Toe River Arts will host an exhibition of work by Stanley Mace Andersen August 10th to September 14th in the Kokol Gallery in Spruce Pine titled “Reflections and Possibilities, Work in Progress 1978-2024”. There will be an opening reception on August 16th, 5-7pm.
Stan attended the University of Iowa and in 1967 graduated with degrees in philosophy and sociology. After traveling in Europe for a year Stan and his wife moved back to Iowa City and he began working informally in clay, while also working toward a degree in Library Science. He went on to study ceramics at Rhode Island School of Design, receiving an MFA in 1978. From 1979 to 1984 he was an artist-in-residence at Penland School of Craft. In 1984, he and his wife moved to an old mountain farm they purchased near Penland School. He set up his studio and has been working there since.
Stan works with earthenware clay and is concerned primarily with making utilitarian ware for the table and kitchen. He uses the majolica technique in decorating his pottery, which is fired in an electric kiln to cone03. Stan wants his pottery to contribute to the enjoyment of preparing and presenting food. He paints quickly and directly on the raw glazed surface, creating liquid flowing lines, splashes of color and overlaps of brushstrokes. His continued use of this technique has evolved over time. The final product is important, but “it is the process where I am most likely to find inspiration,” says Stan. The exhibition will showcase the evolution of his work with pieces from past to present.
Toe River Arts is located at 269 Oak Ave. Spruce Pine, NC. Gallery and gift shop hours are 10:30-5 Tues-Sat. For more information visit our website at toeriverarts.org or call 765-0520.
