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 White Plains, NY - On the evening of Friday October 3rd, from 6 pm to 9 pm, downtown White Plains will be buzzing as a special free bus shuttles visitors between three ceramics exhibitions in downtown White Plains.
Adding to the festivities will be opening receptions, as well as a free drink for ‘Clay Trolley’ riders at four restaurants in the downtown district. The October 3rd event is part of kick-off festivities for “All Fired Up: A Celebration of Clay in Westchester.” From October 3rd to November 30th, more than 70 venues in Westchester County (including museums, galleries, colleges, parks & libraries), will host concurrent exhibitions of ceramic art.
“We’ve assembled all the perfect ingredients for a wonderful night out on Friday, October 3rd,” says Westchester Arts Council Executive Director Janet T. Langsam. “World-class art exhibitions, complimentary drinks at local restaurants, a party atmosphere, and free transportation between events, all make this a ‘must-attend’ event. We’ve also planned the evening as accessible to the entire community--in-keeping with our goal of bringing the beauty of ceramic expression to everyone during our eight week “All Fired Up!” extravaganza.”
“Ride the Clay Trolley,” is being co-organized with the White Plains Downtown Business Improvement District, who is providing the free shuttle service.
The Westchester Arts Council’s Arts Exchange, at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, will serve as home-base and the starting point for “Ride the Clay Trolley” activities. The trolley’s loop will include stops at The Reckson Metro Center at 350 Hamilton Avenue, and the Westchester County Courthouse on Martin Luther King Boulevard. “Ride the Clay Trolley” participants with ID can also enjoy a free drink at Legal Seafoods (Mamaroneck Avenue), La Boca (Church Street) , Mulinos (99 Court Street), and Zanros (1 Mamaroneck Avenue). All participating restaurants are within walking distance from exhibition sites.
Featured Exhibitions Include:
Confrontational Ceramics: The Arts Exchange, 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains
More than 80 international artists (including luminaries such as Jeff Koons, Timothy Berg, and Mark Cecula) will present more than 90 ceramic sculptures which examine social, political, environmental and gender issues which run from the humorous, to the disturbing to the shocking. This blockbuster exhibition will occupy the entire Grand Banking Room (Peckham Gallery) of the Arts Exchange as well as the second-level Sally and Melvin Shenkman Gallery.
Chris Gustin: Recent Work, Reckson Metro Center, 350 Hamilton Avenue, White Plains
Renowned ceramicist Chris Gustin is known for his large vessels, featuring unique, textures, and glazes. He combines heavy melted ash deposits on glazed surfaces to highlight his often anthropomorphic forms and to convey movement. He is interested in how glaze and ash interface and work together to create an aesthetic and vocabulary specific to his work
Gender: Work by Recent SUNY New Paltz MFA Grads, Westchester County Courthouse, Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Curator Ben Wilton picked two male and female artists whose work reflects traditional ideas about gender. Wilton’s pieces include chunky objects of found ceramic pieces and rendering of comic-book characters such as The Hulk. On the other end of the spectrum, Alida van Almelo’s feathery sculptures seem to float in the air. Jonathan Mess’ beautifully-colored boxes have an organic quality. Elenor Wilson takes a whimsical look at ideas about gender with her clusters of ceramic shoes.
All are welcome to attend. For more information about “Ride the Clay Trolley” activities call the Westchester Arts Council at (914) 428-4220. For more information about the eight-week extravaganza “All Fired Up!: A Celebration of Clay in Westchester,” including events and exhibitions, visit www.allfiredup.info.
Westchester Arts Council, founded in 1965, is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. In 1998, the Arts Council purchased 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, now known as the Arts Exchange, and has since developed the building as a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community.
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