, Hours during conference
Mixed Signals, The artist explores the complexities of cultural mores and human interactions through her personal experience. Yoko Sekino-Bove. Mar 9-Apr 22
Chatham University Art Gallery Chatham University, Woodland Hall, 5798 Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 412-365- 1851, chatham.edu/about/artgallery, Mon-Sat 9am-6pm (Thu 9am-9pm). Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 6-9pm.
From Scratch: Sarah Tancred, Tancred’s work focuses on cooking and domesticity in reference to cultural identity and gendered stereotypes. Her work utilizes recognizable objects to investigate societal expectations of women from historical and contemporary standpoints. Curated by James Louks. Mar 12-17
Lawrenceville
Pittsburgh Glass Center 5472 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-365-2145, pittsburghglasscenter.org, Hours during conference week: Mon-Wed 10am-7pm, Thu 10am-9pm, Fri- Sun 10am-4pm. Reception: Thu, Mar 16, 5-9pm. (WS) (WT) (TRS)
Sharif Bey: Dialogues in Clay and Glass, Sharif Bey’s work cross-references notions of power, ornamentation, and natural history with objects and surfaces associated with traditional African jewelry. He uses his work to explore alternative ways of paying respect to tradition, function, adornment, and ceremony. His exhibition showcases his large-scale ceramic necklace wall hangings and a series of necklace forms made from large glass beads. Mar 2-May 6
Highland Park
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Homewood 7101 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-731-3080, carnegielibrary.org, Hours during conference week: Mon 10am-5pm, Tue-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm. Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 6-8pm. (WS)
Crowns, Explores transformations from artist to artist mother. Artists were asked to create work reflecting experiences physical, emotional, spiritual in the currents of motherhood. Stephanie DeArmond, Carole Epp, Kathryne Fisher, Jessica Gardner, Eva Kwong, Rhonda Willers, Janis Mars Wunderlich, and Summer Zickefoose. Organized by Jessica Gardner. Mar 12-17
Everyday Café 532 North Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 412-727-2169, info@everydaycafepgh.com, Hours during conference week: Mon-Sun 10am-3pm
Cups of Conversation: 50 States, Surveys recent work from the National Clay Week project Cups of Conversation.
The exhibition features a wide range of cups, images, and video. One representative from all 50 states are included in the exhibition. Kate Fisher, Andrew Mclntyre, Ruth McKinney Burket, Kala Stein, Patty Bilbro, David Kring, Henry Crissman, Kahlil Irving, Catie Miller, Brent Pafford, Jeni Hansen Gard, Susie Bowman, Scott Jelich & Carla Fox, Tom Budzak, Steve Driver, Tsehai Johnson, Nathan Carris Carnes, Mariana Baquero, Erica Passage, Alex Kraft, Claire Seastone & Daven Hee, Dustin Thompson, Leanne McClurg Cambric, Tim Compton, Ellen Kleckner, Kyla Strid, Jodie Masterman, Juliette Walker, Lisa York, Elenor Wilson, Natania Hume, Lucy Fagella, Donna McGee, & Justine & Grant Figura, Jenn Cole, Amy Smith, Clay Arts Vegas, Monica Leap, Judi Tavill, Theo Helmstadter, Mari Ogihara, Julie Wiggins, Sarah Tancred, Lindsay Scypta, Stuart Asprey, Adrienne Eliades, Adam Ledford, Josh Primmer, Paula Smith & Jim Connell, Dan Bare & Valerie Zimany, Michael Hill, Austin Riddle, Victoria Falcon, Clay Leonard, Todd Hayes, Sarah Camille Wilson, David Eichelberger & Elisa Difeo, Amanda Barr, Kelly O’Briant, Ian Connors & Jacob Meer, and Dandee Pattee. Organized by Jeni Hansen Gard. Feb 26 -Mar 17
The Shop 621 N Dallas Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 646-812-2016, theshop.org, Hours during conference week: Tue-Sat 10am- 5:30 (Thu 10am-9pm). Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 5-9pm. (WS)
Produce. Consume. Repeat., Exploring our culture’s relationship to food, food production, and animals, this exhibition presents visually arresting works that invite viewers to think about their own habits and notions. Emily Loehle, Lauren Duffy. Organized by Lauren Duffy. Mar 13-17
Braddock
Braddock Carnegie Library 419 Library St., Braddock, PA, 412-829-7112, braddockcarnegielibrary.org, Hours during conference week: Mon 10am-5pm, Tue -Thu 11am-8pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-4pm. Reception: Fri, Mar 16, 5-8pm. (WT) (FRT)
(in)Visible, Each artist represents a type of invisibility, from those suffering unseen illnesses to members of cultural, societal, and racial minorities. Amanda Barr, Jamie Bates Slone, Jessica Brandl, Renata Cassiano, Ashleigh Christelis, Jasmine Cooper, Habiba El Sayed, Carole Epp, Dawn Ferguson, Linda Ge, Nicole Gugliotti, Raven Halfmoon, Jeni Hansen Gard, Jeanine Hill, Lynne Hobaica, Akiko Jackson, Alexandra Jelleberg, Sarah Jewell Olsen, Jessica Knapp, Courtney M Leonard, Marge Levy, Mac McCusker, Didem Mert, Sara Morales-Morgan, Jessica Putnam Phillips, Cydney Ross, Emily Schroeder Willis, Grace Sheese, Rae’ut Stern, Judi Tavill, Susan Thayer, and Ife Williams. Organized by Amanda Barr. Feb 2-Mar 17
