JOHN STEPHENSON / SUZANNE STEPHENSON

“Pillars”
FOUR DECADES IN CLAY

OPENING RECEPTION WITH THE ARTISTS:
Thursday, January 22, 4-6 p.m.
College for Creative Studies
Yamasaki Bldg. Gallery
Show continues through February 26, 2009

Opening this January 22nd at the College for Creative Studies in the Yamasaki Bldg. Gallery will be a exhibition of the ceramic works of John & Suzanne Stephenson. The exhibition is entitled “Pillars” Four Decades in Clay. As the name implies both John and Suzanne Stephenson have both risen to become major figures in the ceramic community in both the US and abroad, and locally as long time educators. They have exhibited throughout the world and are represented in numerous museum and private collections. Both artists have pushed the ceramic medium in new directions and to this day are developing new methods of working and approaches in clay. This exhibit will feature 25 pieces from various periods throughout their careers but mainly focusing on more recent works.
John Stephenson’s ceramic sculptures are uniquely individual and demonstrate his wide-ranging interests and approaches to form and surface. John exposes underlying structures, movements and connections within form and surface. As an educator John headed the ceramic program at the University of Michigan for 30 years. Many of his students Wayne Higby, Kurt Weizer and Susan Biener to name a few have become influential forces in the field today.
Suzanne Stephenson’s works are charged by her dynamic use of thickly textured slip treatments. Her expressionistic painting style unites with her dynamic clay forms, which together can read like the eye of the storm. Suzanne is an emeritus professor at Eastern Michigan University and has been an active resource and member at Pewabic Pottery and several other community based art organizations.
Please joins us

January 22, 4-6 p.m. and meet the artists and see 25 outstanding works in clay.

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Center Galleries

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Opening : Friday, November 7 from 6 - 8pm

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE: Kathryn Brackett Luchs and Michael Luchs

This is the first Detroit-area exhibition in many years for Luchs and Luchs, longtime Detroit artists associated with the group of artists and writers living and working in Detroit's Cass Corridor in the 1960s and 70s. Both artists will present new work.

In ALUMNI & FACULTY HALL: "Lair-Crafts: New Work by MATTHEW HANNA and TODD ERICKSON"

Thru: November 8 - December 20, 2008

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Opening: Friday, January 16 from 6 - 8pm

DIRECTOR'S CHOICE

An exhibition of work by select local and national artists chosen by Center Galleries Director Michelle Perron, including: ROBERT BIELAT (Detroit), MARTIN BRIEF (Chicago), JAMES O. CLARK (New York), LARRY CRESSMAN (Ann Arbor), MICHELLE HINEBROOK (New York) and SALLY SCHLUTER-TARDELLA (Detroit).

In ALUMNI & FACULTY HALL: Work by former Center Galleries work/study students

Thru: January 17 - February 28, 2009

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Opening: Friday, March 20 from 6 - 8pm

Exhibition of work by New York City-based, 21st Century CCS alumni

Thru: March 21 - May 2, 2009

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