Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Central Carolina Community College Sculptor wins award


Emerging sculptor Ruth Brown is award winner in debut exhibit


The theme of the 21st annual Sculpture in the Garden Show at the North Carolina Botanical Garden ( http://ncbg.unc.edu/pages/29/ ) is Celebrating Life Forces – Earth, Air, Fire Water, Spirit. Central Carolina Community College Pottery and Sculpture Student Ruth Ella Brown won a Merit Award in her debut in a major show for her large ceramic sculpture Circle of Life: Susan. Kathy Buck, co-founder of the annual art exhibition said at the October 4th award ceremony exclaimed, “the winners’ works especially express this year’s theme.

“I am fascinated with the life patterns around me, people, animals, plants, everything, explains Ruth Brown. “In my sculpture, a Black-Eyed Susan reveals her entire life journey in the garden.” The sculptures that Brown creates are inspired from her everyday observations, along with an active imagination. “I feel a connection with the clay as I work, whether it’s sculpting a totem pole, or sculpting an animal, she adds. “Sculpting faces that have worn features showing their life journeys are my favorite. These creations have become a way to stay connected with folks whose lives have crossed mine. Clay is a medium that has unimaginable opportunities. Each time the clay comes alive in my hands with a new expression it is memorialized as art.”

Phillip Ashe, Director of the CCCC Sculpture Program, announced “We’re happy to see one of our students begin to achieve some recognition among the local arts community. Ruth has worked hard to develop her own individual style as a sculptor and this award will encourage her to continue refining and exhibiting her work.”

Of the 24 artists exhibiting in the North Carolina Botanical Garden Show, five have participated in either the Curriculum or Continuing Education Pottery and Sculpture Programs at CCCC. In addition to Ruth Brown, Margo Bennett, Forrest Greenslade, Zen Palkoski and Beverly Rouse showed sculpture in this year's event. The sculpture exhibit runs through November 15th.

The Professional Arts and Crafts Program (http://www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/sculpture/) in clay and metal sculpture has a unique design and location. The program, the only one of its kind in North Carolina, was developed to teach artistic skills in pottery, clay sculpture, and metal sculpture. The course work in the Sculpture Program concentrates on the development of skills in clay and metal. Emphasis is placed on hands-on training. Courses in design, pottery, metal and clay sculpture, and basic welding give students needed fundamentals in this creative art form. Additional classes provide students with training in metal casting, glaze formulation, kiln design and construction, and advanced artistic design. Students can become a part of an arts community when enrolled in the CCCC program. Located in an historic building in downtown Siler City, NC, the facilities are newly renovated and feature gas and electric kilns.

For more information contact Phillip Ashe or Sandra Martin (phone: (919) 742-4156, email: pgashe29@cccc.edu).

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