Winter `05 Harris made sure that they fit precisely into the hand. When one of her pitchers is used for a special occasion, filled with tea or wine, its spout pours perfectly, previously hand-tested by the artist. Even when used for utilitarian pur- poses, Harris’s work still “maintains a ceremo- nial sensibility, an impression that has deliber- ately been cultivated,” she said. Harris typically uses an iron-bearing clay, which she textures with carved and impressed designs, often populated by small animal and insect motifs. The intersecting geometric circles and triangles create balance and visual appeal. Color ranges from starkly white to a light- absorbing skin that appears almost black. The works are high-fired in the kiln, cooled in Zhong Vessel by Susan Harris. Black Stoneware, 2003. reduction, and subsequently treated with multi- ple luster firings. Additionally, Harris some- times gives the interiors a rich, glossy lining, crowned with The Ceramic Vessels of Susan Harris especially striking when rendered with a rare, thorns and Susan Harris, an assistant professor of art at gold-colored glaze. Southern Utah University, has spent the past “It may not be easy to place my pots [histor- creatures of three decades researching and perfecting her ically],” Harris said. “But, I know where they the night: craft. Much of her pottery is based on ancient come from in my own life. I know by what per- Chinese bronze ritual vessels and emphasizes sonal energy I put into them as I make them” — form, surface, texture and color and has an itself an intimate ceremonial exercise that con- almost mystical presence. tinues to produce many strangely wonderful When touched, some of Harris’s work can works that attest to the gifts and talents of our be forbidding, embedded with thorn-like protru- time, elegance masquerading as simplicity. sions that demand a handles-only grasp — han- Excerpts from an exhibit catalog essay about dles often crowned with small nocturnal crea- Susan Harris, published in conjunction with her tures, like frogs and snails. Other vessels are most recent one-artist exhibit at the St. George quite literally based on ancient ceremonial food Museum of Art. flagons or incorporate appropriated aspects of Excerpts from an exhibit catalog essay by containers used long ago to store religious Frank McEntire about Susan Harris, published in items. conjunction with her recent one-artist exhibit at the Harris’s pots are admired for their beauty as St. George Museum of Art. a well as their functionality. If they have handles, PAGE 1 FEATURED ARTIST Message from the Director Utah Arts Council Staff Annual Report Edition Frank McEntire, Director After a long absence in print, Ovations is back. With some Lynnette Hiskey, Assistant Director consolidation and other economies, we were able to fulfill the Lila Abersold, Visual Arts Program Coordinator many requests to have a printed copy of Ovations as a comple- Sandra Andrus, Budget & Accounting Officer ment to the more detailed and up-to-date information available Fletcher Booth, Public Art Assistant Anna Boulton, Community/State Partnership Coordinator* on our website (www.arts.utah.gov). Kathi Bourne, Registrar One of the consolidations that make this publication possi- Jennifer Broschinsky, Public Information Officer ble is the inclusion of the 2004 Utah Arts Council Annual Laura Durham, Visual Arts Program Assistant Coordinator Report along with other regular features, such as information Carol Edison, Folk Arts Coordinator* Chris Frederickson, Information Specialist about grant recipients, arts organizations, and ArtOps, which is Jim Glenn, Public Art Coordinator a listing of opportunities for artists across all disciplines. Jean Tokuda Irwin, Arts Education Coordinator The Annual Report is an important aspect of Utah Arts Linh Jolley, Arts Education Assistant Council accountability. It provides a summary of how we as a Guy Lebeda, Literature Program Coordinator* state agency utilize tax dollars to advance the arts. It is our Jennifer Lynch, Arts Education Assistant Craig Miller, Folk Arts Assistant hope that through this newsletter format, more of our con- Glen Richards, Traveling Exhibits Program Coordinator stituents will receive the Annual Report and become better George Schoemaker, Folk Arts Assistant acquainted with the Utah Arts Council, its 105-year-old history, Bertie Stoker, Community/State Partnership Assistant and its services that have such a lasting impact on the quality Sherry Waddingham, Grants & Endowment Manager of life of all Utahns. * Individual Artist Services/Artist Grants. Included in this second “test” version (the first prototype newsletter was released just a few weeks ago) is an invitation to Utah Arts Council provide feedback online at www.arts.utah.gov. We