New studio and gallery a place to “see and make art”

Artists Virginia Scotchie and Bri Kinard envision their new venture, Redbird Studio and Gallery, as a place where experienced and budding artists can work in a supportive and accessible environment and where regional artists not yet represented in the community can show their art.

“Redbird is a place both to see and make art,” says Scotchie, a University of South Carolina professor. “We will provide a unique and creative space for the community.”

Redbird’s grand opening on Dec. 7 will provide a look at artworks rarely shown in Columbia, a drawing for several free works of art and hands-on art activities. The event is free and open to the public and runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Redbird is located at 2757 Rosewood Drive.

Classes in ceramics and printmaking will be taught in a fully equipped studio with 10 pottery wheels, kilns and a small press. Options include six-week classes, introductory one-night classes, a date-night class for couples and ceramics-making parties. Children’s classes will be held weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. The full schedule of classes starts in early January, and prices will include all materials and tools.

Zak Helenske

The gallery will feature ceramics, wood and metal sculpture, prints, drawings, wearable art and video. Among the artworks are tea pots and vases by Jim Connell; ceramic sculptures by Paula Smith; ceramics by Zak Helenske; wood sculptures and paper collages by Paul Martyka; drawings and performance videos by Jon Prichard; prints and drawings by Tom Nakashima; and wearable art by Courtney Starrett. Work by Scotchie and Kinard will also be shown at the gallery. Redbird will mount a new exhibition every six weeks.

Redbird artistic director Virginia Scotchie’s ceramic sculptures have been shown extensively throughout the United States and abroad including at the C-Ram-X @ Galerie Helenbeck in Paris and the Biennale Internationale de Vallauris International Ceramic Invitational in Vallauris, France. She is winner of the Sydney Meyer Fund International Ceramics Premiere Award from the Shepparton Museum in Victoria, Australia.

Studio manager and instructor Bri Kinard earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of South Carolina and a master of fine art from Rochester Institute of Technology School for American Crafts in New York. Her work will be included in the upcoming 69th annual Scripps College Ceramics Annual in California.

For more information, visit Redbird Studio and Gallery or call (803) 727-2955.

Photo: work by Zak Helenske

Via: Redbird Studio and Gallery