Ouachita Stories

Erica Porter, a 2013 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, and Summer Bruch, assistant professor of Art and Design at Ouachita, are among artists whose ceramic work are on display at South Texas College’s “Ceramic Showdown: Clear as Mud,” June 3 through Aug. 12.

 

"Plate with Rain" by Summer Bruch, at left, is a 17 inch cone 6 stoneware featuring water-etching and underglaze decoration. Erica Porter's "Africa-Inspired Vase" is a 17x7 inch cone 6 stoneware featuring slip-trailed underglaze.

 

The exhibit at the college’s Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery in McAllen, Texas, highlights the collaborative work of students and professors from regional colleges and universities. An opening reception will be held June 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Art and Design and Music Gallery and the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery.

“The idea for this show was developed by Chris Leonard of South Texas College,” said Bruch, who holds degrees from Central Missouri State University and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. “The idea is to showcase the connections we make through the material we work with.

“Ceramic artists form unique bonds because we often work in shared studio space and our first shared studio is the classroom,” she added. “Every day the classroom is a collaborative learning experience. We see each other’s successes and failures, and gain untold knowledge. I love this show because I’m not just showing with my students; I’m showing with my teachers as well.”

Porter graduated from Ouachita this spring with a major in mass communications and minors in art and business administration. Describing the vase she entered in the show, Porter said, “This bottle presented me with a fun opportunity to work with my professor Summer Bruch. She guided me through the process of learning how to create the actual shape of the vase and she also encouraged me to bring my other focuses in art into this piece.”

For more information, contact Summer Bruch at 870-245-2655 or [email protected].