Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Japanese firing technique of Raku – Savannah, GA

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Studio S.P.A.C.E. invites the community to experience the Japanese firing technique of Raku on October 23, November 21 and December 11 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. in the ceramics studio parking lot at 9 W. Henry Street. Ceramics specialist Matt Maggioni will lead multiple firings throughout the afternoons. Participants will select a ready-made bisque piece, glaze it, and watch its firing in the Raku tradition.

raku2Works will be fired on a first-come first served basis. Ceramic artists from the community are also invited to bring bisque fired works for glazing and firing during the demonstration. There is a firing fee of $10, limited to one large work or two small works. There is no fee to observe.

This ancient firing technique involves removing glowing 2000 degree ceramic pieces from the kiln and placing them into an airtight container filled with masses of combustible material to provide a reducing atmosphere for the glaze and to stain the exposed body surface with carbon.

For more information, please contact Matt Maggioni at 912-651-6783 or mmaggioni@savannahga.gov.
raku

China on My Mind – Jekyll Island, GA

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China on My Mind: Inspired by Travels Exhibit of Painting and Pottery

Presented by Jekyll Island Arts Association

The powerful visual inspirations from trips abroad have given us China on My Mind: Inspired by Travels, a collection of new work by two Jekyll Island Arts Association members, painter Linda Wunder and potter Nan Phillips. Wunder’s works of Chinese watercolor on rice paper, colored pencil, acrylic, mixed media and photography alongside Phillips’ high fire stoneware bring the Far East to the Golden Isles.

An Interior Designer by trade with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Linda Wunder enjoys her studio on Jekyll Island.  She wants her painting to reveal her impression of and feelings about a subject. Linda often paints by memory, however, her memory is refined by the feelings the subject is generating.  She truly feels sentiment and mood should prevail in a successful painting. This collection, inspired by her travel to China, has allowed Linda to share her impressions through the integration of traditional Chinese brushwork and contemporary techniques.

Nan Phillips, a Potter since 1957, holds a Bachelor of Arts. She calls the Jekyll Island Pottery Guild in the basement of Goodyear Cottage home.  Nan states, “When I first touched potters clay I knew that I wanted to make beautiful things with this medium for the rest of my life. Everyday, I deal with earth, water, air and fire, each in its proper proportion, all in a rhythm dictated by nature’s science.” Nan’s new collection, inspired by China, is a reminder to her, “My art keeps me connected with all the potters whoever worked in mountain caves, desert canyons and village markets. I think how these pots of mine will outlive me and be passed down from user to user.”

China on My Mind: Inspired by Travels , a collection of new work by these two exceptional artists will be for sale during their show at Goodyear Cottage in Jekyll Island’s Historic District February 1st – March 8th as well as at the artist reception Sunday, February 1st from 1-3 PM. Admission is always free at Goodyear’s gallery and shop, where regular hours are M-F Noon – 4 PM and weekends 10 AM-4 PM. For more information call 635-3920.