This exhibit features the individual works of two Montana ceramic artists exploring lowfire woodfiring processes. Each artist has their own unique approach to form and surface, and investigate the possibilities of creating and firing works with an extremely hands-on approach.There is also a workshop in conjunction with the exhibit in which George and Phil willdemonstrate their techniques and fire work with enrolled workshop participants.
George Metropoulos McCauley, a Greek/American potter, has taught and conducted workshops internationally. The recipient of three National Endowment for the Arts grants and the prestigious Roy Acuff Chair of Excellence for the Arts at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, TN, his pottery and sculpture are included in international collections in 11 countries and has been shown worldwide in countless exhibitions. He maintains a studio at his home in Helena, Montana where he makes colorful earthenware pots and narrative sculpture. Along the way he has worked as a chef in a Greek restaurant, horse trainer, fulltime cowboy, concrete inspector, aluminum siding salesman, western catalog model, lifeguard and carpenter.
Philip Mahn was born and raised in Great Falls and currently lives in Florence. His development as a potter has been through independent study, mentoring, and a variety of community ceramic studios like the Paris Gibson Square, The Clay Studio of Missoula, University of Montana, and the Archie Bray Foundation. His work is a collaboration of the intuitive interaction with clay and the embracement of the firing processes that make it uniquely ceramic.
The George and Phil Show: Works by George McCauley & Phil Mahn will be on display at the Clay Studio of Missoula from October 6-27, 2017, with an opening on Friday, October 6, from 5:30-9pm. Gallery events are free and open to the public.