Museum of Art

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion held in conjunction with the exhibition Precision and Expression: American Studio Ceramics from the E. John Bullard Collection, on view through March 21. Featuring distinguished Maine-based ceramicists Mark Johnson, Candice Methe, and Dominique Ostuni, and moderated by David East, Executive Director of the Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, the panel will focus on the vital intersections of form, surface, portrayal, and ritual that define the medium of ceramics.

Moderator David East draws on his background in architectural history and digital fabrication to guide a dialogue between three unique artistic perspectives. Mark Johnson, Professor Emeritus at Maine College of Art & Design, offers decades of insight into the evolution of the craft, while Candice Methe brings a global perspective informed by traditional techniques studied in Japan and Ghana. Dominique Ostuni, whose translucent porcelain objects are poetic reimaginings of functional domestic objects, rounds out the panel. Drawing on their collective experiences—from international biennales to prestigious residencies—these experts will provide a deeper understanding of the technical mastery and narrative depth within the Bullard Collection.

Organized in conjunction with the exhibition Precision and Expression: American Studio Ceramics from the E. John Bullard Collection, this panel is made possible with funding from the Mellon Foundation.

Image: Mark Johnson, Trumpet Vase, 2014, Stoneware, American Studio Ceramics from the Collection of E. John Bullard, Bequest to the Bates Museum of Art