Ceramics in the park

From left, Dion Alston, Amy Dietrich and Cindy Shanks.

A collection of functional pottery and sculpture works made by Matheny students and patients was exhibited at Peapack-Gladstone’s annual Art in the Park event, held Sunday, September 14, in Peapack’s Liberty Park. Two of the Matheny ceramic artists, Dion Alston and Cindy Shanks, attended the event, along with their instructor, Jodi Miguel.

“We were very warmly received by our hosts, Deborah Ludtke, Jane Simon and Janice Dolan,” Miguel said, “and the participating artists, Dion and Cindy, really enjoyed meeting the attendees, all of whom were extremely friendly and supportive. The best part for me was bringing Dion and Cindy to meet the other potters from Bull’s Eye Pottery and Michele Hill Pottery. We were able to view and feel their work and talk about ceramic processes and glazes. It was a fun day for everyone!”

One of the visitors to the Matheny exhibit was Gladstone resident Amy Dietrich, who is a member of P-G’s Historic  Preservation Committee. “I am inspired by the art of the Matheny students,” she said, “and excited to see them as part of this year’s event.”

Some of the ceramics pieces to be exhibited at Art in the Park.

Handmade glazed ceramic pieces made by students in Matheny’s adult services program will be on display and be offered for sale at Peapack-Gladstone’s Art in the Park event, being held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, in Liberty Park on Main Street.

Some of the ceramic pieces, according to Matheny adult services instructor Jodi Miguel, were made by the adult students individually and others were made collaboratively. “They range from functional pottery works to abstract clay forms,” she says. The biggest collection being sold at Art in the Park, however, will be jewelry—clay pendants and strung beads.

Matheny’s adult education programs are designed to instill a sense of self-respect and provide an opportunity for self-expression for adult residents and adult day health services patients, and the ceramics program teaches them the fundamentals of working in clay, incorporating the elements of design and principles of art.

Art in the Park began in 2000. Sponsored by the P-G Recreation Commission, it is a showcase for a variety of fine art and crafts as well as an introduction to talented student artists. Besides the art, the event includes musical entertainment and refreshments.

Ceramics jewelry, the biggest category to be shown at Art in the Park.