UNC Asheville to Host Series of Ceramics Demonstrations

UNC Asheville’s Ceramics Program will host a series of free workshops led by potters and ceramic artists from around the world throughout October. The artists will demonstrate a variety of elements of their art, from the use of local and natural materials to the use of handtools and unique glazes. The demonstrations are free and open to the public.

Renowned Japanese ceramic artist Shozo Michikawa will kick off the series with a demonstration from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at UNC Asheville’s Owen Hall, room 143. Michikawa has exhibited widely in Japan, the Philippines, Mongolia, France, New York and London. In addition to his presentation at UNC Asheville, Michikawa’s works will be on display through November 19 at Asheville’s Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, 38 Biltmore Ave.

English potter Mike Dodd will give a demonstration and talk from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at UNC Asheville’s Owen Hall, room 143. Dodd specializes in making reduction-fired stoneware from local materials that references Turkish, Burmese and African pottery.

Southeastern artist Sue Grier will give a demonstration and slide show from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at UNC Asheville’s Owen Hall, room 143. Grier has worked with clay for over 20 years and has recently begun experimenting with stoneware and woodfire techniques. She creates natural shapes and uses handtools to create texture and lines and integrated glazes to create a mix of smooth and rough surfaces.

Rising talents Erin Murphy and Dariin Ekern, master of fine arts candidates at the University of Tennessee, will show slides and discuss their work at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27 at UNC Asheville’s Owen Hall, room 237. They will also share their experiences as graduate students in the arts.

For more information, call UNC Asheville’s Art Department at 828/251-6559.

Media Contacts:

• UNC Asheville’s Art Department, 828/251-6559
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526