Curatorial Statement
Juror’s Statement
Congratulations to Red Lodge Clay Center for five amazing years of progress and growth. The Center has presented opportunities for so many people of all ages. Your efforts are recognized and appreciated by all.
Craftsmanship: Concept: Innovation, I kept considering the title of the show when I made my selections. My feeling is that all work should possess these characteristics in one form or another in order to reach a level of success. No text accompanied images other than titles and material descriptions. I found it challenging and most interesting to decipher what the concept was or how the work intellectually challenged my own perceptions. I recognized work by some artists but not many. My thinking was that many early career artists were putting their work out there as a way to test the waters, challenging contemporary standards in the field and introducing their work to a wider audience. These types of venues are important for this reason and they do help artists further their careers but one should always remember how subjective the selection process is. In the end, I wanted the work to reflect the title of the exhibition and I feel it does. The selected entries explore a broad range of ideas, materials and processes. My hope is that through the diverse body of work presented people will be encouraged by the direction that contemporary ceramics is heading. I certainly am.
-Brad Schwieger
Juror
Juror’s Bio
Brad Schwieger began teaching at Ohio University in 1990 and is presently a Professor of Art and Ceramics Area Chairman. Brad received his MFA in Ceramics from Utah State University and his BFA in Ceramics from the University of Iowa. Since 2000 his work has been included in 75 exhibitions though out the U.S.A., Japan, Korea, Taiwan, England, Germany and Spain. Brad has been a resident artist at the Watershed Center for Ceramics, Maine, 2003 and 1997. The Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts in Montana , 1998. Seto Ceramic and Art Glass Center , Japan , 2005 and 2001. Gallery Estudi, Poble Espanyol, Barcelona , Spain , 2002. Kunstlerhaus 188, Halle , Germany , 1999. Burg Giebichenstein, School for Art and Design, Halle , Germany , 1996. Jiesia Porcelain Symposium, Kaunus , Lithuania , 1994. Romhild Ceramics Symposium, Germany, 1993. Brad had presented workshops and lectures at more than 60 universities, colleges and art centers.