Showcasing 50-100 small ceramic works examining the vast impact of the climate crisis as it relates to Utah's physical and cultural landscape. Works selected to be shown alongside 20 featured artists.
Thursday, March 27 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
March 17- March 29, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Dolores Dore Eccles Ceramic Center, Westminster University, 1840 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City
Campus Map: The building is marked 10, the closest parking is marked D
In concurrent with the annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), Westminster's Ceramic department is hosting a small works exhibition titled "Macro to Micro: A Changing Utah.
What does it mean to you to be a good steward to the earth? As artists working with clay, can we be both? What does that look like for you? How do we gather, show, and support each other without creating a large footprint? In a region where monumental geological formations make up the landscapes that surround, what does it mean to make a diminutive work that is representational of the areas need for protection? How can the intimacy felt with small work evoke a feeling of preciousness and a call to action?
Ceramic artists over 18 with ties to the state of Utah are invited to apply to "Macro to Micro: A Changing Utah," a national juried exhibition hosted by the Westminster University Art Department. Artists are invited to submit small ceramic works that examine the vast impact of the climate crisis as it relates to Utah's physical and cultural landscape. Ceramicists require all of the “ancient” elements to create work. We are seeking art works that speak to these changes through an elemental lens—fire, water, earth, and air.
Westminster Clay believes in diversity and inclusion. Westminster Clay also recognizes the tribal communities of the Goshute, Diné Navajo, Paiute, Shoshone, and Ute peoples, their elders, both past and present, and their future generations. We acknowledge their stewardship of Utah's lands.
There is no entry fee for this exhibition, artists are allotted two entires. Artists are required to pay for shipping, including return from the exhibition. There is a size limitation, works created cannot exceed 8 cubic inches and can be no smaller than 4 cubic inches. Let’s talk about it! Your work as catalyst for exposure and discussion! Works accepted must include an artist statement that ties the work to the exhibition theme. Works selected are NFS and cannot exceed an insurance value over 500$. In order to make this show more accessible, there is no entry fee to apply. Thoughtfully craft a small work that uses less materials and shrink your carbon footprint. Jurors: Artists and educators Vanessa Romo & Shasta Krueger will co-jury the exhibition. Artists are allowed 2 submissions. Works must be made of clay, reach out if you have questions. Works should be primarily made of clay, ideally around 75%.
Westminster University is conveniently located in the heart of Sugarhouse, often coined a city within a city. Westminster was established in 1875 and features unique architectural sites, including our building, more specifically, the celebratory wall “A Century of Ceramics” a 45 ft a collaborative sculptural panel that embraces our studio; thoughtfully crafted by students and faculty over the span of two May terms. Our institution is a 5-10 minute walk from downtown Sugarhouse, which hosts various restaurants, parks, bars, and coffee shops, all the entertainment you’d need. There are near by bus lines that connect you to the whole city, one across the street. Guests can obtain a free parking pass from Westminster Ceramics valid anywhere on campus. In addition to the featured small works show, we have demonstrations from visiting artists, and a boneyard with decades of work from students, faculty, and visiting artists. The entire ceramic building will be open and accessible during NCECA and guests are encouraged to check out our space and studios!
Vanessa Romo is an artist and educator working in Salt Lake City. As an artist, Romo seeks dialogue about human experiences through her creations. Romo was born in Mexico City, received her MFA in Ceramics from the University of Utah, and now works and teaches in Salt Lake City. Romo’s art explores the way humans process issues surrounding gender, identity, mortality, social issues, and environment. Clay and the figure act as gateways into these existential topics. Romo currently teaches at the University of Utah & Westminster University. Romo’s work has been exhibited nationally, most recently in the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
“Simply put, we are all trying to make sense of the life we've been given. Art has, since I can remember, been the tool I've used to negotiate, explore, and explain. I often feel at a loss for words and clay has become the catalyst for communication; a mind body connection I never thought possible. All of us experience some form of trauma, it is an inherent part of life. Clay allows me the opportunity to identify, explore, expose, sublimate, and emote those experiences through my work. I am so grateful for this.”
Shasta Krueger is an artist living and working in Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves to work with clay for both its tactile and intuitive nature and its need for precision and intuitive processes. Inspired by growth, structure and order in plants, she explores pattern, form and repetition throughout her work and maintains an active studio practice including firing atmospheric kilns.
Shasta has worked nationally and abroad through various artist residencies and teaching opportunities including: the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee, the Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center in Denmark, Cub Creek Foundation in Virginia, the Pottery Workshop in China, the Appalachian Center for Craft in Tennessee, the Cobb Mountain Art and Ecology Project in California, and Kimball Art Center in Utah. She earned her MFA in Ceramics from Utah State University. Shasta currently teaches with local universities in and around the Salt Lake Valley as well as managing and teaching at Cottonwood Clay Studio, a community teaching studio in Utah that she co-owns.