Anthropocene: The Innovative? Human, The symptoms of culture are confronted through architecture, endangered animals, changing geology, and observations of nature’s adaptation to culture, or vice-versa. Lauren Skelly Bailey, James Barker, Patrick Coughlin, Alanna DeRocchi, Shanna Fliegel, Mel Griffin, Crystal Morey, Lisa Truax, Merrie Wright, and Brooke Noble. Organized by Shanna Fliegel. Mar 12-17
Carnegie
3rd Street Gallery 220 3rd St., Carnegie, PA, 412-276-5233, 3rdstreetgallery.net, Hours during conference week: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm (Fri 10am-9pm). Reception: Fri, Mar 16. 5-9pm. (WS) (WT) (FRS)
Nasty Women, Organized by Artaxis members Alex Kraft and Sara Parent-Ramos, Nasty Women displays works by women who boldly confront, re-appropriate, and embrace the slur “nasty”; demonstrating solidarity through works that are ambitious in scope. Jennifer Degges Arnold, Teri Frame, Jeanine Hill, Roxanne Jackson, Sasha Koozel Reibstein, Lauren Sandler, Shalene Valenzuela, Shiyuan Xu, Alex Kraft, and Sara Parent-Ramos. Panel Discussion: Fri, Mar, 16 5-6pm. Mar 13-17
Carnegie Coffee Company (Old Carnegie Coffee House) 132 East Main St., Carnegie, PA, 724-518-6524, carnegiecoffeecompany.com; touchingearth.weebly.com/ceil-sturdevant.html, Hours during conference week: Mon-Thu 7am-6pm, Fri 7am-9m, Sat 7am-7pm, Sun 8am-3pm. Reception: Fri, Mar 16, 6-8pm. (WS) (FRS)
Touching Earth: Women Creating Community, Celebrates our differences as individuals uniting through empowerment that comes with being women, being artists, being ceramicists. Maria DeCastro, Priscilla Hollingsworth, Mary Martin, Erin McGuiness, Nita Schwartz, Nancy Smith, Ceil Sturdevant, and Cheryl Tall. Organized by Ceil Sturdevant. Feb 26-Mar 17
Firebox Art Studios, 110 East Main Street, Carnegie, PA, (412)-249-8264, fireboxartstudios.com. Hours during conference week: Tue 10am-5pm, Wed 10am-8pm, Thu 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-7pm. Recept: Fri, Mar 16, 5-9pm (WS) (FRS)
The Potters for Peace Ron Rivera Memorial Water Filter Receptacle Exhibition, Ron Rivera was well known for his ingenious ceramic water filters that continue to help alleviate water borne disease worldwide. He died while on a humanitarian mission in Africa. This exhibit first staged at Slippery Rock University is dedicated to his memory and features ceramic vessels from a variety of exceptional potters including. David Macdonald, Ron Meyers, Val Cushing, Bobby Scroggins, Josh Green, Bob Isenberg, Christian Kuharik, Gary Greenberg, Scott Cornish, Anthony DeRosa, Ron Korczynski, Ian Thomas and Ibukunoluwa Ayoola. Curated By Dick Wukich. Mar 10-31
Standard Ceramic Supply 24 Chestnut St., Carnegie, PA, 412-276-6333, standardceramic.com, Hours during conference week: Wed-Thu 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 10am-2pm, Reception: Fri, Mar 16, 6-8pm (WS) (WT) (FRS)
Kyle and Kelly Phelps – Honoring the Blue Collar Working Class, Commentary on working class culture, education, and politics. This show venue is in the production facility among the equipment used to manufacture prepared moist clay bodies. Kyle Phelps, Kelly Phelps. Mar 13-17
Musings on Place and Land, Current work by Swarthmore Ceramics Professor, Syd Carpenter. Mar 13-17
Jodee Harris Gallery, Seton Hill University 201 Otterman St., Greensburg, PA, 724-420-6464, setonhill.edu, Hours during conference week: Mon-Fri 1-8pm, Sun 1-3pm. Reception: Thu, Mar 15, 4-7pm
Them/Me, This interactive, multimedia exhibition asks: How are we censored by social or political identities? If we don a new mask, what might we say? Crista Ann Ames, Aja Mujinga Sherrard. Organized by Crista Ann Ames. Feb 15-Mar 22
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, University Galleries 840 Wood St., Clarion, PA, 814-393-2291, clarion.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/college-of-arts-and-sciences/visual-and-performing-arts/university-art- galleries.html, Hours during conference week: Mon-Wed 12-5pm
Medicine and Magic, This exhibition of narrative ceramic sculpture examines two sources of cultural dis-ease: climate change and war, and poses that art is medicine for a sick world. Constant Albertson. Curated by Gary Greenberg. Jan 30-Mar 17
Arts and Education at The Hoyt 124 East Leasure Ave, New Castle, PA, 724-652-2882, hoytartcenter.org. Hours during conference week: Tue-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-4pm. Reception: Sat Mar 17, 2-4pm. Jan 4-Mar 29.
Hope Center for Arts & Technology Student Exhibit, The Hope CAT, a replication of Bill Strickland’s Manchester-Bidwell Corporation Pittsburgh, an educational model blending the principles of art, music and environment to help mentor students and to break cycles of poverty and drive economic growth in the region. Organized by Christian Kuharik.
