The Wellington Art Society will feature well-known local clay artist Barbara Powell at its Wednesday, March 9 meeting at the Bootz Cultural Art Center (420 State Road 7, Suite 120, Royal Palm Beach). The meet-and-greet will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the member spotlight, a brief meeting and Powell’s demonstration.
Powell has an impressive educational background. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island. She spent many years in a demanding professional career but balanced this with her creative side, working in clay. She developed her skills, specifically in wheel throwing, through classes at Broward and Palm Beach community colleges, and the Armory Art Center. She is currently a member of the Wellington Art Society, the Ceramic League of Palm Beach and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.
Once Powell retired, she and her husband, Jerry, began creating a wide range of ceramic art using alternative firing processes. Her vessels have a strong physical presence and distinctive profiles that are truly elegant. While in the unglazed phase, her work may appear constrained, but through the process of metallic glazes, colors and the final raku firing process, the vessels are transformed, adding layered dimensions of light and movement, creating a beautiful finished piece.
“I work to first produce subliminal, physical features that evoke a desire to hold the piece, simply because it feels good,” she said. “Creating an appealing work of art that functions through both the physical and visual realm is the highest achievement I can strive for.”
For more information, visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org.
