‘Big Muddy’ Juried Ceramics Exhibit Opens at Clarke, Feb. 8

Learn more about “Big Muddy” by clicking here.

The Clarke College Quigley Gallery will host “Big Muddy,” a juried, regional ceramic exhibition, from February 8-March 8 in the Quigley Gallery 1550 on the Clarke campus. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 1-3 p.m. in the gallery. Admission to the exhibit and the opening is free and the public is invited to attend. “Big Muddy” will feature 42 ceramic works from 38 artists representing 8 of the 10 states bordering the Mississippi River, including Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Tri-state area residents showing work in the exhibit are Scott Lammer, of Dubuque, Iowa; Paul Eshelman and Adrienne Seagraves, both of Elizabeth, Ill.; and Delores Fortuna, of Galena, Ill. Click here for a complete list of exhibit participants.

Exhibit juror Paul Sacaridiz, an associate professor at the Illinois State College School of Art, said he intentionally selected a diverse range of work with an emphasis on both sculpture and functional ceramics. “The work shows great breadth in the ceramic art form in this region,” said Sacaridiz. “Works chosen include traditional functional ware by established ceramicists, as well as one-of-a-kind avant garde works by emerging artists.”

As part of the exhibit, Clarke will host an all-day ceramic workshop with artist Ron Meyers on Monday, Feb. 12, in the Wahlert Atrium on the Clarke campus. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m., with a break for lunch offering networking time with other artists. Lunch will be available for participants for $5. The workshop is free, but reservations are requested by calling the Quigley Gallery at (563)588-6356.

Meyers has an extensive history of professional activities within the ceramics community. He taught at the College of South Carolina from 1967-1972 and spent the next 20 years teaching at the College of Georgia in Athens, where he retired as professor emeritus. He continues to serve regularly as a workshop presenter, exhibitor, juror and curator.

The exhibit and ceramics workshop are partially funded by a City of Dubuque Arts and Culture Special Projects Grant.