Cub Creek

Art Axis : Ceramic Artists Online

2009-07-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

Art Axis is a growing online portal to artists working in the ceramic field. Check it out, you can join at any time.

Ceramic Exhibition by Tom Alward

2009-06-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Greetings and thanks for visiting!
I have been working on a show recently, that is up now for the month of June at the j fergeson gallery in Farmville, VA. "Beneath the Surface," is a series of my work that deals with native Virginia clays and the elemental contrasts of the medium. The presence of natural force, a sense of place, and a reassuring perspective of landscapes are also factors that have influenced me for this show, and my future works in clay. The opening reception will be Saturday, June 13th from 5-8 pm. For more info and photos, please visit the links below.
www.jfergesongallery.com
www.tomalward.com

2009-06-13T10:13:00.001-07:00

I just came across this wonderful video of Pete Pinnell talking about cups. It instantly made me think about my wonderful experience at Cub Creek. Being with a group of wonderful people enthusiastic about what you are passionate about is a lucky and priceless thing. The endless dialogue about art and craft, function and aesthetics, growth and process, where part of what made for a amazing year that and very grateful for.

2009-05-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

Check out the Creek on this great google map of wood kilns around the world that Simon Levin has been putting together.

http://www.woodfire.com/worldmap

Wood Firing : 4.20.09

2009-04-21T04:40:00.000-07:00

Wood Firing Begins : 04.17.09

2009-04-17T17:28:00.001-07:00

NCECA 2009

2009-04-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

The annual clay conference was held in Phoenix, Arizona this past week. I made the trek out west to attend the plethora of events that were held April 8-11, including a pre-conference in Flagstaff from April 6-7. A smaller and more intimate environment at Northern Arizona University allowed 6 visiting artists to demonstrate and lecture about their work with interaction from the audience. These artists included Christa Assad, Eva Kwong, Don Reitz, Brad Schweiger, Karren Massaro and Russel Wrankle, who all had great and varied voices in their work. The slide lectures givin by the artists toward the end of the event were also a great insight to their experiences with clay.

In Phoenix, there were numerous exhibitions that were in conjunction with NCECA and hosted great ceramic works. I get the most out of seeing these shows, while the lectures and panel discussions in the convention center were nice to drop in on from time to time. Perhaps the best part of my trip out here however, was the opportunity to catch up with friends, teachers, and other artists with such a saturation of ceramics. It was great to re-establish connections and meet new people, while also getting wired to get back in the studio and get my hands dirty.
Until next year, cheers!

Judith Duff: Sharing the Shino Experience

2008-10-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Judith Duff is a ceramic artist from Brevard North Carolina. For the past several years she has been traveling to Japan to continue research related to Japanese pottery and Traditional Shino Glazes. She recently visited Cub Creek to conduct a workshop where she shared her experiences with a group of nearly thirty participants.

Coming from as far away as Boston Massachusetts, artists interested in her work and research began coalescing here at Cub Creek on Friday night. The atmosphere was relaxed as those in attendance migrated to the house of Cub Creek Director John Jessiman to meet Judith and her husband Royal while sharing stories over a glass of wine.

Judith began her workshop on Saturday morning and the resident's studio quickly filled with inquisitive smiles punctuated by moments of intrigue. During this time Judith shared with the participants the past few years of her experiences while showing slides from her travels to Japan and studio in Brevard. Judith is preparing now for her fifth trip to Japan where she will continue her research in shino glazes. Her studio in North Carolina is home to a kiln constructed specifically for attaining the results she desires as well as for the ongoing experiments with her growing collection of traditional shinos.

Later in the day, just after lunch, Judith began demonstrating some of her favorite techniques while telling vivid tales of the Japanese landscape and culture. Her delicate but energized methods provided participants with a valuable source of inspiration and questions regarding the history, techniques and culture of Japanese potters were answered from a position of clarity and first hand experience.

The evening was filled with discussion and laughter as all who attended took part in a feast at the Jessiman's home. The energy remained high throughout the night as most slowly moved towards the bonfire that carried on into the wee hours of the night.

