Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery

February 7-28, 2025, Altered Connections,Sculpture by Chris Kelsey

"Altered Connections" featured new ceramic sculptures inspired by Chris' two-week stay at Anderson Ranch Center for the Arts in Snowmass, Colorado last summer. This new work was about change using geometric forms and the suggestion of geologic forces to portray the constant change in our world, society, and relationships.

Connect to Chris Kelsey personal website.

December 6,2024 - January 11, 2025 11th Annual "Cup of Joy."

National Invitational, exhibition and sale of over 200 ceramic cups and over 50 artists. This exhibit features ceramic cups in many forms, colors and treatments, some serving as mini sculpture, many times they feel like a small lovely 3D painting and most often they are functional mini-artworks.  Each of the invited artists, participating from all 4 corners of the United States,  send up to four cup forms each to exhibit. New to our exhibit this year: Arlene Custer - Richland, WA, Laura Dirksen, Helena, MT, Nancy Gardner - Forest Park, IL, Sarah Gromek - Hopewell, NJ, Tom Jaszczak - Shafer, MT, Bri Larson - Amston, CT, Io Palmer - Pullman, WA, David Parry - Winston, OR., Lauren Peterson - Nine Mile Falls, WA, Justin Rothshank - Goshen, IN, Michelle Schneider - Cheney, WA, Taylor Sijan - Netcong, NJ, Robert Williams - Mapleton, UT

2024 Participants: Chris Alveshere - Missoula, MT, Sarah Anderson - Indianapolis, IN, Posey Bacopoulos - New York, NY,  Sarah Beatty - Ft.Yukon, AK, Autumn Bunton - Spokane, WA, Arlene Custer - Richland, WA, Laura Dirksen - Helena, MT, J.Casey Doyle - Moscow, Idaho, Gina Freuen - Spokane, WA, Nancy Gardner - Forest Park, IL, Victoria Gravenslund - Kennewick, WA, Sarah Gromek - Hopewell, NJ, Kris Harsin - Spokane, WA, Marnie Herald - Ashville, NC, Samantha Hostert - Arlington Heights, IL, Tom Jaszczak - Shafer, MN, Chris Kelsey – Spokane, WA, Justin Lambert - Morrison, CO, Bri Larson - Amston, CT, Harrison Levenstein - Sheffield, MA, Sarah Magar - Woodville, TX, Becky Meneely - Elmo, MO, Harry Mestyanek - Spokane,WA, Marret Metzger - Indianapolis, IN, Dan Neish - Seattle, WA, Mardis Nenno - Spokane, WA, Tuile-Fionnala Onora - Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Io Palmer - Pullman, WA, David Parry - Winston, OR, Lauren Peterson - Nine Mile Falls, WA, Stephen Robison - Ellensburg, WA. Aubrey Purdy Rude - Spokane, WA, Justin Rothshank - Goshen, IN, Mat Rude - Spokane, WA, Maya Rumsey - Couer d'Alene, ID, Michelle Schneider - Cheney, WA, Ken Scott - Spokane, WA, Sam Scott - Shoreline, WA, Taylor Sijan - Netcong, NJ, Dennis Randall Smith - Medical Lake, WA, Chad Steve - Tequesta, Florida, Susan Thomas - Coral Gables, FL, Robert Williams - Mapleton, UT, Melanie Wulforst - Middletown, CT, Meghan Yarnell - Perrysburg, Ohio, Tony Young - Marion, OH

November 1 - 30, 2024 Annual COASTERS BENEFIT

Our 2024 Non Profit is the Spokane Peace and Justice Action League

6th Annual Coasters Benefit. This annual benefit has raised over $5000 in donations, $10 at a time, to local non profits including, Meals on Wheels, River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary, Embrace Washington, Light a Lamp and this year, an election year, the Spokane Peace and Justice Action League. Regional well known artists, friends and full classrooms of students have created coasters and donated them to this annual event. All coasters sell for $10. each and all funds made from sales go directly to the non profit. Some of the regional artists who have donated their works: Joe Tomlinson, Andrew Parker, Deb Sheldon, Dean Lenz, Lexi Biggs, Baylee Joe Art.

October 4 - 30, 2024, Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen

September 6 - 27, 2024 “Arranged Objects” Austin Coudriet, Laura Dirksen & Maya Rumsey

Austin Coudriet was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2019 he earned his BFA with a dual emphasis in sculpture and ceramics from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. There he focused on fabricating large ceramic sculptures and expanding his skills in the wood shop.

Austin is currently a long term artist in residence at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts located in Helena, Montana. Here he is able to pursue his passions of teaching, and working as a studio artist. He divides his studio practice between creating design-oriented sculptures, ceramic furniture, and hand-built vessels.

Austin has done a number of residencies, including the Clay Studio of Missoula in Missoula, Montana (2021 -2023), The Clay Art Center in Port Chester, New York (2019- 2021) as well as short term residencies at the LUX Center for the Arts in Lincoln NE (2020) and Arrowmont School for Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN (2021)

In 2024 Austin was awarded the Emerging Artist award from Ceramics Monthly, and had an international article published in Vogue magazine regarding his designs in ceramic furniture.

Laura Dirksen is from Maria Stein, Ohio. She received her BFA from Bowling Green State University specializing in ceramics and painting in 2019. Afterwards she completed a two year Post Baccalaureate Program at Kent State University. Laura received her MFA from Penn State University in 2023, before joining the Archie Bray Foundation as a resident artist.

Laura Dirksen’s work embodies her own cognitive dissonance and becomes a vehicle to understand her conflicted and evolving value system. This value system includes, but is not limited to, societal pressures within dairy culture, coding systems incorporating domestic and livestock materials, as well trends, my age, diagnosis, and religion. A personal lexicon that riddles the frames of the metaphorical and representational large scale surrogate bovine, and mechanical bodies she illuminates. Laura’s visual language is a product of how she processes materials and navigates the world, forging sculptures as a celebration of techniques blended with her personal traditions and heritage.

Maya Rumsey I'm a ceramic artist living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I grew up in Toledo, Ohio and graduated in 2008 from Bowling Green State University in Ohio where I got a BFA in glass and ceramics. After graduating I did some wandering around, worked at the Omega Institute (where met my husband), lived in Costa Rica for a while, became a yoga teacher and then settled in Colorado where I started making ceramics again. I was in Denver for seven years growing my business and then moved to Idaho and brought the business with me. I live here now with my husband, two little girls and schnoodle where I make pottery in my new backyard studio.

June 7 - 28, 2024 - “Ken Nguyen-Scott” As part of the City of Spokane’s Annual Queer Art Walk

May 3 - 31, 2024 - “Earth Tones” Ceramics by Mark Moore with a little bit of help from the earth.

Partner and studio artist, Mark Moore is exhibiting functional ceramics, one of a kind sculpture and a beautiful collection of ceramic planter forms showcasing earth's wide range of colors created with clay and glazes, and the beauty of the natures form used in them. Many of his ceramic forms on exhibit are the end result of his personal research into the art of Ikebana and its necessary vase forms. 

Quote from Mark Moore “ I have spent the fall and winter months constructing functional ceramic containers for perennials, herbs, and small trees.  Some of these planters are made from wild clay foraged in Idaho.  Others are fired in the high temperature environments of soda and wood kilns.  These pots have tooled and textured surfaces enhanced by coarse local sand mixed into to clay.

"April 5 - 26, 2024 - “Mentor” Regional Ceramic Faculty and Students of Choice!

Invited Faculty:

• Ioland Palmer - Washington State University

  • Students: Lilly Leche & Damien Baldwin

• Mat Rude - Gonzaga University

  • Students: Owen Nichols & Kelly Hewitt

• Chris Tyllia - Eastern Washington State University

  • Students: Katie Rose * Kyle Swiderski

• Tyber Newcomer - Spokane Falls Community College

  • Students: Vanessa Graham & Haven Anderson

• Lance Sinnema - Whitworth University

  • Students: Cori Schuman & Tessa DuPont

February 1 - March 29, 2024, “Electric”

Electric Fired Ceramics by Trackside Partners: Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen

December 1, 2023 - January 13, 2024, 10th Anniversary “Cup of Joy”

The highlight of our exhibition season, our annual invitational featuring cups in so many forms!

This holiday exhibit of over 175 ceramic cups and over 50 artists is always a year in the making, seeking new ceramic artists, contacting and contracting those new artists, shipping, receiving and installing. One of Trackside’s most complex events but also one of our most popular, this exhibit features ceramic cups in many forms, colors and treatments, some serving as mini sculpture, many times they feel like a small lovely 3D painting and most often they are functional mini-artworks. Each of the invited artists send up to four cup forms each to exhibit. The cups are being shipped from across the United States.

Ceramic Artists! Are you interested in participating? Contact us, we are always on the prowl for new faces. To view all artists that participated in 2023, click this Facebook Photo Album Link.

November 3 - 30, 2023, “Coasters Benefit”

Annual sale benefiting a local non-profit. We invite local and regional artists to create coasters, drop them off at Trackside prior to Sales at the First Friday opening. Each coaster, donated by the artist will sell for $10. This years Coaster sales benefit “Embrace Washington.”

Embrace Washington

Embrace Washington is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the foster community in Region One which includes 13 counties in Eastern Washington.

Embrace Washington is committed to providing, caring and supporting children in foster care within our community. We do this by raising awareness of vulnerable children's needs, identify how to meet those needs by connecting individuals and organizations with a heart to serve the foster care community.

Daily we strive to eliminate any roadblocks that foster parents face to provide a stable happy life for a child in foster care. These roadblocks could be a variety of things such as: providing a foster child a new bed, educational support, paying for summer camp, music or sports and educational support are just to name a few. Activities for foster children and their families build healthy memories and experiences which allow kids to feel loved and stable in an uncertain time in their lives.

Embrace provides everything from educational tutoring to help foster youth succeed in school, beds and bedding for safe sleeping, activities and lessons to strengthen their character, shoes and clothing, and YMCA family memberships to name a few.

The experiences that Embrace provides for children in foster care helps them discover who they are and make meaningful connections. Thank you for being part of the team that plants the seeds of love and belonging for our children in foster care. This is why we do what we do.

• Mission:  Embrace Washington fulfills the unique needs of children experiencing foster care to build foundations for a brighter future.

• Vision: We envision a community in which every child experiencing foster care has a sense of belonging and a level playing field.

• Values, Child-Centric: We serve children experiencing foster care with love and compassion.

• Justice: We are an inclusive organization who respects, serves, and works alongside all people regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, culture, ability, and sexual orientation.

• Adaptability: We are responsive to the diverse needs of children experiencing foster care.

• Collaboration: We work with families, social workers, and other partners in and around the community to affect change for children experiencing foster care.

