Saturday - Bechtler and Chima

Labor Day weekend Stephanie came home for the weekend and we all went to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and later to Chima for some dinner.  We took the train downtown and waded through the Festival of India that was happening in the street to get to the museum.  I wish we had time to partake in the festival food and events, but we had other plans.

The Bechtler was great, besides the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibit, there are some Picassos, some Miros, a Warhol, and a Degas among many, many others.  Please make the trip if you can.  It's pretty amazing.

One small part of the Festival of India
right in front of the Bechtler.

The Niki de Saint Phalle firebird in front of the Bechtler.

The Niki de Saint Phalle skull in the park across the street.

Meredith enjoying her salmon at Chima.

Stephanie enjoying her bacon-wrapped chicken.

Karen and Stephanie on the train ride home.

Meredith left the seat next to me after I annoyed her.
All part of my evil plan to get a better photo.

And then she realized my plan...

.

Sunday - Afternoon at the Mint Museum

Sunday the Carolina Clay Matters Guild met at the new Mint Museum for a nice tour lead by Verna Witt.  The new Mint is a wonderful space with lots of galleries, a huge atrium, and a very nice flow.  If you are in the area, make it a destination.

Afterward, Kim and I went back to the green to view the sculptures there.

Another in a long line of good days.



The Atrium

Becky, Cindy, Kim, and Chris.

Verna leading the tour.

The tour group behind the collar.

This collar is carved from one piece of marble!

This is a ship's hull cast in glass.

These fabric squares were died from plant materials from NC.

Don Reitz bell.

Marilyn Levine's incredible "Black School Bag".
This "leather" bag is made of clay.

Donna Craven pot.

Mark Hewitt pot.

View out the window of the atrium on the escalator
between floors 3 & 4.

The roof of the skull.

Kim sitting in the skull.

The pearly whites from the inside.
(Now I know how food feels.)

The brick book sculpture at the Tryon Street entrance.

The other side.

The "pages".

The Mint/Bechtler campus.

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

.

Saturday - Afternoon/Evening

Later, while working at Clayworks Elaine, Caroline, and I decided to take a look at the new Niki de Saint Phalle installation on the green.  Since it was a beautiful day, we decided to walk the several blocks.  What we didn't factor in was that while the St. Patrick's Day parade was over, the street festival was going full tilt.  We had to wade through a sea of revelers and wait several minutes at each piece just to get a photo without kids (and adults) covering it.

It was worth the walk and the waiting.  The sculptures are amazing.  Believe me, my pictures do not do them justice.  If you get the chance, you need to come see them in the next five months before they are gone.

After enjoying the artwork, we waded into the crowds to get some festival food for lunch.  Mmm...  Italian and Polish sausages at the St. Patrick's Day festival.  Who knew?

Once we got back to the studio I helped Adrienne sieve some of her glaze and started making pots to raku for an upcoming fundraiser.

Before going home, I stopped at the grocery store and bought a couple of steaks to grill for supper.

It was a(nother) good day.

Bender commands...

The Skull.

Elaine by the skull.

The back of the skull.

Several mosaics cover the back.

Inside, it's full of mirrors.

Next piece, front.

Back.

Some signs on the green.

Next piece.

Closer.

Tiger?

Cat.

My traveling companions,
Elaine and Caroline.

A lot of people.

Beer.

Future raku pieces.

.