State of the Art 2013-14:
National Biennial Ceramics Exhibition

November 18, 2013 - February 1, 2014

  • Curated by Delores Fortuna
  • Reception and Curatorial Talk: November 21, 6-8 p.m., gallery lounge, live music by the Parkland College Guitar Ensemble
  • Additional Exhibit Lecture given by Delores Fortuna
    November 21, 1:15 in the Art Gallery
  • Additional Artist Lecture given by Don Pilcher
    January 22, 1:15 in S119

Participating Artists:

  • Mary Barringer
  • Sam Chung
  • Bill Farrell
  • Julia Galloway
  • Richard Hirsch
  • Maren Kloppmann
  • Sean O’Connell
  • Don Pilcher

am Chung, Cloud Bottle, porcelain, 10"x12"x7", 2013Delores Fortuna, adjunct assistant professor of ceramics at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has selected eight ceramic artists from across the country to participate in the Parkland invitational. Her premise for the show stems from her interest in the art-making and problem-solving process as it relates to shifts within the artist's body of work or dual bodies of work they may have developed.

Fortuna has taught ceramics at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago since 1998 and has been working in ceramics for more than 30 years. She holds a BFA and an MFA from the University of Chicago and divides her time between Chicago and a home studio in rural Galena. Her work uses basic wheel-thrown shapes as starting points and glazes of her own formulation to create functional pieces.

The biennial ceramics invitational will also be the topic of a brief gallery talk by Parkland College faculty artists Chris Berti and Laura O’Donnell at 5:30 p.m. during "Coffee and Tea, Cups and Dessert," the biennial benefit for the Parkland Art Gallery. Participants will enjoy beautiful handmade cups donated by Parkland faculty and students; the music of the Chip McNeill Jazz Trio; tasty desserts from Great Harvest Bread Company; coffee from Herriott’s Columbia Street Roastery; and tea. A silent auction of ceramic works—perfect for holiday gifts (or for yourself)—will round out the evening’s festivities. Tickets are $30 (2 for $50) and may be purchased at the Parkland Art Gallery, through the Fine and Applied Arts office in Room C120a, or through the art gallery office by calling 217/351-2485 or emailing parklandartgallery@parkland.edu. Tickets will also be on sale Nov. 21 during the reception.


Image: Sam Chung, Cloud Bottle, porcelain, 10"x12"x7", 2013