Symposium celebrating Shaping Time: CU Ceramics Alumni 2000–2020

Friday September 5, 2025

All sessions will occur in the CU Art Museum 

Schedule: 

10:00–10:30 a.m.: Morning coffee in CUAM lobby 

Morning Sessions 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 

Conversation 1: Ceramics and the Interior: Containment and Interiority in Practice 

10:30–11:15 a.m. 

Artists: Casey Whittier and Tsehai Johnson

Moderator: Kim Dickey 

Ceramic art has long engaged with the concept of containment—through the vessel as container and the ways domestic life is shaped by the objects we design and use. Interiority, both physical and conceptual, offers a rich field of inquiry for ceramic artists. Ornamentation and decoration further define space, giving meaning to both objects and architecture. This conversation will explore how these themes intersect with the creative practices of the participating artists. 

Conversation 2: Ceramics and the Environment: Materiality and Meaning

11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Artists: Lauren Mayer and Liisa Nelson, Grace Potter

Moderator: Scott Chamberlin  

Clay offers a direct connection to the earth, grounding ceramic practice in materiality. Its plasticity allows it to mimic materials like fabric, paper, or skin, while also capturing the force, speed, and touch of the maker—from footprints to fingerprints. For many artists, these qualities open a rich formal and conceptual dialogue. This panel will explore how the material associations of clay shape and inform each artist’s practice.” 

12:00–1:00 p.m. Lunch Break

Afternoon Sessions 1:00–3:30 p.m. 

Performance by The Bridge Club

1:00–1:30 p.m. 

Join us for an in-gallery performance of Inheritance by The Bridge Club

Artists: Emily Bevins, Annie Strader, Christine Owen, and Julie Wills 

Inheritance centers on the domestic act of washing dinnerware. In its Initial stage, the installation features an arrangement of delicate, unfired porcelain objects. A live performance transforms the scene as the artists’ actions animate and alter the materials. By the exhibition’s end, the once-pristine setting holds visible traces of care, labor, and use. 

Conversation 3: Performance and Ceramics 

1:45–2:30 p.m. 

Artists: The Bridge Club (Emily Bevins, Annie Strader, Christine Owen, and Julie Wills) and Laura Smith 

Moderator: Kim Dickey 

Ceramic objects have long been linked to performance through their inherent tactile engagement. Every functional piece (or sculptural space) can invite interaction, offering performative possibilities. The artists on this panel recognize this potential, exploring how embodiment shapes our experience of materials like clay. Their work engages with clay’s metaphors—permanence and impermanence, fragility and durability—reflecting on the human condition and uncovering narratives rooted in its material and domestic histories. 

Conversation 4: In-gallery Artist Talks

2:30–3:15 p.m.

Artist talks moderated by Kim Dickey.  

Closing Remarks and Thanks

3:15–3:30 p.m.