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ferrincontemporary

specialists in contemporary ceramic art 1950-present located on the MASS MoCA campus in the Berkshires

Join us on Feb 4 - 5: An online demonstration and

Join us on Feb 4 - 5: An online demonstration and lecture with renowned figurative ceramic sculptor @cristinacordovastudio as part of the JRACraft Distinguished Artist Series.

Ceramic Demo | Sat, Feb, 4 | 2pm - 3:30pm ET | $40-$50
Artist Lecture | Sun, Feb 5 | 2pm - 3pm ET | Free

Register at: @jracraft jra.org #jracraft #distinguishedartistseries #contemporaryceramics #craftartist #ceramics #ceramiccollector #cristinacordova #figurativesculture #figurativeceramics #ceramicart #americancraft #studiocraft #craftart

This is today - morning looks like a snow day - af

This is today - morning looks like a snow day - afternoon looks like there’s a bit of shoveling in my future -

Snowstorm 1-23-2023

Also thinking about why
#whyiliveinwesternmass

Curious - what’s it like where you are?

#projectart01026
#onlyonecummington
#workfromhome

Oh hello there - When the soft morning light shine

Oh hello there - When the soft morning light shines in the window of the live/work building … I paused a moment to savor the connection these works provide me to the wonderful artists we work with as we plot out our plans for 2023 via virtual studio visits via zoom . Working from home has its benefits, one of them is seeing the beautiful artwork shown by @ferrincontemporary in the seasonal gallery space at @projectart01026 in Cummington. We don’t get many visitors this time of year but if someone happens to stop by or is traveling through … I’ll make you a fresh cup of coffee and you’d get a tour of our library, office, studios and the seasonal gallery.

In this corner are works by Rae Stern @raestern Crystal Morey @cmorey and Peter Pincus @peterpincusporcelain - these are works from their shows at our gallery in North Adams off the parking lot on the @massmoca campus.

#workfromhome
#projectart01026
#cummingtonculturaldistrict
#intheberkshires
#whyiliveinwesternmass

#peterpincus #crystalmorey #raestern

#ceramics #clay #sculpture

Thanks to @jracraft for this excellent interview w

Thanks to @jracraft for this excellent interview with @sergei__isupov and the ongoing interest in Sergei’s captivating work for these many incredible years that’s he’s been working. And!, what perfect timing to coincide with the Figuring Space exhibition at @theclaystudiophl.

What a great way to end one year and start another

What a great way to end one year and start another! Thanks to Cate McQuaid and @bostonglobe for putting Kadri Pärnamets: THE CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER on the weekend list! Planning on coming to the @massmoca campus this weekend? Let us know in DMs or via email as we are by chance or appointment this weekend. Pärnamets’ show continues through 1/28/23. Cheers to all!

Year in Review 2022 - another one from that road t

Year in Review 2022 - another one from that road trip in February - this is from our visit to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta @highmuseumofart with Monica Obniski @monica_obniski and Katya Heller @hellergallery

After two years of zoom meetings and virtual tours - getting to see art in person and spend time with people was novel - now as I look back on the year that trip was strangely innocent and as the year progressed it became almost impossible to keep up with both a virtual and life in real time. Looking back now, I recall how fresh it was that spring day in Atlanta getting an overview of the subtle and not so subtle changes taking place since Monica started there. She started by moving a few things around, placed new works out on view. I got to see two of my favorites, the Victor Schreckengost “Jazz Bowl”and Karl Mueller’s “Century Vase” for Union Porcelain. I also saw for the first time the Justin Rothshank @jrothshank commission acquired when Sarah Schleuning @sschleuning was at the High Museum along with a 2012 the work by Chris Antemann @antemannchris one of the last works she produced in her studio prior to starting her ten year collaboration with MEISSEN.

#chrisantemann
#justinrothshank
#highmuseum
#jazzbowl #victorshreckengost
#centuryvase
#karlmueller #unionporcelain
#ferrincontemporaryontheroad
#ferrincontemporaryinthemuseum
#yearinreview2022

Year in Review - Asheville Art Museum - February

Year in Review - Asheville Art Museum - February 13.

