Mara Superior 
Souvenirs D' Italia

Detail of La Cucina Italiana
Preview

"Since my work is primarily autobiographical , the experience of travel gives me an unending supply of images that form a visual diary. Although my iconography is derived from many historical sources, I find that the simple joy of being alive and celebrating the definitive experiences of my life, to be the most inspirational force in my work.

"The work in this show is inspired by a recent trip to Italy, specifically Tuscany. The imagery in these pieces is informed by the visual poetry of the Tuscan landscape, the incredible food and the magnificent museums of the region. My responses to the wonder and beauty of these experiences have been channeled through the clay, creating my own personalized souvenirs and remembrances of this great adventure.

Education
M.A.T. Ceramics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 1980
B.F.A. Painting, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 1975

Public Collections
American Craft Museum, New York, NY
The Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
The Newark Museum of Art, Newark, NJ
Smithsonian Museum, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC
The Whitehouse Collection of American Crafts, Washington, D.C.
University of Massachusetts,  Amherst, MA

Mark Shapiro

Lighthouse Covered Box 2002 Woodfired Stoneware   Preview

"I love buildings that serve unique functions: granaries, root cellars, towers, dovecotes. Their specific requirements paradoxically allow for a quirkiness of form that often celebrates the uncanny and the vernacular.

"What happens when one of these buildings inspire a pot? My lighthouse box is part of an architectural series that is more about sculptural and psychological space than my tableware. The internal space of the box, while usable, is not conveniently accessible (your hand can barely fit in), and while it could store something, what after all would that be? The outside profile is striking, with the upward-reaching faceted planes and the painted flip-flopping “u’s” stretching and pulling the form between ground and sky. The inside is more mysterious. Who, after all, has been inside a lighthouse but the keeper?"

Education
B.A. Anthropology, Amherst College, Amherst, MA, 1978
Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC 1987, 1989

Public Collections
Mint Museum of Craft + Design
     Charlotte, NC
Smithsonian Institution, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC
Racine Art Museum, Racine WI
International Museum of Ceramic Art, Alfred, NY

Roberta and David Williamson

“Abundance” Brooch 2001 18 K gold, diamonds   Preview

"Our relationship in the studio is the same as our relationship doing anything else we love working together. After being together so many years we think very much alike. 

"We gather much of our inspiration from working in the garden. In the mild weather and summer we spend a part of each day caring for our beds of annuals and perennials checking on each and every plant. During the winter we turn our attention indoors nurturing our orchids and ferns and forcing our indoor bulbs. We eagerly await the day in spring when the crocus awaken and pop their heads out of the ground. We love the anticipation.  It becomes clear to us how poets, composers, writers and artists have for centuries found the garden to be inspirational."

- Roberta and David Williamson, 2002

Roberta Williamson - Education
B.S. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 1971
M.F.A. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, 1976

David Williamson - Education
B.F.A. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 1972
M.F.A. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, 1976

Public Collections
Anderson Gallery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Massillon Museum, Massillon, OH
Ohio Crafts Museum, Columbus, OH
Ohio Arts Council, Columbus OH
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
Renwick Gallery, The National Museum of American Art, The Smithsonian
Institution, Washington, DC

Mark Shapiro

Roberta & David Williamson 

About the Show and Garden Exhibition

What's Next 

56 Housatonic Street, Lenox, MA 01240
413.637.4414
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