Sake set by Marissa Domanski
Grovewood Gallery: Invitation to Raise Glasses in Celebration
Grovewood Gallery presents Vessels of Merriment, its second annual exhibition of handmade drinking vessels on display through December 31. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, November 12, from 3–6 p.m.
“We’ll be serving up whiskey cups, wine cups, tumblers and goblets,” says curator LouAnne Jordan, Grovewood’s events and merchandising coordinator, “all handcrafted vessels made especially for drinking, storing, serving and enjoying one’s beverage of choice.” Fourteen potters have created everything from sake sets to whiskey jugs.
These one-of-a-kind handmade works of art make perfect gifts approaching the holiday season, Jordan says, right down to their affordability, with most priced between $30 and $50.
Didem Mert is one of the artists contributing to the show. Her high school art classes were her first exposure to ceramics and sculpture. “As soon as I started working with clay,” she says, “I knew that was the medium for me.” Today she is a third-year ceramics MFA candidate at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
Mert says travel is important to her as she grows as an artist. Her most unusual piece for this exhibit was inspired by growing up in the Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky region as well as by her travels. A set for bourbon or spirits, “the cups are inspired by stirrup cups and by my travels in Turkey.” There, she adds, she saw large amphora vessels with rounded bottoms nestled into tripods to keep them from falling over. Similarly, her cups “have rounded bases and sit nestled into openings in the tray. I call the cups ‘Tipsy Sippin’ Cups’ because they’ll rock ‘n’ roll if set on a flat surface, but they won’t completely fall over on their own.”
Asheville artist Marissa Domanski, who has worked with clay for about 20 years, will once again have her creations displayed in the exhibit. “I enjoy shows like this that encourage the artist to explore making more unusual forms,” she says.
A member of Foundations of Clay, a studio and gallery in the River Arts District, Domanski says that the popularity of ceramic coffee mugs means that they are mostly what she creates throughout the year. For this show, however, she will be exhibiting whiskey cups and sake sets.
“For many years, the Asheville area has been recognized as one of the country’s most vital hubs for fine American crafts,” says Jordan. “Now we’re fast becoming famous for our incredible craft brewers, distillers and cider makers.” That’s what makes a show like this, she adds, “the perfect cocktail!”
Grovewood Gallery is located adjacent to and below the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, visit grovewood.com or call 828.253.7651.