On a 10 day road trip - mostly I work from home @projectart01026 - but for 10 days in 2022 I was able to travel and went South. During the trip, I mostly kept up with sharing what I saw along the way but this one from @ashevilleartmuseum from the day with @katya_heller, @sarahdarro and museum director, Pam Myers - was left in draft - the trip included 16 museums in DC, Virginia, Atlanta, South Carolina, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. In some places I was the first out of town visitor post COVID to see new exhibitions, reinstalled permanent collections and catch the tail end of extended shows. At each stop, the stories poured forth with promises of things to come, exhibitions postponed, others rescheduled, remembering those we lost and retelling tales of dramatic events that took place in 2020-2021. Everywhere the diversification of collections, recontextualization and new scholarship was evident especially on wall text where changes taking place in response to BLM and #metoo movements were stated with new titles, naming of once known makers, attributions, land acknowledgements and works produced during slavery.

If you see little red hearts on the pedestals and floor next to the art, they are loving “votes” by visitors.

(1-5) Cristina Cordova “Isla” 2010-11 @cristinacordovastudio
(6) Whitfield Lovell, “One of these Days”, 2006
(7) “Walter B. Stephen Pottery - Cameo to Crystalline” Pisgah Forest Pottery
(8) Matt Jones @mattjonespotter 2015-2018
(9-10)”Stained with Glass - Vitreograph Prints from the Studio of Harvey K. Littleton” - Sergei Isupov @sergei__isupov “Buzz”, 2003, edition 12/30

#yearinreview2022
#ferrincontemporaryontheroad
#ferrincontemporaryinthemuseum

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from all of us at Ferrin Contempora

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from all of us at Ferrin Contemporary.

The gallery is “hibernating” 12/24 through 1/18/23. BUT if you are visiting the Berkshires and would like to come see us, please DM, email, or visit our site to schedule an appointment - we are out and about nearby.

We will be back to regular hours 1/19/23 but happy to open up for a visit by appt. Safe wishes to all for a great holiday season!

Cups and vases by Kadri Parnamets from her show “Choreography of Water” in the gallery through January.

Artist Paul Scott’s exhibition New American Scen

Artist Paul Scott’s exhibition New American Scenery at the Albany Institute of History and Art closes on 12/31. See it while you still can and be sure to read Jennifer Huberdeau’s exhibition in the award-winning Berkshire Eagle. @redqueen1978 @cumbrianblue_s @berkshireeagle

Structure / Dissonance at the Everson Museum of Ar

Structure / Dissonance at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY "celebrates nearly five decades of work by New York-based artist Raymon Elozua, who first came to prominence in the 1970s with detailed trompe l’oeil ceramic sculptures of decaying industrial landscapes." Throughout two expansive galleries, the exhibition presents three conceptual bodies of work that explore the combined physical properties of three elemental materials: ceramic, glass, and steel.

The Everson Museum of Art announces the publication of a new catalog Raymon Elozua: Structure & Dissonance. The 96 page illustrated catalog documents the exhibition of the same name, which spans three decades of Elozua’s work and focuses on his recent sculpture in ceramic, steel, and blown glass with three comprehensive essays by Garth Johnson, Paul Phillips and Sharon Sullivan Curator of Ceramics at the Everson Museum of Art; writer and critic Thyrza Nichols Goodeve of School of Fine Arts, New York; and artist and writer Maria Porges, and an introduction by Elizabeth Dunbar, Director and CEO of the Everson Museum of Art.

Though the exhibition closes on December 31, 2022, the catalog is available for pre-order. Send us a DM for more details.

@raymonelozua @eversonmuseum @extremecraft

Wedding swag - back in the fall, inspired by artis

Wedding swag - back in the fall, inspired by artists @courtneymleonardart and @gisellehicks I started pinching pots, something I hadn’t done in decades. I joined the weekly clay class taught by Kadri Parnamets @projectart01026 (where I live and work) and embarked on an ambitious project with my mother, June Ferrin, whose water colors of flowers are widely known. Why now? Because my son, Graeme & his high school sweetheart Aurie are getting married in June 2023!!! The bowls are “wedding swag” for all the family and friends coming to celebrate. The first ones were a little rough but we are getting the hang of it and should have 150 to choose from by the spring.

