For more information, visit the COVET: preview page here.

The work I’ve created in response to French Firedogs speaks of contemporary American culture using street savvy language. Objects chosen as subject matter are arranged in a hierarchy of order in accordance to their perceived value to society. The fire hydrant is the ultimate conduit for water, used to quench fires and save lives. The cinder block is the basis for all foundation of building, one unit of architecture. The pigeon is arguably over-populating most urban environments, and we often forget that it, too, is a beautiful, natural species that just happens to have survival instincts for the city. The spray paint can is the trace remnant of the street artist, the modern-day equivalent to the paintbrush. Traffic cones, or pylons, are oddly powerful in their ability to dissuade humans and their vehicles using simply a color and a shape, and no technology whatsoever. By glazing these representative objects in metallic gold, I elevate the ordinary — even overlooked — constituents of our culture to iconic status.

PRESS RELEASE FOR COVET:

ANNOUNCING COVET

Save the dates!

Preview: SOFA NY, New York City

April, 19 – 23, 2012

Ferrin Gallery, Pittsfield, MA
May 26 – September 2

ArtBerkshires

July 19 – August 5

Ferrin Gallery, Pittsfield, MA – announces COVET, a series of exhibitions and programs presenting contemporary objects and fine art in all media including design, sculpture, painting, photography, prints, works on paper.   COVET is based on contemporary artists creating new works in response to museum collections.  The series previews at SOFA New York with selected works in contemporary ceramics presented as an installation at the Park Avenue Armory, April 19 – 23, 2011.   COVET, the group exhibition of works in all media, will be presented at the gallery in Pittsfield, MA opening May 28 – and running through September 2.

In addition to the exhibition taking place at Ferrin Gallery, COVET will be the theme for the 2012 ArtBerkshires summer program taking place in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, July 19 – August 5.  Organized by ArtBerkshires, a collaboration between gallerists, Sienna Patti and Leslie Ferrin, the COVET program involves curated itineraries and behind the scenes tours of museums, studios and gallery shows related to the project.  During the two weeks of programming, artists, curators and collectors are brought together at the galleries and through the tours, special talks and Dish + Dines.

ABOUT FERRIN GALLERY

Ferrin Gallery, established 1979, is nationally known as a contemporary gallery specializing in figural sculpture and studio ceramics. The gallery works closely with private collectors, institutions and the media as a source for works by both established and emerging artists. Located in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, it is equidistant from New York City and Boston.

CONTACT
Gallery Address | 437 North Street| Pittsfield, MA 01201
Business Office | 54 Main Street | Cummington, MA 01206

Fax  413.634.8833
info@FerrinGallery.com
www.FerrinGallery.com

Call for additional information 413.442.1622

Concurrently, I will be demonstrating how I make these pieces at the national ceramics (NCECA) convention in the Washington State Convention Center, Thursday March 29, from 9am-noon, and Friday March 30, from 1-4pm. Come check it out and say hi!

Last but not least, I made 100 cups (ok, only  96 survived) for Artstream Nomadic Gallery‘s Great Wall of Cups (free coffee all conference long with purchase!) – some of the only utilitarian pots I’ve made this year and last, so come snatch ‘em up while they last. Who knows when the next crop will spring up?

OH – and how could I forget? Come see my unpredictable hula-hooping skills at Studio Potter‘s benefit raffle – time TBA. Guess you’ll have to come find me at the conference and ask! See you SOON!

In a mere three weeks my show goes up at Friesen Abmeyer Fine Art Gallery in Seattle. I’m excited that this show will include my own solo works alongside collaborative pieces with two San Francisco-based artists: painter Jessica Hess (pictured here with our latest creations) and David Gantz, a multi-media artist with whom I’ve designed my first video projection collaboration. Though I never imagined myself working in collaboration with other artists, I am now most inspired by these partnerships and continually amazed by how 1 + 1 can actually = infinity. The sky’s the limit when minds start working together…

Hope to share my enthusiasm about these and other ideas while demonstrating at this year’s NCECA conference in Seattle, March 28-31. Jason Walker and I will be sharing a stage and spilling all our secrets…see you in the front row?

Hope to see you at the conference – come introduce yourself and say hi…don’t be shy,

xo

christa

Love and Seasons Greetings,

christa

I was also most fortunate to have a very successful show at the fabulous Harvey Meadows Gallery in Aspen Highlands Center. I think there are a few pieces still available – thanks to Alleghany and Sam for rockin’ it for me!

I sure hope I’ll get invited back – missing you, Aspen/Snowmass… xox christa