Ceramics Exhibition Sets the Table for Conversations

St. Stephen’s is pleased to host a special collection of ceramic works in the school’s Scanlan Gallery. “Nourishing Interchanges: Rituals of Sharing, Giving and Receiving; The Ceramic Experience” will be on display through October 31. An opening reception and interactive ceramics experience will be held on Thursday, September 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
 
“Nourishing Interchanges” was the brainchild of St. Stephen’s Pottery Instructor Lisa Orr and Upper School Art Teacher Elizabeth Zepeda. “The idea for this exhibition was born out of this year’s school-wide theme: Listen,” explained Orr, whose private collection of ceramics comprises the special exhibit. “While pottery is inherently silent, the pieces selected are ones that speak in their own way, though form, utility, decoration and relationship to each other and to communication to the viewer.
 
“Nourishment can come in many forms and can satisfy the body and soul in infinite ways,” Orr added. “At the most fundamental level, pottery jars help to prepare or preserve essential nourishment for survival. Some utensils are exquisite while others are unadorned for the sharing of foods or drinks, creating a particular ‘specialness’ of the time, space and mood. These objects set the stage for the intuitive or conscious art of giving and receiving everything from nourishment, to ideas, stories and knowledge. Often when we partake in daily rituals, we serve, and we offer our attention as we respectfully listen, learn and feel.”
 
“Artists will intentionally or unintentionally reach out to viewers through their pieces with ideas, signals, inspirations, messages or other communications,” explained Zepeda about the interactive nature of the exhibit. “Through this experience, we both have been profoundly moved, touched and changed by utilitarian artworks that we have enjoyed at our tables and in our hands.”
 
Orr and Zepeda have planned several gallery events throughout the months of September and October. You can follow Scanlan Gallery activities on Instagram @sstx_scanlangallery.
 
Scanlan Gallery is located in the Helm Fine Arts Center on St. Stephen’s campus at 6500 St. Stephen’s Drive in Austin. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment and during events in the Helm Fine Arts Center. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Zepeda at ezepeda@sstx.org.
 
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Address: 6500 St. Stephen's Dr., Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 327-1213