Vanni helps bring normality to holiday season
Published on November 3, 2020
ELKTON, Md. – Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse was fond of saying art has the power to heal one’s soul. The Palette & The Page gallery embraces this concept by hosting two-holiday showcase events in conjunction with Elkton’s First Friday Art Loops for November and December.
“In the spirit of everything being different in 2020, these events will feature artwork created by 16 of our gallery artists and presented in the Special Exhibit Gallery safely along with live acoustic music and raffle,” said Patti Paulus, co-owner and artist coordinator. The gallery will be limited to 10 people as the artwork will remain on exhibit through the end of December. The First Friday Art Loop will be held from 5-8 p.m., and masks are required.
Helping headline these events is renowned regional ceramic artist Lauren Vanni with several wheel-thrown pieces that feature elements unique to each. Vanni, a professor of art and design at Cecil College, has also teamed up with Paulus for collaborative works that combine calligraphy with wheel-thrown and sculpted clay.
“I choose glazes that create interesting colors and effects when in combination with each other. I enjoy glazes that move in the kiln and blend to blur the edges of separation between them. I look for glazes that break over the texture to enhance the contrast on the form’s surface. Glazes like these highlight surface marks or alterations I have done to the form in the making process,” said Vanni about the inspiration behind selected glazes and the desired effect.
Every artist submitted pieces that are priced under $100 to provide an opportunity for holiday shoppers to discover that unique piece of art to fill the soul during this year’s pandemic holiday season.
For Vanni, the pandemic has created a time crunch along with providing unforeseen inspiration. As a teacher, she and her students have transitioned to hybrid and online learning, which involves planning, preparation, and problem-solving. It is particularly challenging in the arts where ‘hands-on’ is more than a learning style; it is the discipline’s foundation. From these challenges, she has learned many new approaches to teaching ceramics to benefit future classes.
“I am blessed to have the workspace I have. It is a studio and classroom, enabling me to teach ceramics to students each week,” said Vanni. “Making thoughtful, developed work takes time, research, and experimentation. During times like these, finding the path to investigate and discover can be challenging. I try to appreciate where I am at the moment and what I can accomplish now rather than on what I am unable to do.”
For Paulus and the 16 artists taking part in this holiday showcase, the creative power of the art they make is designed to heal everyone’s soul during these troublesome times.
“I think it is important to continue to do work and participate in exhibitions as an artist and teacher. I might not be able to make the work I want to make due to time, space, or mindset, but I try to appreciate the moments I have and take the opportunities that are presented to me,” said Vanni. “Art can bring people together.”
To learn more about The Palette & The Page holiday showcases and the artists, visit www.paletteandpage.com.