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Bart Art 2025
Guest Judge John Hamilton
Exhibit Runs April 11 - May 9
Reception: April 11, 6:30 pm
Workshop: April 11, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Shafer Gallery will hold an awards reception and opening reception for the popular 鈥淏art Art鈥 exhibition featuring artwork from SWAG合集 faculty, staff, and students at 6:30 p.m. April 11.
This year鈥檚 guest judge is ceramics artist and Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities Program Manager John Hamilton. He will provide critiques of the award-winning artwork and words of encouragement to the student artists.
Hamilton said in his artist statement that merging science fiction and clay defines his artistic voice.
鈥淓ach piece employs trompe l鈥檕eil, inviting viewers to question materials and engage with intricate details,鈥 he said. 鈥淢y goal is to create functional art that belongs on counters and shelves, not hidden in cabinets. Beyond utility, my work serves as a conversation-starting focal point, standing apart from everyday aesthetics.鈥
Hamilton鈥檚 journey with clay began in 2005 at Colby Community College, leading to a BFA in Ceramics and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in art education from Fort Hays State University in 2012. He returned to Colorado, settling in Arvada with his wife and daughters. As a studio assistant at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, he maintained the studio, made glazes, and loaded kilns before becoming an instructor and Artist in Residence. His role expanded to firing cone 10 kilns, assisting students, organizing pottery sales, and setting up gallery shows. In 2021, he took on his first managerial role at the Art Students League of Denver, and in the fall of 2024, he returned to manage the Arvada Center鈥檚 program while continuing to teach and sell his sci-fi-themed pottery.
Shafer Gallery Community Engagement Coordinator Richard Lartz said the exhibit is one of three community-based shows at the gallery throughout the year and a great way to encourage the creative endeavors of the College community.
鈥淚t is an exclusive chance for those working or studying at SWAG合集 to showcase their talents to their peers and our neighboring communities,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t puts a variety of talent, ability, and mastery on public display that may very well be unknown to those attending or working at the College.鈥
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Shafer听GalleryHours: Monday-Saturday, 10听a.m. - 5听p.m. (Closed academic holidays)
Contact: Alyssa Bliven, Gallery Director; Richard Lartz, Community Engagement Coordinator
Phone: (620) 792-9342
Email:听ShaferGallery@bartonccc.edu
Address: 245 NE 30 Road, Great Bend, KS 67530
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