Amazing Art Made Out of Clay

Under a golden sunset sky, several hundred people enjoyed the Nov. 18 opening reception of “Form and Function: Ceramic Artists in California” at the spacious new Westmont Museum. Collections Manager Chris Rupp organized the show, thoughtfully placing nearly 200 ceramic pieces in the museum from an impressive collection of California artists. Several pieces by Otto Heino and his wife, Vivika, who were highly acclaimed potters from Ojai, highlight the show. Their work is made available from private collections and, like the rest of the exhibition, is for sale.

“Visitors have been delighted by the display of cups, tea bowls and mugs by each artist that lines the entry way to the museum,” says Judy Larson, Askew professor of art and director of the museum. “These have also been the most popular item that people have bought.”

Many of the artists have teapots on display, offering a way to compare styles and finishes. Marc Digeros, who is a model builder for the architect Frank Gehry, presents a structural, geometric teapot, whereas Scott Parady shows an organic, bulbous pot with a rough finish, and Tricia McGuigan offers several whimsical slipcast pieces with playful figurines on the lids, including a toy soldier and a reindeer.

“Form and Function,” just the second show at the Westmont Museum, will be on display through Dec. 18. The museum is closed Nov. 25-28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.