FVCC alumnus ceramic artist feature of new exhibit

Joseph Pesina was already a ceramic artist for more than a decade when he began is college career at Flathead Valley Community College at age 30.

He then went on to receive his bachelor of fine arts from Utah State University and his master of fine Arts from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax.

Now he’s returning to FVCC for a gallery talk opening an exhibition featuring his work. The event is April 4 from 4-6 p.m. in the Arts and Technology Building lobby on campus in Kalispell.

Pesina hails from northeast Wisconsin. His impressive background includes artist residencies at the Clay Studio of Missoula, the Pottery Workshop and Experimental Factory in Jingdezhen, China, and the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.

When describing his current work, Pesina explains he is exploring themes of vessel abstraction, architecture and geometry.

“I’m looking to dismantle vessels in an abstract way by removing all the telltale signs of a typical vessel, like a handle, and distill the vessel down into its core elements. Take a cylinder for example. I want to expose that cylinder, take it apart, and play with the idea of a cylinder — turn it on its head a bit and give it a new life form.”

Pesina has been underway exploring this and other themes for his current collection from Missoula, where he currently lives with his family and works as studio manager at the Clay Studio of Missoula.

He describes how FVCC holds a special place in his heart from his time on campus and then as he went on to continue to build his career.

“FVCC was so wonderful and so nurturing. It really prepared me for what higher education would be like and for my path toward a graduate degree,” added Pesina. “I’m grateful for my inspiring yet challenging classes and teachers. It’s quite flattering to be back and have my art on display.”

Pesina will give a gallery talk at 4:30 p.m. For directions to campus and more information about art at FVCC, visit fvcc.edu.