Exhibit of big-name ceramists, workshops will lead to Empty Bowls Wichita fundraiser

Twenty ceramic artists from across the US — including one who has been called “the godmother of ceramics” — are part of an exhibition at the Reuben Saunders Gallery that opens Oct. 4 and is one of the lead-up events to the popular Empty Bowls Wichita chili cook-off and fundraiser later in October.

“These are some well-known artists,” said Brenda Lichman, as she showed a visitor some of the exhibition pieces that were assembled in a back room of the gallery until they are arranged for the exhibition. Lichman, a ceramist and founder of Empty Bowls Wichita, and gallery co-owner Trish VanOsdel were part of a four-member committee that extended exhibition invitations to an exclusive list of artists.

Each artist could submit up to two works for the Wichita Ceramic National exhibit, which will remain on display at the Reuben Saunders Gallery until Oct. 26. The artists were also asked to donate what Lichman calls “upscale” bowls for the Empty Bowls Wichita fundraiser, which will benefit HumanKind Ministries and the ICT Fridge Project.

Stellar ceramists

The big-name artists in the exhibit include Montana-based Julia Galloway, who has been called “ceramics royalty” and “the godmother of ceramics.” She’s earned some highly competitive fellowships and provides a wealth of resources and information for students and other budding ceramic artists through a website, Field Guide for Ceramic Artisans.

Galloway creates complex ceramic pieces; initially her pieces featured birds, but recent works draw attention to extinct, endangered or threatened species in North America. Galloway has submitted two large embossed jars for the Wichita exhibit, one of which features dragonflies and the other bats.

Another well-regarded participating artist is Ukrainian-born Janina Myronova, who draws inspiration from the folk arts to create colorful, whimsical figures of misshapen humans and animals. Myronova, whose work has been shown internationally over the past decade, has done three recent residencies with the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana. The residency is the oldest ceramic residency in the world and is considered the best of its type.

Arizona-based ceramist Sam Chung is known for using cloud motifs that are often depicted in traditional Korean art in his highly decorative pieces.

At least two of the artists in the exhibit have ties to Kansas.

Kansas-born artist and Wichita State alum Doug Herren, who lives and works in Philadelphia, is known for his brightly painted sculptures that are hybrids of industrial equipment and traditional wheel-thrown pottery.

Ben Ahlvers, who earned a Master of Fine Arts from The Ohio University, has been the exhibition curator of the Lawrence Arts Center since 2009. His pieces, like the lunchbox sculpture in the upcoming exhibition, are often based on familiar forms and even pop culture iconography.

‘A pottery festival’

The Wichita Ceramic National, which has a First Friday opening night reception from 5 to 8 pm on Oct. 4, is just one of the ceramic arts events leading up to the Empty Bowls Wichita chili cookoff and fundraiser happening from 11 am to 1 pm at WSU’s Woolsey Hall.

“Pretty much, we’re having a pottery festival,” said Lichman, a former East High arts teacher who is now the curator of education at WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art.

There will be a two-day “Making it Personal: Pots and Objects” workshop Thursday and Friday, Oct. 3-4, at Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock Road, with Chris Staley, a distinguished professor emeritus of art at Penn State University. Registration is $175; to enroll, visit markartsks.com/artisan. Staley’s work is part of the collections of the Museum of Metropolitan Art in New York City and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Lisa Orr, a longtime ceramic artist and educator, will give a free artist talk from 3:30 to 5 pm on Thursday, Oct. 3, in the Beren Gallery of WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art.

Empty Bowls Wichita has organized several bowl-making events for local artists and residents to make bowls for the Oct. 19 event. With a $35 donation, attendees can choose and keep a bowl and also use it to sample chili creations by local restaurants and chefs. Admission for students is $15. Tickets are available online at emptybowlswichita.org or at the door.

Wichita National Ceramics

What: an exhibition of 20 invited ceramists that is done in partnership with Empty Bowls Wichita

Where: Reuben Saunders Gallery, 3215 E. Douglas

When: First Friday opening night reception 5-8 pm Oct. 4, on display until Saturday, Oct. 26; gallery hours are 10 am-5:30 pm Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 am-4 pm Saturdays.

Admission: Free

More info: 316-682-1481, reubensaundersgallery.com