October 6 - 27, 2023, “Sticks & Stones” New Work from Summer & Fall Firings” Chris Kelsey, Gina Freuen & Mark Moore

Chris, Mark and Gina spend a busy summer and fall creating new work and firing. this month offers us an opportunity to feature selected pieces from these firings. Always a bonus, the annual Archie Bray Residents Exhibit is next door at the Kolva Sullivan Gallery.

September 1 - 29, 2023,”Exercises in Futility,”Cozette Phillips

Artist Statement: 

• This exhibition is a continued investigation and response to the affects of the climate crisis and the ongoing battle against climate change. At times political and seemingly futile, the debate on this issue rages while forest fires are still burning. The mixed-media sculptures included in this exhibition are a way of ‘sounding off’ and giving voice to trees. Dark humor becomes both a defense mechanism and reaction to the destruction of natural environments, posing questions surrounding the marks left by human intervention.

  Cozette Phillips earned her MFA in Metals from the State University of New York, New Paltz, in 2010. She currently works at Spokane Falls Community College as Fine Art Instructor and Gallery Program Director. 

June 2 - 30 Julie Smetana “Unattached” Ceramics and Sculpture

“Unattached"

Julie Smetana is a multidisciplinary ceramic artist and graphic designer based in Spokane, WA. She has a deep passion for creating art that pushes boundaries and challenges norms. She strives to create pieces that evoke liberation and encourage viewers to embrace discomfort.

Julie produced a large body of work over the last six months as an artist in the Spokane Public Library’s Hive Artist Residency program. The space and time allowed her to push her sculptural work further and explore new ideas and possibilities. Her approach to this series of sculptures explores letting go of control and expectations through reductive carving and the precarious stacking of pre-formed shapes.   

“Reductive carving and free-form stacking let the clay speak. It takes whatever plan you have, whatever you envision for the piece, and throws most of it out. Ultimately, a wall will crack, you’ll carve too deep, an edge will break, the stack will fall; you’ll constantly have to adjust your original vision. The bottle isn’t a bottle anymore; the tall cylinder is suddenly a bowl, or the large undulating shape becomes two flat shapes. Molding the clay this way results in a fired piece that is a little beat up but beautifully authentic, free, and unattached from expectations—a representation for where, as a human, I know I’d like to be.” 

April 7 - 28, 2023, “Mentor” Regional Ceramic Faculty and Chosen Students

Represented Ceramic Professors: Stephen Robison of Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA, Mat Rude, Gonzaga University, Tyber Newcomer - Spokane Falls Community College and Lance Sinnema - Whitworth College, Spokane, WA. Each faculty member will have their work on exhibit along with students they are or have mentored and their work.

• From Gonzaga University: Ruth Nelson, Kate Ikard, Amy Robinson and Molly Dugan.

• From Whitworth University: Cori Schuman

• From Central Washington University, Ellensburg: Amanda Bury, Seth Charles and Drew Liedtke

• From Spokane Falls Community College: Chang Hee Kim, Lydia Wallace and Elizabeth (Liz) Taylor

March 3 - 31, 2023, “Chris Kelsey” Ceramics & Sculpture

March will feature the functional work and one-of-a-kind sculpture of Trackside owner and partner, Chris Kelsey. Electric, wood and soda fired ceramics.

Chris along with studio partner Mark Moore and exhibiting partner Gina Freuen, has worked at the Trackside Studio full time since 2008.

 “I drum, I pot, and I ride bikes,” says Kelsey. He received his “bachelors in art” from Montana State University. Chris taught at St. George’s school for 7 years, he was the studio tech for sculpture, wood shop and ceramics for one year at Eastern Washington University and recently taught ceramics at Gonzaga University, spring semester 2022.

Chris describes his sculptural work as forms that rely on repetition and rhythm, are divided into geometric constructions - spheres, cubes, rectangular, forms that slice through space on opposing planes, meant to stand alone or wall hung. He sees his work as heavily inspired by his music background and influenced by the atmospheric firing process. 

Chris is a valued artist in our Spokane community,Trackside is pleased and honored to fill the gallery for the month of March with his beautiful work.  

February 3 - 28, 2023, “Electric” Chris Kelsey, Gina Freuen & Mark Moore

No smoke, wood or soda to begin our 2023 exhibition season. Chris, Gina and Mark will be showing pottery and sculpture that has been fired in electric kilns in the main gallery at Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery.

December 2, 2022 - January 7, 2023, 9th Annual “Cup of Joy”

The highlight of our exhibition season, our annual invitational featuring cups in so many forms!

This holiday exhibit of over 150 ceramic cups is always a year in the making, seeking new ceramic artists, contacting and contracting those new artists, shipping, receiving and installing. One of Trackside’s most complex events but also one of our most popular, this exhibit features ceramic cups in many forms, colors and treatments, some serving as mini sculpture, many times they feel like a small lovely 3D painting and most often they are functional mini-artworks. Over forty artists will participate including a dozen new artists. Each of the invited artists send up to four cup forms each to exhibit. The cups are being shipped from across the United States, including Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Maine and Florida. Don’t miss this holiday gift giving season at Trackside, support our locally owned business, support the arts, buy and gift hand made!

Participants: Chris Alveshere - Missoula, MT, Sarah Anderson - Indianapolis, IN, Posey Bacopoulos - New York, NY, Robert Beishline - Bellingham, WA, Autumn Bunton - Spokane, WA, Victoria Christen - Portland, OR, J.Casey Doyle - Moscow, Idaho, Mahala Fedor - Spokane, WA, Donna Fifield - Spokane, WA, Tuile Fionnala - Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Gina Freuen - Spokane, WA, Jackie Goolsbey - CDA, Idaho, Kathy Gus - Ellensburg, WA, Marnie Herald - Post Falls, Idaho, Samantha Hostert - Arlington Heights, IL, Chris Kelsey – Spokane, WA, Chris Kroupa - Curlew, WA, Harrison Levenstein - Sheffield, MA, Ron Linn - Portland, OR, KC Loveland - CDA, ID, Will McComb - Lexington, KY, Dennis Meiners - Portland, OR, Harry Mestyanek - Spokane,WA, Marret Metzger - Indianapolis, IN, Steve Miller - Walla Walla, WA, Mark Moore – Spokane, WA, Dan Neish - Seattle, WA, Reid Ozaki - Tacoma, WA, Mat Rude - Spokane, WA, Aubrey Purdy Rude - Spokane, WA, Maya Rumsey - Couer d'Alene, ID, Sam Scott - Shoreline, WA, Dennis Randall Smith - Medical Lake, WA, Chad Steve - Tequesta, Florida, Ken Turner - Seattle, WA, Emily Free Wilson - Gardner, Oregon, Melanie Wulforst - Perrysburg, Ohio, Meghan Yarnell - Perrysburg, To preview our current roster of artists and their cups for sale: Photo Album.

November 4th & 5th, 2022, “Annual Coasters Benefit”

Annual sale benefiting a local non-profit. We invite local and regional artists to create coasters, drop them off at Trackside or “Art Salvage” prior to Sales at the First Friday opening. Each coaster, donated by the artist will sell for $10. In 2021 Trackside donated $1624. to “River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary” a local non profit that works to save and nurture animals that need our love.

The 2022 Non Profit that will benefit from Coaster Sales is: “Project Lift Up” a division of “Light a Lamp.”

During the pandemic, one of the hardest hit populations has been our teenagers who are experiencing anxiety and depression in record numbers. This year Light A Lamp 501c3 nonprofit began a mission call Project Lift Up. This is aimed at supporting children in High Schools and Middle Schools in our community who struggle with feelings of hopelessness. Light A Lamp provides inspirational gift packs that include mental health resources. We partner with counseling departments whom confidentially select the students who receive these luminary gifts. Our intention is to let the students know that they are not alone and to sent a message of encouragement. Project Lift up is currently serving the following schools: Mead, Mt. Spokane, North Central, Rogers and Shadle. Light a Lamp will be adding 5 more schools to our project this 2022 - 23 school year! Our goal is to bring Project Lift Up into every Middle and High School in Spokane and outlying areas.

September 2 - 21, 2022, “Little Spokane River Artist Studio Tour” Preview Exhibit

Trackside Studio is showcasing the artists that will be participating in the 15th annual Little Spokane River Artist Studio Tour, Saturday, September 24th, 10 AM - 5 PM.

• Opening Reception: First Friday, September 2nd, 5 - 8 pm

• Saturday, September 3rd, noon - 4 pm

• Sale continues through the the 21st of September at which time Trackside Studio invites you to see the featured artists at the studio tour.

• Participants: Amalia Fisch, Amber Wyckoff, Barbara Safranek, CJ Morrison, Collista Krebs, Dan Sterrett, David Hutchens, Dona Miller, Gay Waldman, Gina Freuen, Rick Davis, Karlene Schoedel, Kris Howell, Linda Malcom, Linnea Tobias, Lisa Brown, LR Montgomery, Maggie Andersen, Megan Perkins, Michele Mokrey, Molly Sims, Patti Reiko Osebold, Robin Kahn, Jill Smith, Sheila Evans, Susan Hedstrand, Victoria Brace, Chris Kelsey, Reid Ozaki

• WWW.LITTLESPOKANESTUDIOS.COM

June 3 - June 30, 2022, “Float On” - J.Casey Doyle

An exploration of Sculpture - Craft and Moving Image - by artist “J. Casey Doyle” as part of the City of Spokane’s Annual “Queer Art Walk.”

BIO

J. Casey Doyle is an Associate Professor of Art and Design at the University of Idaho. He received his MFA with an emphasis in Sculpture from The Ohio State University in 2007 where he was a University Fellow. He holds a BFA with emphases in Sculpture and Metals & Jewelry and a BA with emphasis in Spanish from New Mexico State University. He is the recipient of two Idaho Commission on the Arts Fellowships. He exhibits his work both nationally and internationally. His art combines interests in craft, sculpture, metals & jewelry, video, gender and the concept of play.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Utilizing sculptural strategies, a strong dedication to craft and work ethic, humor, and popular culture, I maintain a hybrid practice that explores sculpture, craft, and moving image. As an advocate for gay rights, equality, and myself, I create sociopolitical works that question our relationship to gender roles/stereotypes and sexuality. Each of these works begins with a question to society and myself. I create works that explore the ambiguity of materials, scale, and color, and employ repetition as a form of meditation. I am interested in material limitations, the gendering of materials and processes, and the debunking of craft vs. fine art. I use video as a method of recording intimate performance, my process as a maker of objects, and objects in motion.

April 1, 2022 - April 29, 2022, “Nymphs & Terrestrials”

Chris Kroupa & Dennis Randall Smith

A feature exhibit of ceramic works by regional ceramic artists Chris Kroupa and Dennis Randall Smith. Both have lived and worked in our region for decades with lives that artworks greatly impacted by the outdoors, Both artists are avid fly fishers and just maybe they will tie some flies for us.

