Mud Lines

We’ve all heard of the Gold Rush, which put Colorado on the map and led to statehood. But soon after, there was also a “Clay Rush,” during which ceramic artists like Artus and Anna Van Briggle began to flock to the Rockies. And as the intervening century has revealed, they...

By Michael Paglia

March 11, 2010

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We’ve all heard of the Gold Rush, which put Colorado on the map and led to statehood. But soon after, there was also a “Clay Rush,” during which ceramic artists like Artus and Anna Van Briggle began to flock to the Rockies. And as the intervening century has revealed, they haven’t stopped coming since.

As a result, Colorado Clay, a biennial held for decades at Foothills Art Center, is a dependable popular attraction. The exhibit is a juried effort, and this time, the selector is renowned ceramic sculptor Adrian Arleo from Montana. Typically, established talents skip juried shows, but not in the case of Colorado Clay: Katie Caron, Caroline Douglas, Marie E.v.B. Gibbons and Jonathan Kaplan are among the fourteen artists involved.

The show gets under way with a reception and award ceremony tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at Foothills, 809 Fifteenth Street in Golden; both the artists and the juror will be in attendance. The show also marks the unveiling of Foothills’ newly renovated galleries; for details, including a schedule of artist talks, call 303-279-3922 or visit www.foothillsartcenter.org.
March 12-May 2, 2010

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Michael Paglia is an art historian and writer whose columns have appeared in Westword since 1995; his essays on the visual arts have also been published in national periodicals including Art News, Architecture, Art Ltd., Modernism, Art & Auction and Sculpture Magazine. He taught art history at the University of Colorado Denver.

Contact: Michael Paglia