Stained and fused glass, ceramics are First Friday reception focus tomorrow

CERAMIC FISH BY PATIMA MEZA

Fused and stained glass, pots and shards will be displayed at the First Friday Reception on Oct. 6, at the Art Center for the Islands, 323 N. Alister.

Live music by Tiddle Caylor, Eddie Lee Skipwith and Jack Gant will entertain attendees from 5 to 8 p.m., and refreshments donated by the Rusty Jeep Barbeque will be provided.

The exhibit by artists Ken Barnett, Mary Lynn Dickey, Jill Grossman, Sue McClurg, Patima Meza and Ida Paulken will be displayed and for sale through Friday, Oct. 27.

Barnett's interest in clay began in college. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and has won numerous awards for his work in Raku. He and his wife have maintained a pottery studio and art gallery for more than 20 years.

The focus of Dickey's work is form and surface with references to the ancient traditions of Chinese, Japanese, African and Native American. He has

a bachelor of fine arts degree with a major in painting and has taught art in public schools.

Grossman's love of nature is a recurring theme in her art and handcut, personally designed glasswork. Her training in all mediums began in Plymouth, England. Grossman has won awards in pen and ink, oils, watercolor pencil and stained glass.

CERAMIC FISH BY IDA PAULKEN

Meza has more than 35 years' experience working with stoneware and terra cotta clay, stains, under glazes and glazes. She is a self-taught potter, creating hand-made, wheel thrown and vitrified decorative items influenced by her upbringing in New Mexico.

McClurg is a lifelong artist who enjoys working in oils, acrylic, watercolor, all forms of clay and dichroic glass. She is a board member of the Art Center for The Islands and a member of The Art Center of Corpus Christi, teaching jewelry classes at both.

Pauken is a sixth generation Texan raised on the Gulf coast. After a career as a homemaker and mother of seven, she earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in ceramics. Pauken uses clay because of its versatility, wanting forms to be fun to see and touch.

The corporate sponsor for October is CITGO.

Visit www.portaransasartcenter.org for more information.