Ceramics students exhibit downtown
During April, the work of University of Maine at Presque Isle ceramics students has been on display in downtown Presque Isle in the Project Compass Ceramics Show. The 450 Main Street location, near the Northeastland Hotel, showcases completed works made possible through a Project Compass mini-grant.
The students whose works are on display include: Joanna Dumond, Whitney Graham, Shelly Hanson, Judith Jeffery, Arelis Jimenez, Rebecca Kelley, Jenna Larochelle, Erick Martinez, Paige McEachern, Carleena Newman, Melody Sanborn, Erica Smith, Krista Stevens, Brittany Taylor and Amanda Turmenne.
Renee Felini, assistant professor of fine art, secured the mini-grant and created the course framework in order to offer a unique learning experience for the students. As a result, students had access to materials that would not normally be available and learned an alternative ceramics technique. The process was not only an opportunity to learn the use of new materials, but also an exercise to promote further understanding of Native American history.
Each student chose a Native American tribe and story from their selected tribe, which they depicted on the surface of the ceramic vessels they created using the coiling technique. Some of the works narrate stories from tribes local to the region. The stories narrated in a pictorial manner on each vessel are accompanied by a summarized written version in the show.
Those involved in the show recognizeMyrth Schwartz for being a constant support throughout the entire process, Brian Korhonen and Claude Boucher for building the display stands, Leah McEachern for all her hard work finish glazing and firing the pieces, Tim Bair for all his help editing statements and installing the show, S.W. Collins for donating show materials and the Northeastland Hotel and the Hedrich family for donating the space.
Viewings can be made by appointment; call Tim Bair at 540-6505 to set up a time. School groups are encouraged to attend. A closing celebration is set for Friday, April 30, at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the public event.
Students in Renee Felini’s art class create ceramic vessels as part of a unique project that combined learning about ceramics techniques and Native American history.