Dennis Randall Smith: Known to many of us in Spokane as one of the nicest and most talented guys you could ever meet. Dennis lives in Medical Lake, retired from the USAF Media Production and Management at Federal Government DOD, including USAF Survival Training, Code of Conduct, Captivity Issues, Oral History, and Video Production.

Dennis studied Art at Spokane Falls Community College and maintains a studio producing 2D artworks, mixed media, sculpture, and ceramics, fired in both electric and atmospheric kilns. He is an avid outdoorsman, fly fisher, fly tier and camper. Also a great grandpa.

Chris Kroupa: Based in Curlew, Washington at the Kettle River Pottery Studio, Chris has been a studio artist for over 40 years and featured at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

“The ranch where I grew up included the remnants of the railroad boom town of Ferry, Washington on the Canadian border. On that townsite were many fragments of 19th century blue and white chinaware which intrigued me. While earning my bachelors degree, I read a book about Picasso’s ceramics. There were oval platters with brightly painted fish that also inspired my work. I wanted to paint and decorate on pottery but had a very limited chemical knowledge of ceramic pigments. In 1971 I worked at Pacific Stoneware for Bennett Welsh, and he became a source of technical and practical knowledge until his death. Not only was he a mentor to me but to many other potters in the region. Also at that time I viewed a show of Tom Coleman’s early porcelain. At the time his pieces were very much influenced by Asian design and decorated with wonderful traditional brush work. I had no idea how he did that, but it rekindled my desire to paint on pottery.

A 40 year collaboration and friendship with Reid Ozaki has definitely influenced my career and work. The same can be said for Pat Horsley, my go to guy for technical advice and information.

Portland experienced a bit of a Crafts renaissance from the late 60’s forward. There were many potters, galleries, art fairs, and a Saturday Market which provided a lot of interaction between craftsmen and the availability of work to view and be inspired by. Portland also offered a great supportive public which enabled many artists to sustain a creative lifestyle.

Now I am mostly retired. I will have been a Public Utilities Commissioner for 18 years at the end of my current term in 2022. I was also a Volunteer Fire Commissioner for 16 years. With my wife Nicky, I have traveled to Costa Rica, Panama, and Australia. We gather our own firewood, and raise a vegetable garden and Dahlias and Gladiolus. We are avid birders. I tie flies and fish. I produce a few pots and sell exclusively out of my studio at 99 Toroda Creek, Curlew, Washington.

”February 4 - 25, 2022, “Plug It In”

Electric fired ceramics by Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen

December 3, 2021 - January 7, 2022, Cup of Joy

The jewel holiday exhibit and sale in our calendar year. Over 3 dozen invited artists from across the United States ship or hand deliver to us 4 ceramic cups for exhibit and sale. Over 150 collectable, functional ceramic cups usually sell out by the end of December. See a list of current participants on our Facebook page 8th Annual Cup of Joy Photo Album.

November 5, 2021 - November 27, 2021, Annual Coasters Benefit

Annual sale benefitting a local non profit. Artist created coasters, donated by the artists, each selling for $10. In 2020 Trackside donated $1325. to “Embrace Washington” a local non profit that works to benefit foster children and families.

November at Trackside Studio brought back our annual COASTERS BENEFIT. Artists and friends of Trackside picked up blank coasters, created and donated them to this benefit. Locally owned Art Salvage helped with this effort by providing business hours to pick up blank coasters and drop off finished coasters. All coasters sold for $10. each with funds benefiting our 2021 nonprofit, RIVER'S WISH ANIMAL SANCTUARY. Artist participants include among many, Joe Tomlinson, Sheila Evans, Patti Osebold, Chris Kelsey, Gina Freuen, Lexi Biggs, Dean Lenz, Megan Martens-Haworth, Maddy Doolen and many more. Over $1200 was raised through this fundraiser to benefit River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary.

"River's Wish Animal Sanctuary saves lives through rescue, education and advocacy. By treating animals as individuals and expressing both their wonder and plight through art, we foster empathy and understanding that leads to compassionate life choices.

River's Wish began rescuing animals whose lives were in peril in 1994. We received our 501c3 nonprofit status in 2005. We provide rescue, rehabilitation, placement and lifelong sanctuary to a variety of species on 65 acres in Northwest Spokane County. The residents include rabbits, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, cows, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, cats and dogs. We offer workshops that include Art and Animals, Garden to Table and Compassion for Animals.

We are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.”

October 1, 2021 - October 30, 2021, Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore, Gina Freuen

Exhibiting new works from Summer and fall firings, electric, wood fired and soda fired. Trackside exhibiting partners, Chris, Mark and Gina.

September 3 - 28, 2021 Artist-in-Residence Exhibition, Clay Studio of Missoula

An Invitational Exhibit Featuring Eight Resident Ceramic / Mixed Media Artists currently residing and working at the “Clay Studio of Missoula” Missoula, Montana.

About The Clay Studio of Missoula

The Clay Studio of Missoula is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, education and provision of resources in the ceramic arts.

Founded in 1998 by former University of Montana students, the Clay Studio of Missoula was established to fill a void in Missoula’s growing community—the need for a comprehensive ceramic center where community classes could be held and where serious but less established ceramicists could access studio space and professional quality equipment at a reasonable cost.

The Clay Studio of Missoula has grown significantly over the past 23 years. We offer a wide array of ceramics classes and workshops to adults and children of all levels of skill, provides local ceramicists with inexpensive access to studio space and professional quality equipment, hosts resident artists from across the country who are able to share their ideas, experiences, and techniques with our students and holds exhibitions of contemporary ceramic works and representing an array of regional ceramic artists in our gallery.

 The Artist Residency Program at The Clay Studio of Missoula

 The Clay Studio has hosted nearly 80 artists since the inception of its residency program in 2004. Resident artists come to The Clay Studio of Missoula to develop and hone their work, to push themselves creatively, and to gain valuable technical skills and experience. The duration of a residency ranges from one month to two years. Resident artists are provided studio space and resources; in exchange they support the Clay Studio by teaching classes, planning and participating in gallery exhibitions, and generally integrating themselves into the creative community.

 Resident artists featured in this exhibition:

 Chris Alveshere - http://www.chrisalveshere.com/

Current Long-Term Resident and Excellence in Craft Fellowship Recipient 

Chris makes pots that are an investigation of items he finds curious, feels sentimental towards, or objects he finds humor in. He received his MFA in from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2020. Prior to his graduate studies, Chris spent several years as an arts educator in Minnesota and North Dakota. He received a BFA in Art Education & BA in Ceramics from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Ben Blackwood - https://www.instagram.com/blackwoodceramics/?hl=en

Wood Fire Resident, 2019-2021

Ben Blackwood grew up on the move until he finally settled into his family’s hometown of Bozeman, Montana where he has stayed throughout his adult life. Several years of pouring concrete for a living inspired him to return to school at Montana State University where he earned his BFA in Ceramics in 2019. His time at MSU sparked a passion for woodfiring and an interest in the physical and chemical properties of Montana’s local clays. This has allowed him to make work that satiates his cravings to labor and create, while also satisfying his urges to engage with the secluded wilderness of Montana.

 Sara Catapano - http://www.saracatapano.com/

Current Long-Term Resident and Sippy Fellowship Recipient

 Sara employs the use of forms, textures, and compositions found in nature as design elements in her ceramic sculptures to juxtapose against architectural components that exist in materials reminiscent of industry. She received her BFA in Fine Art, Ceramics in 2012 at UNC Charlotte and her MFA in Ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2018. Before arriving at The Clay Studio of Missoula, Sara was a resident artist at Studio 740 in Helena, MT

 Lane Chapman - https://lanechapman.wixsite.com/lanechapmanarts

Long-Term Resident, 2019-2021

Lane is a utilitarian potter influenced by the natural world. Starting out as a painter and illustrator, she transitioned into clay after being hooked by her first class. Lane obtained a BFA in ceramics in 2017 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After graduating, she moved to Rochester, NY for a two-year residency at the Flower City Arts Center. Lane has been continuing her ceramic growth at the Clay Studio of Missoula, exploring both functional and sculptural approaches in her work.

 Austin Coudriet - https://www.austincoudriet.com/

Long-Term Resident starting September 2021

Austin was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2019 he earned his BFA with a dual emphasis in sculpture and ceramics from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. There he focused on fabricating large ceramic sculptures and expanding his skills in the woodshop. Austin most recently was a long-term resident at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY (2019-2021).  During the start of the global pandemic, Austin moved back to Nebraska for six months, where he held a fellowship position at the LUX Center for the Arts. In 2019, Austin founded a ceramic collective group called Mud Ties and currently leads both the Social Outreach and the Social Media team.

 Stephanie Dishno - https://www.stephaniedishnosculpture.com/

Current Long-Term Resident and Sippy Fellowship Recipient

Stephanie is a figurative ceramic artist. Her education in the arts includes a BFA from Herron School of Art and Design in 2012, a Post-Baccalaureate from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2016, and an MFA from the University of Montana in 2020. She has attended two short term residencies at Red Lodge Clay Center. She was a Co-Director for a year and a half at FrontierSpace Art Gallery, and is currently the President and Co-Founder of Wildfire Ceramic Studio.

 Grayson Fair - http://www.graysonfair.com

Wood Fire Resident starting September 2021

Grayson attended the University of North Texas and received his BFA in 2016. He studied sculpture, drawing, fibers, and majored in ceramics. He has been an artist in residence at the Taos Clay Studio (2018-19), The Reitz Ranch (2019-20), and most recently at AMOCA in Pomona, CA. His introduction to ceramics was through functional pottery, but now his focus is nonobjective, action-based sculpture.

June 4, 2021 - June 30, 2021, “Lions, Tigers & Bears, OH MY!” Spokane’s Queer ArtWalk

• Opening Reception: June 4, Friday, 5 - 8 pm

• Open Saturday - June 5 - noon - 4 pm continuing weekdays, Wednesday through Friday, 11 AM - 5 PM

ONLINE SALES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SATURDAY, JUNE 5TH @ 8 AM https://trackside-studio.square.site/

Spokane’s Annual Queer ArtWalk returns to our streets this year. Trackside is pleased to feature the following queer ceramic artists. This group of Queer artists were curated / invited to exhibit at Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery by Shelsea Dodd, Samantha Momeyer and Chase Travaille.

