The Ceramicists: More Cool Shots from the Park Point Art Fair

The dictionary defines ceramics as "pots and other articles made from clay hardened by heat." Making things out of clay is something so simple a child can do it, yet even after a lifetime the master ceramicists are learning new things about firing techniques, glazes and the possibilities of the medium. Like writing, playing an instrument, or drawing, it's something everyone can enjoy. But mastery is something wholly other.

Making pottery goes back to ancient times. It must have been interesting when the first clay bowls were actually placed in a fire and hardened. Shards of broken bowls and pots are among the items most often found in archaeological digs. More than 2500 years ago the prophet Isaiah wrote "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." And Jeremiah expressed similar sentiments after being instructed by the Lord to go down to the potter's house.

I like the look of Gail Rosenquist's pieces.

In 1981, when Susie and I were living in Mexico, we worked at an orphanage that was walking distance from a small pottery business, two or three people working on wheels making bowls, among other things. There was also a brick making business, of a much larger scale, in the direction of town. Both processes involve taking raw material out of the ground, shaping it and baking it.

All this to say that we saw some wonderful ceramics at the Park Point Art Fair this past weekend. Here are a few pieces I especially liked.

The familiar designs of Husby Pottery.

Richard & Rosetti Gruchalla (here, top right and below)
were awards Best of Show this year.

The ubquitous Karin Kraemer

Related Links
Tate Rich Talks About Ceramics and Community Art
Making Bowls at the North Pole

Upcoming Art Events This Week
Adam Swanson's Science Art will be showing at Karin Kraemer's Duluth Pottery, 5-9 p.m. Tomorrow
Friday evening from 4 till late is the Duluth Art Walk.
And let's not forget the Free Range Film Festival in Wrenshall

Meantime art goes on all around you. Do it in Duluth.