Gallery exhibit celebrates the artist and the educator

Presented as a participating exhibition with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference in Philadelphia, “Artist/Educator” showcases regional ceramic artists at Rowan University Art Gallery March 29 – April 17, 2010. A reception to celebrate this new exhibit is Thursday, April 1 from 5- 7 pm.

Curated by Heather Mae Erickson, “Artist/Educator” highlights groundbreaking work by some of the most influential artists in ceramics today, who also happen to be young educators at universities and colleges throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New York.

“Each artist’s ideas are individual and unique to their generation, and relevant to the current climate of ceramics,” notes Mary Salvante, gallery director. “This young group of 23 artists is striving to make a name through their work, while pushing the boundaries of ceramic arts through their creations and the education of their students.”

The participating artists include Joseph Gower and John Williams from Rowan University, as well as Michael Connelly from Montgomery County Community College; Matthew Courtney and Hope Rovelto from University of the Arts; Ryan Greenheck and Sumi Maeshima from University of Pennsylvania; Chad D. Curtis, Andrea Marquis, Eric Miller and Neil Patterson from Tyler School of Art; Abby Donovan from University of Delaware; David S. East, Ryan Kelly and Adelaide Paul from Maryland Institute College of Art; Heather Mae Erickson and Kala Stein from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University; Del Harrow from Penn State University; Douglas Herren from Swarthmore College; Gregg Moore from Arcadia University; Peter Morgan from Gettysburg College; Theresa Saulin from Moore College of Art and Design; and Jennifer Woodin from SUNY New Paltz.

“Artist/Educator” is one of 95 exhibitions that are part of INDEPENDENCE: The 44th Annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference in Philadelphia (March 31 – April 3). The Clay Studio in Philadelphia serves the liaison and organizing body for the exhibitions program.

Rowan’s show is part of “From the Community,” one of four different groups of exhibitions developed in support of the conference by individual artists and groups, commercial galleries, non-profit and alternative spaces, as well as colleges and universities to celebrate the work of professionals, aspiring professionals and students. A complete list of programmed exhibitions is available at www.theclaystudio.org/events/nceca/exhibitions.php.