Ceramics Annual of America Featured Artist - Shenny Cruces

Shenny Cruces
She's a Dish, 2009
Porcelain
14x24
$850

The history of ceramics has significant roots in California. 
Here are some higlights of the CAA Press Release:

The Ceramics Annual of America (CAA) is an ambitious exhibition and art fair spotlighting the quality and diversity of contemporary ceramics from around the world including works from China, Korea, Mexico, Australia and Italy. It is the only event of its kind in the United States and the goal is to encourage the education and enrichment of the public, cultivate a fertile art market, and foster dialog between collectors and makers of ceramic sculpture.

Part of California's continuing legacy of excellence and innovation in ceramics, CAA is the largest exhibition and art fair that is entirely focused on ceramic art in America and is modeled after the Ceramic Biennials held in Europe, Korea, Japan and China. It provides a venue for the top regional and international artists working in the clay medium to show their work to a broader audience of collectors.

CAA is organized by the California Ceramics Cooperative, a group of invested regional ceramic artists, and will feature panel discussions, lectures and tours--plus daily interactive art demonstrations from 4-5 that will provide a greater understanding of the artistic process for students and educators alike. Schools located in the Bay Area will have free admission all day Friday and should contact the Ceramics Annual for Reservations.


About Shenny Cruces:

Shenny Phillips Cruces received a BA in Ceramics from Illinois State University and and Masters of Fine Arts in Ceramics from San Francisco State University in 2011.  Her work has appeared in juried shows throughout California and the United States and includes NCECA National Juried Student Exhibition, Ink and Clay 35, Visions in Clay 2011, California Clay Competition, among others.  Her work has received numerous awards with most recent being Murphy Cadogan Fellowship, and a Kiln God Award Residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts.  Ms. Cruces currently teaches ceramics at NIAD in Richmond, California.

Shenny's thoughts on her process:

"The act of collecting is an intrinsic part of my process and my work.  I actively seek out objects that were once loved and displayed within the home but now reside within junk stores and resale shops.  These objects are now empty vessels devoid of the familial memories they once held. 


I use recognizable objects associated with collecting and china cabinets to engage with the viewer’s sense of home and memory.   I collect, cast, recreated and alter existing porcelain objects into sculptural forms to expose the underlying issues of class, identity, memory and the meaning of objects in our lives."

Here is the information for this weekend's event.  We do hope you'll join us!

The Ceramics Annual of America 2011: Exhibition and Art Fair at Fort Mason, Festival Pavilion, San Francisco, California

Exhibition Dates: October 7-9 2011
Friday: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 10am-6pm
Opening Reception: October 6, 2011, 5:30 - 9 pm