2008 Woodie Awards
"From one Hand to Another" pottery exhibit opens at Hege Library
Yuri Woodstock
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Features
Passers-by in Hege Library may catch a glimpse out of the corner of their eye, full of color and form. Professor Charlie Tefft, along with Curator Kelsey McMillan, has organized the "From One Hand to Another" ceramics show in the art gallery.
"I wanted to show students that there is a wide range of ceramics out there being produced," Tefft said, "and that making good work is not dependent on a certain clay, a certain type of kiln, or being in a certain part of the United States."
Tefft selected nine potters, each of whom chose one of their students to exhibit work as well. The influence that mentors shed on their apprentices is apparent in the students' work.
The relationship between mentor and student varies widely. In some cases, apprentices are working on all levels of the process - firing, collecting clay, and keeping the studio running, while intensively studying the instructor's method.
In a college atmosphere, the student is more encouraged to find his or her own stylistic form.
"The individual aspect of it is very important in universities, whereas, in the apprenticeship (celebrated local potter) Mark Hewitt runs … you are learning through him," Tefft said.
Much of the work in the exhibit can cause a tactile pleasure. Walking into the gallery with sophomore potter Molly Spadone, she immediately picks up one of the pieces.
"Sorry, pottery is meant to be handled," Spadone said.
On another occasion in the gallery, potter James Jenkins felt the grooves and striations pressed into the pots by their makers, lifting them and feeling the weight and balance.
"Throwing is having a plan and being open to the spontaneous moment and allowing it to be a complete learning experience every time, if you're not learning something when you throw, you're not throwing to your fullest," Jenkins said. "Being open to those fluid moments that arise when you already have a pre-planned idea can be an exciting exploration of something outside of your comfort zone."
"I wanted to show students that there is a wide range of ceramics out there being produced," Tefft said, "and that making good work is not dependent on a certain clay, a certain type of kiln, or being in a certain part of the United States."
Tefft selected nine potters, each of whom chose one of their students to exhibit work as well. The influence that mentors shed on their apprentices is apparent in the students' work.
The relationship between mentor and student varies widely. In some cases, apprentices are working on all levels of the process - firing, collecting clay, and keeping the studio running, while intensively studying the instructor's method.
In a college atmosphere, the student is more encouraged to find his or her own stylistic form.
"The individual aspect of it is very important in universities, whereas, in the apprenticeship (celebrated local potter) Mark Hewitt runs … you are learning through him," Tefft said.
Much of the work in the exhibit can cause a tactile pleasure. Walking into the gallery with sophomore potter Molly Spadone, she immediately picks up one of the pieces.
"Sorry, pottery is meant to be handled," Spadone said.
On another occasion in the gallery, potter James Jenkins felt the grooves and striations pressed into the pots by their makers, lifting them and feeling the weight and balance.
"Throwing is having a plan and being open to the spontaneous moment and allowing it to be a complete learning experience every time, if you're not learning something when you throw, you're not throwing to your fullest," Jenkins said. "Being open to those fluid moments that arise when you already have a pre-planned idea can be an exciting exploration of something outside of your comfort zone."
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