Clay Times Back Issues Vol. 1 Issue 1 • Dec 1995 | Page 4

WALKER MONTGOMERY RON MEYERS: THIRTY YEARS September 15 - October 29, 1995 A retrospective exhibition commemorating 30 years of work in clay by Georgia potter Ron Meyers was recently shown at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon, Georgia. Curated by Clay Times Associate Editor Rick Berman, the exhibition featured a collection of 75 works depicting the progression of Meyers’ early career through the present. Among the pieces there were functional pots ranging from teapots, tea bowls and plates to candlesticks, vases and soup tureens. Meyers presently works with lightly reduced red earthenware decorated with slips, stains, engobes, and a clear glaze. He was pleased to see that much of the work borrowed back for the event showed signs of true functionality, such as chips, discoloration, and wax remnants on candle holders. Following are excerpts of Rick Berman’s April ’95 interview with 4 ▼ Ron Meyers, in which Meyers discusses the evolution of his career as an art teacher, college professor and studio potter. The interview was published in a 24-page supplementary catalog commemorating the exhibition. a little about your art Q Talk education background... Also discuss Frans Wildenhain’s influence on Ron Meyers. Institute of A “...Rochester Technology accepted me as a remedial student for the first year with the promise that if I displayed potential, I would become a fullfledged MFA candidate the second year. RIT’s MFA program at this time was only a rude awakening. All the ideas I had about clay or what ceramics was were quickly dispelled. Obviously, this was a much more complicated pursuit than I had envisioned. But I loved it and was learning every day. I went to the studio at 8:30 a.m., and came home at 6:00 p.m., just like a regular job. “What I was to really learn from Frans was the type of commitment and passion that it took to be an artist. Frans’ whole life revolved around his work, and it was inspiring to see how his work and environment reflected his awareness and concern for nature and life itself. He lived with great gusto and spirit. It was the sum of all of this, his total enthusiasm for work and life, that I was to be most inspired by. I have always felt very fortunate to have been a student there when I was 30 rather than 20.” have your choices Q How for form and surface come into being? CLAY TIMES