Baltimore Clayworks invited 27 national artists on the cusp of national success to show at Winterfest.
“Their prices are affordable, but they?re doing innovative work and covering the latest trends,” Gallery Manager Ann Hazels said.
Functional pieces such as vases, dinner settings, service platters, butter dishes and salt-and-pepper shakers available in Winterfest reflect artists? growing interest in low-firing processes, storytelling elements, tactile ornamentation such as pinching, slumping and scalloping, and sturdy forms.
The works are “unlike the previous focus on thin, delicate porcelain,” Hazels said. “For example, Kari Radasch?s teapots are strong and useable. Yet appealing with petal and plant forms, you want to sit down and have tea with her pots.”
During the past year, Radasch transformed her style.
Her imaginative and upbeat saucers, cups, vases and plates evolved to include what she describes as clay sticker appliqués, cut free-hand with an X-Acto knife from a thin clay slab. To build about 95 percent of her pieces, Radasch said she rolls coils of clay, or ?snakes? before stacking and pinching the forms out. “It?s starts off being labor intensive but the more you work with any technique the faster it goes.”
Exhibiting artist Sarah Panzarella said functional pieces like hers counter national trends. “A lot of colleges are geared towards teaching sculptural objects versus pots etc.”
Panzarella constantly experiments with glazes on forms resembling seedpod and other natural shapes, she said. “I always try to do something new.”
IF YOU GO
Winterfest
WHEN: Through Dec. 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Baltimore Clayworks
5707 Smith Avenue, Baltimore
INFO: 410-578-1919
