Bend it, break it, mold it: Bloomington potters unite for clay exhibit at The Vault
Bloomington’s Local Clay Potters' Guild and the Vault Gallery have joined to host the 25th Anniversary Show: Local Clay Gets Better with Age.
You'll find colorful functional ware, wall pieces and free-standing sculptures. This exhibit shows the guild's history, featuring works by past and current members.
It runs April 7 through May 26 at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., with the opening reception 5-8 p.m. April 7 during First Friday Gallery Walk. (A second Gallery Walk reception is planned May 5.) Regular gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Local Clay Potters' Guild began in 1997 when potters Barb Bihler, Susan Snyder, Tena Wenta and (current president) Karen Green Stone planned the first pottery exhibition at the John Waldron Art Center. Someone said, "Where are all the local potters?”
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The group photographed 28 potters working in their studios across Monroe, Brown, Owen and Greene counties to form a premiere display, “Local Clay: Pottery by Bloomington Area Artists.”
Its popularity keeps growing.
Exhibit is preview for annual pottery show and sale in November
The Vault attendees this spring will get a preview of the 26th annual show and sale this November, which is at the Monroe Convention Center.
Anyone can join the guild as an associate member. To become a principal member, there are regulations and an application process. For more or to join, go to https://bit.ly/40LwMYt.
"This is different than our annual show at the convention center in November," said professional potter, college ceramics instructor and guild vice president Marcy Neiditz. "The exhibit will feature 40 clay artists, 26 current (guild) members and 14 former members. It’s also the first time we’re exhibiting at The Vault Gallery."
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"I’m impressed with the level of artistry, the camaraderie and longevity of our guild," said Daria Smith, current member and past membership chair.
Smith also teaches high school ceramics. She enjoys the variety of the guild's artists and particularly, in this anniversary event, the reconvening of like minds.
"Though we may be separated by time and distance, we enjoy the company of other ceramic artists who have been and are part of our guild, and the 25th anniversary show is a way to celebrate that bond."
Why do people begin working in pottery?
What draws people to pottery making?
"Many of us began working in clay at school or in community arts classes and fell in love with the possibilities clay allows," Smith said.
Potters take clay, move it around and form many kinds of items, from functional to monumental sculptures.
"I’m fascinated by the transformation of ceramic work from its workable state to a permanent object," said Smith, who remembered that for her probably most things that could go wrong have. Kilns misfire, animals break things, wind blows away artists' booths at shows.
"We all have disaster stories ..."
If you go
WHAT: 25th Anniversary Show: Local Clay Gets Better with Age
WHO: Bloomington’s Local Clay Potters’ Guild and the Vault Gallery
WHEN: April 7–May 26 with opening reception 5-8 p.m. April 7 during First Friday Gallery Walk. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
WHERE: The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St.
MORE: The event is free and open to the public. Find Bloomington’s Local Clay Potters’ Guild at localclay.net/. Go to https://bit.ly/3LWXYiQ or call 812-334-9700 for more about The Vault at Gallery Mortgage.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington potters unite for exhibit beginning April 7 at The Vault