• Chase Travaille - He/Him, Helena, Montana, Sculpture

• Shelsea Dodd - She/Her, Helena, Montana, Sculpture

• Samantha Momeyer - She/Her, Helena, Montana, Functional Pottery

• Andrés Monzón - Them / They, Brooklyn, New York, Sculpture/Vessels Instagram: @andresmonzon Website: www.andresmonzon.com

• Jinsik Yoo - He/Him, Brooklyn, New York, Sculpture/Painting Instagram: @jinsikyoo Website: www.jinsikyoo.com

• Aaron Caldwell - He/Him, Normal, Illinois, Vessels/Pottery Instagram: @ceramicsnstuff Website: www.ceramicsnstuff.com

• G.V. Kelley - They/Them, Bolton, Massachusetts, Sculpture Instagram: @g.v.kelley Website: www.gvkelley.com

• Maya Vivas - They/Them, Sculpture/Performance Represented by Eutectic Gallery, Portland, Oregon Instagram: @mayavivas Website: www.mayavivas.com

May 7, 2021 - May 28, 2021, Gina Freuen - “A Ribbon of Flame”

Every year Trackside takes a month to allow one of our 3 exhibiting partners to feature their work. Gina will be featured this month of May, 2021.

“I have had a quiet 2020 and beginning of 2021, time to reflect as many of us have had. My time spent in my studio was bumpy especially due to a broken right wrist in September and also a pandemic lack of enthusiasm but new works happened. I will be showing pieces that visually reflect being closed off during this last pandemic year, new works and maybe a couple of older ones.” As a team, Trackside Studio partners we have fired a wonderful wood fired anagama of Chris Kelsey’s in April and recently, Gina’s studio soda kiln. Wonderful new works to showcase.

Online sales will also be available through: http://www.ginafreuen.com/shop-montauk

May 7, 2021 - May 28, 2021, Itty Bitty Bud Vases

2nd Annual sale of itty bitty bud vases, $12. each. Great for Mothers Day and gift giving.

April 2, 2021 - April 30, 2021, “Connections” Lou Lou Pink - Spokane, WA

BIO: Jamie Nadherny (Lou Lou Pink) is a Spokane-based multi-disciplinary artist who works primarily in sculpture, installation, and performance art. Her works have been focused on narratives situated around the exploration and examination of hybrid identities and connections with nature. She received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Eastern Washington University with an emphasis in painting in 2005 and worked at the Spokane Art School as the Ceramic Lab Technician, teaching ceramic classes quarterly. From 2005-2011 Nadherny started and built up a business that featured a versatile rental venue (Zamek Chotoviny) and a gallery space (Johannes Nepomuk) located just outside of Prague in the Czech Republic. She continued pursuing her artistic practice and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies from Pacific Northwest College of Art in 2012. She relocated to Spokane,Wa. in 2015 to focus solely on her art-making practice and other artistic endeavors. Currently, Nadherny works at Gonzaga University Art Department as an Adjunct Faculty member as well as Spokane Falls Community College Fine Arts Department fulfilling the position of Instructional Technician and Adjunct Faculty. She also serves as the Vice-President of the Board of Directors at the Spokane ArtSchool and is an active artist and member in the Spokane community.

ARTIST STATEMENT:I am a multi-disciplinary artist working primarily in sculpture, installation, and performance art. These mediums have propelled my investigations of work, labor, and action; values and ethics; public vs. private; torment and release; violence and tenderness; and craftsmanship. My work is informed by referencing the body as a site where the development of experience and language resides and where it can be used as a receptacle for memory and transformation. My personal explorations are heavily influenced by the wide variety of materials and processes I was exposed to learning growing up with my mother. She was a taxidermist and an industrial seamstress among other trades. I draw inspiration from working with similar materials and having an awareness that the materials themselves carry a narrative prior to my possession of them. Gathering materials ranging from animal bones, leather, horse hair, fine fabrics and found objects, I take pleasure in the process of combining them with beeswax, clay, metal, and wood to create new forms, identities and untold stories. Through the use of narrative I am interested in addressing the questions and issues of expectations, boundaries and transforming an experience influenced by nature to creating avisual experience to share with viewers.

December 4, 2020 - January 15, 2021, 7th Annual Cup of Joy Sale and Exhibit
7th annual group invitational of drinking vessels, cup, mug, yunomi, sake, stein, goblet, functional or non-functional. Over 40 invited artists from across the United States will exhibit up to 4 cup forms each, over 150 cups, for our holiday gift giving season.

Participants:  Posey Bacopoulos - New York, NY,  Robert Beishline - Bellingham, WA, Autumn Bunton - Spokane, WA, Victoria Christen - Portland, OR, Adrienne Eliades - Vancouver, WA, Gina Freuen - Spokane, WA, Jared Green - Fairfax, Virginia, Kathleen Gus - Ellensburg, WA, Jordan Jones - Freeland, WA, Chris Kelsey – Spokane, WA, Justin Lambert - Morrison, CO, Glynnis Lessing - Northfield, Minnesota, Harry Levenstein - Great Barrington, Maine, Ron Linn - Portland, Oregon, Loren Lukens - Seattle, WA, Sarah Magar - Sooke, BC Canada, Dennis Meiners - Portland, Oregon, Mark Moore – Spokane, WA, Mardis Nenno - Spokane, WA, Tybre Newcomer - Pasco, WA, Reid Ozaki - Tacoma, WA, Daniel Perez - University Place, WA, Ronan Kyle Peterson - Chapel Hill, NC, Chris Pickett - Pocatello, Idaho, Aubrey Purdy Rude - Spokane, WA, Stephen Robison - Ellensburg, WA, Mat Rude - Spokane, WA, Maya Rumsey - Couer d'Alene, ID, Sam Scott - Shoreline, WA, Dennis Randall Smith - Medical Lake, WA, Lauren Smith - Ulm, Montana, Chad Steve - Tequesta, Florida, James Tingey - Vincennes, Indiana, Sue Tirrell - Livingston, Montana, Ken Turner - Seattle, WA, Eric Van Eimeren - Helena, Montana, Emily Free Wilson - Gardner, Oregon

November 6 - 21 - Coasters Benefit

Trackside’s November exhibit was a repeat of our super popular 2019 exhibit and sale of coasters, $10. each, created by artists, students and friends of Trackside with all 2020 sales benefiting "Embrace Washington" "Blessing the lives of children in foster care, one child at a time." Through the generosity of our patrons, sales of 112 coasters and cash donations ($255.) Trackside was able to donate to “Embrace Washington” $1375.

This year Art Salvage agreed to be a secondary drop off shop for completed coasters and a pick up shop for blank coasters. Thank you for their support in making our Coasters Benefit a success.

October 2 - 24 - “Carved” Preview Exhibit - Chris Kelsey

• Opening Reception: Friday, October 2, 5 - 8 pm

Trackside Studio is excited to preview a wall sculpture by Chris Kelsey, titled: "Fluidity & Space" this first Friday, October 2nd from 5 - 8 pm, continuing through October 24th. It was commissioned by HomeBase Partners for the AC Hotel, Missoula, Montana. Over a year of development and multitudes of kiln firings, resulted in this 36 piece grid, 75 inches x 100 inches in size of carved stoneware forms, visually connected by fluid lines and spaces.

Trackside will also feature new ceramic works from recent firings by Chris and also exhibiting partners Mark Moore and Gina Freuen.

June 5 - 26 - Online Sale - Featuring Shelsea Dodd, Helena, Montana

Trackside Studio is pleased to feature 5 wonderful Rainbow Pride Cows by Shelsea Dodd from Helena, Montana for the month of June. Due to Covid virus concerns, our gallery is still open only through appointment and with masks on. Shelsea’s 5 Rainbow Pride Cows will be available for purchase through our shop site only. We do not have them onsite. Prices include shipping. 25% donation to Black Lives Matter Movement.

Although Pride Month is a time of celebration, it is critical to remember that Pride occurs to commemorate the Stonewall riots of 1969, which were started by trans women of color and led to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. This June, it is imperative for the LGBTQ+ community to stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and take a stand against police brutality and systemic racism. 

Cows appear predominantly in my work, and while I make these Rainbow Pride Cows each June, this year each piece is named in honor of one of the heroes of the Stonewall uprising.  25% of the proceeds of these pieces will be donated to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Marsha: $300, Sylvia: $300, Miss Major: $300, Stormé: $300, Zazu: $300. Materials: earthenware, terra sigillata, underglaze, oxides, glazeEach piece is approximately 9.5”x6”x6” and hangs using two strong screws or nails. Price includes shipping cost within the continental US.

(If you would like more information on the Stonewall activists these pieces were named for, look up Marsha P Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Stormé DeLarverie, and Zazu Nova.)

To view more of Shelsea’s works: website link or on instagram site @shelseadodd

February 7 - 28, 2020: “T”

Origami Tea Ceremony Figures by Patti Osebold. A ceremonial Tea Service Table. Functional Ceramics featuring forms that are useful for tea, coffee & libations by Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey & Mark Moore

December 6, 2019 - January 17, 2020, 6th Annual Cup of Joy Sale and Exhibit

Sixth annual group invitational of drinking vessels, cup, mug, yunomi, sake, stein, goblet, functional or non-functional. Over 40 invited artists from across the United States will exhibit up to 4 cup forms each, over 150 cups, for our holiday gift giving season.

Participants:  Posey Bacopoulos - New York, NY,  Robert Beishline - Bellingham, WA, John Benn - Shelton, WA, Autumn Bunton - Spokane, WA, Amanda Bury – Thorp, WA, Victoria Christen - Portland, OR, Gina Freuen - Spokane, WA, Colleen Gallagher,  Shelton, WA, Damian Grava - Seattle, WA, Jordan Jones - Freeland, WA, Chris Kelsey – Spokane, WA, Justin Lambert - Morrison, CO, Loren Lukens - Seattle, WA, Sarah Magar - Sooke, BC Canada, Mark Moore – Spokane, WA, Mardis Nenno - Spokane, WA, Tybre Newcomer - Pasco, WA, Reid Ozaki - Tacoma, WA, Daniel Perez - University Place, WA, Ronan Kyle Peterson - Chapel Hill, NC, Chris Pickett - Pocatello, Idaho, Aubrey Purdy Rude - Spokane, WA, Stephen Robison - Ellensburg, WA, Mat Rude - Spokane, WA, Maya Rumsey - Couer d'Alene, ID,  Deb Schwartzkopf - Seattle, WA, Sam Scott - Shoreline, WA, Jill Smith - Spokane, WA,  Dennis Randall Smith - Medical Lake, WA , Amy Smith - Lincoln, Nebraska, Chad Steve - Tequesta, FL, James Tingey - Enterprise, OR, Joe Tomlinson - Spokane, WA, Eric Van Eimeren - Helena, MT, Emily Free Wilson - Helena, MT

October 4 - November 22, 2019 - Out of the Kiln, Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore

Trackside Studio's October exhibit featured all new functional and sculptural ceramics by Trackside Studio partners Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey & Mark Moore. Recent wood / soda firings by Gina, Chris and Mark plus new electric firings by Mark and Chris.

