Spotlight: The Jekyll Island Arts Association
An exciting combination of artwork will be featured at the Jekyll Island Art Association’s gallery January 4 - February 2 when it welcomes the artwork of the Georgia Coastal Artists Guild along with the popular Raku pottery by members of Jekyll’s Pottery Guild.
This is a homecoming event for the Georgia Coastal Artists Guild, as their first show took place here at Goodyear Cottage after their guild started in 1983. The 35 member group is involved in shows and numerous art related events in the community, including volunteering their time with local school children. They broaden their knowledge and capabilities by attending classes, workshops and hosting relevant speakers at their meetings. A wide range of media and a varied number of styles are represented within the group. We welcome them back!
Fifteen different potters from the Jekyll Island Pottery Guild will provide Raku pottery for another dimension to this exciting exhibit. Guild President, Tony Cerrato, explains: “Raku was developed in 16th century Japan and means ‘happiness through chance,’ because glazing results are generally unpredictable after firing.” Raku depends on rapid glaze firing of bisque pottery which is thickly glazed with low temperature glazes and fired to approximately 1800 degrees. When it’s removed from the kiln, the piece is placed in a container with paper or sawdust and sealed for about ten minutes. It is then quickly cooled with cold water. This process produces a unique look to the variety of pieces that will be shown. Jekyll potter Art Sennett, who studied his craft in Japan, was powerfully struck by the Japanese respect and appreciation for the intrinsic beauty of ceramic ware. “[They] considered [pottery] to be a living part of the world.”
Everyone is invited to an artists’ reception at Goodyear Cottage in Jekyll’s Historic District on January 6, from 1pm - 3pm. Shop and gallery hours are Monday through Friday 12pm - 4pm and weekends 10am - 4pm. Admission is always free.
