By Adriane Lee Bird, Marketing Manager, City of Walnut Creek, Department of Arts, Recreation and Community Services
The complicated relationships between the so-called “fine arts” and artifacts of other kinds for which artistry is equally important-furniture, jewelry, and pottery-has long been debated amongst artists, curators, collectors, and scholars. Regardless of it standing in the traditional art world, functional craft has provided archeologists with some of the earliest evidence of human culture. Thanks to its relative durability, and because there is so much of it, pottery is a large part of the archaeological record of Ancient Greece and other societies.
But where does it stand today? What will our contemporary potters create that will tell of our tastes, pastimes, and rituals to future historians? The Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek takes a look at these questions in a new exhibition that includes ceramic artists, from all over the United States, examining one form, the vessel. The show Objects of Virtue (December 2, 2009-January 31, 2010) is important because it highlights nationally the wealth of distinctive trends in the field of ceramics today.
The concept of pots as “objects of virtue” is attributed to the late master potter Byron Temple, who championed the idea of potters as artists. With this exhibit, Bedford Gallery presents artists from across the country, who share the idea that something as humble as a pot can have the import and mystery of a fine painting or sculpture. Curator Carrie Lederer states, “In every detail, from the shape of the vessel’s footing, to the finesse of a lid, to the overall shape of its body, the pot demonstrates a concern for both beauty and function. As an amalgamation of surface, color, texture, and mass, pottery is potentially one of the richest art mediums.”
The exhibition was juried by master potter Julia Galloway, Chair of the School of Art at the University of Montana, who states, “An exhibition and gallery location is a brief but very important place for pottery. It is through the act of ‘show’ that the public first comes to see and understand the work. Specific displays of pottery can bridge the viewer with the content in work.”
Bedford Gallery is a program of the City of Walnut Creek. For more information contact the Bedford Gallery at 925-295-1417, or www.bedfordgallery.org
Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Performing Arts.
Tickets: 925-943-SHOW (7469)
12/11 – 12/19: Whiskers! Galatean Players Ensemble Theatre
12/12 – 12/20: Singalong Down Memory Lane Hero Theatrical Productions
12/18 – 12/20: The Biggest Gift Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble
12/20: Voices of the Season…A Multi-Ethnic Celebration by Voena
12/22-23: Once Upon a Christmas The Ballet Joyeux
12/26: Big Fat Year End Kiss Off Comedy Show XVII Worst of Durst
12/29 – 12/30: The Grinch Dance Connection
01/12/10: Bob Schieffer Lesher Speaker SeriesWalnut Creek Farmers Market
Every Sunday, 8 AM to 1 PM on Civic Dr. by Civic Park.Until 01/18, 11 am – 10 pm, Walnut Creek on Ice
Historic Civic Park. Info: (925)935.SNOW (7669) www.iceskatewalnutcreek.comThrough 12/24: Visit Santa on Broadway Lane
For photos and a free gift! Info: (925) 939-7600
www.broadwayplaza.com12/13, Sunday, 3pm: Sierra Chamber Society’s Concert featuring members of the San Francisco Symphony (C.P.E Bach: Trio Sonata in G Major, Ravel: Rhapsodie Espagnole, Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 18, No.6). Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd. Info: 925-930-8880 www.sierrachamber.com
12/13, Sunday, 4 – 6pm: Grand Menorah Lighting
Friends and family are invited to join the Chabad of Contra Costa for their annual Grand Menorah Lighting in Broadway Plaza’s Promenade Fountain Area. Info: www.JewishContraCosta.com or call 925-937-4101.Through 01/15/10: Empire Realty Associates hosts One Warm Coat Drive
This program encourages supporters to pass along new and used coats to benefit those in need. Coats will be collected 380 Diablo Road, Danville or 1261 Locust Street, Walnut Creek, Monday through Friday between 8:30am – 5pm. Info: Julie Sullivan at 925.200.3411 or at julie@julie-sullivan.com.