11/04/10 jgm

HAYS, Kan. -- FHSU ceramics students will host an exhibit and workshops at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center in Cheyenne Bottoms on Friday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 6. "Beyond Protected Beauty: Ceramic Impressions of the Wetlands" is an exhibition of functional and sculptural ceramic works in response to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.

November is an awesome time to visit Cheyenne Bottoms to see the spectacular migration of thousands of birds, including ducks, geese and sandhill cranes.

The exhibition's opening celebration is at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5. KWEC is open to the public to view FHSU ceramic pieces, and light refreshments will be provided. There is no admission fee to attend.

Students who will have ceramic pieces are listed by hometown and classification.

Black River Falls, Wis.: Leslie Falcon, graduate student.

Burden: Jillian Tatum, senior.

Cawker City: Catrina Wilson, senior.

Dodge City: Claudia Enciso, senior.

Hays: Katrina Florell, graduate student; and John Hamilton, senior.

Radium: Heather Smith, senior.

Rahway, N.J.:Casy Stueber, graduate student.

Russell: C. Ashley Miller, graduate student.

Sidney, Neb.: Ned Day, graduate student.

The introductory workshop, "Beginning Ceramics Workshop: Birds of Nature," will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, for children ages 3 to 9. Formed from the ground and returned to it, participants in this clay workshop will learn about the relationship between clay and nature by taking a guided hike through the Kansas Wetlands Viewing Center. Participants will observe local birds and collect items from nature to construct their very own bird's nest by binding the items with clay.

Participants will learn basic hand-building techniques through the forming of small birds and eggs to be placed in the nest. Participants will then take a journey to the waterside and discuss how they can make a positive impression on the wetlands.

To complete the workshop, participants will watch the birds float off into the distance, returning the clay to its natural form. The nest and eggs will be taken home that afternoon, as a reminder of nature's cycles. Children ages 3 to 5 must be accompanied by an adult.

The advanced ceramics workshop, "Wetlands Impressions Tile Mural," will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6. for children over the age of 10. Participants in a texture scavenger hunt will be guided through the hiking trail of the Kansas Wetlands Viewing Center by artists who will share their perspectives on seeing nature deeply by slowing down and carefully observing patterns, textures and colors.

Participants will "stop and smell the roses," or at least the fall grasses, then harvest textural samples to be impressed into the wet clay. Back in the workshop, participants will collaborate to create a tile mural recording their impressions. The completed mural will be on display at the Wetlands Center in the Spring of 2011.

The cost for each workshop is $5 to cover materials. Pre-register by calling the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268.