Roots in Early 20th Century

October's Guest Artist

Even though the seed for ceramic artist David Webster's interest in creating pottery was planted when he was in high school, he acknowledges the influence of artists as far away as Germany in post World War II. In particular, he points to Germany's Bauhaus School of Art that became famous between 1919 and 1933 for its efforts to combine crafts and fine arts.

David Webster. ceramic artist

That Bauhaus influence will be seen in the utilitarian pottery Webster will have on exhibit as Gallery 54's guest artist for October. The opening of this exhibit will be the featured event for October's “First Friday in Skaneateles” from 5 to 8 pm at the gallery. Webster will be on hand to talk with guests and explore how he creates his utilitarian pottery.

“I didn't actually study pottery in high school,” recalls Webster, “yet it was what kept me in school. The pottery class teacher would let me come into the lab after school and I was immediately infatuated with the potter's wheel. There has always been something about the turning wheel, using your hands to put pressure on the clay and then watching as shapes were molded that captivated my interest,” he says adding, “That's never changed for me.”

Following high school he pursued an education in the study of ceramics at Alfred University in Southwestern New York State. Here he appreciated the opportunity to study what he recalls as one of the gurus in the study of ceramics, the late Val Cushing.

In the years since Webster has experienced the broad expanse of options surrounding the art and craft of ceramics. Even as he experienced and experimented with the reactions of different glazes on varying surfaces, he was enjoying a wide variety of opportunities within the ceramics community. Aways attracted to the utility he could bring to his pieces, early in his career he worked to create a following through his participation in arts and craft shows. Eventually, he responded to the demands of the wholesale market. Ultimately, he found his passion to create artful ceramic, though still utilitarian, pieces led him back to where his interest began . . . the classroom.

Still answering the question, “what's its use?” Webster accepted an invitation to share his knowledge and skill in the classroom at Onondaga Community College. It was an invitation that would challenge and captivate him for 15 years as he taught ceramics, basic design skills, and sculpture as a member of the college faculty.

Eventually, Webster went back to high school, though this time solidly in the classroom as a ceramics teacher at Fayetteville/Manlius High School where he teaches beginning and advanced ceramics and sculpture today.

In addition to a collection of his pottery, the opening show will feature light refreshments and wine, along with music by guitarist, singer and songwriter Jane Zell.

Gallery 54 is an artist-owned gallery of fine art and crafts. It's open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. As well as Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. To 6 p.m.