Creativity with clay

Matheny ceramics display at recent Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Fall Arts Festival

Matheny’s ceramics program continues to grow. Twelve pieces created by Matheny adults were displayed as part of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Fall Arts Festival in Newark, which ended on January 7. And the ceramics program will have its second exhibition at the Bridgewater, NJ, Public Library in June. A reception will be held June 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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 participants. The ceramics program teaches them the fundamentals of working in clay, incorporating the elements of design and the principles of art.

The pottery and sculptural works are created through hand building techniques of pinching, coiling and slab building. Students also produce works thrown on the wheel with use of adaptive equipment. Working processes also include communication books and hand-over-hand methods. The program is coordinated by Jodi Miguel, a Matheny adult services instructor.

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.

From left, Chara Rodriguera, a resident of Bridgewater, Jodi Miguel, an Adult Services instructor, and ceramics artist Dion Alston. Miguel coordinated the ceramics project.

Functional pottery and sculptural works created by students in Matheny’s Adult Services program are currently on display in the Bridgewater Public Library in Bridgewater, NJ, and an opening reception on June 16 drew an enthusiastic crowd of families, Matheny staff members and friends from the community.

Matheny’s adult education programs are designed to instill a sense of self-respect and foster 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. The pottery and sculptural works are created through hand building techniques of pinching, coiling and slab building. Students also produce works thrown on the wheel with the use of adaptive equipment. Working processes also include communication books and hand-over-hand methods.

Hand-built stoneware by Dion Alston.