Kalamazoo Times

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A life-sized luchador sculpture awaits a dayslong firing in Western Michigan University's Kohrman Hall. Created by visiting sculptor George Rodriguez, the wrestling figure symbolizes the challenges faced by students in the Morean Ceramics Research Center's summer intensive workshop.

"Our big goal for the workshop is collaboration and experimentation. So, not only are students collaborating with visiting artists … but we also try to find two visiting artists who are very different. And then our students spend the next two weeks unpacking how they are similar, and I think that helps students to understand not to create binaries within people's works," said Kyle Triplett, center director.

Rodriguez is known for his highly ornamented ceramic sculptures connected to sociopolitical issues. His work is featured in collections at institutions such as the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

In contrast, fellow instructor Alex Zablocki deconstructs ceramic vessels and reanimates their parts with an emphasis on glaze. His work is displayed nationally and internationally, including at Culture Object in New York City and Galleria Luisa Delle Piane in Milan, Italy.

"It's been really great. I think we've been quite complementary in terms of how George is working and how I'm working," Zablocki stated.

Students draw inspiration from both artists' diverse perspectives, creating individual pieces while contributing to a collaborative artwork by Rodriguez. Each student starts with a clay head and alters it to fit their vision, resulting in a ceramic totem filled with varied faces set for gallery display later this year.

"It's been so incredibly impactful to work alongside artists who are nationally recognized and renowned in our field," said Caitlin Zachow, a graduate student from suburban Detroit. "They are both such amazingly friendly and genuine people, but there is also so much knowledge, skills and experience here—not just in making but also in how to develop a career in ceramics."

Tory Taylor, an undergraduate art education student from Novi, Michigan added: "We get to be surrounded by nationally known artists and get to interact with them so personally. It gives us exposure and knowledge of what professionals are doing in the field."

The class attracts participants ranging from undergraduate students seeking credit outside their major to professional and hobby artists nationwide.

"The ceramics department (at Western) is fantastic," commented Jim Protos, an artist from Brooklyn, New York. "My studio is a professional members-only studio, and this has actually got some better kilns than my own studio."

Zachow further noted: "It really is just such a great experience to have time with the visiting artists but also to connect with all the artists attending the workshop."

Regardless of their physical creations, Zablocki hopes students leave with new skills and ideas about their creative processes. "It's okay to challenge stuff. It's okay to innovate within your own practice... It's okay to experiment and try new stuff and be excited," he emphasized.

For more WMU news, arts events visit WMU News online.

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