NCECA 2010 PROPOSAL FOR A 30 MINUTE EDUCATIONAL LECTURE

Title: American Perspective: Two Italian Residencies

As individually unique as the Italian provinces of Tuscany and Umbria, were my residency experiences as an American clay artist at La Meridiana (http://www.lameridiana.fi.it/index.htm) near Certaldo and the Scuola d’Arte Ceramica “Romano Ranieri” (http://www.schoolofceramics.org/) located in Deruta. During my Spring ’09 sabbatical, I completed three week residency projects at both studios. The primary focus during the artist in residencies was the production of artwork for the Landfillart Project (http://landfillart.org/).

In Deruta (the majolica capital of the world), various artists associated with the Scuola d’Arte Ceramica “Romano Ranieri” provided input in my art process. Nicola Boccini, assisted with a plaster mold for the project and innovative concepts regarding porcelain which he developed during a residency project at The European Ceramic Work Center (http://www.ekwc.nl) in The Netherlands. The Master of the majolica technique, Romano Ranieri, provided demonstration and assistance with the centuries old technique. Vinicio Barcaccia demonstrated the European potter’s wheel as applicable to my Landfillart project. During my residency, David Roberts conducted a “raku nudo” workshop and I was able to integrate my project in his workshop.

At La Meridiana (featured in Ceramics Monthly April ’05), Pietro Maddalena (owner and resident artist) provided assistance with setting up a working studio space and feedback regarding my Landfillart project. During my residency at La Meridiana there were two workshops conducted in the community studio where I had studio space. Luca Tirpaldi conducted a “paper clay” workshop and Gail Nichols conducted a “soda fire “workshop. Both workshop instructors allowed my project to interface with their techniques.

My powerpoint slide presentation will provide a comparison of the residencies and critique of each experience. A current progress report on the residencies is available at the blog site:

http://frankgoryleurope2009.blogspot.com/