November 1 & 2: “Coasters for Meals on Wheels” A Fundraiser

Trackside was able to raise through the generosity of the public and artisans over $1500.

A mini art work serving a much larger purpose!

Saving more than your table! Trackside Studio’s Coasters fundraiser featuring $10 coasters created by artists, crafters, cool kids and wonderful friends benefits Meals on Wheels, a local non profit with more than 400 volunteers, serving over 330 meals daily and more than 110,000 meals each year to individuals who cannot meet the need on their own. This service allows individuals to remain in their own homes and reduce premature out of home placement. It also allows a patient to leave a hospital, nursing care or rehab earlier, thereby encouraging the convalescing process in the familiar surroundings of the persons own home. This service is available to people of all income levels, age groups, either on a temporary or permanent basis without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, handicap or political affiliation.

Meals on Wheels relies on fundraisers so Trackside is stepped up this holiday season to help create some funds. Professional working artists, students of the arts, crafters, and good friends, supported Meals on Wheels by grabbing a coaster from their local eatery or pub, re - surfaced it, drew , painted and glued stuff to it, creating mini artworks. All sales supported Meals on Wheels at the most opportune time of the year, the holidays.

September 6 - 27, 2019 - Invitational Exhibit: Lee Ayars, Seth Charles & Mat Rude

• Trackside Studio's annual invitational exhibit featuring regional studio ceramic artists.

Lee Ayars - leeayars@comcast.net Trackside Studio is honored to feature ceramic works by a Spokane treasure Lee Ayars. He studied art at Spokane Falls Community College receiving his A.A. then followed at Washington State University earning both his B.A. and his M.F.A. He taught fine art classes for over 38 years here in Spokane, Washington and is currently, happily retired. Trackside is happily forcing him out of his retirement bliss.

His artist statement is simple: The “Art” is my statement! I hope for a mysterious presence in my art, and I love innocence in art.

Seth Charles - charlesceramics@yahoo.com www.sethcharles.com In 2018, Trackside featured the works of Amanda Bury, Seth's partner in this journey in clay. Seth was a lecturer of ceramics and sculpture at State College of Florida and a studio artist in St. Petersburg, Florida. He holds a BFA from The University of North Florida and a MFA degree from Central Washington University. He was been a long term artist in resident at The Clay Studio of Missoula and Morean Center for Clay. He is currently living in Kansas City where Amanda has taken a residency.

Statement: My work is inspired by the irregular beauty of the natural world and is made in response to the quickly growing trend toward digitalization in contemporary society. Created through a nature based aesthetic paradigm, the work directly rejects the ideals of beauty and perfection found in western society. The sculptures are generally small and compact, quiet and inward-orientated. They invite the viewer to get closer and inspire a reduction of the physical distance between object and person, providing a sensory experience that rewards examination and reflection.

The works created come from an observation of and reverence for nature as both mentor and co-creator. It is my belief that the more you observe nature, the more you are reminded what it is to be human - that we are all connected to, rather than separate from the natural world around us. The work invites you to slow way down, be patient, and look closely. This sensory experience invites a contemplative state, allowing the observation of abstract and nonrepresentational ideals of beauty that may be out of the norm of contemporary western society.

Mat Rude - mathew.rude@gmail.com www.matrude.com Mat Rude (born 1974, Decorah, Iowa, USA) lives and works in Spokane, WA where he is an Assistant Professor of Art at Gonzaga University. He earned a BA from Luther College in 1998 and an MFA from Montana State University in 2007. Mat also had the distinguished honor of working closely with internationally renowned artist Don Reitz as his studio assistant as well as working alongside Donovan Palmquist of Master Kiln Builders. In 2010 he was selected as a member of a delegation of ceramic arts professionals from the United States to research indigenous ceramic materials and their uses in China. The following year Mat returned to China as artist-in-residence at The Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen. His work is exhibited widely both nationally and internationally. Statement:

The weathered beauty of the work speaks of secret places and the arcane symbols that mark them. Throughout our lives we discover places that give us comfort, escape, or solitude. This body of work with its eroded textures and subtle perforations represents the sanctuaries in which we seek refuge. As time passes, we may lose or outgrow those places just as the relationships we develop that take us to or make us leave them also transform. The form and surface of the work is also reflective of my conversation with the material and a record of the firing process. The textures and surface treatments are derived from utilizing basic properties of various clay bodies, for example how clays tear, break, or weather. The end result is to have an object that can exist as an artifact of not only the process and energy that went into its creation, but also of the history of the medium. Hopefully the viewer can allow that energy to radiate by finding something new in the piece with each glance.

June 7 - 28 - Queer Art Walk - Featuring Jeffry Mitchell, Seattle, WA & Ivan Carmona from Portland, OR

• Trackside was honored to feature the ceramic works of Seattle, Washington queer folk artist, Jeffry Mitchell and Portland, Oregon ceramic artist Ivan Carmona.

• Jeffry’s ceramics works are kitschy, contemporary spins on functional forms, erotic using the figure, animals, flora and highly ornamented porcelain. His ceramic forms are represented by PDX Contemporary Art out of Portland, OR and can be found in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Philladelphia Art Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Philadelphia Art Museum, Tacoma and Portland Art Museums.

• Iván Carmona is a Puerto Rican studio artist born in Philadelphia, USA. In 2015, Iván received his Bachelor of Fine Art from The Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland, Oregon. He was a recipient of numerous national awards, including:  The Student Scholarship Award for Outstanding Academic and Artistic Achievement, the 2015 NCECA Undergraduate Award for Excellence, the Studio Potter Undergraduate Merit Award (Providence, RI), and the 2014 Huntley-Tidwell Scholarship to attend the Penland School of Craft in Asheville, NC. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries in USA, Puerto Rico, and Latin America. His pieces can be found in public and private art collections internationally, including the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico, and at the Gifu Prefecture High School in Tokyo Kouryu, Japan.

May 3 - 31, 2019 - In and Out of the Garden 2, “The Artful Arrangement”

An exhibit featuring works by Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen with ceramic works that can be used in the garden or to display inside the bounty of the garden. Mother's Day gift plantings in mini containers.

April 5 - 30, 2018 - Form and Function, Amanda Bury & Cozette Phillips

• “Form and Function” with artists Amanda Bury and Cozette Phillips, Trackside’s annual exhibit featuring regional faculty working in sculpture and / or clay. Cozette Phillips maintains a studio practice in Pasco, Washington and is an Assistant Professor of Art at Columbia Basin College. She is an interdisciplinary sculptor and metalsmith. Trackside is also pleased to introduce Amanda Bury to our Spokane community. Amanda recently completed a year of residence at The Morean Center for Clay in Saint Petersburg, Florida then returned to her home stomping grounds in Thorp, WA where she is continuing her studio regimen that maintains a focus on atmospheric fired functional ceramic forms.

Amanda Bury - BIO

Amanda received a Bachelors of Art in Anthropology and a Bachelors of Art in Studio Art from Central Washington University. She then went on to pursue Post-Baccalaureate study at the University of Montana.

Amanda has taught courses at places around the U.S. including The Clay Studio of Missoula, and The Morean Center for Clay. Her and her partner Seth Charles co-operate a wood-fired kiln design and construction venture. Amanda recently completed a year of residence at The Morean Center for Clay in Saint Petersburg, Florida. She has since relocated back to Washington State.

Amanda regularly exhibits in invitational and national juried exhibitions. Many of her pieces are held in public and private collections world wide.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I rely on the central role of utilitarian objects as vehicles for nourishment. I use these objects as a conduit to speak further about connections and relationships between human beings and the rest of the natural world.

I aim to invoke discourse, thought and reflection on our contemporary culture of food. I am interested in where food intersects culture, ethics, history, ritual and community. I am continuously exploring what we choose to eat, its history and how it gets to our tables today. I am intrigued by how our relationship with food shapes the way we treat our bodies and our planet.

I choose to fire my work using the atmospheric wood-fire process to create varied and organic surfaces. Wood-firing embodies and reaffirms the ideas of nature, environment, history, ritual and community held within the work. The process incorporates experimentation, skillfulness, knowledge and an intimacy over time. The atmospheric effects often blur and obscure intended surface work which mimics the distance and obscurity in the connections we have with our nourishment today.

Cozette Phillips - Statement of Experience

Cozette Phillips is an interdisciplinary sculptor and metalsmith whose work is both reflective and formative, highlighting humanities past, present and future influence on the environment. Phillips received her Master of Fine Arts degree from State University of New York at New Paltz and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbus College of Art and Design. Artist residencies include Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder in Trondheim, Norway, The School for American Crafts at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY, Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX, and a blacksmithing residency at the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN. Her work is in the collection of the Metal Museum, Michigan Legacy Art Park, and on permanent display at Okayakohan Public Park in Okaya, Japan. Phillips’ solo exhibitions include Tributaries at the Metal Museum, In-Between at Cleveland Sculpture Center, Being Neither at The University of Kansas, Progressions at Babel Kunst in Trondheim, Norway, Vestige at Fort Worth Community Art Center, Where the Blue Sky Turns to Black at Central Michigan University, and Here to There at Saginaw Valley State University. Cozette Phillips maintains a studio practice in Pasco, Washington and is an Assistant Professor of Art at Columbia Basin College.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The work included in this exhibition has an implicit environmental focus, ideologically and visually evoking humanities influence on the natural world. Through my artistic practice, I interpret natural forms by combining industrial processes and natural materials to focus on the tension between ecologic and cultural changes in the landscape. The goal is to highlight the interconnectedness between the two and invite reflection on what cannot be summarized in a singular representation of form.

March 1, 2019 - March 29, 2019 “Undone” Mark Moore

Feature exhibit of Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery partner: Mark Moore. Perfectly broken, a new collection of textured ceramic forms.

T 4 2 February 1, 2019 - February 28, 2019

Feature exhibit of Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery partners: Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore & Gina Freuen, featuring teapots and companion cups celebrating the entwining hearts of the valentine’s day mood.

December 7, 2018 - January 18, 2019, Cup of Joy

Fifth annual group invitational of drinking vessels, cup, mug, yunomi, sake, stein, goblet, functional or non-functional. Over 36 invited artists will exhibit up to 4 cup forms for our holiday gift giving season, shipped from all corners of the United States. Be the first in our doors.

