Clay Gallery in the News
NSB Clay Gallery Offers Home-Spun Art
By Robert Burns
January 29, 2009
NEW SMYRNA BEACH - The setting sun darted between the fronds of a towering bird of paradise. It glanced off a counter-top embedded with sparkling flotsam and jetsam found by craftsman Bud Gilbert. The golden light then glittered briefly on finely burnished jewelry, hand-crafted by Erin Mindigo Lee, then bounced off startlingly white, sinuous, clay pots thrown by Erin's father, Chaz Mindigo. Through the beam of light, passes studio owner and functional sculptor Teresa Bowen. Clay Gallery at 302 S. Riverside Drive is where she, and her flock of more than 80 different artistic friends, at one time or another, gather to create.
Looking around the courtyard surrounded by her gallery and showroom, Ms. Bowen reflected, "It is beautiful, but it's even more special at night - when we have open house." She has one every first Saturday of the month - and this weekend - during the Images Festival. "We're really looking forward to it," said Ms. Bowen.
Scattered throughout the brightly painted Riverside bungalow are bits of art, every medium, every style, all for sale. "Personally, I would call my style 'contemporary'," said the mid-western native, but she rails against being categorized. She started working in clay about three decades ago - learning her medium and developing her metier. Then in 1999, the accomplished artist decided to convert her New Smyrna Beach home into a gallery and the shed behind - into a studio, the land between - a haven for artists of every stripe. "That's one of the best things about New Smyrna generally, and this compound specifically," said the potter, "the constant growth and energy created by fresh artistic input."
Inside Ms. Bowen's sunlit studio, fellow potter, Chaz Mindigo works on a large serving dish, a piece inspired by - and formed upon - the cast of a giant flounder. "Yeah, when the actual fish first showed-up in the studio we were planning on eating it," said Mindigo, "then we started using the fish to create an initial casting. Pretty soon Teresa and I looked at each other (he wrinkled his nose) - nah!" The fish's flat visage has been replicated time and again. "Well, at least this fish will be well remembered," said Mindigo with a laugh.
From the other side of the room, Ms. Bowen cast a glance and wry smile. "You'd better back up!" said the potter to reporter. No sooner had the reporter moved, than the glaze started flying. "I have any number of different glazes," said Ms. Bowen, "this actually fires pretty close to what you're seeing here." She placed the soon to be earth-tone glazed Brie Bowl down where it would eventually be fired, and moved on to an identical bowl - sans the glaze.
Out in the courtyard, jeweler and cabinet man, Bud Gilbert starts toying with a composite counter top which will also feature a fountain of water - and quite possibly a fountain of fire as well. "Oh, I'll be busy all week," said the whimsical craftsman. "This stuff (meaning his counters and creative cabinets) has to be ready by this weekend for IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts." The festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in NSB's Riverside Park - just across the street from Clay Gallery.
"New Smyrna Beach is wonderful for those who love the arts," said Gallery owner Bowen. "We are looking forward to having an on-going party in this courtyard." Just go through the trellised gate, down the red brick path, wander onto the deck, and into a tiny corner of the Florentine renaissance, about 650 years later - but no less talented.
SOURCE: The Observer
New Smyrna Celebrates this Saturday
December 1, 2008
The Clay Gallery, a nifty little arts space in a house down the street from New Smyrna Beach's Arts on Douglas, and right across the street from Harris House gallery, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this Saturday afternoon.
Various artists will be doing their things -- working in small metals, throwing clay, demoing large metal sculptures, doing glass bead work and so on. There will be entertainment, refreshments and the usual festivities of the annual Holiday Hop. Sounds like a good time to check out what's going on in downtown New Smyrna's little arts district.
SOURCE: Orlando Sentinel Arts and Entertainment Blog
Clay Gallery Receives 2008 Best of New Smyrna Beach Art Galleries & Dealers Award
November 20, 2008
U.S. Local Business Association's Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
WASHINGTON D.C., November 20, 2008 -- Clay Gallery has been selected for the 2008 Best of New Smyrna Beach Award in the Art Galleries & Dealers category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).
The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA)
U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Local Business Association
CONTACT:
U.S. Local Business Association
Email: PublicRelations@USLBA.net
URL: http://www.USLBA.net
