'Magic Dirt' Ceramics Show to Open Jan. 15

The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries at Old Dominion University will open "Magic Dirt," a national juried exhibition showcasing contemporary ceramics sculpture, Saturday, Jan. 15. The show, which is free and open to the public, runs until Feb. 20.

The show's jurors, Juan Granados, associate professor of art at Texas Tech University, and Richard Nickel, associate professor of art at ODU, designed the exhibit to showcase innovative contemporary ceramics sculpture and functional forms. With "Magic Dirt," they were looking for personal and artistic narratives through the medium of ceramics.

"We wanted works that spoke eloquently about the artists' abilities to communicate their artistic visions and statements through the use of ceramics and in some cases mixed media," Granados and Nickel said in a joint statement. "Ultimately we chose artworks that were impressive examples of artists communicating with visual interplay in media, commentary, social and political awareness, humor and a range of aesthetic exploration. Overall, we believe the exhibition presents wonderful and excellent examples of personal artistic narratives in ceramics."

An opening reception will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21. The Gordon Galleries, located at 4509 Monarch Way, between 45th and 46th streets, are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information call 683-6271 or visit http://al.odu.edu/art/gallery/index.php.