Big Fish, Small Teapot V & Kilnopening.edu 2012

April 14 - June 30, 2012

Kilnopening.edu is a biennial exhibition open to all ceramic art professors at universities and community colleges in Southern California. From sculpture, to experimental clay, to traditional pottery, kilnopening.edu will generate diversity and identify what’s happening now with clay in the academia of fine arts. The exhibit is also a fundraiser; all works will be for sale. This year kilnopening.edu  will be displayed in conjunction with Big Fish, Small Pot: Fifth International Small Teapot Show and Competition, both held  at AMOCA’s new location: 399 N. Garey Ave, Pomona CA 91767. We will also have an opportunity for ceramic students in local High Schools in our Vault Show.

Patti Warashina

July 14 - September 29, 2012

A retrospective celebration of Patti Warashina’s work from the 1960s through the present

In contrast to the single-note output of many artists, Patti Warashina’s ceramic art exhibits wide variety in size and scale, in techniques, and in concepts. Her willingness to strike out in her own direction is only surpassed by her willingness to reinvent herself. In the 1960s, while most ceramicists were captivated by the throwing process, she abandoned the wheel in favor of hand-building and molds; while typical work of that time was done in earth-tone glazed stoneware, she used white clay bodies and experimented with color; and while abstract expressionism was the preferred approach, Warashina favored concrete images and human figures. Patti Warashina refers to her roots as being uncomfortably planted in Abstract Expressionism and the macho tendencies of the day: "You had to take a piece of clay and beat it. Really take a stick to it. I loved it, but for other people. It wasn't very personal to me.“ She gradually abandoned stoneware and high-fire glazes for more control and tighter non-accidental surfaces.

Warashina’s interest in ceramic history led her to explore everything from the rococo-like decoration of English Rockingham porcelain, made in the 1800s, to classical statues of gods and goddesses sighted while visiting Rome. The latter served as inspiration for her large-head series.  Her chosen themes include the human condition, feminism, car-culture, political and social topics, and insider art issues. Nearly always over-arching Warashina's three-dimensional expressions is her sense of humor. Whether a spoof on contemporary concerns or a satirical commentary on today’s political landscape, she titles each work with a clever twist of words or a pun to emphasize her point. This presentation is also intended to pay tribute to Warashina’s many years of dedicated teaching, underscoring the importance of continuing to teach courses fully devoted to ceramics.”

Mettlach & Royal Worcester

October 14, 2012 - January 12, 2013

AMOCA will feature ceramic wares from the Villeroy and Boch, Mettlach Company, as well as  Royal Worcester fine painted porcelain. With a grand display, we will trace the long history of these factories since 1880. Just in time for Oktoberfest, the exhibit features hundreds of German beer steins. Mettlach wares have long been a desirable collectible, and AMOCA boasts the largest collection in North American due to a recent acquisition from Robert and Collette Wilson.