Little Brown Jug + Dig Deeper: [some] Art, Science and History of Troy Clay

Clay and curiosity are at the center of this meandering exhibition connecting potters, soil scientists, artists, historians, engineers, curators, geologists, museums, glaze chemists and more.

Clays vary from location to location because of their unique geologic history…the rock that decomposed to create them, the impurities they accumulated as they traveled from their originating location to where they were deposited, how much weathering they
endured along the way.

Curiosity about Troy clay led four artists to step into the footsteps of Sam Wilson (The “Uncle Sam”) digging the clay that he and his brother Ebenezer dug to make some of the first bricks in colonial America. It also led us to a collaborative experiment with a cousin of Albany Slip, an important clay in colonial American ceramics, that became the Little Brown Jug show- looking at historical pots, sharing material, inviting potters of all skill levels from around the country to share their results.

Working on this exhibition has also made us curious to dig deeper into our own histories and making processes, to become more fully aware of the blessings and privilege that this material has afforded each of us, and to learn how to have a more reciprocal relationship with the land. This exhibition shows work created from curiosity, from various artists and vantage points; it shares research and resources, and invites viewer participation in conversations.

We are excited to connect with the New York State Museum and Chief Curator of History Jennifer Lemak for historic examples of  New York stoneware featuring Albany slip from the Museum’s  Weitsman Collection . Dr. Lemak together with potter and former Studio Potter editor Mary Barringer will be the jurors for Little Brown Jug, selecting some pots at the end of the exhibition to travel back to the museum to be shown alongside their historic relatives.

The Dig Deeper + Little Brown Jug exhibit will include a range of programming for both professional and recreational audiences including opportunities to discuss ceramic history, to experiment with glaze chemistry, to make some pots, to fire a rocket kiln, to learn some soil science, and to explore our relationships to soil and land.
– – –

Organizers + Exhibitors:

Robilee McIntyre and Bianca Dupuis of Broken Mold Studio (Troy, NY)
Claire Sherwood (Troy, NY)
Margaret Boozer (MD)

Exhibitors:

Molly Adams, Cat Viera Akerman, Karen Arrington, Julia Bargo, Wesley Barnes, Margaret Boozer, Julie Boynton, Kendra Brown, Kate Childs Graham, a.k.a. KCG, Kelly Clendenin, Leah Cohen, Michael Corigliano, Michael Cummins, Connor Czora, Gina Mai Denn, Bianca Dupuis, Rachel Garrison, Bruce Gholson, Gina Mai Denn. Rebecca Gitter, Ian Hall-Hough, Joe Hicks, Mary Pat Hopper, Thomas Johnson, Lyla Kaplan, Patricia Keelen, Mariah Kitner, Laura Korch, Mary LaFleur, Pam Lau, Matt Levy, Tom Loggia, Levi Mahan, Robilee McIntyre, Karen Morgenstern, Rebecca Murtaugh, Lisa Orr, Alex Paton, Ryan Rakhshan, Loren Scherbak, Hitomi Shibata, Takuro Shibata, Hayley Cranberry Small, Lou Thorne, Megan Van Wagoner

 
The Jane Altes Gallery
September 27 – November 16
Opening Reception: September 27, 6pm-8pm

Programs

Workshop: Little Brown Jug + [some] Glaze Chemistry
September 26 & 28 (Thursday & Saturday)

Instructor: Ryan Rakhshan, Midnight Ceramics
Description: Hands-on workshop for all skill levels to learn the basic steps and theory behind mixing a glaze, using the exhibition as a resource. Includes some history. Saturday 9/28 only… Ryan will be joined by special guest Jeff Zamek, potter, glaze technician and possibly the best living repository of Albany Slip history and technical information. Jeff works with individual potters, ceramics companies, and industry, offering technical advice on clays, glazes, kilns, raw materials, ceramic toxicology, and product development.
For more information about Jeff Zamek, click here.
Location: The Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street, Troy, NY 12180
Schedule:
Thursday: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Event: Opening Reception with Short Juror & Artist Talk

Friday, September 27
6:00pm – 9:00pm during Troy Night Out
The Jane Altes Gallery at The Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street, Troy, NY 12180

Workshop: A Day in the Life of the Hudson
Thursday October 10
Instructor: Claire Sherwood
Description: Kids’ programming focused on clay along the Hudson River, emphasizing ecology, history, and becoming stewards of the river/land. Includes a hands-on clay activity. Free and open to the public.
Location: Rensselaer Riverfront Park, Rensselaer, NY 12144
Schedule: 10:00am start time
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Workshop: Stoked: Rocket Kiln All Day
Sunday October 27
Instructors: Robilee McIntyre (Troy Bricks) & Bianca Dupuis (Broken Mold Troy)
Description: Bring a small bisqued pot to glaze with local material from the exhibition and fire to cone 6 in 4 hours using a DIY tiny, efficient wood kiln.
Location: Hangar on the Hudson, 675 River Street, Troy, NY 12180
Schedule: 10:00am – 4:00pm
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Workshop: Circle Flasks and Ring Jugs: Historic New York Stoneware
Wednesday October 16 Instructors: Bianca Dupuis (Broken Mold Studio) & Dr. Jennifer Lemak (Chief Curator of History, NY State Museum)
Description: Hands-on pottery workshop and ceramic discussion on these historic New York stoneware forms, using the exhibition and the Weitsman Collection as references.
Location: Broken Mold Studio, 284 River Street, Troy, NY 12180
Schedule: 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Event: Lake Albany, Varves + [some] Soil Science
Friday November 15 

Instructor: Olga Vargas, NY Soil Scientist, United States Department of Agriculture -Natural Resources Conservation Service; Richard K. Shaw, retired USDA-NRCS; Sarah Cadieux, Associate Director of Environmental Sciences at RPI
Description: Happy Hour and talk on the origin and nature of Troy area clays from a soil science perspective, using the exhibition as reference.
Location: The Jane Altes Gallery, The Arts Center of the Capital Region
Schedule: 6-7:30pm
NO REGISTRATION REQIRED

final new JJ version LBJ Dig Deeper small 2
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