A semester’s worth of work will result in the opportunity to buy beautiful, locally-produced ceramics. West Virginia University will hold its semi-annual pottery sale Dec. 4 and 5.
The sale will be held in the Douglas O. Blaney Lobby of the Creative Arts Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Undergraduate and graduate students in WVU’s School of Art & Design have been hard at work creating a line of table and kitchenware at the school’s production ceramics facility on Baker’s Ridge Road.
Students who pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in ceramics have to complete a semester’s work in the production facility, with six hours of coursework and six hours of independent work each week. In addition to learning the techniques of large-scale ceramics production, they get the opportunity to use the facility’s equipment on more personal work.
“We want to make sure our students have production skills,” said Kelly O’Briant, post-doctoral fellow in the ceramics program. “And we want to give them the opportunity to support their own educations.”
Proceeds from the twice-yearly sale of product from the facility go to support visiting artists and study abroad, and can be used to defray materials costs.
“There’s really not many other schools executing this kind of model to this level, representing the production side of things,” O’Briant said.
There are four undergraduate students working at the facility this semester, along with two graduate students. According to O’Briant, they form a strong cohort during their work at the facility.
“They learn to use large production equipment, such as the jigger jolly and the ram press, get lots and lots of practice pulling handles and trimming on the wheel,” O’Briant explained. “It’s a great way for them to hone their skills, without using up their own material resources. We cover all aspects of production, from design and making, to marketing and sales. So, whether or not they plan to be functional potters after school or not, they are learning life skills that apply to any business.”
Many of the current undergraduate ceramics majors working in the facility this semester are primarily interested in creating highly conceptual sculpture.
Hunter McCormick, from Glen Dale, W.Va., appreciates the opportunity to hone his skills in a technical setting without the emotional weight of his more personal projects, which address body and self-image. Emily Harmon of Preston County enjoys the personal touch of the glazing process when not creating work that addresses the concept of what she calls “nature as God’s artwork,” where she invites viewers to observe the patterns.
Josh Singleton of Fairmont has picked up the entrepreneurial model of the production facility. In addition to the work he does on the sale line, he’s been creating yarn bowls to sell at a local craft store.
The production facility also includes some unique equipment, including plastic and ceramic 3-D printers. A decal printer allows them to execute their own designs and print them for application onto the pottery.
While the line has expanded somewhat, and the color palate has evolved, O’Briant notes that all of the pottery is food safe, from plates and cups to casseroles and vases.
“And the new pie plates are amazing,” she adds.
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dw/11/18/15
CONTACT: David Welsh, WVU College of Creative Arts
304-293-3397; David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu
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