Meet our Juror: Kristen Kieffer

Starbrick Clay National Cup Show
A National Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramic Cups
September 25 through October 25, 2011

Kristen Kieffer is a full-time studio potter and Workshop Instructor in Massachusetts. She received her BFA in Ceramics from the N.Y.S.C.C. at Alfred University and MFA in Ceramics from Ohio University. Her professional experience includes being an Artist-in-Residence with studio potter John Glick in Farmington Hills, MI, as well as at Guldagergård in Skælskør, Denmark, the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN and the Worcester Center for Crafts in Worcester, MA. Kristen has exhibited her work internationally in juried and invitational exhibitions, as well as taught workshops around North America at craft centers and universities. She has work in numerous private and public collections including the Taipei County Yingee Ceramics Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, the Guldagergård Museum of International Ceramic Art in Skælskør, Denmark, and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in Fort Wayne, IN.

Artist’s Statement:
My work aligns itself with the detail, sophistication and beauty of a bygone era, though my desire is to evoke an air of 21st century extravagance. Within the parameters of the ceramic vessel, I am interested in investigating line, form and detail.
My primary influences are clothing and metalworking. In past cultures and times, both clothing and metal forms had the ability to be simultaneously decorative and usable. The hard lines of vintage corsetry, Elizabethan dress and couture costuming, and conversely the soft lines of Art Nouveau silver, Islamic brass and American silver, intrigue me; soft material making hard edges, and hard material yielding soft forms. As I throw, alter and build with clay, I am drawing in space, deciding what kind of line, edge and shadow will best accentuate the pot’s silhouette.

Pattern is another influence. I use repetitive pattern and accents to compliment or define form. Patterning ideas come from fabric, jewelry, architecture and furniture. These external embellishments are smaller, detailed lines and shapes giving strength to the bold lines defining the pot’s shape. My choice of monochrome color (a cue from the metalworking) allows the pattern to coexist with but not dominate the form.

Form is my primary interest as an object-maker, followed by ornamentation and function. I am ultimately interested in formal investigations of line and detail to define form for my pottery.

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Starbrick Clay National Cup Show
A National Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramic Cups
September 25 through October 25, 2011

Prospectus

>> Download Prospectus (Word)

Eligibility and Judging Starbrick Clay National is open to ceramic artists residing in the US who are at least 18 years old. All works, sculptural, decorative and functional must be original, be made primarily of clay and must have been completed in the last two years. Works will be selected by the juror based on digital on CD entries. The juror may disqualify work that was not adequately represented by digital image or suitably prepared for exhibition.

Entries There is a non-refundable entry fee payable to Starbrick Gallery. Artists may submit 3 images for $20 and 5 images for $30.
Digital files - submit up to 5 images with the following specifications:
File Format: Submit only high quality JPEGs (do not use GIFs, TIFs, or other formats).
Image Size: Images must be 1920 pixels on the longest side.
File Size: Files must be less than 5 MB.
File Labeling: Files must be titled with the artist’s last name followed by a number indicating the viewing order. Use “0” in front of single digit numbers. Do not use more than 30 characters,
and use only letters, numbers, and underscores. Example: Smith_01, Smith_02, Smith_03, etc.
If using MAC OS 8 or 9, include a “.jpg” extension at the end of each image title. Example: Smith_01.jpg
All entries are to be included on the same CD.
TO ACCOMPANY THE CD:
Entry Form: A list that indicates the # of each image reviewed with corresponding information about each artwork, including artwork title, dimensions (h” x w” x d”), and price. All pieces must be for sale.
CD’s will not be returned.

Applicants will be notified by email of the final selection. Please provide an email address on the entry form.

Presentation All accepted works must be suitably prepared with proper supports, hanging devices, and if needed, clear instructions for installation. Starbrick Gallery reserves the right not to display any selected work that does not correspond to the quality or configuration indicated in the submitted images.

Cash Awards:
Award of Distinction     $300
Award of Excellence     $200
Awards of Merit (2)    $100 each
Purchase Awards          To Be Announced)

Shipping All shipping and delivery to and from Starbrick Gallery is the responsibility of the artist. Shipped entries must be sent in substantial, reusable containers, and double boxed is recommended. Starbrick Gallery must receive a check for the return shipping prior to the opening of the exhibit. The artist will be responsible for any shortage on actual shipping costs. Shipping checks will be voided if the piece sells.

Sales Works must be for sale and priced accordingly. Starbrick Gallery will receive commission of 30% on all sales. The commission will not be taken on purchase awards. All checks will be issued 2 weeks after the close of the show.
Accepted works will be posted on the Starbrick Gallery website and Facebook page and offered for sale. Starbrick Gallery will be responsible for shipping costs of pieces sold from the Web site.

Liability Every precaution will be taken in handling entries. Starbrick Gallery will insure all works on its premises for the period upon arrival through October 30th under a limited insurance policy. However, Starbrick Gallery cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage during exhibition or shipping. Artists will be responsible for insuring work in transit to and from Starbrick Gallery. Submission of work to this exhibition shall constitute an agreement to conditions set forth in this prospectus and permission to reproduce work for publicity reasons, including placement of images on our websites.

Calendar:
August 6                       Last accepted postmark date for entry form, images and fees.
September 1              Juror’s notification emailed.
September 20             Deadline for all shipped works to arrive at Starbrick Clay
September 20 & 21    Receiving Dates for all hand-delivered work.
September 25             Show Opens
September 30             Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony 6-10pm.
October 25                  Show Closes.
October 26 & 27         Pick up hand-delivered work.
November 1 & 2          Unsold work return shipped.

Starbrick Clay National 2011
Entry Form-please print legibly
Please fill in all blanks below:

Name___________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

City_______________________________State__________________Zip_____

Phone______________________________

Email_______________________________

Title Size Price

Image#01_____________________________________________________________

Image#02_____________________________________________________________

Image#03_____________________________________________________________

Image#04_____________________________________________________________

Image#05_____________________________________________________________
Please note: Prices you list are the retail and can not be changed after acceptance in the Show.

Mail CD's and completed entry form, and entry fee payable to Starbrick Gallery to the following address:

Starbrick Clay National Cup Show 2011
Starbrick Gallery
21 W. Columbus Street
Nelsonville, Ohio 45764