Watermark Art Center and the Bemidji State University Visual Arts Dept announce the 9th annual It’s Only Clay National Juried Ceramics Competition and Exhibition.
This annual National juried ceramics competition and exhibition is a collaboration sponsored by the WMAC and Bemidji State University. IOC 2011 features a workshop on the campus of BSU, a community lecture and a juried exhibition of functional ceramics at Watermark selected by artist and potter Guillermo Cuellar. Previous jurors include: Simon Levin, Richard Bresnahan, Linda Christianson, Jeff Oestreich, Robert Briscoe, Bill Gossman and Bob and Cheryl Husby.
2011 IOC Juror Guillermo Cuellar – Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela in 1951 Guillermo went on to study ceramics at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where he graduated with a B.A. in Art in 1976. After working as an environmentalist he returned to pottery in 1980. In 1986 he set up a studio in the village of Turgua, an hour southeast of the capital city, Caracas, where he made pots for the following 18 years.
In 1981 he worked as an assistant to Warren MacKenzie, who was teaching in Caracas. Subsequently he regularly shared studio experience with MacKenzie in Stillwater, Minnesota from 1984 to 2006. Guillermo’s experience includes teaching workshops in Venezuela and Chile and participating in the organization and execution of workshops given by international guest potters in Venezuela.
For more information on Guillermo, visit his website.
IOC 2011 JURIED COMPETITION & EXHIBIT – WORKSHOP – LECTURE
Juried Exhibit at Watermark
The IOC 2011 exhibit is a juried competition focusing on, and dedicated to, functional ceramics. Selected works will be a part of the exhibit at the BCAC from November 4th to December 17tth, 2011. The opening reception will be on Friday, Nov. 4th from 5 to 7pm with a brief talk by and annoucement of awards by Guillermo Cuellar. Prize money for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners equaling $1,600.00 and additional purchase awards for work going towards the Margaret Harlow Vessel Collection at BSU.
- Guidelines: for submissions are outlined in the IOC – 2011 Prospectus
- Deadline for submissions: all IOC 2011 Exhibit Application must be complete and postmarked September 3rd, 2011.
- Application fee: $30.00 for 3 entries.
- Exhibition Dates: November 4th through December 17th, 2011.
- Opening Reception and Awards: November 4th from5 to 7 pm.
Awards In 2011 there will be prize money for 1st place $800.00, 2nd place $500.00 and 3rd place $300.00 plus additional purchase awards will be made with work going towards the Margaret Harlow Vessel Collection at BSU .
Workshop Thurs/Friday Nov 3rd – 4th
TECHNIQUES FOR WHEEL THROWN UTILITARIAN POTS – this years day-and-ahalf workshop will be on the 
campus of Bemidji State University with artist Guillermo Cuellar. In this workshop Guillermo will explore a variety of wheel thrown utilitarian forms, demonstrate construction/trimming techniques and his use of tools and discuss the importance of shapes as a whole. This years workshop will be on November 3rd through the 4th at the Bemidji State University in the Visual Arts Department and Ceramics studio. Workshop times are Thurs Nov 3rd from 9am to 4pm and Friday, Nov 4th, from 9am to 12 noon. More information about the workshop and registration details contact Butch Holden at 218-755-3736.
Lecture – Wednesday November 2nd – 7PM
POTS AND CONTEXT – Guillermo will trace his personal history from Venezuela to Minnesota and explore how the physical surroundings, sound examples of hand-made crafts, and a spirit of community have influenced his work and enriched his life. Join us on Nov 2nd at 7pm. for this evening lecture presented at the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts, 519 Minnesota Ave, Downtown Bemidji. The Lecture is free and open to the public.