Cousin Bruce

Bruce Gholson has been an influence and hero of mine ever since I began making pots way back in 1983. My teacher at UT/Knoxville, Ted Saupe had a bunch of Bruce's pots and in particular a little set of fluted cups that were my obsession for quite a while. As a matter of fact I drank my morning of coffee out of one of them for a long time. I was fascinated by their weight, their handles, the zig zag fluting, and their beautiful shino glaze. I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures of them to show you.




Bruce continues to inspire me with his wonderful forms and beautiful glaze surfaces. It is an honor to be in his company and as he and Samantha's guest at Cousins in Clay this weekend. I can't wait to see their latest pots! And we hope to see YOU!

Read the (Mud) Bucket interview of Bruce and his partner, Samantha Henneke here.

Cousin Val

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Val Cushing, retired from Alfred University in 1997, taught for 40 years and has a legendary career as an influential and highly regarded ceramic artist and teacher. Cushing makes strong and harmonious functional pottery forms that are inspired by nature and he continues to show and lecture around the country. Val will be bringing his beautiful pots to Bulldog Pottery for this weekend's "Cousins in Clay". We hope you will take advantage of this special appearance by our world famous cousin!

Allison McGowan

Concord, North Carolina potter Alison McGowan will be joining the 'Cousins' this summer! Allison will be joining Carol Gentithes and Fred Johnston at their showroom in downtown Seagrove! Here is an excerpt from her artist statement:

I have found that, in clay, I am able to tailor my forms to maximize the volume while keeping them relatively simple. Finally, the Art Nouveau style of uniting nature and structure gives me ideas for the basic form and function of my pieces. I marvel at the architectural elements of continuous lines that softly join different sections of a doorway or balcony and somehow invite one to enter or linger.

Come to Seagrove on the 5th and 6th of June and check out Allison's pottery as well as all of the other cousins at their 2nd Annual Cousins in Clay sale!!

Cousin Fred

From Fred's artist statement:

My origins in clay are rooted in the southern folk pottery traditions of North Carolina. Growing up in the rural south has given me access to its colorful history and characters, which serves as a catalyst for ideas. Yet my work also draws from many cultures: Greek, Korean, Chinese, Pre-Columbian, European and Mimbres. The idea of dipping my ladle in many historical and cultural wellsprings is an adventure, my journey.

I question how I can extend the tradition of pottery. What can I contribute? I am not interested in pots that are mindless, shallow imitations and replications of the past. I believe in the idea of cross-fertilization and playfulness. The mixing and matching of different cultures, motifs and art styles are fertile ground, a place to cultivate.

Cousin Carol

Carol Gentithes

From Carol's artist statement:

To me, art is a visual language. The origins of my artistic language emanate from life's experiences, readings of literature and mythology, and visual interpretations of art history. Often this language focuses on the absurdity, the unpredictability and the unruliness of life. Like a classical language, the vocabulary that I create has many layers of meaning. I leave it with the viewers to derive their personal interpretations.

"Back from Extinction"

"Golden Goose"

"Transformations"

Carol is a new "cousin in clay" this year along with her partner, Fred Johnston. Both will be showing at their Johnston and Gentithes Art Pottery show room in "downtown" Seagrove, the weekend of the 5th and 6th of June at the 2nd Annual Cousins in Clay Show and Sale! Their guest this year will be Allison McGowan.