The following day. Judith continued here demonstrations, completing the works that needed time to dry. These works now sit atop the tables of the studio awaiting their turn to be bisqued. Participants all shared their gratitude as they slowly left the facility and began their journey back home. The residents remained sharing in the last few smiles and moments of laughter while shaking a Royal hand and giving a thankful hug. Judith and her husband carefully packed the last of their things and made their way back home to the western mountains of Carolina.

Today, rested and refreshed, our residents have gotten back to their studios. We are all grateful for Judith's presence and the experience she has passed on. The Creek is quiet again and we work diligently in preparation for our next firing while thinking of the insight that we have just experienced.

Studio Dialogues

2009-04-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

Cub Creek has always been a place where studio practice is enhanced by conversation among the residential community. In an effort to develop upon established practice current residents are implement a new project. "Studio Dialogues" is a weekly blog post that relays the best of emerging topics selected by individual residents and investigated through group discussion and research. These dialogues will be posted once a week and cover the topic as it is viewed through the lens of developing artists in residence.

The primary motivation behind this project is to generate high quality discussions relating diverse issues to contemporary practice of ceramic art. The archive of these dialogues will grow as time passes, providing residents and other communities within the ceramic arts an opportunity to follow conversations that prompt inquiry and afford an informative resource through informal publication.

The proposed method suggests that each resident select a topic once every six weeks. Each week one of these topics is posted on our community board and throughout the week the issue is called up for discussion. The key resident who has selected the topic based on personal interest is responsible for researching any details that will better inform the debate however any resident who finds interest is free to conduct their own research. Results of the research and discussions will be compiled by the key resident and posted to this blog. This method affords each resident an opportunity to bring forward a topic of their specific interest once every six weeks and limits the workload of research, drafting and publishing results to a six week schedule.

The first round of topics begins this week and once all residents have established topics they will be posted for readers.

New Application Process

2009-04-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

We have recently updated our application process for prospective residents. All materials can now be sent to submit@cubcreek.org. This address is for submissions only and questions related to applying can be routed to apply@cubcreek.org.

The new application can be downloaded from the website. www.cubcreek.org filled out electronically and emailed to the submission address above along with the required images. Applicants can learn more via the link to our site above.

David Bruce : Studio Update

2009-04-05T12:20:00.001-07:00

The incessant rains have cleared for a few great days and some much needed drying weather. The images above and below show the cradle constructed for the largest of the stones of my Object+ project. In the background you can see the vertical cradle from which this piece was transferred. Previous posts show the process from table to cradle.

The smaller stones are placed on these beds of foam to be worked and they are slowly transferred for the front bed to the back to the left as the dry and the surface is smoothed. Once they are firm enough to hold their own weight I check the balance of each piece on the black pad to the left and select the location for the small openings that expose the hollow interior.
These stones have been placed in the gas kiln for reduction firing. The remaining work is near completion and will be wood fired in the coming weeks. I am beginning to move on to the larger scope of the work and over the remainder of this month will investigate my approach to the installation.

More images and writings on this work can be seen @ www.davidbrucestudios.blogspot.com and www.davidbrucestudios.com

The exhibition will be installed beginning April 26, 2009 at J Fergeson Gallery in Farmville Va.

Opening Night Reception : May 9th, 2009 : 5:00 pm - 8:00pm

February Wood Firing...

2009-03-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

Now that we’re all of the sudden in the middle of March, it seems like February is a distant dream that hardly occurred. How time flies at Cub Creek!
We were able to squeeze in a firing last month, that once again united ourselves as a group and kept our excitement flowing.
The firing went swift and smooth, while unloading proved to be a palette of new information and ideas. Clay bodies, placement of work in the kiln, and firing atmospheres are always challenging variables. We did manage to make a few adjustments in the stacking configuration as well as the primary air and exit flue, that made a substantial and positive difference. However, many of the pots that didn’t turn out are forcing us to learn from our failures and see it as a valuable learning tool.
Currently we are pushing to fire again this month, which will be followed by another in April. The high turnover rate we are achieving by working hard and staying dedicated is becoming a great way to learn and aspire to our goals as residents.
More blogs to be posted on future firings and upcoming events soon... For now we are enjoying the arrival of spring, making work in the studio, and cutting wood like the wind!

