Clay? II: International Juried Ceramics Exhibition
February 15 – March 29, 2008
Jurried by Jamie Walker, Akio Takamori and Doug Jeck
Artist Reception: Thursday, February 14, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Kirkland Arts Center is pleased to present Clay? II, its biennial exhibition exploring contemporary ceramics. Juried by University of Washington Ceramics Program Professors Jamie Walker, Akio Takamori and Doug Jeck,Clay? II features 19 ceramic sculptures by 18 artists from across the United States and Canada. Five of the artists live and work in the Puget Sound region, which is in keeping with the areas rich ceramics culture. The University of Washington’s Ceramics program is an integral part of this community—its professors are leaders in the field and the program is widely recognized as one of the best in the country. And, Kirkland Art Center has a long history of teaching and exhibiting innovative ceramics: three of the five Puget Sound artists selected for Clay? II ei ther teach or study at KAC. The Arts Center is proud to partner with the University of Washington in presenting this exhibition that explores the “next wave” of ceramic arts.

Clay? II brings toge ther 19 pieces selected from a field of more than 400 entries submitted by an international group of contemporary clay artists. Works in the exhibition demonstrate the medium’s flexibility. Whe ther using conventional techniques to convey contemporary concepts or merely referencing clay in the finished work, these 18 artists help expand the traditional definition of clay. The international scope of Clay? II provides a survey of ceramic trends and advances from increased color palates, to new firing techniques, and mixed media usages.

With this exhibition Kirkland Arts Center affirms its commitment to ceramics and contemporary art. Kirkland Arts Center strives to cultivate excellence and innovation in visual arts – particularly ceramics – by supporting noted artists through its classes and exhibits, and by partnering with some of the region’s outstanding ceramics institutions.

For more than fifty years, the University of Washington’s Ceramics Program has been a leader in contemporary ceramics. Spurred by the visionary contributions of Robert Sperry, Howard Kottler and Patti Warashina, the University of Washington’s Program helped re-define the possibilities of ceramics as a medium. The current faculty – Jamie Walker, Akio Takamori and Doug Jeck – continue the Program’s tradition of encouraging experimentation and individual artistic expression. U.S. News and World Report ranked the UW Ceramics Program third in the country. The MFA graduate program has had a continuing influence in contemporary art with such notable alumni as: Jacquie Rice, Irv Tepper, Anne Currier, Mark Burns, Michael Lucero, Deborah Horrell, Billy Howard, Jeanne Quinn, Ryan Berg, Leo Saul Berk, John Byrd and Julia Cole.

Clay? II opens Thursday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day) and runs through March 29, 2008. An artist’s reception and awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, February 14, 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Jurors Walker, Takamori and Jeck will present three cash prizes totaling $2,000.

Selected artist Melissa Mencini will present a slide lecture of her work on Saturday, March 1 at 7:00 PM at KAC. The lecture is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so please pre-register by calling (425) 822-7161.

In cooperation with Bellevue Community College and the Bellevue Arts Museum, Kirkland Arts Center will participate in Clayspeak: A Day of Ceramics Exhibitions and Inquiry on Sunday, February 17, 2008. The day begins with a lecture by Patti Warashina, Eric Nelson, and Kathleen Skeels at 11:00 AM at BCC. After the lecture, there will be a walkthrough of BAM’s Kurt Weiser show at 3pm, and then participants can continue on to see Clay? II at the KAC Gallery.

Clay?II is funded in part with grants from Artsfund, 4Culture, King County, Premier Properties, the Washington State Arts Commission and individuals.

Clay? II Artists:
Joe Davis (Logan, UT), Jacob Foran (Monticello, IL), Léopold Foulem (Montréal, Canada), Dana Goodman (Huntington, IN), Lois Harbaugh (Bellevue, WA), Alex Hibbitt (A thens, OH), Sean Howe (Seattle, WA), Ashley Lyon (Akron, OH), Kate Macdowell (Portland, OR), Melissa Mencini (Spokane, WA), Mia Mulvey (Denver, CO), Gabriel Parque (Eugene, OR), Vince Palacios (Macomb, IL), Benjamin Peterson (Tallahassee, FL), Tammie Rubin (Seattle, WA), Benjamin Schulman (Springfield, MO), Brendan Tang (Kamloops, BC) and Sylwia Tur (Seattle, WA)