Posey Bacopoulos - New York, NY,  Sarah Beaty - Ft. Yukon, AK, Robert Beishline  - Bellingham, WA, Mike Buck – Spokane, WA, Autumn Bunton - Spokane, WA, Amanda Bury – Thorp, WA, Victoria Christen  - Portland, OR, Gina Freuen - Spokane, WA, Anthony Gaudino - Gig Harbor, WA, Damian Grava – Seattle, WA, Martha Grover - Bethel, Maine, Jordan Jones - Freeland, WA, Chris Kelsey – Spokane, WA,   Justin Lambert - Morrison, CO, Loren Lukens - Seattle, WA, Sarah Magar  - Sooke, BC Canada, Mark Moore – Spokane, WA, Mardis Nenno - Spokane, WA, Tybre Newcomer - Pasco, WA, Reid Ozaki - Tacoma, WA, Boni Parker - Ellensburg, WA, Ronan Kyle Peterson - Chapel Hill, NC, Chris Pickett - Pocatello, Idaho, Aubrey Purdy Rude - Spokane, WA, Stephen Robison - Ellensburg, WA, Mat Rude - Spokane, WA, Sam Scott - Shoreline, WA, Jill Smith - Spokane, WA, Lauren Smith - Ulm, MT, Dennis Randall Smith - Medical Lake, WA , Chad Steve - Tequesta, FL, James Tingey - Enterprise, OR, Ken Turner - Seattle, WA, Eric Van Eimeren - Helena, MT, Emily Free Wilson - Helena, MT

October  5 - November 17 - "Kiln Fired" Ceramics by Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore & Gina Freuen

Trackside Studio's October exhibit featured all new functional and sculptural ceramics by Trackside Studio partners Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey & Mark Moore. Recent wood / soda firings by Gina, Chris and Mark plus new electric firings by Mark and Chris.

September  7 - 28 - "3 Strong" Ceramics by Sarah Magar, Mardis Nenno & Boni Parker

Trackside Studio's annual invitational exhibit featuring regional studio ceramic artists.

• Mardis Nenno - Spokane, WA

• Sarah Magar - Sook Harbor, BC Canada

• Boni Parker - Ellensburg, WA

Sarah Magar

Artist Statement: I strive to create visually imaginative and textural landscapes to touch and explore, provoking thought through the experience of a tangible object. My imagery often blends satirical narratives drawn in vivid colors, with fragility, grace, and vulnerability.

For inspiration, I often rely on the positive and negative influences that I experience daily, the confusion of dreams and memories, and the wondrous curiosity I experienced as a child. I am fascinated by how the mind creates memories and the correlation of experience, both real and perceived.

Much of my conceptual challenge is to convey the nostalgic imprint of the past, and find ways to portray it in physical form. Like an interpreter, clay captures that transition, showing every mark or imprint, line, or scratch made on its surface.

I am also interested in the response to the drinking vessel as a functional canvas. I’m drawn to its intimacy and ability to partake in daily use and ritual. For me, the cup has become a simile for how we hold on to our fond memories. There is an aspect of preciousness and care to how we hold them both, cradled in our hands, or in our hearts.

Biography  - Sarah Magar was born in Dallas Texas in 1983. She roamed shoeless and free on her family’s farm at the edge of the sunflower field and the wild wood. Other than visiting with the cats, chickens and the weird-eyed goats, she spent her time turning over rocks, catching grasshoppers, and poking things with sticks.

Home was always an open land of wonder for Sarah. By the age of 9 she and her family had moved several times and traveled much of the US. In the end, and almost by accident, she was able to grow some roots in the Rockies of Montana. Her love for nature, travel, and exploration was bolstered by Montana’s wide open and free charisma, and emboldened her need for the expressive and visual arts.

Sarah completed her BFA in Ceramics & Drawing with a minor in Art History from the University of Montana School of Art in 2015. Upon graduation, she went on to complete her artist’s residency at Medalta Potteries in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She has exhibited her work in the US, and Canada. She has received awards from several juried shows, including the purchase of her work by the Montana Museum of Art and Culture in 2013 and 2015, and The People’s Choice Award at the 8th Annual Simple Cup show at the Kobo Gallery in Seattle. Sarah is currently working in studio on Vancouver Island, in Beautiful British Columbia.

 Mardis Nenno

Statement - My functional pottery reflects my interest in utilitarian form and my desire to make pots that are pleasurable to use and to look at.  I imagine them being a part of people’s table and kitchen counters and being passed around at gatherings of family and friends.  Each piece is unique and made by me using wheel and hand building techniques.  The surface decoration is based in the folk art tradition of stylized forms found in nature and I’m influenced by Northern Chinese Cizhou pottery and by the bright vibrant  glaze colors of early Persian ceramics.  I l use slips, stencils, sgraffito and slip trailing to create layers of information beneath the transparent glazes.

Bio - My path as a ceramic artist began at Alfred University, NY School of Ceramic Art and Engineering. I received a BFA from Montana State University and an MFA from Washington State University.  I was a studio potter in Belt, Montana for a decade, then moved to Spokane WA and began teaching clay classes.  In 2006  I was a resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation for nine months.  I’ve also done a short residency at the Experimental Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China.  I continued to teach at Spokane Falls Community College until I retired in 2016.  Now I’m back in my studio, making things.

Boni Parker

Short Bio-Bonilyn Parker was born and raised in the land of the midnight sun in Anchorage, Alaska and discovered ceramics in college.  She received her BA in Art from the University of Alaska Southeast in 2012 and her MFA in Ceramics from the Ohio University in 2015.  Parker has been an artist in residence at the Archie Bray Foundation, Red Lodge Clay Center, Holter Museum of Art and the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemét, Hungary.  She has been an instructor with the Archie Bray Foundation, Holter Museum of Art and Central Washington University.  She currently resides in Ellensburg, Washington, where she is an Artist in Residence/Ceramics technician/Ceramic Instructor at Gallery One Visual Art Center. 

Artist Statement-I believe in the value of hand made objects in an increasingly industrialized world.  Contemporary issues associated with waste, commercial manufacturing and resulting practices such as repurposing, recycling, and the DIY movement influence my work.  Working in clay, I explore the spaces that exist between maker and user, disposable and reusable, sentimental and material value.  Through experiencing a handmade object, I want my audience to consider the consequences of a disposable culture and rethink standard discarding practices.

May 4 - 25, 2018 - In and Out of the Garden

An exhibit featuring works by Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen with ceramic works that can be used in the garden or to display the bounty of the garden. Mother's Day gift plantings in mini containers.

April 6 - 30, 2018 - Rob McKirdie & Tybre Newcomer - "Metamaquette"

Annual Invitational exhibit featuring the work of professionally working ceramic educators from our region.

Titled "Metamaquette," Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery featured “ models for future works”  by Spokane Falls Community College Art Department Faculty, Rob McKirdie and Tybre Newcomer.

The genesis of the exhibition comes from the Greek word “Meta" meaning beyond and the French word “maquette" meaning model, translating to “beyond the model."  The key to understanding the exhibition is that the maquette is not only a tool to explore future works; it embodies the thought process and state of mind when the work was created and is an artform itself.

Rob McKirdie joined the fine arts faculty at Spokane Falls Community College in 2015. He teaches classes in drawing, 3D Design and sculpture. He works with primarily wood and metal integrating found and fabricated objects together. His artistic practice focuses on mold making, fabrication and metal casting. Rob earned a BS in Sculpture and a BFA in Studio Practices in 2011 from Portland State University and an MFA in Sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design. A professional artist, Rob has shown nationally in galleries and museums. His work focusing on the intersection on technology and material culture.

Rob McKirdie Artist Statement:  “The Things that Shake Loose…”

Things that shake loose are often pieces of material culture that separate themselves from a larger context and settle within the mundane corners of transient paths. Because I am myself a transient and contingent human being, I find myself searching in those mundane corners for the sediment of material culture. It is here that I find my raw source material and motivation as a sculptor. As I transfer those things that shake loose from one mundane corner of the world to my own space I develop an interior dialogue with those things, rather like an archaeologist trying to reconstruct the identity of a particular culture through collected and discarded materials. My dialogue with the collected materials involves an in-depth physical and emotional investigation of the limits and impactfulness inherent within each object, and the possible relationships between that object and other objects or physical elements. I then test my findings against other notions or narratives that attempt to explore illuminating codes of the nexus, genesis, or revelation implicit in those materials that I have collected as a peripatetic traveler.

As a sculptor I am constantly testing the concepts of joinery and craftsmanship in relation to my source material. Through an investigations of that material I hope to come to a fuller understanding of each piece I collect. Such an understanding can present itself seamlessly or, at times, crudely, depending upon the limitations contained in the materials themselves. The connections I discover and represent in my work intend to express a fuller statement of the properties and possibilities or objects within a new contextual framework. Upon completion, my work suggests new identities, new ways of seeing, which not only echo the illuminating code of the past through the material but, discovers a new energy--ranging from the spiritual and sacred, to interactive process and playfulness, which in the end may be the same thing.

Tybre Newcomer was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri where he received his BFA in Ceramics at Missouri State University. He went on to receive his MFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology’s-School for American Crafts with an emphasis in Ceramic Sculpture and a minor in Furniture Design. Tybre was an Artist in Residence at the Tainan National University of the Arts in Tainan, Taiwan and at Midwestern State University and in Wichita Falls, TX. He has taught at several institutions before joining Spokane Falls Community College in 2016 as an Instructor of Art. In addition to teaching, he maintains an active studio and exhibits his work nationally.

February 2 - March 30, 2018- Chris Kelsey- "Tangentia" Out From the Arc

Trackside Studio featured for the month of February, ceramic sculpture by Trackside Studio founder, Chris Kelsey. Chris’s feature exhibit focuses on forms that have evolved from his ongoing research and personal development of ceramic composition with horizontal and vertical line intersecting a focal point sphere. Ceramic works are wood and electric fired, free standing and wall hung.

December 1, 2017 - January 12, 2018, Cup of Joy

Third annual group invitational of drinking vessels, cup, mug, yunomi, sake, stein, goblet, functional or non-functional. Over 30 invited artists will exhibit up to 4 cup forms for our holiday gift giving season, shipped from all corners of the United States. 

