"Polka Dots"
Brenda Rehrig

MudFire Gallery announces an invitational exhibit of functional and sculptural works in clay with a focus on the lovable polka dot.

The artist reception and exhibit opening will be held Saturday, April 14, from 5-9 pm. The exhibit and sale will be on display through May 5, 2007.

Brenda Rehrig Artist Statement

I make art for the home and table. In my studio, I create pottery from stoneware and porcelain that I intend for everyday use or display. These forms are imbued with emotion and the spirit of the moment but tempered with purpose and intentionality. My designs, whether inspired by classic simplicity or fanciful forms, reflect openness to serendipity, a playful spirit, and joyous nature. Feeling the clay in my hands while turning, altering, or stone burnishing a horsehair pot, grounds me in the immediacy of the now and connects me with the permanence of creation.

Brenda Rehrig Bio

For me, pottery was something that I was always drawn to and seemed never able to get to until circumstances allowed me to leave a thoroughly unfulfilling corporate legal career behind. After getting settled in Columbia, South Carolina, I immediately sought out a pottery teacher and could not get enough of it. We became friends and she introduced me to the world of clay. A conversation with a potter at a local show inspired me to apply to Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. During that week, immersed in clay and being with people of like interests, I experienced a kind of epiphany. After studying with another local South Carolina potter, I started to believe that pottery was a possibility for my life. Artistic expression and creating is very important to me and the corporate lifestyle allowed precious little latitude for creativity and very little extra time. I had a very important decision to make.

Returning to Georgia, I set up my own studio. A local potter, Jay Benzel agreed to give me lessons in return for studio help. After a few months I took over his lesson program, while continuing to assist in his studio. His mentorship continues to be invaluable to me.

In 2004, the Cherokee County Arts Council approached me about teaching lessons and I have been instructing adults in clay there since that fall. I instruct both wheel-throwing and hand-building. In addition to teaching and refining my craft, I continue to nurture my interest in clay. I have attended classes and weekend workshops at Arrowmont, Hambidge Center, Callanwolde, Mudfire, Odyssey and Clay West. These programs are an integral part of my self directed art education.

My current work has a functional focus - tumblers, goblets, mugs, teacups, plates, bowls, lidded jars, platters, casserole dishes, vases, and ginger jars - with a personal, sometimes funky touch. I am primarily interested in wheel thrown stoneware and porcelain and have recently been exploring sectioned pieces and hand building. I love to make teapots and am excited to be making my own woven cane handles for them. My glazes are mid range electric, some of them using base recipes with my own color variants, others collected over time. I enjoy experimenting with atmospheric firing as well.

I enjoy working with clay and love the eager anticipation that accompanies opening the kiln after a glaze firing. I find fulfillment in creating objects that people enjoy using and are proud to present.

Brenda Rehrig Resume

Education

A.B.A Approved Lawyer's Assistant Certificate, National Center for Paralegal Training, Atlanta, GA, December 1994

Bachelor of Science, Political Science, Minor in Legal Studies, Kennesaw State University, Marietta, GA, Graduated Magna Cum Laude, June 1993

Workshops

Arrowmont: Raku with Harry Hearne

Arrowmont: Salt Firing with Mark Peters

Odyssey: Glaze Formulation with John Britt

Arrowmont: Porcelain with Leah Leitson

Figurative Sculpture with Debra Fritts

Work History

Paralegal (Intellectual Property), Sutherland, Asbill; Thomas, Kayden; Finnegan, Henderson. Atlanta, January 1995 to March 2002.

Studio Assistant, Benzel Pottery, Canton, Georgia 2003 - 2004

President, Georgia Clay Council, 2005 - present

Artist in Residence; Hambidge Center, October 2005

Clay instructor, Cherokee County Arts Center, Canton, Georgia; 2004 to present

Studio Potter; 2002 to present

Recent Shows

2006, Fired Works, Macon GA

2006, Works in Clay, Roswell GA; Honorable Mention Award

2006, ArtsQuest, Sandestin, FL: Merit Award

2006, Festival of the Arts, Canton, GA; Second Place Award

Group Exhibitions

2004, Georgia Potters, Mudfire Gallery, Atlanta

2004, Teapots a Go Go, Mudfire Gallery, Atlanta

2006, Centering on Clay, Cherokee County Center for the Arts, Canton, Georgia

2006, Women of Clay, Summit One Gallery, Highlands, NC

2006, Over the Lips Cupshow, Arts Place, Marietta, GA