Ceramics sale in Visual Arts Gallery in its last days

By Michael Moreau

Friday and Saturday are students’ last chances to explore the works of student and alumni artists at the “MHCC Ceramics Club Holiday Sale.”

The sale, led by MHCC students Brenda Scott and Sarah Chenoweth, runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday in the Visual Arts Gallery.

“This is the first sale we are in charge of,” Scott said, referring to Chenoweth and herself. Both of them have been involved in the sale before but only as artists representing their pieces. Scott and Chenoweth will have some of their works on display this year on top of being “co-presidents” of the event.

Along with their works, about a dozen other artists have added their efforts to the collection of pottery and other items at the sale. These artists include current students in the Ceramics Club and alumni of MHCC. Scott and Chenoweth said the artists’ ages range from the 20s to the 50s.

The ceramics go for a wide range of prices so whether a student’s wallet is stuffed or not, they should have the chance to purchase something. If somebody is looking for a $5 piece, they’ll be in luck; it will be there.

Most of the profits from the event will go to the artists providing the items for sale. “Supporting these artists and students is important,” MHCC studio technician Careen Stoll said. It displays “the value of hard work.”

According to Chenoweth, the rest of the profits earned stream to the Visual Arts Gallery and Ceramics Club, helping the club purchase new equipment, set up workshops with artists from around the world, and send representatives to the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).

In the past, the sale has proven to be quite profitable. “We’ve been able to purchase a lot for the studio,” Chenoweth said. Community support for the event has also been good. Chenoweth received phone calls and e-mails regarding the sale as long as a month ago.

Experience levels of the artists, whose works are represented at the sale, span a wide range. Pieces from first-term students mingle with ceramics crafted from others that have been studying the art for years. The artists “don’t have to have a certain amount of skill.” to take part in the sale, Chenoweth said.

For more information about the event, call 503-491-7309. “Feel free to come by and touch things, and hold them. There’s no need to be afraid,” Chenoweth said.