To preview complete "Cup of Joy" exhibit, click on this link to see our Facebook Photo Album:  CLICK HERE

Participants:  Sarah Beaty - Fort Yukon, Alaska, Robert Beishline - Bellingham, WA, Victoria Christen - Portland, OR, Donna Flanery - Missoula, MT, Gina Freuen - Spokane, WA, Anthony Gaudino - Gig Harbor, WA, Jordan Jones - Freeland, WA, Chris Kelsey - Spokane, WA, Justin Lambert - Jupiter, FL, Brenda Lichman - Wichita, KS, Ron Linn - Portland, OR, Beth Lo - Missoula, MT, Loren Lukens - Seattle, WA, Sarah Magar - Sooke B.C. Canada, Dennis Meiners, Portland, OR, Mark Moore - Spokane, WA, Mardis Nenno, Spokane, WA, Tyber Newcomer - Pasco, WA, Reid Ozaki - Tacoma, WA, Ronan Kyle Peterson, Chapel Hill, NC, Chris Pickett - Pocatello, ID, Aubrey Purdy Rude - Spokane, WA, Stephen Robison, Ellensburg, WA, Mat Rude - Spokane, WA, Sam Scott - Seattle, WA, Jill Smith - Spokane, WA, Lauren Smith - Great Falls, MT, James Tingey, Enterprise, OR, Ken Turner - Seattle, WA,  Emily Free Wilson - Helena, MT, Tara Wilson - Helena, MT, May Wong - Stuart, FL

August 25 - September 23, 2017 - Annual Guest Artist Exhibition - Loren Lukens, Seattle, WA

• Opening Reception: Friday, August 25, 5 - 8 pm

• First Friday, September 1, 5 - 8 pm

• Closing reception, MEET THE ARTIST - Friday, September 22, 5 - 8 pm

        WORKSHOP BY LOREN LUKENS - Saturday, September 23, 10 AM - 4 PM (Workshop Link)

Biography
I discovered clay and pottery making as an art student in the 1970’s and it was love at first sight. It has been my passion and livelihood for more than 40 years. Brace Point Pottery is the studio/gallery and home in beautiful downtown Arbor Heights, West Seattle, that I have shared with my wife, Beth Kirchhoff (pianist, opera coach and conductor), since 1998.

Artist Comment
The beginnings of humankind go hand in hand with the beginnings of pottery. Of contemporary craft media, only basket making is as fundamental. The shapes of pottery are the shapes of the human body, and are named such: lip, foot, shoulder. They are shapes we know very well on a level beneath our consciousness. My intent is to apply contemporary interpretation to traditional form and purpose by creating objects for people to use and enjoy.
As an art student, Form and Function drew me to pottery, but painting has been an increasingly important aspect to my work. My best pots resolve the difficulty of painting in three dimensions, while maintaining the integrity of the form.
My glazing technique is squirt bottle “Art Marks” under a casually sprayed landscape of glazes. High temperature reduction firing allows a saturation of color and glaze/clay interaction especially with iron and titanium bearing glazes and the possibility of unpredictable aventurine crystal formation as well as the dramatic and somewhat elusive copper red. Porcelain clay provides a bright, white backdrop to enhance color response and increase durability

June 2 - 30, 2017- "Stoke by Stoke"   Wood Fired Ceramics from the Kelsey Anagama

       When you drop wood into the open door of a wood fired kiln it is called stoking. Stoking continues from the time you light a match in the kiln to the moment you extinguish it. This process of building heat in a kiln can last any where from 56 - 110 hours. Over the last year, local ceramic artist, Chris Kelsey has designed and then completed the construction of a wood fired anagama kiln, the only one of its type in Eastern Washington. On Sunday, May 20th at 11 AM, a group of ceramic artists: Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore, Mike Buck, Brian Joyce, Mardis Nenno, & Dennis Smith brought their ceramic pieces out to Chris Kelsey’s finished kiln, located in the Little Spokane River Valley on the property of ceramic artist Gina Freuen, and began the process of loading the interior of the kiln for its inaugural firing. The match was lit at 8 pm and stoking continued around the clock through Thursday, May 24th @ midnight. Temperatures were reached and held inside the kiln, through continuous stoking of around 2300 degrees. Crew members, Julie & Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore, Mike Buck, Dennis Smith, Gina Freuen and Mardis Nenno stoked 6 hour shifts or more each day. It will cool without opening for 6 days at which time all the participants and supporters of this venture will meet to unbrick the door and begin the celebrational unloading of the ceramic wares that were loaded into it over 2 weeks prior.  Out of the ashes of the kiln will be carried richly toned, rusty colored, smoky hued pieces of stoneware and porcelain pottery and sculpture that have qualities unlike comparable piecesfired in electric or gas fired environments. To this end was the original intent in building a kiln of this quality when the idea was hatched over a year ago.

From Wikipedia: An anagama (a Japanese term meaning "cave kiln") consists of a firing chamber with a firebox at one end and a flue at the other. Although the term "firebox" is used to describe the space for the fire, there is no physical structure separating the stoking space from the pottery space. The term anagama describes single-chamber kilns built in a sloping tunnel shape. In fact, ancient kilns were sometimes built by digging tunnels into banks of clay.
The anagama is fueled with firewood, in contrast to the electric or gas-fueled kilns commonly used by most contemporary potters. A continuous supply of fuel is needed for firing, as wood thrown into the hot kiln is consumed very rapidly. Stoking occurs round the clock until a variety of variables are achieved including the way the molten pots look inside the kiln, the temperatures reached and sustained, the amount of ash applied, the wetness of the walls and the pots, etc.

Burning wood not only produces heat of up to 1400°C (2,500 °F), it also produces fly ash and volatile salts. Wood ash settles on the pieces during the firing, and the complex interaction between flame, ash, and the minerals of the clay body forms a natural ash glaze. This glaze may show great variation in color, texture, and thickness, ranging from smooth and glossy to rough and sharp. The placement of pieces within the kiln distinctly affects the pottery's appearance, as pieces closer to the firebox may receive heavy coats of ash, or even be immersed in embers, while others deeper in the kiln may only be softly touched by ash effects. Other factors that depend on the location include temperature and oxidation/reduction. Besides location in the kiln, (as with other fuel-fired updraft kilns) the way pieces are placed near each other affects the flame path, and, thus, the appearance of pieces within localized zones of the kiln can vary as well. It is said that loading an anagama kiln is the most difficult part of the firing. The potter must imagine the flame path as it rushes through the kiln, and use this sense to paint the pieces with fire.

The length of the firing depends on the volume of the kiln and may take anywhere from 48 hours to 12 or more days. The kiln generally takes the same amount of time to cool down. Records of historic firings in large Asian kilns shared by several village potters describe several weeks of steady stoking per firing.

A selection of ceramic works from this inaugural firing will be featured in the Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery for June’s First Friday, June 2nd, from 5 to 8 pm. Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen will display the featured works along with representational pieces from this inauguralfiring by Mike Buck, Brian Joyce, Mardis Nenno & Dennis Smith.  Photos of the whole loading, firing and unloading will be hung and maybe hot dogs will be roasting out in front of the gallery on the sidewalk.

May 5 - 26, 2017- Jakob Haßlacher & James Tingey ~ LH Project

Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery featured the ceramic works of LH Project Resident Artist James Tingey and LH Project Founder, CEO and President Jakob Haßlacher for the month of May. Featured works included large scale sculptures representing Jakob’s work impacted by his experience witnessing the falling of the Berlin Wall and remaining captivated by “Walls” whether modern or ancient along with functional forms by James. James Tingey is the LH Project Resident Coordinator and Studio Technician.  The LH Project is a non-profit residency program in Joseph, Oregon catering to Artists who imbibe in the Ceramic Arts

• Jakob Haßlacher @Meissen / Video Link

• Link to LH Project: Click Here

April 7 - 28, 2017- Otis Bardwell, Instructor of Art, North Idaho College, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho

Annual Invitational exhibit featuring the work of professionally working ceramic educators from our region.

"Dreams of Reason"

Otis Bardwell (April 2017)

The title for this body of work is inspired by an etching of Francisco Goya, “El sueño de la razón produce monstrous,” (“The sleep of reason produces monsters.”) I first encountered the title quoted in French “Les songes de la raison…” which perhaps lends itself more readily to “dreams” than “sleep.” Whatever the case, whether they came into being as the result of sleep or dreams, monsters are produced.

March 3 - 31, 2017- Gina Freuen, "The Trailing Vine"

Exhibit featuring older ceramic works and pieces from December / January by Gina Freuen carried over from her exhibit at Lewis-Clark Center for Arts and History, Lewiston, Idaho. Also, photographs by Matt Vielle, Hamilton Photo. Close up shots of Gina Freuen ceramics.

Matt Vielle has photographed Gina’s ceramics for over a decade. Included in “The Trailing Vine” exhibit will be a series of small 5” x 7” photographs, magnifying the beautiful crystallizations that occur during the wood-fired and wood-soda-fired process on the surfaces of the ceramics on display by Gina Freuen during the month of March.

“The Trailing Vine” An exhibit of both older and new works that feature surfaces rendered through carved and stamped imagery that reflect on life’s passages; where does a trailing vine lead us, where will a wind blown leaf fall or where will a floating feather land?
Just as the trailing vine takes its own course, the leaf falling from the tree has no specific landing spot and the feather is at the whim of the wind, so goes the end result of ceramic works that have been fired in wood and soda fired environments. Just as we try and control our lives and sometimes fail, the control of results in the atmospheric fired kiln allow some human controlled precisions but usually offers the magic beauty or the frustrated angst of the kiln controlled results.

"I am thankful to be an artist that can seek refuge in the studio and make words without talking but through visual representation.” Gina Freuen

February 3 - 24, 2017- Juried Exhibit - "Boxed Out Bottled Up"

“In conjunction with the City of Spokane's "Spokane Arts’ "SATURATE" a city-wide collaboration calling attention to Spokane's under-recognized artists and as part of the Visual Arts Tour in February, Trackside Studio juried and curated artwork opened up to all media reflecting on the theme of “Boxed Out, Bottled Up.” To help deepen the conversation on race, identity, and culture in our city and beyond.

Participants: Jennifer Cochran, Jeff Ferguson, Maria Amalia Fisch, Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey, Christopher Lamb, Madilyn Lewin, Ginger Oakes, Dennis Randall Smith, Angelika Wilson-Wipp, Gordon Wilson

December 2, 2016 - January 13, 2017, Cup of Joy

A group invitational of drinking vessels, cup, mug, yunomi, sake, stein, goblet, functional or non-functional. Invited artists will exhibit up to 4 cup forms for our holiday gift giving season, shipped from all corners of the United States.

Participating Artists: Sarah Beaty - Fort Yukon, Alaska, Robert Beishline - Bellingham, WA, Victoria Christen - Portland, OR, Donna Flanery - Missoula, MT, Gina Freuen - Spokane, WA, Jordan Jones - Freeland, WA, Chris Kelsey - Spokane, WA, Justin Lambert - Jupiter, FL, Brenda Lichman - Wichita, KS, Ron Linn - Portland, OR, Loren Lukens - Seattle, WA, Sarah Magar - Sooke B.C. Canada, Mark Moore - Spokane, WA, Tyber Newcomber - Pasco, WA, Reid Ozaki - Tacoma, WA, Ronan Kyle Peterson, Chapel Hill, NC, Kelly Page Piccolo - Clancy, MT, Chris Pickett - Pocatello, ID, Aubrey Purdy Rude - Spokane, WA, Mat Rude - Spokane, WA, Sam Scott - Seattle, WA, Jill Smith - Spokane, WA, Lauren Smith - Great Falls, MT, Eric Van Eimeran - Helena, MT, Levi Vincent - Bellingham, WA, Emily Free Wilson - Helena, MT, Tara Wilson - Helena, MT, May Wong - Stuart, FL

November 4 - 26, 2016 - WHITE Works

An exhibit of ceramic forms reflecting the winter white of our upcoming holiday seasons by Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen.

