Category Archives: ceramics

art, art exhibition, art museum, ceramics

Laurent Craste

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Just when you thought you’d seen everything, you know what I mean?  Derivatives of derivatives of original artwork, materials driven artwork, Abstract Expressionist wanna-bes, etc., you go the The Everson Museum of Art (401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) and this happens…

…and it is AMAZING!

Laurent Craste is exhibiting his historically accurate vessels, which have been displayed with weapons that have seemingly destroyed them.  The juxtaposition of the delicate gold fleur-de-lis patterned porcelain attacked by actual baseball bats, axes, arrows and the like, is jarring.  It’s just the oddest thing and yet it speaks to the anger that peasants of the past had towards their regal governments.  I guess your reaction will depend on which of the two factions you associate with – are you a have or a have not???

It’s fascinating, intriguing…and beautiful!

from www.everson.org

Iconoclasts

On view November 15 through May 24, 2026

Iconoclasts marks the American museum debut for French-born Canadian ceramist Laurent Craste. Over the past decade, Craste has committed a wide range of indignities and abuse against his ornate vases and urns, including pummeling them with baseball bats and crowbars and piercing them with arrows. Despite the violence that runs through his work, Craste has a great passion for historical porcelain. Working with porcelain allows Craste to explore the prestige and power of upper-class society, but also inequality and the strain that is placed on working people. The anthropomorphic nature of Craste’s vases echoes the human body, making it no surprise that people feel strong emotions when seeing a helpless vase struck by a baseball bat. Triggering these strong emotions in his audience allows Craste to connect on a deeper level as he asks questions about class, money, and power.

Join us for a special artist talk with Craste on Thursday, February 5, 2026. (see the website for exact time of the lecture) 

abstract, art, art exhibition, art museum, ceramics, drawing, Karen Tashkovski, painting, sculpture

Art Talk: Lessons In Geometry

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Today I visited The Everson Museum of Art (401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) for the Steffi Chappell-led art talk.  It was a Lesson in Geometry.

As Director of Curatorial Affairs, Chappell curated this exhibition from the Everson archives.  Currently, the museum’s finest collection of non-representational paintings and sculptures are housed in two of the upstairs galleries.  Works from Sol Lewitt, Susan Roth, and many other American artists are on view through March 29, 2026.  Some of the pieces are recent acquisitions.

When discussing geometric forms, we are talking about measured shapes.  Drawing a circle free-hand is not geometry.  These pieces utilized rulers, protractors, right triangles and compasses.  Many were conceptualized to appear machine made with very smooth brushstrokes and precise edges (I mean – you can totally tell those artists used masking tape in order to eradicate  the humanity – so that was a bit of an unsuccessful desire).

Steffi Chappell spoke of the historical significance of the abstract art movement in the United States specifically, and how it sort of separated into factions with Abstract Expressionism dominating after World War II.  Geometric Abstraction sprouted from a need to break free of emotional trappings.

Even though many of these pieces were created when I was a child (kind of a long time ago), it was refreshing in that Star Trekkian way to do away with all the emotion and volatility of social justice art, mental illness art, low frequency vibes and the like, at least for the afternoon.  This work, in essence, is art for art’s sake.  It is about using the elements of art to establish the principles of art in a structured instead of intuitive way.

The result:  the viewer responds to color, rhythm, line quality, etc. and appreciates its boldness in size or serenity in shape.  Many artists experimented with canvas shape, new materials, and/or optical illusion.

It’s the kind of abstract art that kids will hesitate to say – I could do that – because the underlying geometric structures and measuring techniques were clearly time consuming, lol.

Artists have obsessed over the relationship between mathematics and art for millennia. As artists turned toward abstraction in the early twentieth century, Europeans like Piet Mondrian used geometry to create a set of rules and parameters that guided their creative process. Meanwhile, American artists began developing their own styles and movements—particularly Abstract Expressionism, which was typified by bold, quickly executed brushwork, drips, and splashes. In the mid-twentieth century in the United States, artists laid the groundwork for Geometric Abstraction as a more cerebral alternative to the often macho flamboyance of Abstract Expressionism. Over the ensuing decades, artists used geometry to produce abstract works that ranged from the dazzling Op Art of Victor Vasarely to the restrained Minimalism of Sol LeWitt.