@graeme.sloan @aurie.not.sorry
#weddingswag
#projectart01026
#whyiliveinwesternmass

Three generations at Pinch in Northampton - founde

Three generations at Pinch in Northampton - founded in 1979 by three women in their 20’s to make and sell their own work, contemporary clay art and pots by friends (that included casseroles by Karen Karnes and flame ware by KK’s life partner, Ann Stannard). The other evening, I joined co-founder Mara Superior, partner Donald Clark (1989-2002), second owner, Jena Sujat (2006-present), potter/artist Donna McGee, a few who worked with us & Jena, (in the photo) Amy & Joyce. The very sweet wall of memorabilia behind the sales counter was put together by the new manager, Kelly (who went to school with my kids). It is remarkable that the shop continues to thrive, still offering great local pottery for sale and to think back about how young we were when this all began. I think Kelly is the same age I was when we moved our shop from the basement of Thornes Market across to 179 Main St. in Northampton in 1987 where it still is having survived the pandemic with flying colors. The reading event gathered us together to celebrate Donald’s just published book he co-authored with Chostani Elaine Dean - “Contemporary Black American Ceramic Artists”

@shop_pinch
Northampton, MA
#whyiliveinwesternmass #whereitstarted
#northamptonmass

Paul Scott's souvenirs of today feature printed im

Big smiles all around! After the reception, we gat

Big smiles all around! After the reception, we gathered to toast a busy year of exhibitions near and far and give a special gift of thanks (cup by Kadri Parnamets) to Becky Waterhouse!

Ferrin Contemporary was at Nara Sushi in North Adams to celebrate together following the opening of Kadri Parnamets’s beautiful exhibition, “Choreography of Water” and the year together that included Sergei Isupov’s “Past & Present”; kelli rae adams’ “Forever in your Debt” and a ton of behind the scenes work that went into the group exhibition “Our America/Whose America?”.

But back to Becky - since 2020, @haterwouse has been welcoming visitors at the gallery, doing WFH during the pandemic and special projects like the one last fall on a cross country trip when she found her way to Long Beach, CA and the studio and Pan African Gallery of Akinsanya Kambon @akinsanyakambonart

Of course, we’re sad to see her move away but we know she’s on the right path starting an apprenticeship with Pam at @wild.isley.tattoo

The gathering included Becky’s close friends and the FC team of artists who work for the gallery to support their individual art practices and in the process, help the gallery artists support their art practices.

In alpha order …
kelli rae adams @kelliraeadams
Russell Biles
@russell__biles
Rory Coyne
@rorycoyneart
Ciarra Fragale
@ciarrafragale
Roosi Isupov
Sergei Isupov
@sergei__isupov
Alexandra Jelleberg
Lauren Levato Coyne
@laurenlevatocoyne
@house_of_double_coyne
Kadri Parnamets
Isabel Twanmo
@isabel_mai_
Becky Waterhouse
@haterwouse

#ferrincontemporary
#narasushi
#northadams

Philadelphia-based artist Lauren Mabry has created

A NEW limited selection of cups by Kadri Pärnamet

KADRI PARNAMETS at @ferrincontemporary in conversa

KADRI PARNAMETS at @ferrincontemporary in conversation with @laurenlevatocoyne during the opening of Kadri’s solo show “Choreography of Water”

The weather cooperated- it was rainy Saturday in North Adams, MA

(CRANK vases in the windows)

#ferrincontemporary
#kadripärnaments

One of the main conversations we have in the galle

One of the main conversations we have in the gallery is about materials. Many people have many questions, from ceramic artists and collectors who are intimately familiar with the ceramic process to people who are experiencing it for the first time outside of their familiar kitchen wares and flowers pots. Followers of this account likely know a great deal about materials but we wanted to hightlight Kadri Pärnamets’ works for thos who are curious.

Kadri’s cups start as slabs of Helios porcelain that are rolled flat and formed into cylinders. Pressing areas of the cylinder in and out, Kadri slowly begins to mold the material into cloud-like forms which are then set aside to dry. Once dry, Kadri mixes colored stains in her studio with pigment and porcelain. She prefers to make her own stains rather than use store-bought so she can control the color and density of the material, creating a consistency that allows for even layering. These stains are applied with squeeze bottles or brushes to create an initial pattern, which is then covered in five layers of alternating colors. Once these layers are dry, Kadri starts to sand down the layers to reveal underlying patterns and colors. When she’s happy with the overall design, she bisque fires the cups, applies a glossy glaze to the inside to ensure it’s food-safe, fires it for a second time to cone 10, and sands the outside of the cup one last time. Kadri uses extra fine sandpaper for this finishing step which gives the cups their wonderful satin surface.

