Current Exhibition
Color Pop!
March 16 - April 27, 2024
Saratoga Clay Arts Center is pleased to present COLOR POP! 💥, a national juried exhibition of 60 functional and decorative works by 42 clay artists. Juried by prominent California potter and artist, Didem Mert, this exhibition features ceramic works that utilize color theory to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions. The exhibition opens on Saturday, March 16th online and in person, with an opening reception from 5-7pm, and runs through April 27, 2024. A Juror’s Choice Prize and a Director’s Choice Prize will be revealed at the opening. Details for the exhibition can be found online at www.saratogaclayarts.org.
Whether used to enhance style, a sense of playfulness, or increase depth and contrast, color is a powerful tool in a ceramic artist’s toolbox. Didem Mert states “Color is everything and more is more! Whether color is explored through the clay body or on the surface, color enriches the message of our work by adding layers of meaning, visual interest and vibrance. This exhibition will focus on how we use color to enhance the functional object – to catch our attention, add texture, articulate thoughts, and convey storytelling. How does color impact our lives? What meanings can color bring to our work? This exhibition seeks submissions that utilize and celebrate the possibilities of color through functional or vessel orientated ceramic works.”
JUROR
Didem Mert (she/they) was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. Mert received their BFA (ceramics) from Northern Kentucky University in 2014 and MFA (ceramics) from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2017. Mert has exhibited nationally in places such as The Clay Studio, Companion Gallery, Charlie Cummings Gallery, AKAR, The Erie Art Museum, and over forty other venues. Didem’s work was published in Ceramics Monthly’s 2014 Undergraduate Showcase. Mert was awarded a first prize grant through the Three Arts Foundation in 2014. They were featured on the cover of Pottery Making Illustrated’s January/February 2016 issue. Mert was included on C File’s list of 15 Potters to Watch in 2016 and was featured on Architectural Digest’s 10 Ceramic Artists Giving Pottery A Modern Update. Mert led a residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts during the summer of 2017. They were honored as one of Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artists of 2018. Mert was a summer resident at the Archie Bray Foundation in 2018. Didem currently lives between Sebastopol, CA and works as a full-time studio potter and workshop instructor.
Founded in 2011 by clay artist and educator Jill Kovachick, Saratoga Clay Arts Center is a ceramic art center located just a few miles outside of Saratoga Springs in Schuylersville, NY offering wheel throwing and handbuilding clay classes for youth and adults, studio space and residencies for artists, and exhibitions featuring emerging, mid-career and established clay artists. The Schacht Gallery is open Mon - Sat from 11am – 4pm and by appointment. We are located at 167 Hayes Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Visit www.saratogaclayarts.org call 518-581-2529 or email info@saratogaclayarts.org for more information.
Gallery Hours:
Monday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm & by appointment.
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Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
The Schacht Gallery features the breadth and depth of contemporary ceramics by local, regional, national and international clay artists. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 11am - 4pm and by appointment.
