Eleven Functional Potters and Ceramic Sculptors Show New Work
We are excited to introduce the Helena community to new work by many of 1+1=1 Gallery’s ceramic artists. Our annual clay show, “ABOUT CLAY” continues the flow of a year-of-education-focused exhibits. Throughout the run of this exhibit, we’ll host free artist talks and demonstrations at the gallery, so mark your calendars and plan to come to at least one event!
Details:
EXHIBIT: “About Clay,” an invitational ceramic exhibit
DATES: July 23 through August 20, 2022
OPENING RECEPTION: July 23, 10am to 4pm
ARTIST DEMOS and GALLERY TALKS: July 23 at 2pm and August 6 at 2pm. More dates TBA.
CLOSING DAY: Saturday, August 20, 10am to 4pm – Special Exhibit Tour by Maureen at 2pm to 3pm
What’s in this exhibit?
Well, we are receiving new work from the artists every day and I have to say I’m impressed! Whether delivered in person, shipped or we picked the work up on one of our road trips, we’re so excited to show you these pieces!
Karen Abel drove out from Seattle to bring a new body of work – rural structures like grain elevators, silos and barns. Connie Bergum will be showing several of the hanging bird sculptures she’s become known for, along with a stunning large mosaic piece. Sandi Bransford, whom we introduced to Helena art collectors last summer, also made a road trip to Helena with a car load of brand new figurative sculptures. I can’t wait for you to see these!
On one of my trips to Missoula, I stopped by Wildfire Ceramic Studio to pick up Bruce Kitts’ newest wood-fired pottery. These won’t last long at the gallery – they’re very popular. Paul Guillemette will show some new painted ceramic wall art with quirky titles like “Chicken Chicken Weiner Dog.” Susan Mattson’s new body of sculptures include a Cooper’s Hawk and Mockingbird along with the hares and fish she’s known for these days. Carla Potter has been working on some new porcelain pieces – figurative and botanical-inspired. We’re happy we’ll get at least one of her “bad Catholic girl” sculptures.
Molly Rivera sent us a huge box of brand new, very different functional ceramics all the way from Minnesota. I have my eye on some of her plates and a fabulous cake stand. Cheri Thornton has been working overtime in her studio (well, in her kitchen and laundry room I think. Her studio is being renovated) making pottery for our show — and the Montana Clay Tour. This year she broke away from the birds and botanicals and has made some gorgeous patterned pottery. Can’t wait to see it in person! Trudy Skari’s ceramic sculpture just keeps getting better and this year the show includes some larger animal-heads for the wall, lots of her illustrative plates and some flippy fox and hare figures. Karen Abel and Sandi Bransford drove out from the Seattle area to hand-deliver their sculptural pieces. All new work from each of them. Karen’s body of work for this show is all about rural structures. Sandi’s gorgeous female figures anchor her ceramic series this summer. Connie Bergum will show one incredible large mosaic piece along with 4 of her hanging bird sculptures. Bruce Kitts works with atmospheric kiln firings to create earthy pottery inspired by geological layers and the natural elements.
Featured artists are:
Karen Abel – Whidbey Island, WA
Connie Bergum – Helena, MT
Sandi Bransford – Seattle, WA
Bruce Kitts – Missoula, MT
Paul Guillemette – Los Angeles, CA
Susan Mattson – Helena, MT
Carla Potter – Helena, MT
Molly Rivera – MInneapolis, MN
Cheri Thornton – Helena, MT
Trudy Skari – Polson, MT
Eliza Weber – Great Falls, MT
Open House at 1+1=1 Saturday July 23 from 10am to 4pm
Save the Date — and watch for announcements about events during the open house, including artist’s demos and gallery talks. Come downtown to the gallery anytime during the day to meet and greet our ceramic artists, munch on delicious snacks and enjoy refreshing drinks.
Find Out More and Get an Invitation
If you’d like to receive a postcard invitation to our exhibition openings, please call us with your mailing address (406.431.9931) and we’ll make sure to get you on our mailing list. Or, get an email invitation by subscribing to our Love Notes here.
Artist Profiles for “ABOUT CLAY”
We are working hard behind the scenes, to create artist profile videos. Check our home page during the exhibit to see fascinating short video interviews and studio-shots for many of the artists in the show.
