Group Show of Sculpture, Painting, Photography and Studio Pottery
Dates: July 11 – September 5, 2009
Reception and Gallery Talk : Saturday, July 11, from 4-6 pm
Curator: Leslie Ferrin, Author of Teapots Transformed: Exploration of an Object

In 2000, gallery owner, Leslie Ferrin wrote Teapots Transformed: Exploration of an Object a book that presents the history of the object and surveys contemporary functional and sculptural interpretations. During the 80’s and 90’s Ferrin was responsible for dozens of exhibitions and during that time, helped to establish public, private and corporate collections including Celestial Seasonings in Boulder, Colorado, The Gloria and Solomon Kamm Collection and at the Charak collection now at the Racine Art Museum in Racine, WI. This is the first exhibition exclusively focused on teapots by various artists to be held in Ferrin Gallery in Pittsfield.

“In the past 30 years, the contemporary American teapot has become the most significant object of decorative and applied art being produced and collected. Thousands of artists, working in all media, have embraced the teapot, creating individual testimonials to this appealing form. With passionate collectors active and now several museums acquiring and exhibiting teapots both within larger collections and as a separate theme, this form continues to develop and draw new interest.” Leslie Ferrin from Teapots Transformed: Exploration of an Object.

Works by local artists featured in the show include the abstract forms in silver by Michael and Maureen Banner, woodfired stoneware based on historic pottery by Mark Shapiro, porcelain storytelling with antique imagery by Mara Superior, collage and assemblage by Donald Clark, and functional works by studio pottery by Michael McCarthy, Christy Knox, Sam Taylor and Tom White . Painters Nanny Vonnegut and Janet Rickus will feature the teapot form in a still life as will photographer, Ogden Gigli.

HOURS: summer hours are 11 – 5:00 daily through Labor Day.