BELLOWS FALLS-Canal Street Art Gallery presents the Form and Function Shop, a static space in the gallery hosting rotating shows. It currently features artwork from Chris Archer, Whitney Barrett, Robert Burch, Robert DuGrenier, Nicholas Kekic, Almut Yakovleff, and Andy Snyder on view through Oct. 11.
Chris Archer, based in Goffstown, New Hampshire, says he seeks to create new relationships between the form and the hand of the user. Presenting hand-thrown and wood fired stoneware using techniques such as carving, shape altering and various appliques, Archer creates work that reveals a dialogue with the materials, tools, firing partners, and studio spaces the artist uses.
Through the process of firing the pottery, Archer finds cultivating a relationship with specific kilns translates to a knowledge of the chemistry which happens with a fiery atmosphere, the ash from the burning wood, and each specific ceramic form.
Whitney Barrett, based in Saxtons River, presents his newest work in ceramics, drawing with clay slip, and titled “Fairytale Identity.” A deep lover of fairy tales and fantasy, he is interested in playing with metaphors of animals and how we know ourselves as humans.
Barrett’s two dimensional work uses pattern, mark-making, and collage integrated with found text and drawings of human figures. These figures, often in exclamatory poses with a variety of animal components such as tails, fur, and antlers, are translated to a three-dimensional surface.
Robert Burch, based in Putney, is a glass blower working in his current studio for over 40 years. Burch’s glasswork consists of vases, perfume bottles, paperweights, and sculptural pieces, with his current specialty being works that incorporate veiled silver glass with bubble patterns. Working in his 200-year-old barn, Burch continues to pursue his passion and purpose “to get as close to glass as he can.”
Robert DuGrenier, based in Townshend, is a sculptor, artist, and designer working primarily in glass, metal, and marble. Much of DuGrenier’s work is informed by nature and its effects over time on a variety of elements. Since 1980, the artist has had a design studio specializing in glass sculptural pieces and three-dimensional design.
DuGrenier has worked in collaboration with architects and designers to create custom glass sculptural installations and chandeliers. These are installed in hotels, stores, museums, and private residences around the world.
Nicholas Kekic, based in Bellows Falls, says he finds glass most beautiful when worked in a way that somehow captures and eventually expresses its fluidity as a material while maximizing the glass’s unique relationship with color and light. Kekic designs his work to be decorative with clean, strong lines in form and color. Most of the artist’s work is also functional, as Kekic is most satisfied making things that are both beautiful and useful.
Almut Yakovleff, based in Alstead, New Hampshire, brings a lifelong passion for pottery together with wheel-thrown stoneware to each hand decorated piece. With designs influenced by traditional European folk art, his work is presented in various collections, each with color and lines that work together and separately. Yakovleff’s tableware collections often come together with the artist’s use of bone white glaze, presenting subtle crackling and deep roots in old-world traditions.
Andy Snyder, based in Orwell, creates with clay an expression of what he says is in his heart and mind. Snyder, a farmer, teacher, organizer, artist, legislator, bureaucrat, and activist, creates pottery “full of texture, fun, and whimsy.”
Using a diversity of clay bodies, glazes, sizes, shapes, and designs of pots, plates, mugs, and handles, Snyder makes all his work with the user in mind. The artist especially enjoys working with others during the design phase, often creating custom place settings and commissioned collections.
Canal Street Art Gallery is at 23 Canal St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the 3rd Friday of every month until 7 p.m. For more information, go to canalstreetartgallery.com.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.