A Historical Journey of American Ceramics

American Masters of Clay, an exploration of American ceramics, will be on exhibit May 13 through June 25 in Reynolds Gallery. An artists’ reception, open to the public, is 5-7 p.m. May 14 in the college Art Center, on the lower campus.

The work of well-known ceramicists from throughout the United States will be on display, from private and public collections alike. The artists include Santa Barbarans Michael Arntz, Chris Bates, Oscar Bucher, the late Armin Müller, Deanna Pini, Lynn Richardson and Chris Rupp, (who curated); Elaine Coleman and Tom Coleman of Nevada; Malcolm Davis of Washington, D.C.; Otto Heino and the late Beatrice Wood of Ojai; Ron Meyers and Michael Simon of Georgia; Jeff Oestreich of Minnesota; and Kurt Weiser of Arizona.

“Several of these artists are in such demand that their galleries have waiting lists of people who want their work and they cannot make pieces fast enough to fill the demand,” said Rupp, a Westmont alumnus. “Many are educators as well as studio potter-artists.”

A number of the artists have pieces in major national and international collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art, The Smithsonian, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and others.

Other than Native American works, ceramics in America have been borrowed from other cultures, most notably English ceramic traditions. Being “new” in the field has allowed American artists to explore ceramics in a new light, separate from tradition, Rupp explained.

“I hope that people will be challenged by what they see and have a desire to learn more about these artists and others, as well as a desire to learn more about how ceramics are made and what a significant role they play in society,” Rupp said.

For more information, contact the Art Center at (805) 565-6162 or e-mail htalkin@westmont.edu. For directions to campus, visit the college Web site at www.westmont.edu.