encourage you to fill it out and mail it to us. If you have suggestions for Board of Directors improved Utah Arts Council services or other comments, we Anne Cullimore Decker, Chair invite them as well. Hector J. Ahumada Lee Udall Bennion There are a few changes at the Council to mention in clos- Laura Lee Bradshaw ing. Governor Olene S. Walker appointed Anne Cullimore Margaret K. Brady Decker to serve as Chair of the Utah Arts Council’s Board of K. Newell Dayley, Vice Chair Directors. Ms. Decker, a professional actress and member of the Fred C. Esplin Screen Actor’s Guild, has served as Board Vice Chair for two Jerald D. Holyoak years. She has performed for theatre, opera, television, and film Mary Ann Lee and has received many honors and awards, most recently the John T. Nielsen Madeleine Award for the Arts and Humanities in 2003. We are Kathleen Pitcher Alexander M. Schiel grateful to John T. Nielsen who served for two years as Chair. June D. Thorley His knowledge of the legislative process proved invaluable in preserving the Utah Arts Council’s funding during these past few years of financial difficulty. We acknowledge his many other efforts on behalf of the Utah Arts Council and his many In This Issue hours of voluntary service. Featured Artist, Susan Harris..................................page 1 We also welcome Lynnette Hiskey as the Utah Arts Director's Message.................................................page 2 Council’s new assistant director (see the Annual Report for 2004 Utah Arts Council Annual Report ...................page 3 information about Terry Buhler’s retirement). Lynnette came to Mission Statement ............................................page 3 us from Salt Lake County, where she was manager of the Zoo, 2003-2004 Key Issues........................................page 4 Arts and Parks (ZAP) program. a Artist Services ..................................................page 4 Arts Education Program....................................page 5 Community/State Partnership Program ..............page 6 Design Arts ......................................................page 6 Folk Arts Program ............................................page 7 Literature Program ...........................................page 8 Frank McEntire, Director Public Art ........................................................page 8 UTAH ARTS COUNCIL Fiscal Year 2004 Total Budget............................page 9 Visual Arts Program .........................................page 9 Traveling Exhibits Program .............................page 10 Program Services by County ...........................page 11 Grants by County ...........................................page 13 2003-2004 Advisory Panels ..............................page 14 Partners ...............................................................page 15 ArtOps.................................................................page 16 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE PAGE 2 tolerance of diversity, enrich our intellect, and generally provide 2004 us with improved quality of life. These benefits are better assured through the efforts of a Utah Arts Council viable Utah Arts Council that is evolving and adjusting its priori- ties, resources, and organizational functions and structures to Annual Report meet the changing needs of our citizens. This is our greatest chal- lenge. To maintain our value to the arts community and to the Message from the Governor citizenry we serve requires dedication, creativity, as well as qual- ity — and frequently bold — decision-making. This report, and Utah's long-standing support for the arts continues. I the accomplishments it highlights, indicates that we are ready to applaud the Utah Arts Council board, staff and volunteers for move forward with confi- their efforts to enhance and beautify our lives through the arts. dence in our ability to meet this challenge, advance the arts in all their phases, and contribute to more livable communities. In closing, we especially acknowledge the service of Terrie Buhler who retired in May 2004. Her 30 years of dedicated attention to the Frank McEntire needs and reputation of the Executive Director Utah Arts Council are thor- oughly entrenched in its many administrative systems and its caring culture. In her position as the Council’s finance officer and as assistant director, Terrie contributed invaluably to the arts and provided inestimable assistance to four directors — Ruth Draper, Carol Nixon, Bonnie Stephens, and Frank McEntire. She watched the Utah Arts Council grow from a small organization with five staff members and a budget of $200,000 to an agency We know the economy is benefitted by cultural arts. In with 22 employees and a budget of over $3 million. On behalf of addition, Arts Education