November 11, 2019 - February 1, 2020
- Reception Thursday, November 14, 5:30–7:30 pm
- Gallery Talk at 6:30pm by Heidi Preuss Grew
- Music by the Parkland Guitar Ensemble
- Additional Artist Lecture by Heidi Preuss Grew, Thursday, Nov. 14 at 11 am in Room L111
- Coffee and Tea: Cups and Dessert Benefit: Thursday, December 5, 4-7 pm, purchase tickets here
- Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the gallery lounge.
The theme of this year's biennial invitational is Masters of Material. Curated by artist and educator Heidi Preuss Grew of Salem, Oregon.
"It was a pleasure to curate this exhibition with works from artists I respect for their distinctive creative output and their mastery of the material," said Grew, who teaches drawing and sculpture at Chemeketa Community College. "Each forwards their artistic vision using ceramics in a manner that acknowledges the versatility and tactile physicality of the material. There is a dominance of material in some cases and subservience of material in others; in the end, I aimed to curate a show where each piece reveals a specific and tangible presence."
Exhibit participants comprise artists and faculty from the US and Canada including Mary Barringer of Shelburne, Mass.; Thaddeus Erdahl of St. Petersburg, Fla; Robert Harrison of Helena, Mont.; Lindsay Montgomery of Toronto, Canada; Lisa Orr of Austin, Tex.; Dirk Staschke of Portland, Ore.; Shalene,Valenzuela of Missoula, Mont., and Adero Willard of Chicopee, Mass.
In tandem with the Ceramics Biennial exhibition, Giertz Gallery will host its biennial fundraiser, "Coffee & Tea: Cups & Dessert," on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4 to 7 pm. in the gallery lounge. Ticket includes a ceramic cup by Parkland College Ceramics faculty and students. Delicious desserts, tea, coffee, live music and a silent auction are part of the event’s festivities; the auction items make perfect holiday gifts. Tickets are $30 each or two for $50, with advanced purchase recommended; guests will choose cups on a first-come, first-serve basis. Purchase tickets here, or contact the Giertz Gallery office at 217/351-2485, or email us at giertzgallery@parkland.edu. Tickets are limited, and proceeds will support Giertz Gallery at Parkland College.
Image: Robert Harrison; Goose House; combination of handmade clay and vintage manufactured ceramic pieces, glaze and decals; 2017; 9” x 10” x 6”