By Deanna Vedvik
March 15, 2014
The Bindley Ceramics Collection, currently on display in the Stream, is diverse enough to interest both veteran and novice ceramists.
“We wanted to show the versatility of ceramics,” David Wells, Art Director and co-curator, explains, “We have sculptures, and platters, and tea pots that you wouldn’t know were tea pots.”
The Stream is currently showcasing approximately 100 pieces, a rather small sampling of the Bindley Collection, which has been growing for about 40 years.
“It is the only collection of its kind in the area. The artists on display have influenced generations,” David explains. Many of the artists within the collection are teachers, both regional and from across the nation. David points to a sculpture entitled Civilizations, which towers above us. “Chris Davis- Benavides teaches at U.W. Milwaukee,” he says, “others have taught at U.W. Whitewater, Minnesota, and U.C. Davis.”
Much of the artwork was created by US artists and spans generations; some of the oldest pieces on display date to the 1970s.
The exhibit opened March 19th, and will run until April 26th. The event has been in the works for roughly a year. It was scheduled in relation to the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference which was held in Milwaukee this year. “Any gallery within 150 miles held a ceramics exhibit,” David said.
Edgewood was no different, but this exhibit is unique for the campus. “Usually an exhibit is limited to the gallery,” David explains, “but this time we’re using all the available space in the Stream for one exhibit.”
“We’ve generated a lot of attention. We’ve had people from the conference come, as well as local schools and senior centers. We’ve had busloads of people. We will have busloads more,” David says.
Post your comments