Palomar’s ceramics program currently has the most representation it has ever had at one of the largest ceramics museums in the country.
Eight members of the program (five students, hand-picked by three faculty members) are currently exhibiting their work at the biennial exhibition titled “kilnopening.edu” at the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, Calif.
The gallery showcases college and university ceramics programs across California. Each Ceramic professor that enters can select up to two students to represent their school and compete for a chance to be featured at the exhibit.
Sasha Jonestein, head of the ceramics program at Palomar, selected Rebecca Hickman and Michelle Hauswirth. Adjunct Professor and Lead Technician Kelly Schnorr picked Stephen Osterlund and Sergio Palacios; Instructor Lee Puffer chose Edgar Bautista.
“Any opportunity for a student to exhibit at a museum is very unique and demonstrates what a strong, vibrant and diverse ceramics program we have here at Palomar,” Jonestein said.
Hauswirth (whose piece, “The Making Of Purple,” is a female bust slip cast in porcelain) feels inspired by having her piece chosen for the gallery. “I worked long and hard on that bust…to have my work seen and appreciated by such a prestigious place is an honor,” she said.
Palacios’ piece, titled “Even Monsters Cry,” is a pot with three symmetrical eyes carved and glazed on the sides. Another glaze drips down from the eyes, resembling tears.
Osterlund brought in an Egyptian themed, bottlenecked vessel with sculptural elements.
Hickman’s “Philosopher’s Tea Party” is a collection of three teacups, each representing an influential thinker.
Bautista’s installation, titled “Dying Breed,” shows a central figure, alien but humanoid, surrounded by a small army of insectoid creatures, all covered in a metallic, lime green glaze.
Jonestein has three pieces on display in the gallery. Her “Burden” portrays an organ with various medications and pills bursting out of it. The organ hangs from a rope of surgical dressing.
Schnorr’s paper plates and chicken bones are made of porcelain. The sauces that stain the plates are made from underglazes.
Puffer brought his heads “Push”, “Lure” and “Gemini.”
The students and faculty were notified on March 15 about their acceptance into the gallery after submitting their work on March 4.
The exhibition also serves as a fundraiser for individual artists and collegiate programs alike, therefore all the art is for sale.
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