Blog
The Hands Behind the Throwdown
The 11th Annual VisArts Chili Throwdown presented by TowneBank is coming up on October 3, as you may have seen. Perhaps you’re reading this after a hot day on the River or under the shade of your rainbow umbrella on the beach; our fall fundraiser might still feel out of reach in the somewhat distant future. For our clay community, however, October 3 feels like a fast-approaching deadline.
As we gear up for the hundreds of neighbors and supporters who attend the Throwdown, VisArts’ clay team has a goal to throw, glaze, and fire 1,000 chili bowls for the event. We are lucky to have a community of generous potters who attend our Throw-A-Thons, donating their time and talents to make these bowls, and we know it’s no small feat. To team up with Abby Lee, our expert Clay Technician organizing this effort, VisArts has tapped another skilled potter to help lead the charge.
We are excited to share that we have selected Remy Ciuba as this year’s Featured Clay Artist! Remy will be in residence at VisArts through the end of the year, and will be throwing bowls alongside fellow clay artists at VisArts’ two upcoming Throw-A-Thons on Sunday, August 10 and Sunday, August 31.
Remy is a clay artist who draws from both her personal background and the natural world. Her work is ultimately an expression of interconnectedness of materials, geography and people. Her Irish roots inform a worldview of solidarity with the oppressed and a deep appreciation for craft and labor. This is reflected in the patterns, colors, and motifs of her work, which are inspired by the natural environment and historical ceramics from around the world. Remy finds a profound connection to people through creating functional art—pieces that are made to be held and used. Her work lives in hands, cupboards, sinks, and on counters, altars, and dinner tables, created through a mindful process of repetition and simplicity.
For this fundraiser, Remy is dedicated to making an impressive 150 bowls. If you’re lucky enough to get a sneak peek of what she’s making while crossing paths in our clay studios, be sure to cheer her on. For the rest of our supporters, we can’t wait for you to discover her uniquely handmade bowls at the Chili Throwdown on Friday, October 3!