KALICO makes call for ceramic artists

KALICO Art Center is seeking ceramic artists of all skill levels to be a part of a new community project and creating a series of outdoor columnar sculptures. The ceramic columnar sculptures are originally inspired by the totem pole — tall cedar columns carved by First Nations and Indigenous Peoples along the Pacific Northwest. This outdoor sculpture is slated to be installed at the Hockaday Museum of Art later this year.

The ultimate goal of this project is to provide the local community with the opportunity to positively impact its shared environment, develop a sense of pride and ownership of public spaces, engage in the ceramic art-making process, and create a public work of art that will last for generations.

The sculptures will be collaborative in two ways. Participants who register for the Art Center’s upcoming six-week handbuilding and wheel-throwing courses will spend class time working together designing, discussing, theming, and creating their own class sculpture. Community members of all ages are also invited to come into KALICO during April to embellish pre-made components of the sculpture; glazing, carving, adding clay, or stamping to add their own artistry to the project. Walk-in to KALICO any time during business hours now through the end of April and either embellish or paint an element for this unique public art installation. KALICO is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I love being able to facilitate the ceramic art-making process for people of all ages,” Michell Wang, the artist in residence leading the project said. “Combining that with the opportunity to collaborate on a public sculpture that will live at the Hockaday is truly an honor.”

“The Hockaday is thrilled to include this collaborative public sculpture by artist Michell Wang and community participants as part of our expanding collection of regional, national and international artists,” Alyssa Cordova, executive director at the Hockaday, said. “This sculpture will certainly enrich the lives of our community and inspire creativity for all ages. We look forward to welcoming the public this summer to view the work at its permanent home on the museum grounds.”

For more information, contact clay studio manager Michell Wang at ceramics@kalicoartcenter.org

This project is made possible by a grant from the Montana Arts Council, a state agency and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.