ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY & ART ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING FOR EARTH & FIRE EXHIBITIONS

ALBANY, NY—The Albany Institute of History & Art is pleased to announce the opening of three exhibitions celebrating ceramics and its related programming.  PAUL CUSHMAN: The Work and World of a New York State Potter, 1800-1850, CLAY CONNECTIONS: What Ceramics Tell Us and CONTAINING HISTORY: Contemporary Ceramics From Regional Potters, will comprise EARTH & FIRE: A Celebration of Clay and Ceramics. 

The World and Work of Paul Cushman, Albany Potter

Sunday, February 4; 2:00pm

Douglas McCombs, AIHA Curator of History, will illuminate the community in which Albany potter Paul Cushman lived and worked and the inspirational sources for Cushman’s forms and surface designs.

The Intersection of Function and Decoration in Early American Stoneware

Sunday, February 11; 1:00 – 3:30pm

John Scherer, Senior Historian, New York State Museum; Douglas McCombs Curator of History, Albany Institute of History & Art

Participants will gather at the Albany Institute for a special tour of PAUL CUSHMAN: The Work and World of a New York State Potter, 1800-1850, led by Douglas McCombs and will travel to the New York State Museum for a special behind the scenes tour of the Museum’s newly acquired Whitesman collection of American Stoneware.

Space limited: Reservations required: contact Erika Sanger, Director of Education, ext. 404 or email: sangere@albanyinstitute.org

Third Thursday Program: A Celebration of Clay and Ceramics

Thursday, February 15; 6:00pm

Doug McCombs, AIHA Curator of History, will lead an informal gallery talk about the new ceramics exhibitions.

ROCKWELL MEMORIAL LECTURE

Buying Local: The American Ceramic Market, 1800-1850

Sunday, February 25; 2:00pm

With Ellen Denker, Independent Curator, Museum Consultant and author of numerous books on American Decorative Arts including “China and Glass in America, ” Dallas Museum of Art, Harry N. Abrams, 2000 and “After the Chinese Taste,” Peabody Essex Museum, 1985  

REFLECTIONS AND INSIGHTS: Contemporary Potters on Pots

Sunday April 1, 2006; 2:00 pm

Mark Shapiro, Guest Curator and Studio Potter; Linda Sikora, Assistant Professor of Ceramic Art, Alfred University; Julia Galloway, Associate Professor and Chair of the School for American Crafts, RIT

Join three of our region’s most talented, thoughtful and well respected potters in a discussion about contemporary practices and historic precedents.

The Canton Connection: Chinese Export Porcelain in the Historic Deerfield Collection

Sunday, April 29, 2007; 2:00 pm

Amanda Lange, Associate Curator, Historic Deerfield

Using Historic Deerfield’s collection of Chinese Export Porcelain, Lange will trace how ceramics made in China in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries traveled around the world to find their way into homes in our region.

Old Pots/New Pots: American Stoneware from the 19th Century to the Present

Sunday, May 6; 2:00 pm

Mark Shapiro, Guest Curator and Studio Potter

Shapiro will share his insights and research into historic American stoneware potteries and potters and relate his work and research to the exhibitions on view.

TEACHER WORKSHOP

Paul Cushman: Clay + Heat = Stoneware

Wednesday, January 31; 3:00-6:00pm

Offered in conjunction with the special exhibition The World and Work of Paul Cushman, Albany Potter, educators of all grade levels are welcome to attend an interdisciplinary exploration of early 19^th century stoneware made by Paul Cushman.  Teachers attending this workshop will be introduced to the exhibition by Doug McCombs, Curator of History, and receive materials that will point to ways in which the work of this important artist and entrepreneur can be integrated into the study of chemistry, economics, geography, history and the visual arts. Please RSVP by January 24, 2007 to Tracy Grosner, School & Teacher Program Coordinator at 518.463.4478, ext. 405 or grosnert@albanyinstitute.org. Limit 30 people. Admission Free for New York State Teachers.

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Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art (AIHA) is a 501(c) 3 cultural and educational institution dedicated to public service.  As a museum, its mission is to collect, preserve and interpret the art, history and culture of Albany and the upper Hudson Valley region from the 17th century to the present.  AIHA acquires collections, conducts research, produces publications, and offers a wide range of exhibitions, educational and public programs that appeal to diverse audiences ranging from pre-K to senior citizens.  The museum is open year round, Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is free to members and children under 6, $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $3 children ages 6-12.  The Albany Institute of History & Art is accredited by the American Association of Museums and chartered by the New York State Department of Education.