KADRI PÄRNAMETS | CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER | on view through January 28. Click the 🔗🔗🔗 to learn more or to purchase!

Cups, 2020-2022, porcelain, slip, glaze, various sizes.

Music for the People playing in @raymonelozua ‘s

Music for the People playing in @raymonelozua ‘s Structure/Dissonance at @eversonmuseum

Raymon Elozua’s exhibition”Structure/Dissonanc

Raymon Elozua’s exhibition”Structure/Dissonance” on view at The Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse inspired a group of musicians “Music for the People” to perform in the gallery. Their performance coincided with my recent visit to see this show with works that are equally improvisational, experimental and inspired by Raymon’s investigations. His photography of labor, bungalows, egg farms, fading local industries collections of stove burners, washing machine agitators and enamelware are shown in context with his sculpture - conceptual explorations into still life painting, abstraction and use of found materials. Let’s just say the musicians brought the art to life and Raymon would have been right there recording and remixing. Look in reels for a sampling.

@raymonelozua
@eversonmuseum #MusicforPeople
#structuredissonance
#eversonmuseum
#syracuse
#ferrincontemporaryinthemuseum

Take a look! We have released a limited number of

Ferrin Contemporary is proud to present a new exhi

Ferrin Contemporary is proud to present a new exhibition about one of our most precious resources, water. Kadri Pärnamets: CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER features porcelain sculptures, vases, and cups as a meditation on this universal element. The exhibition is open now. If you are able please join us this weekend during our reception for the artist on Sat., Dec. 3, 3-5 pm. RSVP not required, but if you can make it please DM to let us know to expect you!

After installing her work in the gallery, Pärnamets stood outside in the rain, looking in on her work. “It’s amazing to me, we all share this substance. Everyone all over the world is sharing the same water,” said the artist whose primary inspiration for this work is rain.

The exhibition features her biomorphic, organic vessel forms. Thinking of herself as a choreographer, the artist explores shapes that connect to water, from cloud to cup. Pärnamets interests range from fragile, natural environments to female identity and this is evident across form, color, and function.

Can't make it? Preview and shop the work in the L I N K ^^^.

We are thankful - lots of family time this Thanksg

We are thankful - lots of family time this Thanksgiving - and lots to be thankful for.

At @projectart01026 we shared a big family meal with our neighbors @sergei__isupov and @mara_superior, the kids @lucyysloan @graeme.sloan braved airports and highways, we watched family videos of holidays past, worked on the 120+ bowl project for Graeme and Aurie’s wedding, got our tree at Bob’s Trees in Plainfield, played cards (Graeme won) and ate leftovers for three days. Then it was over and everyone went home.

#thankful #thanksgiving #onlyonecummington
#projectart01026

STRESSED WORLD at @jackshainman on view The Schoo

STRESSED WORLD at @jackshainman on view The School in Kinderhook, NY - it is the last two weeks to see this expansive exhibition of international artists “working from their own corners of an exhausted planet.” The exhibition’s name comes from a title for one of El Anatsui large scale sculptures working with discarded aluminum and copper wire. But also on view is a selection of his ceramics made in the 70’s using a course clay body with manganese. Also featured are artists working with found, earthy materials, Carlos Vega whose pairing “Worn Out” inserts shards, stones and metal wrapped in lead and Nick Cave whose “Untitled” 16 balls of found materials and “Tondo” which includes wire, beads and sequined fabric in a 72” spiral. The show is on three floors and 30 artists.

