WT Art Professor Shows New Avenues in Ceramics in Upcoming Exhibition

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.ed

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s new sculpture professor is hoping to broaden the understanding of her art with a new exhibition opening Jan. 8.

Misty Gamble, who began teaching at WT in June, will be featured in “Accoutrement and Consumption,” a survey of works both new and archival, in the Dord Fitz Gallery in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall. The show will be on view through March 13.

“Putting a show like this on exhibition helps expand students’ notion of both sculpture and ceramics and that there’s also contemporary ceramic sculpture,” Gamble said.

“People usually think of ceramics as pottery, with a wheel, and of sculpture as wood and metal,” Gamble continued. “That is part of it — a very important part — but it’s just a part, and there’s a lot more going on in ceramics. This show will hopefully open people’s minds and show them more possibilities.”

Jon Revett, art program director, said he’s excited for students and the public at large to be exposed to Gamble’s works.

“Her works are figurative sculptures and are quite different from the traditional vessels and functional objects that are commonly considered ceramics,” Revett said. “Misty’s choice to use the human form as a departure point references the historical trend of Greek and Chinese clay figurative work, but brings it into the modern world by abstracting and stylizing her subjects in order to address current-day issues like gender and identity.

“Her work is on par with the major trends going on in the art world right now, and we are lucky to have her show in our gallery, and even more lucky to have her teach here,” Revett said.

Fitz Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Gamble is the recipient of a number of awards, fellowships and grants from the Martin Wong Foundation, National Conference for the Education of Ceramic Arts, the Ellice T. Johnston Foundation, Ruth Chenven Foundation, Marin Community Foundation, Windgate Foundation, Howard Kottler Fellowship, Byrdcliffe Fellowship, Ansley Park Fellowship, KCAI Faculty Development Grant, Lighton International Artists’ Exchange Program Grant and Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist Award.

She is the co-founder of Studio Nong: International Sculpture collective and residency program. Studio Nong travels to China and Europe to accomplish residencies that focus on clay figurative sculpture.

A commitment to the arts and humanities is a pivotal piece of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. With enrollment of more than 10,000, WT offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 38 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 15 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WTAMU—