RICHMOND, VA.-The Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature, University of Richmond Museums, presents Castings in Contemporary Ceramics, on view October 5 through December 16, 2007. This exhibition features the work of eight contemporary artists who illustrate the complexity and versatility of ceramics being created today. The content of the pieces range from deeply personal and philosophical to concerns about the environment and the human condition, and the artists explore the basic notions of functional ceramics and sculptural objects.

The artworks featured in the exhibition have two things in common; all of the work is made of ceramic material and the artists have utilized a plaster mold at some point in the creation of their work. The similarities end there, and the diversity of the objects demystifies the fine craft of mold making.

Artists featured in the exhibition include Susan Beiner (American, born 1962), Michelle Erickson (American, born 1960), Paul McMullan (American, born 1959), Mika Negishi Laidlaw (Japanese, born 1971), Richard Notkin (American, born 1948), Tom Spleth (American, born 1946), Steven Thurston (American, born 1965), and John Williams (American, born 1974).

Castings in Contemporary Ceramics was organized by the University of Richmond Museums in collaboration with the Potters Council, and Campbells Ceramic Supply, Inc. The exhibition was co-curated by Richard Waller, Executive Director, University of Richmond Museums, and Scott Meredith, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Art, Department of Art and Art History, University of Richmond, and Director of Research and Development, Campbells Ceramic Supply, Inc., Richmond. This exhibition has been made possible in part with funding from the University of Richmond’s Cultural Affairs Committee.

In conjunction with the opening of the exhibition, the Potters Council Contemporary Castings Regional Conference will be held October 5 through October 7, 2007 at the University of Richmond, hosted by the Department of Art and Art History. For more information, call Potters Council at (866) 721-3322 or on the web at www.potterscouncil.org/contemporarycastings.

On view at the Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature, University of Richmond Museums, October 5, 2007 through June 29, 2008, is the exhibition, Ceramic Portraits: The Georganna Yeager Johns Collection of Royal Doulton Character Jugs.

The Royal Doulton company introduced character jugs into their line of ceramic decorative items in 1934. Noted for their details and creativity, these vessels depict figures from history, military, royalty, celebrities from the performing arts, characters from literature, and other themes from popular culture. The exhibition includes a selection of the jugs from the recent gift of Col. Leo D. Johns of his wife’s extensive collection to the museum.

The foundation for Royal Doulton was laid in 1815, when John Doulton (1793-1873) and his partner, John Watts, bought a small stoneware factory in Lambeth, England. Originally, Doulton and Watts produced a line of utilitarian items, including bottles, jars, tobacco containers, and butter dishes, as well as a few traditional brown tobies.

Doulton, along with his son, Henry Doulton (1820-1897), began to develop the business, extending their products to include decorative, commemorative, and artistic pottery. In 1871, they aligned the company with the Lambeth School of Art, London, and the firm became a primary source of artistic ceramic production during the Victorian era. These innovations caught the attention of the Royal Family and in 1901, the factory was granted a Royal Warrant by King Edward VII, allowing the company to adopt the name, Royal Doulton, which continues to manufacture fine ceramics today. Highlights of the exhibition include jugs representing leaders from history, characters from literature and life, as well as fantastical and mystical personalities, including the popular double-sided characters, limited editions, and numerous “tinies,” or miniature jugs.

Organized by the University of Richmond Museums, the exhibition was co-curated by Nan Goff, ’07, and Amanda Doss, ’07, art history majors, University of Richmond. This exhibition is presented concurrently with a display of Royal Doulton character jugs in the lobby of Booker Hall, Modlin Center for the Arts, University of Richmond.