St. Petersburg, Fla. – The Morean Arts Center for Clay is participating along with St. Petersburg Clay Company and Highwater Clays of Florida to put on the Florida Heat Firing Symposium which includes many of the most noted clay artists in the world today. The symposium will run from February 9 through February 20, 2013.
The Florida Heat Firing Symposium is an eleven day firing intensive workshop where attendees will work with the participating artists and fire work in the legendary Anagama; there will be 1,000 pieces of work in this kiln and it requires seven days and nights of constant tending. The Train, Soda and Salt kilns will also be fired.
Notable artists include the famed Don Reitz. Don is recognized as one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of this century. Professors Matt Long, John Balistreri & Chris Gustin, will be joined by Joy Tanner and William Baker. The symposium will also feature special guests Kathy King, Steve Young Lee, Adam Field and Trevor Dunn. These artists represent the best ceramic programs across the country.
“Florida Heat brings Clay enthusiasts from around the country together, and as we continue to grow this event year after year, it will evolve into an internationally acclaimed symposium” stated Valerie Scott Knaust, Clay Studio Coordinator for the Morean Center for Clay. “We look forward to working with some of the most amazingly talented people and getting to share our wonderful arts scene with so many.”
Running in conjunction with the Florida Heat Firing Symposium is the Morean Arts Center’s Functional/Dysfunctional: National Juried Ceramics Exhibition showcasing innovative sculptural and functional works from all across the country. Kathy King, an active studio artist in Boston and Assistant to the Acting Director and Instructor at the Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard juried the functional works for the show. Steven Young Lee, currently the Resident Artist Director of the Archie Bray Foundation, juried the sculptural works. Awards will be announced during the OPENING NIGHT PARTY, Saturday January 12 at the Morean Arts Center.
The Morean Arts Center will also exhibit Florida Heat: Instructor Work, featuring works from artists participating in the Florida Heat Firing Symposium. Functional/Dysfunctional and Florida Heat: Instructor Work will be on view January 12 through February 24.
“We are very excited to focus on clay during this time,” stated Amanda Cooper, Curator of Exhibitions for the Morean. “It’s very accessible, but at the same time, much of the work in these exhibitions will be challenging and thought-provoking to the viewer, stretching the idea of what traditional pottery and ceramic artwork can be.”
The Opening Night Party on January 12 is FREE and open to the public. Entrance to the Morean Arts Center to see the exhibits is also FREE and open daily. Registration is required for the symposium.
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For more information on the Florida Heat Firing Symposium or to register, please call 727.560.8118 or email Valerie Scott Knaust at Valerie@moreanartscenter.org. Quantities are limited.
For information regarding the Morean Arts Center’s upcoming exhibitions, openings, and awards ceremony, please visit www.MoreanArtsCenter.org