August 17, 2016

Lighting the Fire:

Ceramics Education in the American West

August 17 - December 10, 2016

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 8, 7-9 PM
Gallery Talk with guest curator Matthew Limb, Windgate Museum Intern: 7 PM

Drawing upon NEHMA’s important collection of twentieth century ceramic objects, Lighting the Fire: Ceramics Education in the American West examines the significant contributions of potters who taught in universities and studios in advancing the medium of clay in the American West. The exhibition surveys the work of over 20 ceramic artists who through their teaching philosophies inspired generations of students to push the boundaries of the medium. The works presented illustrate how these innovative educators positioned clay as a fine art medium in the mid-twentieth century.

Lighting the Fire is guest curated by Mathew Limb. Limb comes to NEHMA as a recipient of a 2016 Windgate Museum Internship, a prestigious internship awarded through The Center for Craft, Creativity, & Design (CCCD). In his studies, Limb focuses on the development of craft and design in the American West during the 20th century, particularly the history of studio ceramics and the vessel tradition in the U.S. During his four month tenure at the Museum, Limb researched NEHMA’s renowned ceramics collection. A native of Utah, Limb is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Art and Architecture at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He earned an MA in Art History and Visual Culture from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and a BA in History from Weber State University in Ogden, UT.

Many works in this exhibition have been acquired for the Museum through the generous support of the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation. 

Artists

  • Laura Andreson
  • Rudy Autio
  • Ralph Bacerra
  • F. Carlton Ball
  • Viola Frey
  • Maija Grotell
  • Otto Heino
  • Vivika Heino
  • Howard Kottler
  • Ron Nagle
  • Gertrud Natzler
  • Otto Natzler
  • Susan Peterson
  • Antonio Prieto
  • Eunice Prieto
  • Frances Senska
  • Paul Soldner
  • Robert Sperry
  • Nora Eccles Treadwell
  • Peter Voulkos
  • Patti Warashina
  • Marguerite Wildenhain
  • Betty Woodman

Selected Works