Strictly Functional Pottery National is celebrating 20 years of the best in American functional ceramics with this year’s show in downtown Lancaster, PA.
Displaying some of the finest examples of current functional pottery in the country, the 2012 exhibit will open Friday, September 14, with a reception at Kevin Lehman’s Pottery, 560 S. Prince St., Lancaster, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Hundreds of potters from across the United States entered the 20th Strictly Functional Pottery National (SFPN) hoping to be accepted in this year’s exhibition. From more than 1,000 ceramic works, juror Jack Troy selected the top 100 pieces to show in Lancaster.
Troy, a potter with an international reputation, served as juror the first year of Strictly Functional and again the 10th year, and returned this year to select the pieces for the 20th exhibit of this national show of functional ceramic art. Teacher, potter, and writer, Troy retired from Juniata College in 2006, where he taught for 39 years.
Troy’s work is in public and private collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park (Japan), Auckland (NZ) Museum of Art and the Kalamazoo Institute of Art. He is the author of Salt Glazed Ceramicsand Wood-fired Stoneware and Porcelain and a volume of poetry, Calling the Planet Home.
The opening reception will offer the public its first chance to view the show and enjoy music, gourmet food and a gallery talk by Troy. Admission to the opening is $15.
The exhibit will be free to the public Saturday, September 15, through Sunday, November 4.
Exhibit hours are:
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Troy will present a one-day demonstration workshop, “Functional Pots – the Space Within, the Space Without,” Saturday, September 15.. The cost of the demonstration workshop is $40, which includes admission to the opening. Contact Kevin Lehman at Kevin@klpottery.com or 717-509-7547 to reserve.
The SFPN is presented and originated with the Market House Craft Center. Sponsors also include the Lancaster City Mayor’s Office and regional clay-related organizations including HACC Ceramics Club, Kevin Lehman’s Pottery, Lancaster Designer Craftsmen, the Pocono Chapter of the PA Guild of Craftsmen, the Central PA Potter’s Group, Riverbottom Pottery, and the PA Guild of Craftsmen.
Ceramics-related companies that support the SFPN include AMACO – American Art Clay Co., Baltimore Clayworks, Bailey Pottery Equipment Corp., Ceramics Monthly Magazine, Clay Times Magazine, L&L Kiln Mfg. Inc., Laguna Clay Co., Skutt Ceramic Products and Standard Ceramic Supply Co.
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For more details about the exhibit and directions to Kevin Lehman’s pottery, go towww.strictlyfunctionalpotterynational.net. The entire exhibit will appear on the website after September 15, along with the past six year’s exhibitions.
