Wed, Jun 12, 2019 2:30 PM Fri, Jun 14, 2019 3:30 PM
Wednesday, June 12, 2019—
6:00pm –8:00pm Opening Receptions at the STC Library Art Gallery and STC Building B Gallery.
Thursday, June 13, 2019—
9:00am – 12:00pm Clay Demonstrations at STC’s Ceramic Studio, B115
1:30pm – 4:30pm Clay Demonstrations at STC’s Ceramic Studio, B 115
Friday, June 14, 2019—
9:00am – 12:00pm Clay Demonstrations at Ceramic Studio, B 115
1:30pm – 3:30pm Ceramic Art Talk with George McCauley and Melissa Mencini, STC Library Rainbow Room
South Texas College brings the Rio Grande Valley its thirteenth annual ceramics exhibition and conference, “Gesture, Surface, Expression.” The exhibit will be on view from June 12 to August 9, 2019, at the college’s Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery and the Art Building B Gallery. The galleries and ceramic studio are located at 3201 West Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. The event includes a full display of ceramic work by distinguished ceramicists George McCauley and Melissa Mencini as well as ceramic work from 12 universities and community colleges across the U.S, including ceramic work by STC and UTRGV students.
The three-day South Texas Ceramic Showdown will begin with an opening reception on June 12 at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery and Art Building B Gallery from 6-8 p.m. The workshop will continue with ceramic demonstrations on June 13 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. and June 14 at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at STC’s Pecan Campus Art Building (Bldg. B) Ceramic Studio. A lecture by ceramic artists George McCauley and Melissa Mencini will be held on Friday, June 22 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., adjacent to their exhibition, in the Pecan Campus Library Rainbow Room. All activities are free and open to the public.
George McCauley is a Greek/American potter who received his MFA from the University of Georgia, Athens in Georgia. He is primarily known for his signature “red neck majolica”, a wood fired colorful functional pottery and sculpture. McCauley’s artistic practice also includes high temperature wood fired Japanese influenced wares. Interests in Asia, ritual, mysticism, folk art and his Greek heritage influence his artistic practice. McCauley identifies his approach to handling clay as casual and finds common ground with the Momoyama Period, Bizen and Iga Ware. Pots are typically decorated with a painterly approach using low fired decorative techniques characterized by non-literal floral designs developed by mixing/brushing color directly on the clay surface in addition to finger painting techniques.
Melissa Mencini is a potter and sculptor who received her MFA from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, she has lived all across the United States from Florida to Alaska. Living in such geographically different places in the US has introduced Mencini to a wide variety of cultures and visuals that inform her work. She now resides in Austin, Texas as a full time artist. Her current focus is making functional pottery embellished with bright floral designs and decals. She also makes a body of sculptural work dealing with antique medical devices and physical anomalies. Melissa has exhibited her work nationally and internationally.
Participating institutions in the collaborative ceramic constructions include: Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Kent State University, Lawrence University, Louisiana Tech University, Mesa Community College, Old Dominion University, Southeast Missouri State University, South Texas College, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, University of San Antonio, McLennan Community College, and Jacksonville State University.
South Texas College exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.
For more information, contact Gina Otvos at (956) 872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryartgallery.