SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL-REGISTER
On exhibit now through Oct. 15, “Voices from the Earth” features pottery crafted by Hispanic farm worker women who participate in a creative arts and English language program provided by the World Life Institute in Waterport.
The program is supported by Orleans-Niagara BOCES and with a Reach Grant administered by GO ART!, funded by the state arts council. The 3-D exhibit of more than a dozen hand-crafted pieces is on display in the GO ART! Satellite Gallery at the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, 102 North Main St., in Albion. The chamber is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Students involved in the 2008-09 “Voices from the Earth” program are: Isabel Reyes Rosario, Gladys Rosario, Dolores Alvarado, Luz Maria Garcia, Ana Maria Lopez, Cira Cruz, Esperanza Garcia, Silvia Rios, Beatriz Figueroa, Elva Reyes, Elena Reyes, Beatriz Rosario, Anai Garcia and Marisol Soto.
Many of the pieces are inspired by the maker’s own creative imagination, while others were made as replicas of pieces created by prominent clay artists working in Oaxaca, Mexico, and the American Southwest. The functional pieces may be used with foods because they are non-toxic and oven-safe.
“The students in this program love to express themselves through their lively, colorful clay work,” said Deborah Wilson, pottery specialist for the program. “By placing their finished pieces on exhibit, women farm workers of Orleans County hope that their voices will be heard and acknowledged within the community.”
The women worked entirely by hand with a white earthenware clay, using slab, coil, and pinching methods. The pieces are decorated using a range of materials, including ceramic pencil, underglazes, slips, low-fire glazes and occasionally acrylics.
All exhibits are free of charge. For more information, call 343-9313 or visit www.goart.org.