David Bruce: New Tea Bowls

2009-03-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

David Bruce : Object+ : 03.03.09

2009-03-04T14:02:00.001-08:00

More images and writing following this project @ www.davidbrucestudios.blogspot.com

David Bruce : Object+

2009-01-31T13:05:00.001-08:00

I have recently returned to the studio and returned to my evolving investigation of the object. To avoid double posting I will refrain from publishing the details of this project.

More can be found on my Blog @ www.davidbrucestudios.blogspot.com

Birth of A Notion

2009-01-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

The voices of Cub Creek's past echo among the walls and pedestals of Quirk Gallery in Richmond, Virginia. Birth of a Notion opened on January 8th and brought with it the smiles of a community. Connected by their passion for ceramic art each of the artists helped to make Cub Creek Foundation what it is today.

Exhibition Dates: January 8th - February 21st.

Organized by:
Steven Glass & John Jessiman

Participating Artists:
Drew Avakian
Val Cushing
Judith DUff
Jeremy Fineman
Shanna Fliegel
Steven Glass
Silvie Granatelli
Scott Hardwig
John Jessiman
Elizabeth Kendall
David MacDonald
Jessica Martinkosky
Ron Meyers
Michelle Miller
Dan Molyneux
Brian Pitney
Donna Polseno
Erin Root
Brad Schwieger
Takuro & Hitomi Shibata
Choi Suk-Jin
Richard Taylor
Jack Troy
John Williams
Hyun Kyung Yoon

Quirk Gallery
311 W. Broad St.
Richmond Va.
804.644.5450

www.quirkgallery.com

back to the Creek

2009-01-11T07:27:00.000-08:00

I just got back to the Creek from the holidays at home. It was nice to see family and friends but I am really glad to be back to work. I forgot how beautiful and refreshingly quiet it is out here. There is nothing better then digging your hands in to some clay after being away from it for too long.

Nora Jean

More news...

2008-12-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

Last Friday's artwalk in Richmond was a good turn out, and Cub Creek resident
artist Tom Alward received an honorable mention for his artwork at Gallery5's "Sleight of Hand" National Juried Contemporary Craft Exhibition.
In addition, all of you are welcome to visit Tom Alward's new website. At www.tomalward.com you can find more images, info about the artist, and links to related sites. More updates to the website will be added soon.

First Friday Artwalk

2008-12-14T12:33:00.001-08:00

December 5th will be a lively first Friday artwalk in Richmond, Virginia. Two of Cub Creek’s residents, Tom Alward and Erik Wilhelmsen, were both accepted in a juried show at Gallery 5 in downtown Richmond, entitled “Sleight of Hand.” The show has an opening reception and award ceremony Friday night (artwalk typically goes from 6-10pm), and the show will run until January 15. For more info, go to:
Gallery 5
200 W. Marshall St.
Richmond, Virginia 23220
Phone: 804 644 0005
gallery5@gallery5arts.org
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Saturday 11AM - 6PM

If you find yourself nearby or with nothing else going on, the artwalk is a fun event and Richmond has some great galleries to check out. Support your local artists!

December Already???

2008-12-03T17:12:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe that time is flying by so fast, and this year’s residents have been at Cub Creek for just over 3 months. Our goal is to remain determined, keep our energy and enthusiasm high, investigate new concepts and directions with our work, and do whatever we can to reach out to our community.
We thank those of you who came out to our open house and pottery sale in November. We will build on this sale every year to make it better and better, while improving our online mailing list and advertisements. Please check back with us from time to time, and mark your calendars for another open house in early May just before Mother’s Day.
Happy holidays from Cub Creek!

