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The Art Studio (720 Franklin St.) in downtown Beaumont will host Gumbo Clay Fest, a celebration of ceramic arts, Thursday, July 6 through Saturday, July 8. The fest is a free public event involving demonstrations and workshops for those interested in making ceramics or just interested in watching the fascinating process.
The annual event will feature nine nationally recognized ceramists who will demonstrate the different techniques for which they are known.
Guest artists include Clarion University’s Gary Greenberg; Patsy Cox, Professor of Visual Art at California State University-Northridge; Danielle Weigandt, a paper clay artist working in Utah; Stephen Wolochowicz, an Ogden, Utah artist who specializes in abstract industrial shapes with organic features; and Steven Erickson, a New York-based artist working with large-scale clay construction. More guest artists will be announced.
The fest will have an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, and patrons can join a complimentary bowl of gumbo.
Other activities during the three-day event will include live demonstrations by the artists working on projects in the clay studio, the construction and firing of kilns, an exhibition of unique artwork in the gallery, food trucks on site to serve lunch, presentations of the featured artists’ past works and experience in the clay world, and plenty of opportunities to learn first-hand and ask questions about ceramics from the masters.