Things have been busy in the studio getting ready for next month - I was pleased to be chosen as one of 31 finalists for the 2013 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder's Prize by the Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA.  This year's Raphael Prize focuses on contemporary ceramics and runs April 25 - August 23, 2014, before traveling to other venues.  Here is a process shot of some things in the works...
http://www.contemporarycraft.org/SCC/Raphael_Prize.html

We are pleased to be part of MSU's 2013-2014 Lecture Series.  Looking forward to visiting with the faculty and students in a few weeks!

MSU Department of Art, Art History Design: Daniel Bare + Valerie Zimany

Kresge Art Center 108 Kresge , East Lansing, MI 48823 Phone: 432-3961 Monday, Feb. 10 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  Add to my calendar Ceramicists Daniel Bare and Valerie Zimany collaborate on a regular basis, creating large-scale installations that address issues related to societal and cultural trends of excess with a particular interest in materials seen as non-durable, ephemeral, or short-lived. Zimany and Bare teach at Clemson University. http://search.lansingstatejournal.com/localevents/event/100/139603-MSU-Department-of-Art-Art-History-Design-Daniel-Bare-Valerie-Zimany

Now that Spring semester has begun, we are beginning to look forward to NCECA in Milwaukee!

I will be presenting a lecture about my research project on contemporary artists in Kanazawa who utilize Kutani overglaze in their work.  I am looking forward to introducing these artists to a new audience!

http://nceca.net/static/conference_presenters.php

One of our grads, Nina Kawar (MFA '14) has been selected to exhibit in the National Student Juried Exhibition - congratulations Nina!

Also, three of our grads (Brent Pafford, Nina Kawar, and Lindsey Elsey) will present a topical discussion on Ornament - look for it in the program!  http://www.nceca.net/static/documents/PreliminaryProgram.pdf

The Abstract Invitational, curated by Ann Stoddard of the Harper Gallery at Presbyterian College has traveled to the Spartanburg Art Museum!

SAM will host the opening reception for the exhibition on Friday, January 24 from 5-7pm.  Meet and greet the artists while enjoying light refreshments and beverages.  Daniel Bare and I will be giving a short gallery talk along with a few other of the participating artists.  Hope to see you there...

Abstract Invitational
group exhibition
January 14th - March 29th, 2014
The Abstract Invitational exhibition is a collection of abstract paintings and sculptures, which features artists from the piedmont area of North and South Carolina.  This exhibition is travelling to SAM from the Harper Gallery at Presbyterian College. “This exhibit of works by artists working in their personal visual language to express and celebrate thought-provoking self-expressions released into an abstract and removed art form is one to visit many times to view, study, and explore your own interpretations,” said Ann Stoddard, Gallery Director and College Curator of Harper Gallery.