LONG BEACH, CA.- The Long Beach Museum of Art opened Transformed by Fire: A Collection of Contemporary Ceramics, a diverse selection of functional and sculptural contemporary ceramics from the collection of Long Beach resident, Richard Oelschlaeger. The artists' creations in clay are local, regional, statewide and national in significance. They represent a wide variety of traditions including studio pottery from the east coast and innovations in clay from such centers as the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana and the Anderson Ranch in Colorado. Rather than being an historical review of ceramics, or, an all-inclusive round-up of contemporary ceramic artists, this exhibition has been assembled with this enthusiastic collector's eye in mind.

A maker himself, Oelschlaeger has a great appreciation for ceramics of all types, styles, and sizes of studio pottery, functional ware, and sculpture. The functional objects in the collection cover a wide range of artist-made ceramic forms that are hand-built, slab-built, wheel-thrown, and mold-made. Selections of pitchers, teapots, bowls, vases, and serving dishes come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, amply demonstrating the nearly inexhaustible possibilities for ceramic vessels as art objects. Nearly every kind of surface treatment is represented in the collection, as the artists’ creative choices of types of clay, glazes, surface designs and textures create a shimmering array. If you have ever wondered about the process of turning the stuff of this earth into beauty, this collection amply illustrates the emotional connection we have with ceramics—the making of which through the ages has transformed earth with fire and water into useful and aesthetic objects.

Oelschlaeger’s passion for contemporary ceramics is unbounded. Beginning with a class in ceramics that he took at California State University, Long Beach in 1969, Oelschlaeger began trying new forms and glazes first in Long Beach and later in workshops taught at major centers for ceramics throughout the country. Acquiring artwork directly from the artists and from galleries, Oelschlaeger’s collection grew in a friendly competition with friend and colleague, LBMA Docent Frieda Bradsher.

“We are pleased to showcase highlights from Oelschlaeger’s amazing ceramics collection,” said Executive Director Ron Nelson. “This is the first time his collection has been made available for public view in such breadth and depth, and we know that our members and guests will appreciate this wonderful show.”