#stressedworld
#jackshainmantheschool #kinderhookny #elanatsui #nickcave #carlosvega

Family day at @ferrincontemporary to see the new s

The cup plate collection drew me and @paulscott t

The cup plate collection drew me and @paulscott to visit with @johnstuartgordon at @yaleartgallery West Campus open storage - (see prior post) - John generously opened drawers, spun the magic wheel to move cases and reveal the largest transfer ware jug/pitcher any of us had ever seen. While Paul and John were busy examining details, I wandered and discovered in the cabinets, drawers and many open glass cases both old and new “American Scenery” - by British and American manufacturers - including the largest in Vernon Kilns “Our America” series of illustrations by Rockwell Kent. We first learned about the collection of hundreds of ceramic cup plates (~3.5”) on a visit to @yaleartgallery in 2016 which led to a five year project by Paul Scott to recreate one working with the last copper plate engraver at Spode, Paul Holdway and now available in a limited edition. As we left - we said “think about what this visit might inspire next (let’s revisit this in 6 years to find out) for now, you can learn more from a You Tube video with a link to it on Paul’s artist web page at FerrinContemporary.com @ferrincontemporary They are also featured in two exhibitions currently on view at @albanyinstitute and @lsumoa exhibitions.

Thanks @johnstuartgordon and @paulscott @cumbrianblue_s for sharing the two hour tour!

#transferware #cupplates #cup #plate #jug #newamericanscenery
#ouramerica
#rockwellkent
#vernonkilns
#rowlandmarsellus
#enochwoods
#yaleartgallery #yalewestcampus

RAYMON ELOZUA at @yaleartgallery West Campus - on

RAYMON ELOZUA at @yaleartgallery West Campus - on a recent visit to Yale’s massive open storage that I first saw in 2016 when they had just moved in … I discovered a case dedicated to works given by photographer, artist and collector and philanthropist Allan Chasanoff. They include works by @raymonelozua and objects in various mediums explored ideas fabricated by Allan, by Raymon and works they produced together as well as others they commissioned by artists in various glass and mixed media. More to come as these works get catalogued with additional documentation in 2023.

Thanks to curator @johnstuartgordon for the tour and look at next post for more about what prompted the visit to see cup plates with @paulscott @cumbrianblue_s

#ferrincontemporaryinthemuseum #raymonelozua #yaleartgallery #sculpture #stilllife #allanchasanoff

KADRI PÄRNAMETS: CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER | Now on v

KADRI PÄRNAMETS: CHOREOGRAPHY OF WATER | Now on view at Ferrin Contemporary

Please join us for an opening reception with the artist on December 3rd from 3-5pm.

Stay tuned out for more details on how to view and purchase works online through our online shop.

OFFERING THANKS FOR GENEROUS GIVING As 2022 draw

OFFERING THANKS FOR GENEROUS GIVING

As 2022 draws to a close, we are taking our annual moment to reflect. The past three years were unusual, to put it mildly. Among the unexpected outcomes from this time, artists were able to focus and reorient toward new or long-delayed goals. Meaningful new work emerged from artists being sheltered in place, curators looked more deeply at their permanent collections, and many of us were able to define new needs and directions for our field.

Through this process, exciting programming, exhibitions and open discussion is actively changing the present and laying the groundwork for future generations. The exhibitions we share with you today are opening doors for artists to present contemporary perspectives and invite audiences to take a closer look. Featured in these exhibitions are commemorative gifts, legacy gifts from collector estates and artist archives filling gaps in permanent collections. We are building diversity for generations to enjoy tomorrow. Stay tuned as we post gifts and acquisitions over the next week.

above: Cristina Córdova, Cosmología isleña (Island Cosmology), 2021, ceramic, metal, resin, wood, 90 x 45 x 44" with pedestal, acquired 2022 by the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. with support of multiple private donors.

Such a nice visit with Paul Scott @cumbrianblue_s

Such a nice visit with Paul Scott @cumbrianblue_s to see @ferrincontemporary on the @massmoca campus

@russell__biles makes biting political and cultura

@russell__biles makes biting political and cultural commentary with his narrative ceramics. What will today say? VOTE!

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Learn more about Ferrin Contemporary

FERRIN CONTEMPORARY

@leslieferrin
@ferrincontemporary
@projectart01026

GALLERY ARTISTS

@boukedevries
@crystalmorey
@cristinacordovastudio
@cumbrianblue_s (paul scott)
@raymonelozua
@sergeiisupov
@laurenmabry
@peterpincusporcelain
@marasuperior