Lessons in Geometry traces the evolution of hard-edged abstraction in the United States as artists sought to use pure geometric forms to create works with balance, harmony, and order. For these artists, shape, line, and color took precedence over representational compositions. The Everson’s collection reflects the wildly varied ways that artists have used geometry to serve their personal expression, from the analytical formulations of Robert Swain to the shaped canvases of Harmony Hammond and the spatial illusions of Tony King.

 

acrylic, animals in art, art, art exhibition, art gallery, ceramics, jewelry, Karen Tashkovski, painting, watercolor

Animals Everywhere

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The holiday exhibit at Edgewood Gallery (216 Tecumseh Road, Syracuse, NY 12334) is refreshingly uplifting.  The opening reception was last night.  No talk of religion or politics, or negativity of any kind!  It was just animals.  Animal art in many different, albeit colorful, incarnations.

Ellen and Dia Haffar, the mother-daughter duo of Smokepail Studios brought their bunny rabbit and little piggy iconography A-game with images hand drawn and glazed onto mugs, cups and vases.  The whimsical elegance of this work reflects the artists’ fun and friendly personalities.

Although C.J. Hodge is highly allergic to cats, he still loves them and it shows in these large scale pieces.  His acrylic on wood panel cat paintings are filled with visual texture and pattern.  He sold three paintings before I arrived .  This show is a cash and carry situation, which works for those of you interested in gifting art this Christmas.

Dana Stenson is the real deal.  She crafts jewelry using sterling silver and precious gem stones.  She has been juggling several art events, having spent last weekend at that Plowshares thing plus selling her work at Cazenovia Artisans where she is a member of their collective.

She was influenced by birds, butterflies and dragonflies for this showcase.

Amy Cunningham creates her animal portraits and floral designs using a combination of watercolor, goache and inks.  She adheres the watercolor paper to a hardboard canvas via matte medium then paints the image with precision and finally seals the work with wax.  I find the layers in this work so incredibly satisfying because  the flatness of the imagery is just an illusion.

The exhibit continues through January 9, 2026.  The gallery is open Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

art, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, art group, art venue, ceramics, clay, collage, color, design, drawing, encaustic, encaustic & collage, facces, fiberarts, jewelry, landscapes, mixed media, oil painting, painting, watercolor

Me & My Membership

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I am a member of the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14604.  My encaustic & collage painting, “Girl”, is there (above).  It is from my Fan-Girl series.

The Rochester Contemporary Art Center’s thirty-fourth Member Exhibition is in full swing through February 14, 2026.  There are over five hundred pieces of art in this show and it is AMAZING!

All artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to the gallery.  This exhibition is a must see!  I think what happens is you will be drawn to a few things at eye level then you’ll step back and see that there is so much more.  Sculpture, ceramics, paintings, photographs, abstracts, realism – it is the most eclectic mix of talent.

To the volunteers who erected this art show- I commend you!  It must have been a giant puzzle to solve to place everything in such a way that each piece gets the respect it deserves.  It is a glorious achievement.

The gallery hours –

Wed. – Sun. 12-5pm
Fri. 12-9pm

  • It is $2 per visit and free for members.

From their web-site:

RoCo was founded as the Pyramid Gallery

In 1977, a small group of artists led by Tony Petracca, John Kavanaugh and Albert Robbins joined together to exhibit their artwork, present an alternative to museums and commercial galleries, and expand the cultural offerings in the region.

Early on, the crew faced considerable obstacles. Only days after the grand opening there was a significant fire that left the small Monroe Ave. storefront and many artworks damaged. Fundraisers were held and walls were rebuilt. Thanks to the perseverance of the founders and their fellow artists, the Rochester art community has been the beneficiary ever since. After formalizing the organization began to receive New York State and foundation funding and soon began to play a significant role in the artist-run space movement of the era. Still there was uncertainty and challenges. The Culture Wars and shifting foundation priorities altered the funding landscape. Through the decades and several different locations, RoCo’s individual members have provided a stable base for the organization. This significant community support has enabled RoCo to survive and thrive when other small art centers have struggled and even closed their doors. In recent years RoCo’s membership and stature has grown significantly. Now as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we’ve achieved outright ownership of our facility and are approaching 1,000 members for the first time in the organization’s history.

art, art for sale, ceramics, clay, Karen Tashkovski

Lots of Clay!

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Chuck Hafner’s Garden Center (7265 Buckley Road, North Syracuse, NY 13212) is like a garden lover’s Disneyland.

If you head over there today, be prepared for the crowds.  I stopped by yesterday and I had to circle the parking lot twice before I found a parking space!

