Artists Talk with LVA: November 9, 2023

Julie Schweitzer will be exhibiting Fong Choo: An Artistic Journey in Clay at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery in New Albany beginning Nov. 18, and both artist and gallery director come to talk about in the studio this week. Tune n to WXOX 97.1 FM/Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Artists Talk with LVA.

Fong Choo is a Singapore-born American studio potter and teacher who creates diminutive, sculptural porcelain teapots. He is best known for his use of low-fire commercial glazes, firing them to Cone 6 to achieve luscious, jewel-tone effects. He has taught workshops both nationally at art centers around like Penland School of Arts and Crafts, Arrowmont School of art and craft, and internationally in countries like Israel, Canada and most recently in Singapore.

Over the years, he has also received numerous awards for his work at The Smithsonian Craft Show where he was awarded The Excellence in Ceramics Award in Washington DC. Others include Best of Show at the American Craft Exposition in Evanston, ILand The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show in Philadelphia, PA.

"What is so exciting about looking at a sleeping tiger?"

"Nothing. But if you take a stick and poke at it, you will remember that tiger for the rest of your life!"

This is part of a conversation I once had at the Minnesota Zoo.

In many ways, this parallels my attitude towards clay: it requires poking to awaken it. One must push the limits, test waters, search, prod and explore its many boundaries.

For more than ten years my work has been focused on Miniature Teapots. The teapot form continues to challenge and fascinate me. The work shown in this gallery is the result of over a decade of evolution in color, design and form. I invite you into that place.

I feel blessed to be able to pursue the life of a potter -- especially when it requires poking the sleeping tiger…

Fong Choo: An Artistic Journey in Clay is at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery in New Albany beginning Nov. 18, 2023

Artists Talk with LVA: August 3, 2023

Thomas Wortham Rallis is a multi-media artist whose first solo exhibit, “American Made” opens at Revelry Gallery on August 4, 2023. There is a reception from 6 - 9 pm. In our conversation, we reference this piece quite a bit.

Artists Talk with LVA: June 29, 2023

Pyro Gallery celebrates its 20th Anniversary and 4 members, John McCarthy, Keith Auerbach, Kathy Loomis & Elmer Lopez join us in the studio this week to discuss the past, present, & future of the co-op gallery. Tune in to WXOX 97.1 FM/Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Artists Talk with LVA.

Fueling The Fires of Creativity: 20th Anniversary Exhibition at Pyro Gallery

June 30 through July 30, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 6-9 pm
Gallery Hours: Friday and Saturday 12-6 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm

John McCarthy is an artist, ceramic sculptor, and art educator. His sculptural pieces are hand-built and highly manipulated to create organic shapes with an emphasis on texture and subtle, naturally glazed surfaces.  McCarthy has used stoneware firings to produce one-of-a-kind compositions that are striking and durable, whether used indoors or as exterior garden sculpture.

Photographer and artist Keith Auerbach is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. For nearly 15 years his photographs appeared in LEO WEEKLY (Louisville Eccentric Observer). In 2007 he published “The Photographic Humor of Keith Auerbach,” which won a Book of The Year (IPPY) award from the Independent Publishers Association. He has won many additional awards and competitions including an International Photography Awards "Lucie."

Kathleen Loomis asks “Why do artists make art?  For me, it’s not to produce beautiful images and objects, although I hope some of my work has a bit of beauty.  By contrast, I’m a commentator. 

 Some of my comments are loud and brazen, speaking out when our society seems to be taking wrong turns.  Some are indirect, mourning the people who fight our wars and suffer from depredation.  Some are wry, taking on the tropes and cliches of mass communication and American culture.

 I work primarily in fiber, either with a needle in hand or a needle in a sewing machine.  This constant reminder of traditional female domestic pursuits lends an edge to what I make – the hand that rocks the cradle and does the laundry can also pull a voting lever. “ 

Elmer Lopez is a Spanish American artist with over 17 years of specialized experience using a variety of mediums and techniques. He studied art at duPont Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky where he was accepted into the Visual Arts program. After graduating, he majored in Studio Art and minored in Business at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Elmer also studied abroad at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin in Germany, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute of China, and Shanghai University in China; learning new customs, cultural techniques and mediums, which he implements in his work today.

Artists Talk with LVA: June 22, 2023

Amber Estes Theineman is a visual artist and one-half of the musical duo Fool’s Ghost. She is also a 2023 Art[squared] artist and she joins us this week to talk about her exhibit at Grady Goods through the end of June. Tune in to WXOX 97.1 FM/Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Artists Talk with LVA.

Artists Talk with LVA: May 18, 2023

Jamarr Cox will be in this studio this week. He's one of the artists in the 2023 Art in City Hall exhibit. Tune in to WXOX 97.01/Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear ArtistsTalk with LVA.

Cox is a Louisville native who has been creating art as far back as he can remember. He holds a degree in Commercial Art and is currently a web / UI developer by day.