October 7 - 28, 2016 - KILN Works

An exhibit of new works from summer and fall kiln firings by Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen. 

September 2 - 30, 2016 - WALL Works

An exhibit of works by Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen. The September exhibit at Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery, September 2 - 30,  features new ceramic forms, both functional and sculptural, designed specifically for vertical wall mount.

August 5th & 6th, 2016, Annual "Cleaning Off the Shelves," Summer Sale

Annual studio sale of ceramics by Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey and Mark Moore. $25. Grab Bags! Each bag had one piece by Gina, Chris and Mark in it. Blind picks.

June 3 – June 24, 2016

Juried Exhibition of ceramic works by Washington Clay Arts Association Members

http://washingtonclayarts.org

"Taste of Summer @ Trackside Studio"  The Trackside exhibit, "Taste of Summer" featured juried works from WCA members that had a focus on function and a serving purpose for glorious summer recipes.

Along with the Trackside exhibit "Taste of Summer," Kolva Sullivan Gallery featured a juried WCA exhibit with a theme of "Changing Plains."  A juried exhibit of WCA ceramic artists that illustrated the beauty of the Palouse and its rolling plains. Both functional and sculptural works were exhibited.

Two demonstrations, Saturday, June 4th, were also part of this weekend along with the WCA summer social event. The demonstrations were held at Gonzaga University's ceramics facility, Jundt Art Building, 9 AM - 4 PM. Featured artists were: Ryan LaBar and Donna Flanery.

• http://www.ryanlabar.com

• http://artaxis.org/donna-flanery/

May 6 – May 31, 2016

"ASH Works," Ceramics Fired in Atmospheric Environments by Chris Kelsey, Gina Freuen & Mark Moore

April 1 - May 6, 2016

Stephen Robison & Kathleen Guss - Ellensburg, WA

Annual Invitational exhibit featuring the work of professionally working ceramic educators from our region.

• GALLERY HOURS: Monday - Friday, 10 AM to 2:00 PM

• Photo album of full exhibit, click here!

Robison / Guss BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Both Kathleen and Stephen received their BFA from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Stephen also attended The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Chisholm Institute of Technology in Melbourne Australia. Stephen also received his MA and MFA from the University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Stephen and Kathleen have been instructors and resident artists at the Archie Bray Foundation and The Appalachian Center for Crafts. Stephen has been a professor in ceramics at; Belmont University, University of Missouri, Virginia Commonwealth University, North Central Michigan College and The University of North Carolina. Stephen is presently a Professor at Central Washington University where he is in charge of undergraduate and graduate students.
Kathleen is a full time potter and also teaches workshops in ceramics.
Kathleen and Stephen have been working together for 20 years. Some of the work they do is fully collaborative; they also go off on their own individual projects and pieces. Their main collaboration are their two boys, Leo and Gus.

March 4 – 25, 2016

Mark Moore

"Marchez Jardin: Fossils from Future Folly," centered, altered and asymmetric pots by Trackside partner Mark Moore that ask; where are we, where are we going and why?

Receptions:

• March 4, First Friday Arts Tour, 5 - 8 pm

• March 5, Saturday, noon - 4 pm

• GALLERY HOURS: Tuesday - Friday, 10 AM to 2:00 PM

February 5 – 26, 2016

T 4 2 an exhibit of Teapots, sugars and creamers, A sweetheart of a show!

Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey and Mark Moore.

December 4,  2015 -  January 16, 2016

1st Biennial "Ode to Bowls"

 “Ode to Bowls” an invitational exhibit of the ceramic bowl form, one-of-a-kind interpretations of a bowl, from tea bowl to punch bowl, functional or sculptural by 36 professional studio artists and educators of the ceramic arts. Artists were invited from all corners of the United States with bowls arriving in the Trackside Studio from Washington to Florida, Alaska to Texas, Oregon to Maine, created in low-fire, mid-range, high-fire, wood-soda-fired environments, hand-built, wheel-thrown, stamped, painted, carved, and cast form.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.800924350018805.1073741845.416040541840523&type=3

Participants: Sarah Beaty, Ft. Yukon, AK, John Benn, Shelton, WA, Barb Campbell, Corvallis, OR, Gina Freuen, Spokane, WA, Anthony Gaudino, Tacoma, WA, Martha Grover, Bethel, Maine, Lois Harbaugh, Seattle, WA, Sarah Jaeger, Helena, MT, Chris Kelsey, Spokane, WA, Justin Lambert, Jupiter, Florida, Dick Lehman, Elkhart, Indiana, Loren Lukens, Seattle, WA, Rick Mahaffey, Tacoma, WA, Mark Moore, Spokane, WA,  Sean O’Connell, Chicago, IL, Hiroshi Ogawa, Elkton, OR, Reid Ozaki, Tacoma, WA, Ronan Kyle Peterson, Chapel Hill, NC, Chris Pickett, West Plains, NY, Aubrey Purdy Rude, Spokane, WA, Alison Reintjes, Missoula, Montana, Stephen Robison/Kathleen Guss, Ellensburg, WA, Mat Rude, Spokane, WA, Deborah Schwartzkopf, Seattle, WA, Sam Scott, Shoreline, WA, Jill Smith, Spokane, WA, Lauren Smith, Butte, Montana, Don Sprague, Portland, OR, Al Tennant, Coupeville, WA, Ken Turner, Seattle, WA, Bill Wilkey, Helena, Montana, Emily Free Wilson, Helena, MT.

November 6 - 28, 2015

Chris Kelsey -  "Cut to the Core"

A feature exhibit of the cumulative ceramic works by Trackside Studio artist and owner.

October 2 - October 30, 2015

New Ceramics from Summer Kiln Firings - Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey and Mark Moore

Trackside Studio opens it 2015 Fall exhibition season with new works by Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey and Mark Moore; works produced this summer and fired in a late August wood-soda kiln firing. This three-day firing resulted in luscious smoky forms ranging from hand held cups and bowls to large vase and sculpture forms. 

September 4 - 30, 2015

Annual Guest Artist Exhibition - Barb Campbell & Reid Ozaki.

Barb Campbell, Corvallis, Oregon and Reid Ozaki, Tacoma, WA were Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery’s September / 2015 feature artists. Both artists are similar in that they fire their work in high fire atmospheric kilns but Barb works in porcelains, intimate sized forms with a focus on texture and hand building. Reid, long time educator and studio ceramicist is the consummate wheel technician with works ranging in scale from hand held to large vessel forms including beautiful Ikebana vessels.

• www.ReidOzaki.com

• www.BarbCampbellCeramics.com

August 7 - 29, 2015, "Cleaning out the Cupboards" 

Annual summer sale of ceramics by Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey and Mark Moore. $25. Grab Bags!

June 5 - June 30, 2015 "Local Raku." 

A Trackside invitational featuring: Leslie Ahrens, Lee Ayars, Daryl Baird, Liz Bishop, Jeff Harris, David Hutchens, Ginger Oakes, and Jill Smith, local and regional ceramic artists with a studio focus on the Raku process.

April 3 - April 30, 2015 - Mat Rude and Aubrey Purdy Rude

Annual Invitational exhibit featuring the work of 2 professionally working ceramic artists from our region.

December 5, 2014 -  January 30, 2015 - “Cup of Joy”

Invitational exhibit of local and regional ceramic artists featuring cup, mug, tankard, goblet, sake, and yunomi. Participants: Kurt Anderson, Washingtonville, NY, Sarah Beaty, Ft. Yukon, AK, Collista Bejjani, Colbert, WA, Barb Campbell, Corvallis, Oregon, Matthew Causey, North Carolina, Chandra DeBuse, Kansas City, MO, Josh DeWeese, Bozeman, MT, Gina Freuen, Spokane, WA, Anthony Gaudino, Tacoma, WA, Andrew Gilliatt, Wichita Falls, TX, Martha Grover, Helena, MT, Chris Gustin, Dartmouth, MA, David Hutchens, Hope, Idaho, Sarah Jaeger, Helena, MT, Brian Joyce, Spokane, WA, Chris Kelsey, Spokane, WA, Justin Lambert, Jupiter, Florida, Dick Lehman, Elkhart, Indiana, Loren Lukens, Seattle, WA, Skip Lyman, Olalla, WA, Mark Moore, Spokane, WA, Lisa Nappa, Spokane, WA, Reid Ozaki, Tacoma, WA, Ronan Kyle Peterson, Chapel Hill, NC, Chris Pickett, West Palm Beach, FL, Aubrey Purdy Rude, Spokane, WA, Stephen Robison, Kathleen Guss, Ellensburg, WA, Mat Rude, Spokane, WA, Deborah Schwartzkopf, Seatttle, WA, Sam Scott, Shoreline, WA, Jill Smith, Spokane, WA, Ken Turner, Seattle, WA, Natalie Warrens, Portland, OR, Tara Wilson, Montana City, MT
 

September 5 - 27, 2014 - Annual Guest Artist Exhibition. Josh DeWeese, Bozeman, Montana

April 4 - April 26, 2014 - Terry Gieber & Mardis Nenno 

Annual Invitational exhibit featuring the work of 2 professionally working ceramic artists from our region.

Decmber 6, 2013 - January 31, 2014 - Northwest Ceramics Invitational

Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery & Kolva Sullivan Gallery, Curated by Gina Freuen

The selected ceramic artists represent educational institutions including: Gonzaga University, Spokane Falls Community College, Central University, Tacoma Community College, University of Montana and Montana State.  Another group of artists were chosen as representatives from regional ceramic studios:  Archie Bray in Montana, LH Project in Oregon, Pottery Northwest and Digipen in Seattle, Washington.

 From Spokane: Lee Ayars, Terry Geiber, Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore, Mardis Nenno, & Lee Ayars.  Regional Washington Artists: John Benn / Colleen Gallagher, Carol Gouthro, Virginia Jenkins, Ken Lundemo, Rick Mahaffey, Stephen Robison / Kathleen Guss, Steve Sauer, Deborah Schwartzkopf, Al Tennant and Ken Turner.  Montana artists:  Chuck Aydlett, Josh DeWeese, Julia Galloway, Kenyon Hansen, Trey Hill, Chris Pickett and Tara Wilson. Oregon Artists: Barb, Campbell, Terry Inokuma, Ryan LaBar, Hiroshi Ogawa and Kelly Rathbone Garrett