PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Arts Council
Contact: Kevin Ledgewood
pr@tuscarts.org
205-758-5195, x6
WORK BY ARTISTS ALEXANDER AND LYNN SCHMIDT FEATURED AT TUSCALOOSA’S CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
(Tuscaloosa, AL) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will present “Impressions: The Anagama in Fire & Film” at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center Jan. 10 – 30, 2014. The display will feature ceramic sculpture and photographs by Alexander Schmidt and Lynn Schmidt from the anagama kiln firing in Montevallo.
This exhibit will further the understanding of this traditional Japanese wood firing process. The sculptor, Alexander Schmidt, and the photographer, Lynn Schmidt, collaborated for this project with each artist being inspired by the work of the other. Lynn, mother of Alexander and photographer for 20 years, demonstrates her fascination with the beauty of the flame while Alexander uses the flame to paint itself on the body of the sculpture he creates. The unique finish seen on anagama pottery is a result of the interaction of melted wood ash that flies through the kiln at high speeds and the chemistry of the clay bodies. The process of firing the clay takes 100 hours and then a week of cooling before the artist can see the finished work. In Montevallo the firing process is an event in itself with artists throughout the south coming to participate. Alexander Schmidt sums up this experience by stating “The anagama is as much a work of art as the work that it sires.”
Alexander and Lynn Schmidt are from Birmingham, Alabama. Lynn received her master’s degree from the University of Georgia with a specialty in photography. Alexander received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Montevallo. For information about their work, visit lynnschmidt.net or alexanderschmidtart.com
“Impressions: The Anagama in Fire & Film” will open with a reception on Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. during Downtown Tuscaloosa’s First Friday event. Due to the holiday, the Jan. First Friday will be moved to Jan. 10. The Arts Council Gallery hours are 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon – 8 p.m. on First Fridays.
The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about the CAC, The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.
###