Pottery exhibit to open at Fine Line
Ceramics is so much more than the cup in your hand. It's sculptural, decorative, textured, colorful, inventive, creative, useful, and one could easily say, joyful.
ClayMirth is a group of potters, both teachers and students, affiliated with Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, whose works manifest the scope and breadth of ceramics. Fine Line is thrilled to welcome this creative group of artists to the center's Kavanagh Gallery for the upcoming show, "The Nature of Clay."
Join them from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, for the opening reception of this delightful exhibit, and enjoy a special treat: handmade gelato from All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva! Chef Alain Roby, 2013 Pastry Chef of the Year and Chef Hall of Fame inductee will donate this treat, a wonderful complement to the creative works on display in the Kavanagh Gallery.
The show's opening reception will feature a talk at 3 p.m. with some of the participating artists.
Each ClayMirth show brings together a mix of artists, making for a unique collection of sculptural and functional ceramics, including wall pieces and tiles, for display and sale.
Throughout "The Nature of Clay," the diverse works of art all reflect natural influences on the creative process.
ClayMirth formed in 2001 with seven potters.
"We all just enjoyed spending time together, and enjoyed each other's work," said Marcy Rogge, a founding ClayMirth member and Fine Line ceramics student.
On display and for sale will be works by 18 ceramic artists: Char Benton, Diane Breaker, Alice Eakin, Mary Holat, Mary Howe, Ellen Judson, Patty Kochaver, Sharon Larsen, Tom Mahaffey, Mary Merges, CJ Niehaus, Phyllis Pischl, Chloe Richards, Daphne Ritchie, Marcy Rogge, Ann Southerland, Jay Walsh, and Jodi Younglove.
Of the original members, three are still in the group: Tom Mahaffey, a Fine Line ceramics student and board member; Jay Walsh, ceramics instructor and department head; and student Marcy Rogge. Eakin, Kochaver and Younglove are also Fine Line ceramics instructors.
"Everybody (except for CJ Neihause and Diane Breaker who have moved out of the area) is in classes at Fine Line. A lot have home studios, and a lot of the work is done at Fine Line," Rogge said. "The quality of student work that comes out of Fine Line is amazing."
Although this upcoming show solely features ClayMirth members' works of art, the group's shows are invitational.
"We see who's doing really cool stuff and we ask them to be in the show," said Rogge.
Fine Line Creative Arts Center is a nonprofit art school offering adult classes and workshops in a range of fine arts. Two galleries are included on the Fine Line campus, featuring local to international artists. For information, visit www.fineline.org.
If you go
What: ClayMirth: "The Nature of Clay"
When: Exhibit opens with a reception from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, and runs through April 12. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.
Where: Fine Line Creative Arts Center, Kavanagh Gallery, 37W570 Bolcum Road, St. Charles
Admission: Free
Details: <a href="http://www.fineline.org">www.fineline.org</a>, (630) 584-9443