University Communications and Marketing

October 14 2011

Contacts:
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Montana State University Billings Potters’ Guild will host Minnesota ceramic artist Mel Griffin on Saturday, Oct. 22 to visit with students and the public about pottery technique.

The artist will be at MSU Billings in the Art Annex from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The Art Annex is located on the corner of Poly and 27th Street.

Griffin will be demonstrating functional ceramic techniques both on and off the potter’s wheel, as well as low-fire surface treatment applications.  There will be a slide presentation of her work and practices at 10 a.m.  Lunch will be provided at 12:30 p.m.

Griffin currently lives, makes and teaches in Minnesota. While not in the studio, she enjoys spending time outdoors searching for and drawing animals.  She is a recent MFA graduate of the University of Minnesota, and was a resident artist both at the Medalta International in Medicine Hat, Canada and the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena.

In her artist statement, Griffin says: “Making and drawing allow me to investigate fluid and profound relationships between the body, handmade objects, and landscape, both inside the home and out in the world. Through imagery and metaphor, line and clay, I am exploring the manner in which corporeal experience, mindfulness, memory, and mood combine to create meaning in both every day and imagined environments.”

For more information on the Potters’ Guild event, contact Shanna Fliegel, assistant professor of ceramics at shanna.fliegel@msubillings.edu or by phone at 657-2149.

To view more of Griffin’s work and find out more about her, go to her website, www.melgriffin.com.

PHOTO ABOVE: Some of the ceramic artwork done by Mel Griffin

Additional Material: Mel Griffin Poster