Shalene Valenzuela:

“Recipe for Disaster”


Opening Exhibition and Reception with the Artist.
First Friday, February 4th, 2011 6 – 9pm
Light refreshments will be served.


“Easy Mix – Balancing Act” Slipcast ceramic, cone 04, underglaze illustration, print transfer

Shalene Valenzuela’s ceramic work consists of quirky pieces reflecting a variety of issues with a thoughtful, yet humorous and ironic tone. Her inspiration is found in everyday common objects she reproduces through slipcasting, then illustrates with a variety of handpainted and screenprinted images. We welcome Shalene to Plinth Gallery for her first exhibition in Colorado.

“Blending In – Consumed” Slipcast ceramic Cone 04, underglaze illustration, print transfer


Saturday Workshop with Shalene
On Saturday, February 5th, from 9am until 5pm, Plinth Gallery will host the first of three, one-day workshops in the Gallery studio space. In this session, Shalene Valenzuela will demonstrate a variety of surface-embellishment techniques and image application. Through slide presentation, lecture and hands-on demonstration, she will share her unique process of illustrating on bisque surfaces and incorporating print aspects with her drawn images.

Shalene earned her MFA in ceramics from the California College of Arts and Crafts, and has recently taught at the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. A former resident at the Archie Bray Foundation, she currently works at The Clay Studio of Missoula, Montana.

Cost for this workshop is $85 which includes lunch. Space is limited to 20 students and advance registration and payment will guarantee a space. Students will also receive a 10% discount on Gallery purchases the day of the workshop. Please contact Plinth Gallery for additional information and to register.

Plinth Gallery News:

Workshop Series: Shalene’s February 5th workshop will be the first in our series on Surface Decoration.

On April 2, Yoko Sekino-Bove will demonstrate decoration techniques including sgraffito, carving, stamping, and a variety of glaze painting, as well as wet clay surface techniques such as mishima and slip painting. Students will actively participate in this workshop and make a variety of clay stamps to use on their own work. A supply list will be emailed to participants in advance of the workshop. Yoko’s show, “Fragile Immortality” will be the featured exhibit at Plinth for April.
On May 7, Connie Norman will conduct a seminar on glazing techniques for terra cotta and white earthenware pottery, using masking tape and other office supplies to cut resist-style designs. Students should bring several pieces of bisque-fired work to experiment with glazing techniques demonstrated in this workshop. Connie’s show, “Snippets of Conversation” will be the May exhibition at Plinth.
Each day-long workshop begins at 9am, ends by 5pm, and includes lunch. Cost is $85 for each seminar, or register for all three sessions for $230. Space is limited to 20 students, so registration will be on a first-come, first served basis and advance payment will guarantee a space. Specific information for each workshop, including any necessary supplies, will be mailed to each student when payment is received. Cancellations will be fully refunded if made by 5pm on the Monday before the workshop. Students will also receive a 10% discount on any Gallery purchase the day of the workshop only. For additional information or to register, contact Plinth Gallery at 303-295-0717, or email [email protected].


CALL FOR ENTRY: Plinth Gallery, in collaboration with Anderson Ranch, is presenting a two-­month exhibition to celebrate ceramics in Colorado. The exhibition will showcase a diversity of contemporary ceramics, both functional and sculptural, that are exceptional in concept and execution, and completed within the last year. Jonathan Kaplan is issuing an invitation to all Colorado?based ceramic artists to participate in this unique exhibition, scheduled to open June 3, 2011. Submission information is here.
Gallery Hours: Thursday through Saturday, noon-5pm, and other times by appointment. 303-295-0717