MOUNT OLIVE— The University of Mount Olive will host its Second Annual Ceramics Show on November 16 in Laughinghouse Hall located at 500 Herring Drive on the Mount Olive campus. The exhibition will be held in conjunction with the University’s Homecoming Weekend events where this year’s theme is, “Celebrating the Art and Soul of UMO.” The ceramics show will feature the works of Mary Ann Barwick, Hannah Wright, Frank Grubbs, and Randy Wright. There will be a reception and artists demonstrations from 1–3 PM. All displayed pottery will be available for purchase and pick-up from 1–6 PM. The Teresa Pelt Grubbs Art Gallery will also be open on November 13 and 14 between 8 AM and 4 PM. Guests may reserve their purchases for pick-up on the 16th.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Mary Ann Barwick of Calypso is an accomplished potter known for her dedication to pushing the expressive qualities of clay. Drawing inspiration from her lifelong love of art and her remarkable 31-year career as an art educator, Barwick opened Starry Night Studios in Calypso. Her creations often incorporate multiple methods of building, with an emphasis on textural and sculptural elements. Visit www.facebook.com/StarryNightStudioCalypso for more about Mary Ann Barwick.
Frank Grubbs, UMO Instructor of Ceramic Art, is committed to artistic exploration, which results in the continuous evolution of his work. Grubbs maintains a studio/gallery at his home in Smithfield, NC, where he shares his passion for art with people of all ages.
Hannah Wright earned her bachelor of fine arts with a concentration in ceramics from ECU in 2014. She taught art and ceramics in NC public schools for several years before venturing into business. She now makes pottery full-time at her farm studio in Grantham. Wright enjoys exploring form, surface design, and glaze chemistry to create beautiful and functional objects for daily use. Go to hannahwrightceramics.com to see more about Hannah Wright.
Randy Leo Wright, a predominately self-taught potter, specializes in wheel-throwing functional pottery. Introduced to Raku and wood firing by the Dan Finch Pottery Group out of Bailey, NC, Wright has honed his knowledge and skillset over many decades. As past president of the Triangle Potters Guild and initiator of the Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Pottery Program, it is Wright’s goal to ensure that the art of pottery is accessible to all. More about Randy Wright can be found at www.facebook.com/PotteryByLeo.
POTTERY GIVE-A-WAY
To commemorate the 50-year reunion of the class of 1974, fellow class member and alumnus Frank Grubbs has created a beautifully crafted, hand-thrown pottery piece. The piece will be given away on Saturday, November 16, during the Ceramics Show. Any member of the class of 1974 who registers for Homecoming will be entered into the drawing. The winner will be announced at 3 PM.
“This is my reunion year,” said Grubbs. “I wanted to give back and to encourage my fellow classmates to join us for Homecoming and Pickle Classic Weekend. From the ceramic show and sale, to the music concerts, vendor fair, and Pickle Classic basketball games, it promises to be a great weekend.”
The Second Annual UMO Ceramics Show is FREE and open to the public. For more information about the Ceramics Show and UMO Homecoming Weekend, go to www.umo.edu/homecoming.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
—Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
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