teapots'07

glass/ceramic/fiber/wood/mixed media

Joshua Green / Matt Eskuche / Ellen Abbott & Marc Leva / Mary Beth Bellah
Moshe Bursuker / Paul Counts / Shane Fero / Greg Fidler / Brian Frus
Lydia Grey / Wes Hunting / Elaine Hyde / Eva Kwong / Kristin Lora
Cliff Lounsbury / Christopher McElroy / Elizabeth Mears / John Miller
Paul Nelson / Caroline Ouellette / Susan Parrish / David Peters / Kari Russell Pool
Patrick Primeau / Zach Puchowitz / Meryl Ruth / Barbara Becker Simon
Magan Stevens / Christian Thirion / Stephanie Trenchard / and others

On Friday November 2 5:30-9 teapots! 2nd invitational opens with a reception at morgan contemporary glass gallery 5833 ellsworth avenue, shadyside. The exhibition features nonfunctional teapots by more than 29 artists who are invited to explore the teapot form literally, metaphorically, narratively and abstractly drawing on historical, literary and contemporary references. This year's exhibition will include teapots made in media other than glass. "Ceramic, fiber, wood and mixed media will be featured, to capture the imagination of the many teapot collectors who visited the gallery last year, expecting to see teapots in all media. "We're excited about our foray into new media, as we will be curating our first ceramic show this Spring in conjunction with the NCECA conference." Participating artists include Pittsburghers Joshua Green and Matt Eskuche, as well as Ellen Abbott & Marc Leva, Mary Beth Bellah, Moshe Bursuker, Paul Counts, Shane Fero, Greg Fidler, Brian Frus, Lydia Grey, Wes Hunting, Elaine Hyde, Eva Kwong, Kristin Lora, Cliff Lounsbury, Christopher McElroy, Elizabeth Mears, John Miller, Paul Nelson, Caroline Ouellette, Susan Parrish, David Peters, Kari Russell Pool, Patrick Primeau, Zach Puchowitz, Meryl Ruth, Barbara Becker Simon, Magan Stevens, Christian Thirion, and Stephanie Trenchard. and others. The opening coincides with FirstFriday ArtWalk on Ellsworth, and is free and open to the public. The show will be on exhibit thru January 19, 2007 The show will be on exhibit thru January 19, 2007. Watch for the gallery 's upcoming teaparty! fundraising event Friday November 30.

Gallery owner Garth Clark, noted ceramics expert and author of The Eccentric Teapot says in a Joyce Lovelace article in American Craft Magazine, "The essence varies from person to person. Some have an interest in the culture of tea, and the teapot is an icon for that. Or they fall in love with the vitality and jauntiness of the form...Visually, it's very arresting and interesting. And it's lively - it moves." Often seen as an anthropomorphic object, the teapot speaks to cultural experiences, rituals, and even spiritual practices. It allows the viewer to call up memories of intimate moments with friends, family and lovers. The ceremony of tea brings people together to relax, rejuvenate, celebrate, and give thanks.