By Pam Creech
Contributing Writer
Hand-made lidded ceramic jars of all shapes and sizes will be displayed in the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Art Gallery, located in the Cultural Arts Building, Feb. 26-April 9. The 33 pieces in the “Containment: Lidded Forms” collection were selected from 113 submissions from artists all over the country.
The exhibition has been juried by Mark Hewitt, an internationally renowned British potter who lives in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
“It’s a delight to come down; there’s a vibrant ceramics community in the Wilmington area. … It’ll be nice to be a part of that group for a while,” Hewitt said.
Hewitt was also pleased with the entries he judged.
“The variety is one of the distinctive features of the show. There’s a multitude of style, all done very well. The quality of the pots is high. … It’s a tribute to the talent of the individual potter,” he said.
While Hewitt emphasized the uniqueness of each piece, he has a few favorites.
“There’s one that stands out; it’s a crystalized brown jar with a silver lid,” he said. “All of Wilmington should go to the show and see some of the best pieces made by American potters. … Pottery is part of the state’s cultural identity.”
Aaron Wilcox, director of the university’s art gallery, is partial to a three-foot jar that has multiple lids.
“Each lid has a head on it. … It’s pretty funky,” he said.
Wilcox is excited about Hewitt’s upcoming visit to UNCW.
“Mark has an extraordinary reputation in the state,” Wilcox said. “He’s got some of the most elegant forms.”
A reception for Lidded Forms will be held Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m., followed by a lecture by Hewitt at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the “Containment: Lidded Forms” collection, visit www.uncw.edu/art/gallery
The Chieftans
On the eve of the Lidded Forms reveal, another arts event will take place at UNCW. The Chieftains, a Grammy-award-winning Irish folk band, will take the stage in UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m.
“They are the top of their genre. We’re excited to bring in a group of that caliber,” said Melissa Stanley, the presenting and programming coordinator at UNCW’s Office of Cultural Arts. “The focus of the Office of Cultural Arts is to bring in events people normally wouldn’t be able to experience in this area.”
The show is a part of UNCW’s Masters Series.
“We present about eight shows each year. We target the UNCW student community as well as the outside community,” Stanley said. “It’s an opportunity for our department to play a role in enhancing the arts in this area.”
Chieftains ticket prices range $45-$65. To purchase tickets, call the Kenan Auditorium Box Office at 910-962-3500
