McGroarty Arts Center Presents: 8th Annual Ceramics Exhibition & Benefit “Variations of Fire”

McGroarty Arts Center is thrilled to announce its 8th Annual Ceramics Show from June 11 through June 25, 2011.  This FREE exhibit begins with the opening reception on June 11 from 5-9 pm, accompanied by live music, refreshments and an incomparable view of the Verdugo Hills from the Center’s terrace. This event has built a strong reputation for artistic excellence, highlighting the work of professional ceramicists in the Main Hall as well as McGroarty Arts Center’s ceramic students in an upstairs gallery space.

This year the exhibition curator and dedicated ceramics artist and instructor, Ray Yocum, has reached out for the best ceramic artists in California whose work will demonstrate the beautiful variety of ways to fire clay.  Yocum has selected 9 artists to participate: Xavier Gonzalez, Steve Davis, Tom McMillin, Fred Olsen, Marsha Judd, Frank Massarella, Nancy Pene, Miriam Balcazar, and Jeff Margolin. Between the artists are over 100 years of ceramic expertise and valuable craft knowledge as it pertains to all things clay.

The types of firing processes that clay can undergo are the foundation of this year’s exhibition “Variations of Fire”. Anyone who has worked with clay is familiar with the term kiln. It refers to the thermally insulated chamber, or oven, that uses a controlled temperature to harden, burn or dry materials.  Kilns are also used for the firing of materials, such as clay and other raw materials, to form ceramics. “We’re planning to add a new kiln to our ceramics department so our students can experiment with additional firing processes. Hosting a show that highlights the best work from divergent firing styles is a wonderful way to introduce our students – and the wider public – to the kinds of artwork they can expect to see generated from our ceramics studio,” says Claire Knowlton, McGroarty’s Executive Director.

Exhibiting artist Steve Davis specializes and trademarked the art of kazegama, which translates to mean wind kiln. He explains “Kazegama is an integral part of the aesthetic language of ceramic work by complimenting the form, gesture, and surface qualities through the natural coloring and layering of the ash.” Davis’s work is very other processes that are more common, like raku, which translates to mean enjoyment, or ease, is "the magic of creation, when the results of your efforts turns into something new, the unpredictable is so much better than the initial plan,” as invited exhibiting artist Nancy Pene describes.

McGroarty Arts Center’s historic building is transformed into a professional exhibition space with the help of several dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. They volunteer to assist with exhibition installation and monitor the exhibit throughout the show’s duration. “Variations of Fire” is not only an opportunity to view a gorgeous variety of uniquely fired ceramic vessels and sculptures, but it also provides a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind artworks from professional working artists, and the extremely talented students who take classes at McGroarty Arts Center. Proceeds from the sales of artwork benefit McGroarty Arts Center.
Programs at McGroarty Arts Center are funded by the California Community Foundation, Annenberg Foundation, Green Foundation, Weingart Foundation, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, James Irvine Foundation, Los Angeles County Arts Commission and Experience LA, California Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts, and the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. McGroarty Arts Center is located at 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga, CA 91042. For more information about the Ceramics Exhibition & Benefit, or other FREE upcoming events, call 818.352.5285 or visit www.mcgroartyartscenter.org.