Arrowmont to Host Figurative Clay Sculpture Symposium this Fall

Sept. 22, 2010 - PRLog -- Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts has announced it will host a figurative sculpture symposium and exhibitions on its Gatlinburg campus from October 27-30, 2010.  

Figurative Association: The Human Form in Clay will feature nine internationally and nationally known ceramic and mixed media artists from six states who use the figure as the main theme in their sculpture. This event grew out of Arrowmont’s successful Utilitarian Clay: Celebrate the Object national symposia held every four years since 1992. Arrowmont’s rich history as a leader in art and craft education includes hosting international and national media related conferences and symposia over the past 45 years.

The symposium is being coordinated by Arrowmont’s Program Director Bill Griffith with assistance from Debra Fritts, a noted Georgia ceramic artist and Arrowmont instructor and Thaddeus Erdahl, past Arrowmont Resident Artist in Ceramics.

The artist/presenters include Tom Bartel and Janis Mars Wunderlich from Ohio, Robert Brady, and Arthur Gonzalez from California, Debra Fritts from Georgia, Tip Toland and Beth Cavener Stichter from Washington, Lisa Clague from North Carolina and Anne Drew Potter from Indiana.

A series of lectures, panel topic discussions, demonstrations and gallery exhibitions celebrating the human form will make up the three-day symposium. Additionally, each artist/presenter has invited an emerging figurative sculptor of their choice to be represented in the Invited Artists Exhibition, which will be one of the highlights of the event.

The Presenters’ Exhibition will consist of major works by the nine symposium presenters. In all, both exhibitions will showcase a total of 37 different creations by the 19 artist/presenters and the invited emerging artists. The exhibitions will be located in the Sandra J. Blain Gallery at Arrowmont and will be open for the public to view.

“One vital, educational component of this symposium is the identification of 10 emerging artists in the ceramic sculpture field and the invitation to exhibit their work alongside the highly respected national Presenters’ Exhibition,” said Arrowmont Program Director Bill Griffith, adding, “This again speaks to Arrowmont’s commitment as a leader in education and support in promoting the careers of the next generation of artists.”

Limited to 200 attendees, symposia and conferences at Arrowmont offer a more relaxed, intimate and focused setting for engaging dialogue, critical discourse and attendee interaction to occur.  The unique mountain setting with galleries, studios, auditorium, housing and dining facilities in close proximity encourages ongoing conversations among artists, students, educators and collectors. Registration is on-going. Please call our registrar Cynthia Bellacome at 865-436-5860 x33.

A portion of Figurative Association: The Human Form in Clay has been underwritten by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Ayco Charitable Foundation and a bequest from the estate of Martha Harrison, and sponsored in part by Highwater Clays, Inc.

For more Symposium details, fees and registration information visit www.arrowmontfigure.org.

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Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a nationally renowned center of contemporary arts and crafts education.