Graduate Ceramic Art Exhibits

FREDERICK, Maryland—Hood College graduate students will display their ceramics work on campus in June.

From June 1 to 17, the work of Ronda Ullman and Diane DiGiacomo will be on display in the Whitaker Campus Center Gallery. From June 8 to 24, the work of Brett Wallerstein and Stephanie Gage Ellis will be on display in the Hodson Gallery in the Tatem Arts Center. Both galleries are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ullman’s “Texting Rhetorical Renderings” exhibit will feature porcelain bowls that infuse modified text designs. The rhetorical renderings presented are mantras that are created, deconstructed and then pieced together to form a maze-type design. The viewer’s eye thoughtfully travels through the positive and negative spaces of the design. Ullman earned her master’s degree in ceramic arts from Hood College. She is a Frederick County Public School elementary art teacher.

DiGiacomo’s “Syzygy” exhibit takes opposites and unites them, such as opposing colors, surfaces and textures. For example, she expresses her structured Catholic upbringing with her creative spirit by creating wheel-thrown, classical vases that anchor erupting organic pod and flower forms. DiGiacomo is pursuing her master’s degree in ceramic arts at Hood College. She has taught art to elementary, middle and high school students for more than 10 years.

A reception and gallery talk will be held on June 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Whitaker Gallery.

Wallerstein’s “Fractals in Nature” exhibit showcases whimsical, sculptural forms inspired by tiny organic objects that contain beautiful fractals when examined close up. Fractals are complex patterns formed in nature that increase in complexity when magnified. This body of work aims to take familiar organic objects and transform them into playful explorations of forms and innovative, thought provoking creations. Wallerstein is completing his master’s degree in ceramic arts at Hood College. He has served as an art educator in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for more than 25 years.

Ellis’ “Milestones” show will display ceramic sculptures of simple forms complicated by intense surfaces. She hand-builds personal monuments that range from small, handheld sculptures to large, floor-size sculptures. Just as all monuments begin to weather the moment they are put on display, the surfaces of her forms are distressed by the wearing of layers of slips, underglazes, terra sigillata and heavy texture. Ellis is a master’s degree candidate at Hood College. She has been a high school art instructor for almost 30 years.

The reception for this exhibit is scheduled for June 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Hodson Gallery.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jenna Gianni at 301-696-3285 or gianni@hood.edu.

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