March 17, 2004
Students' creations on display at national conference
CARBONDALE, Ill. - For the first time ever, ceramic art works by 11 Southern Illinois University Carbondale students are on exhibit in conjunction with a national ceramic arts conference opening today (March 17) in Indianapolis, Ind.
Seven graduate and four undergraduate students in the University's School of Art and Design created the pieces. The works run the gamut from functional porcelain to sculptures, installation pieces and figurative work.
The four-day National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference will attract an estimated 4,000 artist-educators.
"If you want to be exposed in the ceramics art world, this is the place to do it - it's the biggie," says art school faculty member Stephen W. Grimmer, a ceramics arts teacher. "The conference attracts gallery directors, museum curators, art collectors, professors, students and independent artists."
Harris Deller, director of the School of Art and Design, also oversees its ceramic arts program, one of several academic offerings within the University's College of Liberal Arts.
At the conference, works by the SIUC students - most of whom are displaying a pair of pieces - are almost certain to draw a crowd.
"Of the 30-40 additional exhibitions staged during the conference, ours is at one of the first or second stops on the exhibition bus tour," where art lovers may see the exhibit "12" at the University of Indianapolis' Herron School of Art.
The student artists include graduate students Ivan Albreht, Greg Cochenet, Mandy Gerth, Dyan Green, Andrew Maglathlin, Gabe Roberge and Seth Weisel and undergraduates Scott Gamble, Kristina Lindahl, Hillary Pierceall and Nathan Sandberg.
The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts is a nonprofit professional group for individuals and organizations whose interests, talents and careers focus on the ceramic arts.
The theme of the 2004 meeting is "Investigations, Inspirations: The Alchemy of Art and Science."
Leading in research, scholarly and creative activities is among the goals of Southern@150, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.