FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association

FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association

Creative Directions

Creative Directions is FUSION's new and exciting program for potters and sculptors designed to expand their technical skills, develop critical thinking and build confidence.

Creative Directions 2016/17

Lead by Toronto based Artist and Educator, Michelle Mendlowitz. Participants of Creative Directions were encouraged to research ideas, explore materials and take creative risks during their eight meetings. Running from September 2016 to Fall 2017, Creative Directions began with four, full day, hands-on workshops with demonstrations and time for practice, skills development and feedback. The last four, full day, sessions were dedicated to group discussion and critiques lead by Michelle to develop individual ideas and personal aesthetics for the final group exhibition. During this entire process Michelle worked with participants to identify personal goals and needs to enhance their technical skills base, develop a sense of critical thinking, assist in creating an artist statement and source, develop and resolve new ideas.
To find out more about this year's program, participating artists and to follow along on their creative journey, please visit the Creative Directions website:

http://fusioncreativedirections.weebly.com/

FUSION has partnered with the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, the Kawartha Potters' Guild and Artisans Centre Peterborough. Along with the generous assistance from the Ontario Arts Council and the Potters' Guild of Hamilton and Region, Creative Directions was able to launch in September 2016.

2016-2017 Creative Directions Exhibition
Unearthed

Unearthed is the culmination of a professional development program called Creative Directions, designed and delivered by Fusion: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association. Guided by Michelle Mendlowitz, fourteen ceramists were encouraged to push the boundaries of their creative processes; developing their building and surface treatment methods, technical and critical thinking skills, and ultimately fostering confidence in their work.

Artists: Cathy Allen, Karina Bates, Amy Bell, Emily Dore, Cathy Francis, June Goodwin, Priya Harding, Wendy Hutchinson, Jocelyn Jenkins, Annie McDonald, Mariella Pagliuca, Karla Rivera, Mary Sullivan, Rhonda Uppington

Exhibition dates:

August 19-September 10
Artist Talk: Sunday August 27 1pm
Reception September 8, 7-9pm

Location:
Gallery A
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
72 Queen Street, Civic Centre
Oshawa ON L1H 3Z3

Artist and educator Michelle Mendlowitz lead the 2016-2017 program. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Design from the OCAD University. For over ten years she has been maintaining an active studio practice and teaching. Michelle regularly participates in group exhibitions, winning awards and grants, most notably: Best in Ceramics at the Toronto Outdoor Exhibition, and an Ontario Arts Council Grant. She is represented by several of Canada’s leading galleries.

Michelle's work consists of both functional and sculptural objects. She is drawn to clay for its expressive nature as well as its ability to create utility. As an artist she is intrigued by layers and as a maker, process plays an important role in her work. Each working stage increases the depth of information and each action leaves its mark. The forms created are derived from landscapes and borrowed elements from nature, architecture and the human form.

1444 Queen Street East Toronto, Ontario,
M4L 1E1 416.438.8946
fsuion@clayandglass.on.c www.clayandglass.on.ca

FUSION gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, and the Ontario Arts Council. The Ontario Arts Council is an agency of the Government of Ontario.