Hello again, sorry to have been gone for so long. A few updates, our show is getting closer so we are all in the grind of making lots.

We also wanted to share with everyone a website about the Radical Jewelry Makeover, this is a project that is a collaboration of re-made jewelry. Donations in the form of "old" jewelry are made and then revamped by students and volunteer jewelers. A wonderful project, the pieces that have been made from RJM are beautiful and inspiring.

Residency at Arrowmont also has its perks. Recently we were honored with a backstage tour of the Ripley's Aquarium across the street from Arrowmont. We got to stand nearby as Sharks were fed, pet an octopus and learned how much it cost to feed a leafy sea dragon each week. They only eat live food.. the name I don't fully recall, something along the lines of snailmice? krillmice, maybe?

We also have a lovely photo of our dear ceramic residents showing off their mad clay working skills at Roswell Art Center West, Ga. The audience was spell bound, even if the jokes were bad. Both Shawn and Andy greatly enjoyed their time there and appreciated the support of everyone who participated.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, just to let you know, according to channel 10 News, Live at 5. Arrowmont Residents are FAMOUS! We're on T.V!!! Check it out! Of course we chose Shawn to do the talking for us... him being Irish.

Well Hello to the New YEAR!!! 2011!! whoooo hooo! Everyone has returned from a restful Christmas Holiday and we are all jumping back into the swing of things here. This week we are sadly taking down the Figurative Symposium Exhibition, but good news the Sevier County Biennial Juried Exhibition is going up! Everything will be installed by this Friday, just in time for the opening reception.

Next week we begin teaching adult and children's community art classes! Our show is going up in about 2 months and we are all feeling the pressure building... building .... building!!!! AH! Care packages containing baked goods, toothpaste and whiskey, will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much! You are all such dears.

Also, our busy ceramic residents are headed to Georgia this weekend to set up their show at the Art Center West. Above is their show card. If you would like to read more about the exhibition, click here, and you will be taken to a magical land filled with ceramic wonder and the beautiful creations of Shawn (kiss me I'm Irish) O' Connor and Andrea (that's amore) Moon.

Hope for Hope

We are posting a link to the Hope for Hope blog, in the hopes that some of our fellow artist will contribute to this cause. Hope Rovelto is a ceramic artist who, on November 4th was hit by a hit-in-run driver. She has undergone and is continuing to undergo surgeries for her legs. Her medical bills have already begun to pile up and this is where we come in. An art auction will take place January 30th to help raise funds to pay for Hope's continuing medical bills. Thank you to everyone.

Andy, Shawn, Darren, Jenn, Wyatt, and Wombat getting the Figurative Symposium show installed!
Jenn and Joe standing in for the top halves of Andrea Connell's sculptures.

As always we are rocking out. Last month we taught ArtReach classes to students from the local schools. We had 7 schools come this year, grades ranging from 5th to 12th. It was great to be able to work with so many enthusiastic students, but by the time 2:00 came around we were all exhausted. Since then, things have calmed down quite a bit. Full days in the studio!!! YAHHH!!! Andy has been shipping out work to shows in Texas and New Mexico. Shawn and Andy are both getting ready for a show in Rowsell,Ga at the Art Center West. Wyatt is working on a desk, continuing with his brick pattern. Jenn is working on a few ring commissions, and everyone is getting in the Holiday spirit! All day and night the tree across the street at the Aquarium has a light show going and there is christmas music playing when we wake up, when we go to sleep, when we brush our teeth. Next week we will start heading home, to Maine, Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky we go! On Dancer, On Zoezif, On Sonnor, On Blitzed!

BIG NEWS!!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! THE DATE IS APRIL 9th- 6-8pm. Resident's Annual Exhibition! Come and check out what we've been making during our time here.

It was a three keg symposium! And it was fabulous, darling! The people, the food, the lectures, the drinks, the demos, all amazing! Thaddeus Erdahl even set a piece on fire during his demo! If you would like to check out more of the going ons that occurred, you can see it all at the Figurative Symposium official website. There will also be postings of the key note speaker and stories that were shared during the panel discussions. A favorite among the residents would have to be Tip Toland's slug story. More postings will follow, we just have to track down all the photos and links to give you. Sorry people out there reading this blog and wanting more... we just can't give it to you right now. Patience is a virtue, drink this you'll feel better. Until next time.