"Flora,
Fauna, Fossils, Crystals, and Clay"
Nature-inspired pottery featured at Museum’s Nature Art Gallery Press release by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences by Maria Sadowski (Raleigh)—As the colors of fall slowly emerge in North Carolina, the pumpkin oranges, mustard yellows, evening blues, and gleaming ambers of nature are echoed in a spectacular new exhibit at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Art Gallery. From October 1 through November 28, enjoy the art of Bulldog Pottery’s Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Friday, October 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Bulldog Pottery is located in Seagrove, North Carolina. The wilderness surrounding their studio inspires these North Carolina potters. According to the artists, “Samantha may look at a flower petal or Bruce at a leaf or a tree trunk as a starting point, but the shape is allowed to change and develop during the process of forming the clay into an object.” Both artists use their daily walks or time in the garden to seek out inspiration in the forms and colors of the natural world. Ideas for individual pieces evolve while working with ceramic material and observing the interplay between glaze, clay, and fire. The artists primarily work in white clays because it gives them bright hues and a broad spectrum of color possibilities. Their one-of-a-kind, handthrown pieces use uniquely formulated glazes to bring a special luster to the pottery. Both artists have a strong foundation in glazes, and experiment with different surfaces. One surface they are particularly excited about is molybdenum crystalline glaze. They have found a successful formula for the glaze and have tweaked it in different ways to achieve matte and spotted crystal variations. “It’s exciting to bring Bulldog Pottery to the Gallery,” says Museum Store manager and Nature Art Gallery director Pay Bazany. “I discovered them while on a buying trip to Seagrove several years ago. As I asked other potters to tell me whose work they admired, the name Bulldog Pottery kept coming up. When I saw their pieces for myself, I understood the excitement. Their work is truly special and stands out. Bulldog Pottery is breaking new ground in terms of their techniques and their artistic skill.” For more information on Bulldog Pottery, visit www.bulldogpottery.com. Images are available on request. The Nature Art Gallery, inside the Museum Store, hosts new exhibitions predominantly by Southern artists six times a year. All exhibited art is for sale. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4:45 p.m. and the first Friday of each month until 8 p.m. Admission is free. For a complete schedule of Nature Art Gallery exhibits, please visit www.naturalsciences.org or call the Museum Store at 919/733-7450m ext, 369. # |