Feats
of Clay 2009
April
25 - May 31, 2009
Tours Begin
Tuesday – Sunday 9am -1230 Tour
A runs on the hour 9,10,11,12 and tour B runs on the Half hour,930,1030,1130,1230
$12
per person we run every half hour
Art
only Tours every Wednesday through May at 12:30 - call for reservations
No sandal’s allowed, must wear closed toed shoes on tours
Click
for the Prospectus
Or
the Spanish
version
Hotel
information Several local hotels are offering discounts
for this event.
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Historical Terra Cotta
Factory,open since 1875
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Grand
Opening Night
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2009
Feats of Clay Winners
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1st
Place
Canary
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Second
Place
A
Wildlife Warrior |
3rd
Place
Something
Bright
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Tile
Heritage
I don’t Think the Neighbors Know
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22”w-22”h-5.”’d
Hand Built Porcelain, Wall Mounted on Wood Pedestal,
Compact Fluorescents
Kate
MacDowell
Portland, OR
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13”-7”5”
Slab
Built Porcelain, Decorated with Colored Slips, Bisque
Fired, Cone 08, Glazed Cone 06
Stuart
Asprey
Norman, OK
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17”-11”-13”
Stoneware,
Low-Fire Glaze, Gold Leaf
Jordann
Siri-Wood
Pittsburgh,
PA
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12”-50”-3”
Ceramic,
Slip Cast, Earthenware, Low Fire Glaze, Decals
Kelly
SchnorrSan Diego,
CA
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Gladding
McBean Website
American
Ceramic Society
LOCATION
& HOURS: Lincoln Arts Gallery, 580 6th Street, Lincoln,
CA 95648
10 AM - 3 PM, Tuesday - Saturday
Placer
County's "most unique event," Feats of Clay,
brings together the best of contemporary ceramic art displayed
in the historic Gladding McBean terra cotta factory. The competition
has become one of the most important shows in the nation. A winning
entry - or even a piece displayed in the hotly contested (over
1,000 entries are received yearly) show - is an impressive addition
to any artists' resume.
Reserve
a tour, hop aboard an antique fire truck waiting at the plant
gate, and
begin a journey back in time. Dodging busy forklifts stacking
row upon row of
huge, distinctively colored pipes, the transport stops at the
center of a
city-block-long "shed." Inside, hazy shadows pierced
by rays of filtered light
beckon. Once across the threshold, the sensual roar of 2000-degree
fires confined
in towering kilns is pervasive.
The
thrilling sounds and massive scale are awesome. A step inside
the nearest
giant structure, a 35-foot diameter "beehive" kiln,
one of 22 operating in the
building, draws gasps. Tomb-like, the kiln's walls are encrusted
with ancient
residue from salt firings in pink, gold, rust and mauve. The softly-lit
contemporary
art is posed as though waiting for archaeological discovery.
There
seems barely time to assimilate t
he art, the process, the place. A walk
past many kilns in various stages of
firing, through the cool finishing floor
where workers are hand-sanding and
glazing each building block, leads to
the architectural design studio. There,
artisans model with their hands the
powerful rams' heads, graceful acanthus,
and fantastic gargoyles which
will be installed on buildings around the
world, hundreds of feet above pedestrians' heads.
Decades-old
models and molds are everywhere, scattered like so many giant
toys, under a frosting of talc-y white dust. Contemporary ceramic
art catches
the sunlight streaming from window banks high above. The life-like
photomurals
of terra cotta buildings, the delicate watercolors of architectural
tile, the
antique workbooks, the worn tools ingeniously fashioned by necessity,
are captivating. It is too soon to leave.
This
is Lincoln Arts' FEATS OF CLAY at Gladding McBean,
where humble
clay is converted by fire and skill to objects of utility and
great beauty.
It is a moving experience.
NOTE:
Please
direct all requests for information about the show and tours to
Lincoln Arts, event sponsor. The factory is unable to
provide any
FEATS OF CLAY information.
