The Gallery

The Gallery at PNW has seen tons of clay---tons of clay transformed by the hands of students, resident artists, guest artists and even an occasional anonymous potter in the guise of a historical piece of great beauty. The Gallery exists for those who “collect”, and for those who simply enjoy the immense pleasure of using a handmade object on daily basis.

We are committed to helping you find that favorite cup, or the wall piece that you cannot explain your fascination with to anyone else, but nonetheless it speaks to you. The cup, the teapot, a figurative work, a mixed media installation, and even that archetypal pot, the bowl, all have relevance both for the field, and for its supporters. We have them and we look forward to sharing them with you.

In the next year we have scheduled a number of shows that will cover a wide range of work from people both within and without our studio. Please come and explore for yourself.

The Potter Northwest Gallery is open 10 am-5 pm Tuesday through Friday and by appointment.

Call 206-285-4421

Ikebana Y

February 19 - March 4

In the new gallery space (it used to be the clay mixing room),  we have painted the green wall ... green.  We are determined to keep the gallery different and changing all the time, not only the look with a green wall rather than a white one, but most of all, with the work inside. If you saw our original Ikebana X Exhibition four years ago then you know that this show is a good choice for keeping it fresh.

If your perception of ikebana is a classical and quiet art form using flowers, then you may well be in for a surprise. Our guest artist Nobuko Relnick is a master teacher of the Sogetsu School of ikebana which is known for its avant  garde,  free-wheeling approach to the art. Distinctly disciplined but with a penchant for the out of the ordinary would be a good description of the Sogetsu "style." It caught my eye immediately when I came to Seattle and the artist whose work spoke out to me was none other than our guest Nobuko.

Ikebana Y will include a wide variety of containers from both Pottery Northwest resident artists and invitees.

Four by Four #1

March 6 -26

Our first Four by Four show features four of our current residents and their invited guest artists.

Larry Naylor, Paper & Clay

April 9 - 30

In the course of his time at Pottery Northwest, Larry Naylor entertained a view that was sidelong to that of many with a traditional clay background. Consequently, his pots are less influenced by the Asian tradition than perhaps European, and he is also fond of exploring other materials for those “big ideas” (ala tar and cardboard).

Wally Bivins, New Work – Old Friends

May 7 - 21

Over a period of time you realize that you have compiled a vocabulary of form and surface that serves to identify your work or style. As my administrative duties as director have grown, time constraints have created a challenge to continue to find that fresh view and not depend too much on the form and surface that are my old friends. I think it is important to continue to look for new expression even within that somewhat distinct personal vocabulary, always jumping off, never landing. There are many ways of doing things.

While the process of making work varies for everyone, the truth is that change is incremental, and when every once in a while you find yourself at a new place in your work, it is usually the result of continuing that search. Even those “aha!” moments are pretty much the result of diligence rather than pure inspiration. As the old man said, “If you want pate’, sometimes you have to force-feed the goose”. It is also true that the environment of a studio like ours plays a crucial role. I am surrounded by creative people whose own work suggests, and renews my search. Trying to consider the needs of my students in making an assignment often points out what I myself need to try. The other residents are a constant stream new viewpoints. Perhaps the challenge isn’t only finding new but seeing what’s substantive, and right in front of me. That plus a certain glowing green color...

--Wow!-I don’t have any excuses do I! Here is some new work.

Four by Four #2

June 4 - 25

It's always interesting to see who or what challenges and inspires our artists. Our second Four-by-Four show features quite a variety of work.

Erin Campbell - "Head "

August 20 - September 13

Erin Campbell's choice of the title "Head" for her farewell exit show from a residency at Pottery Northwest, is more than just provocative. In her brightly colored,sixteen mixed media sculpture works she examines the head as a vehicle for expressing the spiritual, psychological and visceral aspects of human beings.

What does it mean to be alive? Can you suggest or capture the complexities of human beings through this one element of our being? After all, the head is purported to be the seat of emotional thought as well as rational, and the steering committee for the rest of the body via the brain.

Wisely recognizing the scope of the questions, Campbell divides the triad of spiritual, psychological and physical components to address just one at a time in several pieces. In other sculptures, the mingling of the trio of concepts perhaps comes closer to what (or who?) we actually are.

Student Show

October 15 - 30

This will be our fifth annual student show. What a great time to celebrate the wonderful work that our students have made in our studio over the past year! And this year, we will be closing the exhibition on the 30th with a party and contest for most mysterious costume! Ask Alya for details.

UN-WEDGED
North American Ceramic Competition and Art Show

November 4 - 30

UN-WEDGED seeks contemporary ceramic work, both functional and sculptural, that is exceptional in concept and execution. The use of other media is acceptable as long as ceramics is the principle vehicle of expression. The show is open to all artists living in the United States, Canada and Mexico. All work submitted must have been completed within the last two years.