By Kepper Petzing | Contributing Writer
When people harnessed fire, it was for warmth, light, food, and protection. Then, people began using fire to make things they needed, and to make them beautiful. This month we get to see some of the results. Everyone is invited to the 41st annual Ceramic Showcase by the Oregon Potters Association and Gathering of the Guilds being held at the Oregon Convention Center on Friday, April 19th – Sunday, April 21st.
This unique artisan exhibition is one of the largest art shows in the Northwest. More than 300 artists working in metals, glass, wood, beads, fiber, and clay will be displaying and selling their wares, doing demonstrations, providing activities and more. Each artist is required to be present, so attendees can visit with them and learn about each piece. Admission is free with easy public access via light rail, streetcar, and bus, plus plenty of parking (which is not free.)
Three Concordia artists, who are participating this year, use fire to make their art. for many years for Head Start, helping children explore art. She still teaches part-time. In 2002, a stained-glass class captured Kennison’s interest and her interest turned to glass.
“I was hooked and never looked back.” By 2004, Kennison had her own kiln in her basement, and began showing her work at Gathering of the Guilds. She has worked with fused glass jewelry, fused glass items functional and nonfunctional, and mosaics. “I love putting colors together in different ways. The best part is when you let go and let the glass tell you what it wants to do.”
Kennison is a member of the Pacific Northwest Glass Guild where she can play with glass, learn, and develop relationships with other glass artists.
“I thought, ‘Do it now.’”
Sophie Bertrand has been creating pottery for the past 10 years. Five years ago, she and her husband built a small ceramics studio at their Concordia home. Bertrand is mostly self-taught, after taking a wheel class and falling in love. Two years ago, she quit her job to become a full-time potter. “I thought, ‘Don’t wait, do it now.”
Last year, Bertrand began selling her work at Saturday Market. This will be her first Ceramics Showcase. She shares, “pottery makes me happy when I make it. I hope it makes people happy when they use it. I want my coffee mugs to bring joy to the start of the day.” For people who say they don’t have room for another mug, Bertrand recommends a mug shelf displayed as art on your wall. Each day, you pick which mug to brighten your morning coffee.
“I love fire.”
Marsha Sandman found her passion for making jewelry as a student at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks… and that was it! She creates one-of-a-kind pieces in silver and gold using a torch and ancient techniques to fabricate her work.
After many years of metalsmithing and selling her work nationwide, she is enjoying the slow lane of retirement. Sandman is a member and past vice president of the Creative Metal Arts Guild which meets monthly. She is also a Concordia News contributor.
As a lifelong traveler, she has brought home many unusual stones to adorn her work. Sandman claims that she loves fire and it shows in her creativity.
The Showcase and Gathering are focused on the functional arts – art you can use and wear.
Three additional guilds that will be at the showcase are: Guild of Oregon Woodworkers, Portland Bead Society, and Portland Handweavers Guild. If you go, please stop by our Concordia artists’ booths to meet the artists and enjoy the artistry, skill, and joy they give to our community.
Kepper Petzing has lived in Concordia for 42 years. They are nonbinary. They love community and the public spaces where we can be together.