Wood Camp 2024

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Here are a just few before and after photos of a recent Korean-Style anagama wood firing I was able to do in October. They show only a fraction of this summer’s story of wood and kiln prep, planning and pottery making by a dozen potters (and significant others) connected to the kiln. As much as we all work on, and stress, over the making, glazing, wadding, planning and prep for the 40+ hour firing itself, the real reason we all come together is for friendship, fellowship and great food.

Getting a few good pots is just a bonus… if we’re lucky.

Over the years, manual wood processes became aided by motorized wood splitters and chop saws, and new ultra-thin shelves allowed our older and less strong backs to muster what was necessary to get ‘er done.

Much thanks to the firing culture and amazing place in the Coast Range established and nurtured by instructor, mentor, and potter Jay Widmer. For over three decades, he planned, financed, built, and continued to improve the Digger Mtn Anagama kiln and firings into something magical.

Much gratitude to Jay and his family for letting us be a part of it all.

Work on View…again

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July 31 – August 18, 2024, two of my sculptures were on view in Then & Now: Art as Foundation, at the Corvallis Museum and Cultural Center in downtown Corvallis: Trophy Wife and Could it Be? — two oldies but goodies. Then and now celebrated the longevity of two organizations (The Arts Center, 61 years, and Blackfish Gallery, 45 years) by honoring the vision of founding members, while embracing new members’ ideas. 

Along with works from Hanna Theiss, Clint Brown, Jennie Castle, Barbara Black, I was honored to be in a show with two pieces from Emily Steele, from The Arts Center’s sculpture collection. During the show’s run, the museum also hosted a panel discussion with two representatives from each organization discussing shared founding values, evolution as needed, and where we go from here. It is fun being seen as an artist again!

Stoneware ceramic torso sculpture with one gold arm making a fist in a triumphant "make a muscle" pose, with an older Asian woman standing next to it copying the pose.

Passing the Torch – New Beginnings

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On June 30, 2024, I had the pleasure of passing the torch to a new Executive Director at The Arts Center and retire after serving the greater Corvallis community for the last ten years. While I’m still doing a bit of volunteer work for my beloved TAC, am happily back in the studio and creating a few pieces for a fall anagama firing at Digger Mountain with my wood camp peeps.

Remember, no donation is too large to gift to The Arts Center!

Shape and Form at Art Elements Gallery

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Shots of my show with Mike Baggetta at Art Elements Gallery, Newberg. Our work is a wonderful pairing of 2D & 3D with both of us employing energetic lines, layers of color and mysterious meanings. Thanks to Loni and Lauren for a super installation of our various pieces.

ART ELEMENTS3

ART ELEMENTS2

“Tango” on the left, Mike’s works that have multiple ways they can be hung

ART ELEMENTS

“Green Lookout” in the foreground

CYNTHIA ART ELEMENT2

“Blue Dream Boat” in foreground with three strong monoprints by Mike Baggetta

"Time Will Tell" in foreground and a look into the rest of the Gallery

“Time Will Tell” in foreground and a look into the rest of the Gallery

"Great Expectation" and ""Sweet Dreams" go great with Mike's dreamy layered, plast and wax painting

“Great Expectations” and “Sweet Dreams” go great with Mike’s dreamy layered, plaster and wax painting

My Name in the News . . .

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Always terrific when the press turns an interested eye toward arts and crafts. Our local Alt Newspaper, The Corvallis Advocate has been running a number of artist profiles and so got my turn in the limelight thanks to reporter Mandy Clark. It was a fun show and tell since she was so enthusiastic.

Mandy is someone to watch. Not only has she run a successful Etsy shop while finishing school and working full time, she also is on the editorial board of a NW press, blogs faithfully about pizza (YUM!) and luckily for us is sharing her talents with The CVO Advocate. Here’s a link to the feature she wrote about lil ole me:

http://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2014/local-potter-cynthia-spencer/