Artist Spotlight with Ceramic Artist Betsy Saurdiff January 27 at 2 pm
To watch a recording of the Artist Spotlight with Betsy Saurdiff click below.
Please join us for an online discussion with Ceramic Artist Betsy Saurdiff on Thursday, January 27 at 2pm. Saurdiff currently has her work exhibited in the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC. The exhibit, Celebrations: The Ceramic Art of Betsy Saurdiff, is open through February 28. An Artist Reception will be held on Saturday, February 12 from 3 to 5 pm at the gallery.
You can watch the Artist Spotlight on Facebook Live or YouTube Live. See the NWMAC Facebook page or YouTube page for more information. The Artist Spotlight will also be available to view at any time after the live broadcast. It is below!
Saurdiff will be discussing her process, inspiration, and more. She’ll also talk about the theme of her current exhibit — celebrations.
People love to celebrate special occasions. This new collection of pottery will make these celebrations even more special. We serve birthday cakes on pedestal stands to elevate the celebration both literally and figuratively. We can use “potluck pots” at picnics and reunions to keep our salads safe and cool because of the lower ice compartment. Graduates appreciate mugs with the two-word inspirational sayings. Little covered jars hold special treasures for any occasion. Decanters with matching cups also make drinking juice, liquor or wine more special. Punch bowls bring back memories of celebrations like baptisms, confirmations and birthdays. Somehow the punch seems to taste better out of a punchbowl.
The woven-handle baskets and the stilted baskets are unique centerpieces and could be filled with anything from fresh flowers to candy. Serving platters and bowls, butter dishes and cheese bells all make special meals more enjoyable. Fresh fruit is beautiful in a berry bowl, which can be used to wash and serve fresh fruit.
The ultimate celebration is the celebration of life. Saurdiff explained, “I explored the classic urn form, which I threw in one piece on the potter’s wheel. I was motivated to create urns when I went to the funeral of my high school art teacher, who introduced me to clay. He had made his own funerary urn in a style I recognized right away as being his own. Some art is put on the shelf or on the wall without interaction, a passive statement by the artist to be interpreted by the viewer. Functional pottery crosses this divide because it is meant to be touched and used, a conversation between the pottery and the user. This is why I make functional pottery. I hope you enjoy the exhibit.”
Betsy Saurdiff lives in Grygla and studied Art and German at Bemidji State University and the University of Minnesota. Highlights of her career include two McKnight Fellowship Awards, two Merit Awards at the NW MN Arts Council exhibit and Art Advocate of the Year. She has sold her functional pottery at local businesses and art fairs. She recently retired from teaching and began selling her pottery online. You can find her at https://bettspottery.com/.
Reach out to the NWMAC with any questions.
