New Pots - Pottery by Eric Botbyl
Nature as Art - Photography by Charlie Doggett
Landscapes and Artifacts - Photography by Jane Word

August 8 – 29

Opening Reception, Friday, August 8 – 29, 5 pm - 7 pm

Since South Jersey native Eric Botbyl graduated from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee twelve years ago, he has been committed to making functional and sculptural pottery. Beginning with the construction of a clay studio on the grounds of Morris Nursery (a horticultural center and gift shop in Jackson, TN) his ceramic works have received local and national recognition, won many awards and have been exhibited widely, yet he says he considers maintaining a full time pottery studio his “…most notable accomplishment.” Botbyl’s writings and works have been featured in several major publications, including Mid South Living, Number Magazine and Ceramics Monthly Magazine (which is the world's most widely read publication in the field of ceramic arts). A sought-after ceramics educator, Botbyl has taught workshops at Arrowmont School of Crafts, Memphis College of Art and Union University. He also makes his studio available for clay workshops and was recently commissioned to design and build a large wood burning kiln at Union University. Having lately undertaken the major task of moving his pottery studio and gallery to HRH Vineyard – a beautiful hillside vineyard in Humboldt, Tennessee – from there he works and maintains his website.

Eric Botbyl’s Artist’s Statement poetically conveys insight into his pottery. His enthusiasm for his medium of choice is apparent. He shares, “There is a softness and warmth about the ceramic vessel that carries with it every touch of the potter and mark of the flame. Clay is unique in its ability to record the history of its own making, and the preservation of this process is a vital element of my work … Much of my work is inspired by the idea of “entasis,” an architectural design technique used by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks ... The term, simply translated, means “swollen” or “stretched thin.” While my application is a bit more fluid and organic than the idea presented in historical context, it is at the root of everything I hope my life and work to be … I am influenced by everything from my wife’s pregnant figure to the textured crop lines of rural western Tennessee. Oranges, baby fat, balloon animals and pine cones are a constant source of inspiration. I am intrigued by the idea of life swelling from within, seeds breaking through the earth’s surface and the force of gravity which perpetually plays against them... Beyond inspiration and influence, I love the sheer physicality of working with clay. There is heavy lifting, grunting, cutting, wedging, sweating, centering, hollowing, pushing and pulling … action, art, muscle, mind and craftsmanship … curiosity, exploration, influence, risk, music, spirit and flesh smoothing, scratching, scraping, bending, folding, denting … texture, color, pattern, design and decision … history, memory, chemistry, alchemy and serendipity. There are blacks, reds, oranges, yellows and whites … smoke, grit, gloss, sweat, hunger, humor, caffeine, work and rest. There is anticipation, fellowship, congratulations, disappointment and surprise. The challenge remains for me to create vessels that continuously speak to these elements and beyond.”

In 2002, photographer Charlie Doggett retired from forty years with Southern Baptists, where he held various jobs, including youth minister, consultant, editor, marketing, business support and as a missionary to Africa. He says, “It was during my three years in The Gambia, West Africa, that my hobby of nature photography took shape… Since childhood I've seen nature as the art of God. I love being outdoors and trying to capture it in the camera. Rather than being a technical photographer who depends on many gadgets and skills, I see good photography as more about the eye and the soul. I hope my images bring new appreciation of nature and God to those who see them…” He continues, “In 2003 I switched to digital, and it has all been out of control since! I love to travel – which is of course limited by cost. I simply see my nature photos as art, thus my theme, ‘Nature as Art!’” Active in First Baptist Church, Nashville, he is a former president of the Nashville Photography Club and a docent and volunteer photographer at Nashville Zoo. Charlie Doggett’s photographs can currently be seen on the cover of the 2008 AT&T Greater Nashville White Pages Telephone Directory, on many exhibit signs and publications at the Nashville Zoo, are available at Chocolate Expressions Gallery on Jefferson Street, Tennessee State Parks, Gas Lamp Antiques Mall, BLACKLION (in Opry Mills Mall) and online through his website.

Artist Jane Word has talents in many areas. Since age seventeen, she has been taking photographs with professional cameras. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Phi Beta Kappa), with degrees in Art History and Philosophy, she has lived in Los Angeles and New Orleans and now resides again in Nashville. After completing her university studies, her first job was at Cheekwood teaching a photography class. Her career in the arts includes working as a fine craft artist, graphic designer, location scout, photographer, and as a textile designer for the apparel industry. She currently works as a designer for a national fine gift company based in Nashville. Of this Centennial Art Center exhibit – her first gallery showing of art photography – she says, “In this series, ‘Landscapes and Artifacts,’ I am not making pretty pictures as much as attempting interesting images that reflect the culture in which we live. Our encounters with landscapes are not limited to purely natural scenes. In our increasingly urban world, what we see of nature frequently includes the human presence. Including the human presence, effects and artifacts in these images help to tell a story. I’m not judgmental about whether the human influence belongs in the landscape; I am simply shooting what is. These images then are landscapes in an expanded sense, encountered outdoors and indoors: nature found in constructed settings and artifacts found in natural settings. The natural world affects us, and we affect the world. It’s a loop.”

Jane Word has exhibited her paintings, photography and contemporary quilt art in a variety of settings, including the Back in Touch Wellness Center, Central South Art Exhibition, The Gallery at First Church Unity, Tennessee Art League, Tennessee Arts Commission Gallery, Artstravaganza (national juried show) Chattanooga, American Craft and Folk Art - Very Special Arts Gallery, Washington, D.C., The Best of Tennessee Crafts, (TACA biennial juried show), Freehand Gallery, Los Angeles and The Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles. Jane word has been represented by Carole Kraus Fine Craft, New York, and as a textile designer, is represented by Studio Loplop, Los Angeles, and Splash Ltd., New York.

Centennial Art Center’s gallery manager, Lena Lucas, says, “As a pottery teacher myself, I appreciate Eric’ fluid, organic approach. His Artist’s Statement speaks to the hearts of all who have worked with and come to love clay. As a lover of photography, I am intrigued by the contrasts in the works of Charlie and Jane. Both are inspired by “nature,” but their approaches are so different, yet equally compelling.” The Center’s Director, Brenda McSurley, shares, “We are so happy Metro Parks’ Centennial Art Center can offer opportunities for so many of the regions fine artists to exhibit in our gallery. We are equally happy that the public can share in the experience, and hope they will visit us during the month of August!” The public is invited to attend the special opening reception in honor of Eric Botbyl, Charlie Doggett and Jane Word on Friday, August 8, from 5 PM - 7 PM. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.