January 1994 1 William Hunt.............................................Editor Ruth C. Butler......................... Associate Editor Robert L. Creager............................Art Director Kim Nagorski......................... Assistant Editor Mary Rushley....................Circulation Manager Mary E. Beaver .... Assistant Circulation Manager Connie Belcher................Advertising Manager Spencer L. Davis.................................. Publisher Editorial, Advertising and Circulation Offices 1609 Northwest Boulevard Post Office Box 12788 Columbus, Ohio 43212-0788 (614) 488-8236 FAX (614) 488-4561 Ceramics Monthly {ISSN 0009-0328) is published monthly except July and August by Professional Publications, Inc., 1609 Northwest Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43212-0788. Second Class post­ age paid at Columbus, Ohio. Subscription Rates: One year $22, two years $40, three years $55. Add $10 per year for subscrip­ tions outside the U.S.A. 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All rights reserved 2 CERAMICS MONTHLY January 1994 3 4 CERAMICS MONTHLY Volume 42, Number 1 • January 1994 Feature Artides Susan Gamble: Rio de Mi Corazon by Sean McGinnis............................................... 29 The Rise and Fall of Cast Glaze by Louis Katz ........................................................... 33 Andrea Johnson by Lisa Crawford Watson .................................................................... 36 Celia CymbalistaPrimarily self-taught, Cymbalista (above) studied foreign books Recipes, Testing and Mixing and experimented systematically to developPorcelain Bodies for Potters by DavidBeumee ............................................................. 38 a body of minimal ceramics; her story be­ gins on page 43. Celia Cymbalista: An Autobiography ......................................................................... 43 17th Fletcher Challenge Award by Peter Lange .......................................................... 46 The Rise and Fall of Cast GlazeLouis with Gaining and Maintaining Exhibition Support.............................................. 50 Katz made pots from glaze—with no clay support! See page 33. Back to Basics by Catherine Grubman ............................................................................ 53 with Exercises for a Healthy Back by Allen Brodnick............................................. 54 Back to BasicsWant to avoid or ease backPatrick Hilferty: Questioning Criteria by Ray Gonzales ............................................. 55 strain? See page 53 for advice on studio layout and equipment, worldng practices, Strictly Functional ........................................................................................................... 60 exercises and other “back smarts.” West Coast Clay: The New Breed ............................................................................... 62 Up Front Ceramics Monthly Address Change ............................................................................ 12 Free Summer Workshops Listing ................................................................................ 12 A Strange Brew by Tony Merino ...................................................................................... 12 Salzbrand ’93.................................................. 12 Ann LeGris ....................................................................................................................... 14 Mary Barringer ................................................................................................................. 14 Elyse Saperstein ............................................................................................................... 14 Dennis Meiners ............................................................................................................... 14 Jerry Caplan ...................................................................................................................... 16 Mirka Orlickaby Lizzie Zucker Saltz ............................................................................. 16 Contemporary Porcelain from Japan .......................................................................... 18 Stefani Gruenberg ........................................................................................................... 18 A Gentle Touch ............................................................................................................... 20 Nine Decades of California Craft ................................................................................ 20 Porcelain Bodies for PottersColorado Douglas Kenney............................................................................................................... 22 potter David Beumee (above) shares reci­ Gayle Fichtinger .............................................................................................................. 22 pes, plus appropriate methods for testing Barbara Hill ...................................................................................................................... 22 and mixing; see page 38. Sherry Karver by Jerry Ratch ......................................... 24 James Crumrine, 1925-1993........................................ 24 Susan Gamble: Rio de Mi CorazonRep­ resentatives from local barrios were con­ sulted to enhearten the design of an $ 18,000 handmade tile project commissioned for a Departments Tucson park; page 29. Letters ................................................... 8 Classified Advertising ........................ 90 The coverStudies in oceanography and Call for Entries ................................... 65 years of painting inform the richly textured Comment: and brightly colored ceramic seascapes of Questions ............................................. 70 Feeding the Dragon California artist Andrea Johnson; page 36. Calendar ............................................... 72 by Jack Troy....................................... 92 Photo: Lee Hocker. Suggestions .......................................... 88 Index to Advertisers .......................... 96 January 1994 5 Letters elected fellow of NCECA [National Councilbe used to justify a piece that cannot speak on Education for the Ceramic Arts]. I hopefor itself. I believe that this “language” devel­ you will reexamine your position because itoped because no one could understand the No Beauty Contest represents a fundamental fault in the way thenew styles of artwork; not even other artists. Was the real purpose of “The 29th Ce­ exhibition world operates. I received many Granted, when new types of work come ramic National” (CM, November 1993) toletters of support for my argument, with onlyalong, the current references and descriptions see who could make the ugliest piece? two disagreeing. One was from Jim Tanner,don’t fit and new ways of communicating Ulrica Rudd, Venice, Fla. another “big name” (and good friend) whoabout the work have to develop. Unfortu­ willingly juries these nonrefundable fee nately, it has gone too far. More on Show Funding shows. He said I was “chasing a shadow.” I There is validity in some of that aesthetic My Comment article (April 1993) abouthope he was wrong. language. We use it every day in my classes. the proliferating no-refund-fee (read lottery) Nils Lou, Willamina, Ore. But for everyone to understand and appreci­ show situation has nothing to do with the so- ate evaluation of artwork, the language must called ideal art world Lenny Dowhie de­ I couldn’t agree more with Lenny Dow-be plain. Tell us what it means “to objectify scribes in his letter (November 1993). Thehie’s response to Nils Lou’s “exhibition entryspace” or what “metaphysical