MUSE will celebrate artistic inspiration on Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg at 7:00 p.m. The fifth annual benefit for the arts will recognize the breadth and beauty of art and culture in our City of the Arts, and pay tribute to those that continue to inspire and guide St. Petersburg to its standing as an international arts destination. Proceeds will benefit artists, arts education, and arts & cultural organizations through our Arts Alliance programs and services.
MUSE Visual Arts Award honors Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker Pottery
This award recognizes an artist or organization that has achieved excellence in the visual arts which include ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, glass-blowing, printmaking, design, crafts, photography, video, lm making and media arts.
Charlie Parker’s ceramic career began in 1967, at the age of 14 when he joined Minnesota Clay Company as a part time clay mixer.
From 1971 to 1975 Charlie studied with Warren Westerberg at Westerberg Pottery in Minneapolis. During his apprenticeship with Westerberg, he focused on form and expression as well as glaze application and firing techniques.
In 1996, Charlie partnered with Russ Gustafson-Hilton and Stan Cowan to establish St Petersburg Clay Company. St Pete Clay began as a small studio with 12 members, a ceramic supply store and gallery. In 2002, St. Pete Clay moved to a new 33,000 square foot location in the historic Seaboard Coastline Train Depot, now the Morean Center for Clay.
Through his experience Mr. Parker has established himself in the clay community as both an artist and educator. In November 2010 Charlie sold his shares in St Pete Clay in order to fulfill his life- long dream of owning his own studio, Charlie Parker Pottery.
Charlie has won numerous awards in several juried shows such as CarftArt and the Morean Art Center. He has been featured in Ceramic’s Monthly and PBS/WEDU Arts Plus. His work can be seen in the Raymond James art collection as well many galleries though out the US and private collections.
Charlie Parker Pottery, located in the Warehouse Arts District in St Pete, spans over 3600 square feet. It is a clean, open environment that comfortably sits over 25 people for workshops and classes. The studio currently has 18 members and conducts classes daily. The gallery features Charlie’s work, as well as the work of the talented members of the studio.
For ticket and sponsorship purchase please go to HERE