Be sure to go to the artist’s page to see select pieces in the show.

June 3- July 25

Artist Talk: Sat., June 5th, 5-6 PM

Reception: Sat., June 5th, 6-8 PM

The Gandee Gallery is proud to present the work of ceramist, John Jessiman, and painter, Steven Barbash.  These two distinguished former professors of art taught together for almost 30 years at State University of New York, Cortland. The public is invited to hear the artists speak about their artwork and long friendship at the Gandee Gallery Saturday, June 5^th, from 5-6 PM with a reception to follow, from 6-8 PM.

John Jessiman’s ceramic artwork is rooted in function and inspired by the abstract expressionist aesthetic.  He received his MFA in Ceramics from Alfred University in 1963 at a time when artists where pushing the boundaries of their medium and he was drawn to ceramic artwork that “moved clay much as the expressionist painter approached painting.”  This connection continues to inform his art practice.  His work in the upcoming Gandee Gallery show will demonstrate his visceral forms and atmospheric surfaces.

After retiring from SUNY Cortland in 1996 after 33 years of teaching, Jessiman moved to Appomattox, VA and founded the Cub Creek Foundation in 2001, a residency program for emerging ceramic artists.   He actively exhibits his artwork and conducts workshops at many venues nationwide.

Steven Barbash is a master draftsman. His work investigates the natural world with attentiveness and formal precision.  A graduate of Yale (where he studied under Bauhaus proponent, Josef Albers), he applies abstract construction and structure to “the compelling images of life.”  His proficiency with painting, printmaking, and drawing can be seen at the Gandee Gallery, offering the viewer a sampling of his techniques and subject matter, including studies of landscapes, flowers, birds, and the human figure.

Barbash’s teaching career began in 1960 at Juniata College, in Huntingdon, PA.  In 1970, he moved to Upstate New York to teach at State University of New York, Cortland, and nearly 30 years later, he retired in 1999 as a University Distinguished Professor.  He has shown his work regionally and nationally, and has work in many permanent collections, including the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, and the National Collection of Fine Arts at the Smithsonian Institute.  He lives with his wife, Judy, in Ludlowville, NY.

Sculpture and Pottery by Shanna Fliegel

On View May 1- May 31, 2010

Reception Sat., May 1st, 6-9 PM

Check out a review of the show from the ‘Stars’ section of the Syracuse Post Standard:

http://blog.syracuse.com/cny/2010/05/gandee_gallery_in_fabius_hosts_exhibit_of_arresting_off-beat_ceramics.html

Shanna Fliegel’s ceramic artwork draws upon “the surrealistic nature of dreams and childhood memories” and combines image, color, and sculpted forms to create “vehicles that generate stories for the viewer”.   Her artistic output includes anthropomorphic figures, wall tablets, and functional vessels and these will be on view in Fliegel’s upcoming show, Fiction to Function, at the Gandee Gallery.

A reoccurring theme in Fliegel’s work is “the disposition of contemporary society’s relationship and/or disconnect with both wild and domesticated animals.”  She states, ”by chronicling the threatened and easily forgotten creatures that make up the natural world through drawn and figurative forms I hope to preserve their fragile essence as permanent artifacts.”

The Gandee Gallery is sponsoring a hands-on workshop conducted by Shanna Fliegel.  It will be held Sat., May 1^st, 10:00-3:00 at the Gandee Gallery studio and is open to all experience levels.  The cost is $35.  The workshop is free for Syracuse Ceramic Guild members.  For more information or to register, email Jen Gandee at jen@gandeegallery.com.

The workshop will focus on surface decoration techniques.  Shanna utilizes sgraffito combined with slips, underglazes, and glaze and incorporates imagery created by thermofax, a kind of silkscreen technology.  She applies these techniques to her functional and sculptural forms.  Workshop participates will have the opportunity to practice demonstrated techniques on tiles, which they can take home, or have the Gandee Gallery fire, for an extra fee.

Fliegel is currently a Resident Artist at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY.  She received a MFA from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL and a BFA from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.  Her work was recently shown at the 2010 NCECA Invitational, Earth Matters, at the Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA and she had at solo exhibition, Artifacts of Circumstance, at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY in 2009.

Be sure to go to the artist’s page to see select pieces in the show.

March 18- April 25, 2010

Opening Reception- March 20, 6-8 PM

Act 2 represents a pivotal moment in the life and art for artist, Michelle DaRin.  Known regionally and nationally as a designer of fine art jewelry, Michelle also creates sculptural assemblages.  These combine found objects, cast bronze, and reclaimed wood, fiber, and metal.  Much like a three-dimensional collage, these pieces become a “stage” for object interaction, channeling the subconscious of the maker and are open to interpretation by their audience.

Michelle’s jewelry also incorporates various elements, including forged and enameled copper, cast silver, fiber, resin, and stones.  She responds to materials and color intuitively and maintains that her designs are made in an effort to “brighten the world” and are fun to wear.  Her jewelry and sculpture will both be featured at the upcoming Gandee Gallery exhibition.

DaRin earned a BFA degree in Sculpture from SUNY Cortland and a MFA from Syracuse University in Metalsmithing.  Her jewelry has been featured in Bridal Guide, W Magazine, and Women’s Wear Daily, and on The Today Show, and can be found in many boutiques and fine stores, including select Nordstrom’s locations.  Michelle lives with her husband and three children near Jamesville, NY.

Fired Experience: Recent Work by Jack Troy

Oct 15 – Nov 6, 2009

Wood-fired pots and sculpture.

Holiday Show 09

Nov 19 -Jan 17

Featuring artwork by 16 locally and nationally recognized artists.

Ed Feldman-The Salted Lip: a tall drink of something cool

Sept. 3- Oct 11

Pots that celebrate the rituals of eating and drinking.

A good time was had by all! Thanks to those who came!

Grand Opening Party

Outside the Gandee Gallery

Esther Konrad, Jen Gandee, and Mary Giehl

Shawn O'Connor and Jeremy Randall

Fall 2010 Classes and New Open Studio

Adult Pottery Class

Adult Pottery Classes
Friday afternoons 11-2 for 6 weeks
Starting Sept. 17 – Oct. 29 (no class 10/15)
Cost: $185 (materials and firings included)
Mature teens are welcome to join!
Students will be instructed in the making of clay forms on the pottery wheel and utilizing various hand-building techniques to make tiles, boxes, and functional items.  No prior experience is required and self-directed projects will be facilitated with the help of the instructor.

New Open Studio Sessions will run 9 weeks
Starting Sept. 16 – Nov. 20 (closed 10/14-10/16)
Thurs. evenings 6-9, Fri. 11-6, & Sat. 11-2
Cost: $250
Open Studio gives self-directed individuals access to a well equipped studio with pottery wheels, work tables, electric kilns, and a raku kiln.  A supervisor will be on site during open studio hours.  Prior experience necessary. You will be responsible for purchasing and managing your own clay, but studio glazes and underglazes will be included in the cost of the session.  Firing of pieces will be $5 per cubic foot.

email Jen Gandee for more information and to register!  jen@gandeegallery.com

Student Artwork