They will be open 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM for the second day of the Clayscapes Pottery Market.  Vendors are housed in the greenhouse portion of the store.

It is so amazing how well designed these little mini ceramics stores look.  It must take tremendous effort to install the shops for a two-day event and coupled with the fragility of the merchandise, I offer respect.

Oh, and P.S. – not sure what they will have left to sell today – there were a lot of transactions happening yesterday.  Many people mentioned they were there buying holiday gifts!

One of these days, I will splurge on a Peter Valenti bird themed piece.  Maybe in a few years once my Jamey decides he is bored with jumping up on counters and swatting things down (he has broken three pots and two glass shelves so far).

art, art exhibition, art gallery, ceramics, clay, Karen Tashkovski

Currents & ReCurrents

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Last night I attended the latest art reception at Gandee Gallery.  So fun!

The gallery is divided into three sections:  the front room houses the gallery’s contributing artists, the middle room is home to the current exhibition, ReCurrents, and the back room is the art/ceramics studio.

Ceramics are the main attraction but the gallery also sells paintings, notecards, and jewelry.

(from the website)

ReCurrents: Contemporary Ceramics

This past summer, the Gandee Gallery curated Currents in Contemporary Ceramic Art at Featherstone Center for the Arts on Martha’s Vineyard. We are excited to now showcase a select number of ceramic works from this exhibition at the gallery in Central New York. ReCurrents features artists at various career stages, from emerging talents to established artists. Gandee’s curatorial vision brings together artists as diverse as their identities and narratives, creating a rich tapestry of contemporary ceramic expression. . It will be on view through Oct. 12th.

The Gandee Gallery is located at 7846 Main Street, Fabius, New York 13063. They are open 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday-Saturday and 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Sundays. Call (315) 416-6339 for more information.

(From the website)

ReCurrents: Contemporary Ceramics

Participating artists: Jen Allen (WV), Peter Beasecker (NY), Andrea Denniston (VA), Ruth Easterbrook (PA), Jee Eun Lee (KY), Shanna Fliegel (MA), Jen Gandee (NY), Chris Gustin (MA), Noelle Hoover (IN), Liz Lurie (NY), David MacDonald (NY), Andrea Marquis (PA), Matt Mitros (CA), Ted Neal (IN), Jeremy Randall (NY), George Rodriguez (PA), Shoji Satake – (RI), Isaac Scott (PA), Taylor Sijan (NY), Sorrel Stone (OH), Errol Willett (NY), and Renqian Yang (NY)

 

accessories, art, ceramics, design, furniture, jewelry, Karen Tashkovski, nostalgia, pottery, retail, shopping

Mia Galletta Home & Design

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The Yard, at 604 E. Manlius Street, Manlius, New York 13104, is a conglomeration of shoppes, cafés and such built on the site of a 19th century lumber yard.  They have a brewery on-site as well, and often schedule festive musical events.

The newest resident of The Yard is Mia Galletta Home & Design.  This shoppe is located at the top of the compound, next to Café Jarosz and adjacent to the parking lot.  Open from noon-5:00 PM Wednesday – Sunday, Mia Galletta sells an eclectic mix of furniture, home furnishings and women’s accessories while also offering her services as a real estate agent for Howard Hanna.  This includes home buying and selling, and home staging with some custom design options.

It is a powerfully vibrant space – fuchsia and lime walls, tangerine chairs, floral motif pillows and colorful resin chunky jewelry abound.  If you are looking for bright options, this is your jam – but you will need to be quick because it is mostly bespoke and my thought is the store will look different each week due to sales.  She’s only been in business for two-weeks so far and has already had to redecorate due to sales.  The merchandise is very reasonably priced.  It’s a fun shopping experience!

I hadn’t seen Mia in over forty years – we graduated high school together.  Since then she has graduated from FIT and worked in the fashion industry, mainly in accessory design, in New York City (where she still keeps an apartment) and oversees, even working in China for a time!  She recently returned to this area to be closer to family and will remain here at least a year – the duration of her store lease.

Welcome back, Mia!

art, art festival, Arts & Crafts, ceramics, Karen Tashkovski

Columbus Circle & Art

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The rain held off today in what became for me a four-hour walk  around the M & T Bank sponsored Arts & Crafts Festival in Syracuse, New York.

Food trucks, free give aways and many, many artisans and craftsmen selling their wares under white tents on and around Columbus Circle make up this fabulous festival.  There is a lot to see – it can be a serendipitous stroll full of impulse purchases or, like me, you will manifest something you have been longing for.

