Exhibit extended until August 19 and moved to the Pecan Library Art Gallery.

South Texas College kicks off its 14th Annual South Texas Ceramic Showdown, “The Future is Fluid. Is Function Fixed?” with two days of demonstrations, art talks, a reception, and a month-long exhibit for the community.

The exhibit will be on view from June 6 to July 1, 2022, at the STC Pecan Campus Art Gallery. The gallery and ceramic studio are located at 3201 West Pecan Blvd., Building B in McAllen.

Schedule for the event is as follows:

Thursday, June 16, 2022—
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Clay Demonstrations at STC’s Ceramic Studio, B115
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Art Talk with Carla Hughes & Julian Rodriguez, STC Building B Gallery
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Exhibition Reception at STC Building B Gallery 

Friday, June 17, 2022—
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Clay Demonstrations at Ceramic Studio, B 115

The event will include a full display of ceramic work by esteemed local ceramicists Carla Hughes and Julian Rodriguez as well as ceramic work from nine universities and community colleges across the U.S. as well as ceramic work by STC and UTRGV students.

“We are excited to get the Ceramic Showdown up and running again…and a little nervous, too. It’s a bit like opening a kiln after some time off with the waiting and anticipation and patience and that repeating question: “What are we going to see,” said Chris Leonard, STC Ceramics Instructor and Ceramic Showdown Organizer. “What you put in isn’t always what you get out, and life and ceramics can be hard. But there are plenty of repeat customers of schools from in and outside of Texas sending student and faculty work. Texas A&M Kingsville drove their work down the first chance they had.”

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and programs to engage students’ understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

Participating institutions in the collaborative ceramic constructions include Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Lawrence University, Southeast Missouri State University, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, The University Of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, The University Of Texas – San Antonio, Mesa Community College, South Texas College, Tarrant County College.

“Our presenters, Carla Hughes, and Julian Rodriguez, are local heroes who have valuable experience to share,” Leonard said. “We here at STC should be receptive. We have had a very good year in the studio and have put together three-wall installations where folks had the chance to collaborate and work as a team with some independent freedom, too, in creating component parts. I hope we can generate a real, local buzz.”

About the artists:
Carla Hughes is a studio potter and sculptor living and working in Harlingen, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2013 from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She currently runs a studio and gallery in Downtown Harlingen where she creates original works, teaches workshops, and hosts regional artists.

Julian Rodriguez is a native of South Texas and has been a ceramist for decades. He received a B.A. from St. Edward’s University in 1994 and an MFA focusing on ceramics and sculpture from The University of Texas-Pan American in 2007. He is now a lecturer with the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

For more information contact Gina Otvos at (956) 872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryartgallery/

To view the artist’s talks, watch here:

Images of the ceramic pieces by Carla Hughes, Wall Sun #3 (left) & Julian Rodriguez, El Santo (right).