Back to Back Wood Firings

2008-11-30T06:10:00.000-08:00

Greetings!
November has been a busy month for us at the Cub Creek foundation, and most notably has been the success of two wood firings completed back to back. It was a big push and took tremendous effort… The trees were cut and hauled, split and stacked, and the pots were pumped through bisque firing, glazing, loading and round-the-clock firings. Each burn consumed approximately 2.5 chords of wood and 3 days of constant attention. We have been utilizing exclusively the first chamber of our naborigama kiln, to achieve more controlled and consistent wood-fired effects. The results have proved to be beautiful, subtle and expressive ceramic surfaces, while showing promising information for our next firing in January. We look forward to many more opportunities of working together, telling stories, exploring new techniques, and investigating this endless process.

Happy Halloween; Residents in Rare Form

2008-10-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

What would we do without humor @ the creek!

We are ALL FIRED UP!!!!

2008-11-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

We began our firing on Tuesday the 4th of November 2008. I woke up around 8 am. well rested and excited for the firing and also the fact that it was election day. I didn't have a shift until 10 pm. so I headed up to the Red House Community Center and cast my vote! All day I was pumped up to hear the results, my Dad was also heading into town to visit as well. Boy did it turn out to be a great day. The firing had started smoothly, my Dad made it to town, and to top it off OBAMA was announced the next president of the united states at 11 pm.

The following morning after my 10 pm to 6 am shift I squeezed in a couple restless hours of sleep. I couldn't help this overwhelming feeling of absolute joy! For the past 8 years I have felt beat down and bruised by the poor decision making and lack of trust I had in our government. I can truly say that the hope and change that Barack Obama has inspired in our nation, has instilled in me a sense of confidence in our future that had been lacking for quite some time.

Today we had reached Cone 11 in the tube and will be ending the firing around 2 am friday. What a treat these last few days have been!

First Fall Firing

2008-11-04T15:40:00.000-08:00

I just got back the creek and all is well. The first wood firing of the fall season began yesterday at as I type Erik Wilhelmsen stokes the flames. Shifts will run through late Thursday and more images will post as the process continues.

Reverence & Reconfiguring the Landscape

2008-09-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

I arrived knowing that much was changing here at Cub Creek and that I had to hit the ground running. So this is one of the first blog entries, on the first blog, of this place. We are growing and have a lot going on; new kiln plans, new resident housing, a new house for the director and I have a new exhibit. I am currently off site in Newport News staying with family and still "running". I have just completed the installation for a new exhibition at Mayer Fine Art Gallery in Norfolk

I began my time here at Cub Creek rapidly setting up my studio and surveying the landscape for the inspiration and materials necessary to begin the physical side of the work for the new exhibition. It only took a few days to cover the majority of the landscape and begin to find the sources that I needed. I had been thinking of the exhibit for some time and its title is one that I found not only intreaguing but close to heart. "The Smallest Footprint; Ecologically Responsible Art". This is quite the place to begin this project and my prior hesitation proved a valuable response. My decision to begin the physical work only when settled into this new landscape allowed me to investigate this concept through a fresh methodology. And so I sat, quietly in the fields that sustained the cultures of my materials; the Johnson grasses.

These grasses are the natural and primary response to the discontinuation of these fields as agricultural entities. They are annuals, a highly sustainable resources in that is generally considered a weed by most farmers, and the are perfect for my work. They represent new life for these fields and a first step towards returing to a forested landscape. So I have chosen to selectively harvest them and create and object out of the reverence i feel for this landscape.

I had to begin by harvesting, then move on to dissecting the individual segments, and finally taking those segments and tying them together all the while considering the value of this landscape; a reverent meditation.

Once completed I photographed the work for details and shortly there after packed and left for Richmond Va. and then on to Norfolf to handle the install.

So the work is now out of my hands and open for public viewing. To see this work please visit the gallery.

This work can be seen September 26th through October 26nd with a Opening Reception on October 4th @ Mayer Fine Art Gallery in Norfolk Va. on Waterside Drive.

The Smallest Footprint (ecologically responsible art)
Mayer Fine Art Gallery
Suite 252 Waterside Festival Hall
333 Waterside Dr.
Norfolk Va. 23510

Gallery Hours:
Friday: 4pm - 8pm
Saturday: 12pm - 6pm
or by appointment
757.803.4749

http://www.mayerfineartgallery.com/