CLAY EXHIBIT in gallery of BMCA

Black Mountain Center for the Arts 

Opens Annual 

BMCA Clay Studio Exhibit December 7, 2012

By Rita Vermillion

Annie Singletary boxes

Since its opening in 2007, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio, housed in a recycled city garage adjacent to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts at 225 W. State Street, has presented an annual Studio’s Teachers and Students Exhibit, along with a Holiday Market open for shopping. The theme for the 2012-13 Exhibit is “All Things T,” from functional and ceremonial tea-related items to the whimsical. The Exhibit and Market will open with a reception on Friday, December 7 from 6-8 pm.  The Exhibit will continue through January 18, 2013.  The Market will close on December 21.  For more information visit www.blackmountainarts.org, or 828/669-0930.

Professional potters teaching in the Clay Studio currently are Charles Freeland of Charles Freeland Pottery, Geoff Bird of Morning Sky Pottery, Cathy Babula, and Annie Singletary of Annie Singletary Ceramics.  In addition, Maureen Joyce and Elise Reed have also taught classes this year and will be included in exhibit.

Charles Freeland is a graduate of Austin College and the University of North Texas.  He holds an MFA in ceramics with a minor in painting and drawing.  Charles has taught at a number of different programs from Texas to Illinois, where he taught for Bradley University, Lakeland Community College and Eastern Illinois University in a variety of areas from ceramics to multicultural aesthetics. His pottery can be found online at charlesfreelandpottery.com. He is the Studio Manager for the BMCA Clay Studio.

Geoff Bird is the senior member of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts Clay Studio potters by virtue of his teaching at the Center since 2000 and is 40+ years experience working in the ceramic arts.  His beautiful pottery has brought recognition for him throughout the southeast.  Geoff studied at various schools and studios in North Carolina when pottery was experiencing a renaissance in the 1960s. He owns Morning Sky Pottery with a studio in eastern Buncombe County and a retail shop on Cherry Street in downtown.

Annie Singletary graduated from the University of NC at Asheville, followed by a 2-year Residency at Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts.  She and her husband are involved with Camps Merri-Mac and Timberlake, where Annie’s role has been that of equestrian program supervisor. Her love for nature and her outdoor lifestyle keep her highly motivated in her work in clay. Her pottery is functional, made from porcelain or white stoneware and a variety of glazes. She compares the forms and patterns in her pottery to those in both nature and textiles. See more of her work at anniesingletary.com.

Cathy Babula’s love of pottery began in high school where she focused primarily on hand built work. Bypassing her secret dream of becoming a potter, she pursued a degree in horticulture from SUNY instead. After a career as a corporate trainer, she enrolled in pottery classes at the BMCA Clay Studio concentrating on wheel throwing and rekindled her dream of being a professional potter. She then entered the Professional Crafts - Clay program at Haywood Community College in 2010, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in May of 2012.  Since plants and nature motifs are prevalent in her decorating, Babula has come full circle by merging her original interests of pottery and horticulture.

Elise Reed is a graduate of Salisbury University in Maryland, and has studied weaving and metal smithing at Penland School of Crafts, as well as pottery with Geoff Bird at the BMCA Clay Studio.  She completed the teacher certification program in art education at UNC-Asheville, and currently teaches in the Buncombe County Schools. 

Maureen Joyce, who studied Fine Art at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, has been involved in various mediums of art during her career.  She took classes at the BMCA Clay Studio, opened a studio in her home, offered a variety of classes to adults and children at BMCA, and continued her education at a community college when she moved to Pennsylvania. She teaches a weeklong Clay Camp for Adults at the BMCA Clay Studio in the summers.  Joyce specializes in face vases and raku.

The Asheville Rhythm Section, featuring vocalist Hope Griffin, along with Josh Kinser, Eric Merchant and Elie Herzog will provide music for the Opening Reception.  They will be playing on the Main Floor Stage.