Art is Life and Life is Art for Winfield potter Ann Edwards. Currently a full-time student at Wichita State University studying ceramics and anthropology, Edwards brings her unique creations to Gallery 1001 as a new member artist. Edwards has known she was an artist since her teen years. However, for several years she suppressed her passion for art and worked in offices while she started her family. Recently, she returned to school to study art and perfect her skills in ceramics, photography, and graphic design.
Part of her university training involved apprenticing in a retail art location, and she has served Gallery 1001 as an apprentice for several years. Now closer to completion of her college work, she is welcomed as a full member artist at the gallery.
For Ann Edwards, art is the life-blood that holds people together. Edwards blends a passion for nature and the environment with her artwork. She has long been disturbed at the increasing tendency for disposable utensils in daily life, and offers durable, functional art for use around the house, particularly in the kitchen.
“I make high-fired functional pottery and choose the type of clay body to match the functionality of the piece. I focus on form and color in my work and use soda or wood-fired salt atmospheric techniques to bring in another aspect of nature and beauty to my work. I feel a great satisfaction in being able to provide a beautiful healthier alternative of functionality to the user.”
Edwards notes her love of nature and the environment have had heavy influences on her work. To that end, she has surrounded herself with her unique creations. “I have replaced all plastics in my kitchen with pottery or glass, including storage containers.” She is delighted to offer healthy and environmentally sound alternatives for use in other Winfield homes.
Gallery 1001, 1001 Main in Winfield, will host a welcome reception for Ann Edwards Friday, December 9, 5:00 until 7:00 pm. Stop by to meet Ann, see her unique creations, chat with other talented artists at the gallery and relax in a warm and friendly place.
