SPRINGFIELD, OH.- The Springfield Museum of Art is proud to present Shades of Clay: A Multi-Cultural Look at Contemporary Clay, scheduled to run through February 24, 2007. Clay comes in a variety of colors and textures from all over the world. Its properties and individual compositions are directly affected by its regional location. The artists that work in clay can be described the same way. This exhibition will expose and celebrate how multi-cultural and multi-ethnic contemporary clay is today. The styles and themes are individual to each artist, but still share the common thread of ethnicity. Ethnicity is the filter in which ideas from the artist flow through to manifest themselves in a myriad of forms.

The issue of artists of color making “ethnic looking art� will be challenged in this exhibition. While some works will celebrate the culture from which they were inspired, others are a personal exploration of ideas, philosophies, and/or the material itself. Vessel and sculptural forms celebrating and embracing cultural ideas and concerns will be contrasted with works pushing the boundaries of utility, aesthetic, and sculptural concerns regarding form and material.

The use of other materials and mixed media challenge the idea of traditional clay processes. Although clay is the primary material utilized, other media is used to enhance the visual experience. Incorporating elements such as wood, textiles, metal, paint, etc. further the dialog the piece can create.

This exhibition is meant to challenge the perception of what styles and approaches to clay work that artists of color pursue. Cultural and ethnic influences are evident in all the works that will be displayed in the exhibit. The influences, though, are expressed on different levels according to the personal concerns of the individual artist. The works express experimentation, concerns, dreams, ideals, and musings of the artists. Narratives, insights and information for the viewer are revealed using layers of color, texture, material, and form. The fact that they are made by artists of color is one more layer of information that is being conveyed. The sophistication and complexity of the works and the artists are as rich and diverse as the types of clay used to create them. The exhibit features work from artists that are African-American, Afro-Cuban, Thai, Chinese, Moorish, Chicano, Latino, Native American and Cuban.

The exhibition here in Springfield is part of an eight city national tour and contains approximately sixty ceramic art works representing twenty contemporary clay artists, curated by fellow participant and artist, Paul Andrew Wandless. The tour was developed and managed by Smith Kramer Fine art Services of Kansas City, Missouri.