May Issue 2000
The New ClayWorks Studio and Gallery in Charleston, SC, Offers Selections From national Porcelain Exhibit
ClayWorks is an innovative
Studio / Gallery concept which opened at 40 Pinckney Street in
downtown Charleston, SC, in the fall of 1999. Owned by Susan Filley
and Carol Updyke, ClayWorks is located in a building which had
sat empty for over a year. It has been redesigned into a working
studio for 10 clay artists and potters. The front of the building
with its bold blue doorway, opens into a beautiful gallery space
hosting work by Susan Filley and
many of the studio's potters including: Carol Updyke, Betsey Carter,
Robin Joseph, Carolina Cercone, Allison Ladd, Maria White, Tara
Gerard, and Bob O. Conner.
Beyond the small but elegant gallery space, one is welcomed into the open working studio. The charm of the historic building with its weathered Charleston brick walls and dark wooden columns, is brightened by splashes of color and displays of handmade pottery. Potters work in each of the studio spaces and talk about their work and the process, inviting visitors to walk through and ask questions. The studio is complete with kilns and other special studio equipment
Filley has made arrangements with many of the artists who participated in a national exhibition entitled, A Touch of Porcelain, to send work to Charleston for a smaller exhibition. Works by selected artists from the national touring exhibit will be at ClayWorks Studio and Gallery May 24 through June 14. Filley co-curated the national exhibition which was held in March in Denver, CO, in conjunction with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference, which was attended by 3500 ceramics artists and professionals. The exhibition has 22 artists and over 100 works and was considered by many to be the best exhibit in the city (almost 100 ceramics exhibits were held in Denver during the NCECA Conference). Clay Times, a national magazine will feature a full length article about "A Touch of Porcelain" in its May issue. The exhibition travels to Atlanta from May 18 through June 17.
The studio artists at ClayWorks in conjunction with the special occasion of this national exhibition, are inviting the South Carolina Arts Commission to visit ClayWorks for a reception and studio demonstration. There will be several free demonstrations open to the public during the festival and a hands-on tile making workshop is being planned.
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings or call the gallery at 843/853-3345.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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Carolina Arts
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