August 2009
Fifth Annual Invitational Sculpture Exhibit
Cheryl williams
Penelope Dews
susan springer
This showcase of work featuring three local artists celebrates sculpture in a variety of forms, techniques, and materials. This year’s exhibit promises a versatile display, ranging from energetic and abstract, to primal and whimsical. Gallery owner, Susan Springer, presents her recent abstract ceramic sculptures, “The Figure in Motion.” Penelope Dews shows Anagama wood-fired ceramic sculpture, depicting themes of ancient artifacts and natural forms. Cheryl Williams displays her dynamic and elegant steel and ceramic sculpture.
Williams, Sweetie Pie
Cheryl Williams became interested in creating artwork in 1975 through an introduction to clay. Today her art is available in a variety of mediums which include: clay, paintings, and stone sculpture.
"I took a pottery class in high school and fell in love instantly. I think I knew right then that this was what I wanted to do in my life. To this day, I still enjoy the feeling of making large pieces on the potter's wheel.”
Cheryl Williams is an artist with an international reputation, whose professional career has spanned more than 20 years. Her art work is featured in the White House Collection and in the collections of many world leaders. Numerous corporations in the United States, Asia and South Africa have also added her art to their collections.
In recent years, Cheryl has developed strong relationships with art consultants, television and movie artists and stylists, corporate representatives and interior designers who wish to provide their clients with extraordinary beautiful works of art. She has also worked with Feng Shui practitioners to provide harmony and balance in the home and office environment.
“The energy that comes thru my heart and into my hands stirs great passion in me. The light that is within in all of us is reflected in my work. Bringing essence into form, I make the ordinary appear extraordinary. My work is simple and elegant. It gives me great pleasure to share this with you.”
P. Dews, Llamas
Penelope Dews sculptural pieces were fired in an Anagama kiln (cave or tunnel kiln), an ancient technique for firing pottery. There are less than ten of these kilns in Oregon, and these pieces were fired in two Anagama kilns, in Elkton, and Junction City, Oregon.
“Each firing is as unpredictable as it is exciting. Firing an Anagama is more than merely an aim at creating unique and beautiful pottery. It is in great part a community event. Many hands handle the thousands of pieces of wood that go into the kiln. The successes are due to the energy of the group. Participants cook and eat together as well as work shifts around the clock.”
“My sculptures are built in a modified coil technique allowing clay to be moved quickly. Once the material is in place the main shape is formed, animals and handles are added. Then the subtractive method is used, carving away material to define the details. Sometimes “sketching” loosely on the piece, helps one get a feel for the direction the work is going. Animals, architecture, ancient artifacts, natural forms and dream images are the themes of the pots. Often forms are combined. The large pots are great stages for the animals to interact on.”
Penelope started making pottery as a child and eventually graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1984 with a BFA in Ceramic Sculpture. A fifth generation from the Rogue Valley, she returned to live here thirteen years ago and has been teaching Ceramics for the past twelve years, most recently at Clayworks in Talent. Penelope was recently awarded “Best in Show – First Place” and the “Poster Award” at the Oregon Potters Association Showcase in Portland, Oregon
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S.Springer La Rotacion Violeta
Susan Springer’s move to the beautifully restored historic Nininger Building last July 2008 resulted in the integration of her ceramic studio with the gallery, allowing for a working studio where visitors can view her work in progress, chat about the art process, and participate in art workshops, poetry readings, and other social events. The dance studio upstairs enhances the sense of community the building evokes, and has inspired Sue’s “The Figure in Motion” series. “I’ve always been intrigued by the human form, particularly the human figure in motion, and like the idea of the unexpected. I enjoy abstracting motion and line, and the resulting play on dimension.” Susan Springer has been drawn to the ceramic arts, including tile, sculpture and pottery since the early 1970’s. Beginning with thrown pottery, she has “progressed to sculpture, public commissions, murals, mosaics and custom handmade tile.” After studying in Portland, she moved to Mississippi and established Beechtree Pottery, a working studio and gallery. Through the 1970’s she participated in the craft fair circuit in the Southeastern United States. After moving to the mountains of Illahe, Oregon, she continued her ceramic work, began tilemaking and taught ceramic classes at SWOCC for several years. She began a course of Graduate study at the University of Oregon, completing a MFA in 1984. As a thesis project for her Masters degree, she completed a public art commission for the City of Springfield, Oregon. This ceramic relief mural is located in the Springfield City Hall and titled, “Between the Rivers.” She has since completed numerous installations, donor recognition, private and public commissioned projects, including “Rio Amistad,” the mosaic placed at the Calle Guanajuato Overlook in Lithia Park, Ashland. Her most recent project took place this past spring at Helman Elementary School in Ashland. As part of an “Artist in the Schools” program, Springer worked with 10 classes to create tiles with student designed images from their favorite books to decorate the courtyard benches outside the school’s new library.