Clay Times Back Issues Vol. 2 Issue 6 • Sep/Oct 1996 | Page 16
Fourth Strictly Functional
Pottery National Exhibit
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O
ne might be tempted to
think that presenting a functional
exhibition would limit breadth of the
presentation, but this exhibit clearly
proves otherwise,” said project director Jean Lehman of The Fourth
Annual Strictly Functional Pottery
National Exhibit.
were majolica, terra sigillata, sgraffitto, feathered slip, slip trailing, colored porcelains, ash, saturated copper, shino, soda,
and salt glazes. Oxidation,
reduction, salt, soda, and
wood firings were all used
to finish the pieces.
This year’s exhibit drew 722
slides submitted by 288 potters in 44
states. Juror Phyllis Blair Clark of
Ohio selected 82 pieces for the exhibit. Her jury criteria consisted of form,
functionality, fine craftsmanship, evidence of the potter’s hand, and originality. Although the physical exhibit
was held April 29-May 19 in
Lancaster County, PA, you may still
view the entire exhibit on the World
Wide Web at http://www.art-craftpa.com.
“Many gallery competitions in the U.S. are not
geared to functional
pieces,” said Lehman. “The
Strictly Functional Pottery
National Exhibit adds an
extra dimension that has
often been missing from the
national ceramics scene.”
Pitcher. 7” x 7.5” x 3” by Posey Bacopoulos.
Majolica on terra cotta. Earned “Project
Director’s” Award for Excellence in
Form and Function.
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BY LYNNE SCHLINKMAN
The show ran the gamut in style,
materials, glazing methods and firing techniques. There were platters,
pitchers, candlesticks, vases, jars,
bowls, baking dishes, casseroles,
teapots, cups, ewers, a breakfast set,
a soup tureen, and a watering can.
Clays included earthenware, redware, stoneware, and porcelain. The
pieces were thrown, handbuilt,
thrown and altered, cast, or extruded. Glazing techniques represented
The exhibit began
when potter and project
advisor, Scott Jones, saw
what he terms as an
“imbalance” in exhibits.
Believing that functional
potters needed a venue of
their own, Jones started the
SFPN Exhibit in 1992 with
support of the Market
House Craft Center, a nonprofit organization which
promotes crafts and craftsmen.
“An enjoyable part of the job is
unwrapping the pots. It’s just like
X-Vase. 18” x 7” x 7” by William Shinn. Stoneware;
extruded and slab. Earned “Best of Show” Award.
This year, Jones, who
needed more time for his pottery
career, moved into another role as
project advisor, while Lehman took
over as project director.
Christmas!” said Lehman, who was
assisted in her various duties by 50
volunteers. A functional potter herself, Lehman organized a volunteer
Fish Dish. 4” x 16” x 6” by Jeff Oestrich.
Thrown and altered; salt-fired. Earned “Juror’s Choice” Award.