☰

ECHOES IN CLAY Georgian and US Ceramic Artists' Dialogue and Cultural Exchange

The goal of this project “ECHOES IN CLAY: Georgian and US Ceramic Artists, Dialogue and Cultural Exchange” implemented in cooperation with Glen Echo Pottery (GEP) of Bethesda Maryland is to raise bi-lateral awareness of professional ceramics artistry and techniques, including an examination of ceramics history in each country, and to lay the foundation for possible future in-person exchanges promoting collaborative artistic, technical and scholarly initiatives. This cultural and educational program entailed an exchange of online master classes, followed by a challenging project and resulting virtual exhibition of ceramic works inspired by the ceramic traditions of both countries. The anticipated impact was to raise awareness of and broaden interest in the quality of ceramic artistry and traditions in both the US and Georgia, deepen understanding of the diversity of expression and technical expertise present in each ceramics community, and create synergies which can lead to future artistic and educational/academic collaborations.

The project goals such as:

To provide a virtual platform for online master-classes for sharing of experience, techniques, and sources of inspiration between Georgian and US ceramic artists and artisans and
To raise general public awareness of the culture, history, and ceramic heritage of both countries, through organizing a series of online lectures and a virtual exhibition had been met through the implementation of the activities planned for the first stage of the project. These included preparatory awareness-raising meetings with potential presenters to discuss the goals of the project and the series of online events.

Series of Virtual Meetings:

“STONEWARE CLAY IN NEW MEXICO ONE POTTER’S APPROACH” delivered by Theo Helmstadter, Green River Pottery; The studies of the Brili Clay mine (Shuakhevi, Adjara) delivered by the Ceramic Alchemy Team (Batumi) - https://youtu.be/h_xMY4ERbk0
Online masterclass delivered by Takuro Shibata Starworks Clay and Touya Studio North Carolina - https://youtu.be/3A_kN7eKtcg
Online masterclass delivered by Michael Poness, Glen Echo Pottery - https://youtu.be/2tDawTVgGb4
Online masterclass by Giorgi Tatulashvili, Gori, Georgia - https://youtu.be/5YjocHrh1T0
Online masterclass delivered by Jen Azzariti, Glen Echo pottery Ceramic Art group, Tbilisi Georgia (Ana Japaridze and Nino Kopaladze)
The Online lecture GEORGIAN CERAMIC TRADITIONS: IMAGERY AND SYMBOLISM delivered by Ana Shanshiashvili, PhD Art Historian, GHCA - https://youtu.be/o6x3-PglCy8
Online masterclass by Candice Methe, Glen Echo pottery - https://youtu.be/eFFuJH3Flq4
Online masterclass by Kevin Crowe Tye River pottery, Qvevri Making masterclass – delivered by Local Qvevri makers from Georgia - https://youtu.be/zcqEWtpEdXc
Online Masterclass by Lorna Meaden and Studio 1300 Ceramics - https://youtu.be/_p_dfj-Uilc
Online Masterclass by Hayne Bayless - https://youtu.be/oG-9QkJ-ANQ
Virtual meeting with Otar Vephkhvadze and Irina Salmina
Virtual meeting with Clay Office

Short Term Residency of GEP representative and On-site workshops in Georgian regions GEP representative (with extensive knowledge of Georgian ceramics) worked in situ with GHCA. Residency activities in Georgia targeted members of the GHCA network from across different regions of Georgia, such as Gori/Nikozi, Tetritskaro, Kutaisi, Batumi, Zugdidi, Telavi/Kvemo Alvani. In Tbilisi, workshop/demonstration sessions were opened to both GHCA ceramic artists and/or current Master’s students at the Arts Academy.

Surface Decoration Workshop was also conducted – for Echoes In Clay participants and junior professionals.

Virtual exhibition - https://craftsassociation.wixsite.com/echosinclay