Every so often, you?ve just got to buy a teapot. If the urge should strike, be sure to visit Winterfest 2006 at the Baltimore Clayworks, a not-for-profit ceramic art center located in Mount Washington.
According to executive director Deborah Bedwell, the exhibition will feature 100 works of contemporary functional pottery made by 65 artists nationwide, and will run Saturday through Dec. 23.
“All the works in this show are for sale, and you can have them for the holidays,” Bedwell said.
An annual event, the Winterfest is an invitational show and will feature “some established but a number of emerging artists who have substantial profiles in the field,” she said.
“It?s not sculpture or figurative work, but tends to be very fresh, a little cutting-edge with some of the pieces. There will be some wonderful pouring vessels, pitchers, teapots, maybe some ewers ? a kind of pitcher with a spout used for olive oil, little bitty ones for soy sauce,” Bedwell said.
Invited artists include Kristen Kieffer, Kirsten Bassion, Lucy Breslin, Woody Hughes, Katie Love, Jeremy Randall, Trish Voelker, Deborah Schwartzkopf and Rachel Euting. Works vary in price from $40 to$500.
“One of my favorites is Deborah Schwartzkopf. She makes porcelain teapots that are very sculptural. They aren?t just a round teapot; they are altered and have artsy shapes, beautiful glazes in pale yellows and turquoise with just touches of red,” she said.
In addition, more than 25 local ceramic artists will have their works on display in the Member Artists Gallery.
“Ceramics has pulled itself up by its bootstraps and is becoming more serious, simply because of those involved in it,” said director of artistic programs Forrest Snyder.
Here?s a little teapot, short and stout … but is it art? Bedwell has no doubts.
“Ceramic artists spend as much time in graduate school as dentists and their programs are just as rigorous. Those who exhibit here have a pretty substantial resume,” she said.
IF YOU GO
Winterfest 2006
» Venue: Baltimore Clayworks, 5707 Smith Ave.
» Times: Saturday through Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
