Pottery by Paula Shalan Goes on Display at Knox Gallery

(photo John Polak)

(photo John Polak)

(MONTEREY, Mass.) – Paula Shalan Ceramics: Shades of Black, an exhibition of works by Berkshire potter Paula Shalan opens at the Knox Gallery in the Monterey Library on Friday, May 2, 2014, with a reception from 6 to 7:30 pm that evening. The artist will speak about her work at the gallery on Saturday, May 31, at 10am, just before the exhibit closes.

Shalan’s new series of pots were inspired by line and pattern seen in the birches, lichen, and rocks of Schoodic Point at Acadia National Park, where Shalan spent last September as artist-in-residence. As an interesting juxtaposition, she has been awarded a residency on the outer Cape through the Cape Cod National Seashore for this coming September. Shalan has been an active teacher in art and ceramic centers, private and public schools, and museums for over 25 years.

Paula Shalan (photo Gary Shalan)

Paula Shalan (photo Gary Shalan)

Each of Shalan’s pieces is hand built from white earthenware using pinch, coil, and slab techniques. The pots are hand polished and fired in wood shavings for 24 hours, absorbing smoke and transforming from white to black. Her refined pieces echo her interest in the relationship of interiors and exteriors as well as the absorption and reflection of light.

Shalan sees her work as a tribute to the quiet details found in nature. Inspired by her acute observations of form, line, and texture she records the minutest impressions through a constant dialogue with the tactile process of building with malleable clay.

Smoke fired pods by Paula Shalan (photoby  John Polak)

Smoke fired pods by Paula Shalan (photoby John Polak)

Paula Shalan is the second in three generations of potters. Based in Stockbridge, she was educated at Sarah Lawrence College and the Art Institute of Chicago. Shalan exhibits nationally at galleries and prestigious retail shows including Craft Boston and the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show and is represented by Susan Maasch Fine Art in Portland, Maine.

Paula Shalan Ceramics: Shades of Black will be on view through May 31.

All exhibits can be viewed during library hours.

Knox Gallery, Monterey Library, 452 Main Road
Monterey, Mass., 413-528-3795

 

 

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