I finally bought the oak charcuterie board lazy susan I have been coveting for three years.  Carrying it back to the car was not fun because it was so heavy – I recommend that you have a plan in place for how you will maneuver your cash and carry purchases.

The Onondaga Historical Association was open too  (321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) and about 1/4 of my time was spent in there.

I will highlight four ceramic artists this year –

  1.  Smokepail Studios

2.  Greg Parizek Ceramics

3.  Diane Sullivan Design

3.  Peter Valenti Studios 

2025 Festival Dates:

Friday, July 25: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 26: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, July 27: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The spectacular three-day festival is centered in Downtown Syracuse and will showcase talented artists, craftspeople and entertainers. The festival provides opportunities for visitors to experience the vibrancy of Downtown Syracuse through a presentation of visual and performing arts that demonstrate diverse art forms and cultures.  

Arts & Crafts – The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival will feature around 140 artists and crafters. Visitors can shop and browse among the art and craft exhibits showcasing an exceptionally wide selection of contemporary arts and crafts, from functional to decorative.

Performing Arts – The festival showcases the performing arts. Attendees can enjoy free daily strolling entertainment between including a variety of music entertainers, open hand legacy puppets, hooping and much more! The Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present mini-organ recitals over the course of the festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Family Activities – Families are integral to the success of the event, and participatory activities are designed with them in mind. Interactive projects provide young attendees with opportunities to create three-dimensional masterpieces. Join the Everson Museum of Art for a collaborative mural activity inspired by Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez’s exhibition Dream Map and Cornucopia, on view at the Everson through October 19th. Participants are invited to paint or illustrate a native flower, plant, or animal of their choosing, and contribute to our mural featuring flora and fauna of Central New York. Artmaking supplies and tools provided.

Syracuse Art Trail – A collaborative project between CNY Arts and local arts & culture organizations. The Trail builds connections and promotes collaboration amongst organizations & individuals in our local arts community. We aim to bring Syracuse residents together in a creative, meaningful way to support the arts! More information here!

Stay Fresh Chalk Jam – Over 50 artists will take to the sidewalks on Saturday, July 26th to create beautiful works of art all done in chalk! (Rain date – July 27th).

Summer Refreshments – Food vendors will be on-site to serve a diverse mix of summer favorites.

A Community Festival – Area businesses participate by hosting open houses and various activities, such as family-friendly art activities and the popular sidewalk art competition, Chalk Jam. Many of these initiatives are organized in collaboratiion with the Everson Museum of Art, the Onondaga Historical Association, the YMCA – Downtown Writers Center and the Montgomery Street Collective crafts show. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend these events, establishing this as Syracuse’s signature cultural event of the summer!

The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival was ranked 11th best Contemporary Craft Show in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

 

 

art, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, art venue, ceramics, colored pencil, digital art, drawing, editorial design, encaustic, encaustic & collage, etchings, heart paintings, hearts, illustration, india ink, installation, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, oil painting, oil pastels, painting, pencil, printmaking

ROCO 6 x 6 x Infinity

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I took a road trip to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14604) because today was the first day to peruse the annual 6 x 6 fundraiser.

Follow this link to reserve your favorites.  They are only $20 each, which is a bargain for my $75 heart paintings.  If you would like to reserve them, they are numbers 205, 206, 207 and 208.

See their website for more information including hours of operation.

art, art education, art exhibition, ceramics, clay, Karen Tashkovski

Children of the Clay

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The Feats of Clay competition will take place on May 2, 2025 at the Everson Museum of Art,  This is a school competition that includes wheel throwing and other fun timed sculpting events.

A juried exhibition of student work is currently on display at the Everson (downstairs in the auditorium atrium).  So fun!

Feats of Clay (from www.everson.org)

Opening April 12, 2025

Central New York’s Feats of Clay competition was established in 1987 to foster education in the ceramic arts for Syracuse-area high schools. Now in its 36th year, the event includes schools from as far away as the North Country and the Southern Tier and features a juried exhibition that recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in ceramic sculpting and vessel making.

On Friday, May 2, 500 students representing more than twenty-five schools will converge on the Everson Community Plaza to compete in a series of Olympic-style competitive events that involve (among other things) throwing blindfolded on the potter’s wheel, stacking wheel-thrown cylinders, and building towering constructions out of clay coils.

Feats of Clay is supported by Clayscapes Pottery and the Independent Potters Association.