Sculpture created of clay immersed in fire and wood ash, and inspired by architectural themes will be on display in two Western North Carolina venues - the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design in Hendersonville, and the Appalachian State University Catherine Smith Gallery in Boone.  Thirteen internationally recognized potters from the U.S. and Canada were invited to display their conceptual drawings and wood fired clay sculpture, with drawings and sculptural work by Danish clay artist Nina Hole, in Architectural Echoes in Clay, September 19-November 10, 2006.

The exhibit is in conjuncture with the residency of Nina Hole, who will create a Fire Sculpture in Boone, NC at Appalachian State University.  Built over a fire-box, Hole's 15-20 foot architecturally-inspired sculpture is wrapped in a space-age material transforming the sculpture into its own wood-fired kiln.

In contrast, work in the exhibit curated by Judith illustrates clay fired in a process that dates back to the 10th Century, in Japanese-influenced anagama, ogama, and noborigama wood fired kilns.  The labor-intensive wood-firing process requires constant attention for days and represents a shared artistic aesthetic relating to process and materials.  A publication, accompanying the exhibit, features the architecturally inspired clay work of the fourteen potters and essays on the process and characteristics that are highly prized in wood fired pottery.

Main Exhibit: UNC Center for Craft, Creativity and Design. www.craftcreativitydesign.org
1181 Broyles Road
Hendersonville, NC
September 19 - November 10, 2006
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5pm , admission free
Artist Reception: Friday, September 22, 6-8pm

Satellite Exhibition: Catherine Smith Gallery, Appalachian State University. www.web.appstate.edu/arts.html
733 River Street
Boone, NC
Artist Reception: Saturday, September 23, 6-8pm, and unveiling of Fire Sculpture.

Mary Bowron                     Boyds, MD
Frank Boyden                     Otis, OR 
Joy Brown                           South Kent, CT
Judith Duff                          Brevard, NC
Bill Griffith                         Gatlinburg, TN
Lynne Johnson                   Courtney, BC Canada
Randy Johnston                  River Falls, WI
Nina Hole                           Skaelskor, Denmark
Jan McKeechie-Johnston   River Falls, WI
Tim Rowan                         Stone Ridge, NY
Steve Sauer                         Port Orchard, WA
Jeff Shapiro                         Accord, NY
Al Tennent                          Coupeville, WA
Malcolm Wright                  Marlboro, VT