Barbara Ellard Ceramics on View at the Finch Lane Gallery

Ceramic artist Barbara Ellard combines wheel-thrown and hand-building techniques to create pieces that have mass and challenge the negative space around it in her exhibition “Fired: New Works in Clay,” on view at the Finch Lane Gallery March 14 through May 2. An opening reception will be held on Friday, March 14 from 6-8 p.m.

After creating a wheel-thrown piece, Ellard often sculpts onto the surface of her work to enhance its full-bodied shape. “I am constantly concerned with the volume of the piece and the negative space it creates,” says Ellard. “I want to create a juxtaposition of fullness and constraint. So often my work has a ‘full bodied’ appearance with a small foot or opening at the top. Sculpting the surfaces of some of my work is a way to enhance that feeling of ‘fullness.’” Ellard responds intuitively to the surface of her pieces.

Ellard attended Boston University as a Ceramic and Textile Surface Design dual major. She also studied at Mudflat Pottery Studio, Rugg Road Papers, The Arvada Center for the Arts, and Shy Rabbit Printmaking Studio. Her work has included ceramics, mosaics, textiles, paper making, and printmaking. She is currently focused on ceramics, both high fire functional pieces and low fire “alternative” firing techniques, as well as monotype printmaking. Ellard has also had many art related work experiences. She has been employed in numerous galleries in Springdale, Utah. In 2003 she pioneered the first art program at Springdale Elementary School. She has been involved with Z-Arts, Zion Canyon Arts and Humanities Council, as a workshop coordinator and as a volunteer for many programs and events. She also co-chaired the first Zion Canyon Open Studio Tour in 2003.

Who: Barbara Ellard
What: Finch Lane Gallery
When: March 14 – May 2, 2014
Where: Art Barn, 54 Finch Lane in Reservoir Park

Finch Lane Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with additional evening hours during the Salt Lake City Gallery Stroll on March 21 and April 18 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. All events are free of charge. For additional information, contact the Salt Lake City Arts Council, 801.596.5000 or visit www.slcgov.com/arts.