Ceramic Artists Share Visions with Campus

VALDOSTA -- Beau Raymond and VSU alumnus AJ Argentina -- both artists at the prestigious Roswell Art Center West -- will share their ceramic techniques and artistic visions with the public on Monday, Feb. 15, and Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The two will hold a free ceramics demonstration 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday in the Fine Arts Building, room 136. Argentina, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from VSU in 2000, said he works within a functional format informed by ceramics rich history. His recent work includes thrown vessels vapor fired in a soda kiln.

“At its best, my work reflects upon these vast traditions and adds an interesting layer,” Argentina said. “I strive for my pieces to transcend their utilitarian boundaries. I am interested in composition, surface and craftsmanship as well as utility; and for the composition of these elements to create a dialogue between maker, user and object.”

Raymond, who earned a Bachelor of Art from Louisiana’s Nicholls State University, teaches ceramics and is a resident artist at the Roswell Art Center West, a ceramic arts educational facility run by Roswell Visual Arts in conjunction with the Roswell Clay Collective -- a volunteer group of students, instructors and professional artists. Raymond’s work focuses on the figure in a range of narratives.

The joint lecture, sponsored by the VSU Art Department, will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the Art History Lecture Room 2004 in the University Center.

For more information, go to the ceramic program Web site at www.valdosta.edu/~mschmidt or call Associate Professor of Art Michael Schmidt at 229-249-4913 or e-mail him at mschmidt@valdosta.edu.