To attract participation by
accomplished national and in-
ternational artists, the center
provides affordable studio
space, equipment and profes-
sional opportunities, including
a yearlong fellowship for an
emerging artist. There are cur-
rently 13 resident artists, in-
cluding Ronni Aronin, who
was one of the founders. The
cherished aim of exhibiting is
sustained by an ambitious pro-
gram of on- and off-site solo
or group shows of outstanding
ceramic artists.
The center offers studio
classes—50 a year, held during
three semesters—in all aspects
of pottery, clay sculpture and
ceramic processes for children
and adults. And in its commit-
ment to outreach, Clayworks
supports collaborative endeav-
ors between artists and commu-
nity organizations to bring art
experiences to children and
adults in disadvantaged neigh-
borhoods in Baltimore.
In an informal online video
presentation celebrating the
30th anniversary, Deborah Bed-
well, executive director of
Clayworks and a member of
the founding cadre, pointed to
two qualities that distinguishes
the place: the emphasis on artis-
tic excellence and the warmth
of personal relationships. “W e
make sure that people who
come in the door feel welcome
and part of this community.”
The special quality of the orga-
nization has been noted outside
the ceramics field. “Baltimore
Clayworks is the ideal of what
a community organization run
by crafts artists and providing
the opportunity to work, learn
and earn for themselves as well
as other craft artists should look
like,” says metalsmith David
Bacharach, a former American
Craft Council trustee. “Implicit
in Clayworks’ success is the fact
that this artist-based commu-
nity has been able to involve
artist and non-artist alike in em-
bracing its original mission.”
Among the many events
marking the anniversary have
been “Roots and Wings,” a
show of work by Clayworks’
founders; “Fellowship Show:
Haejung Lee,” featuring the
Korean artist holding the Lorm-
ina Salter Fellowship for 2009-
10;
“Encore!” focused on past
exhibiting artists; and “Body
and Soul,” figurative ceramics
juried by Arthur Gonzalez
(Oct.
2 -N o v . 13).
Moving into
next year, the culminating
event is “Transcending Integra-
tion: African Contemporary
Ceramics Exhibition” (Mar.
5-Apr. 16,2011). As Bedwell
concludes, “The good old days
are yet to come.”— b .s .
baltimoreclayworks.org
в в и в ш
и
Award-Winning Fairs of Fine and Functional Art
Palaon G/еел
O rtg a m > .
Mancfcvovan Coal
1
3 County Fairgrounds • Ht. 9 il 1-91 Exit 19
Royal Plara Trade Center *181 Boston Post Road West
35 minutes from downtown Boston
For complete show and travel information call
800.511.9725
or visit
www.paradisecityarts.com
