Polymer Art Archive

Barbara Sperling and Michael Sakash, Koi Bowl with Lilac Stand, 2006
polymer, lilac twigs, stain, tung oil
13″ h x 16″w x 12″d

The Polymer Collection at the Racine Art Museum will make its debut in an exhibition scheduled for the fall of 2011. This recent acquisition of more than 180 pieces of jewelry and sculpture by RAM represents the first comprehensive collection of polymer art to be accessioned by a major national museum.

To make possible a full-color hardback catalog to accompany this show, Bruce Pepich, Exec. Director of RAM, and I made fundraising presentations at the International Polymer Clay Association Synergy2 Conference a week ago in Baltimore. Those speeches elicited donations of more than $17,000 from 111 generous and committed attendees. Continue Reading »

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Loretta Lam, Laughing Corn, 2009

Loretta Lam’s Neckpiece appeared in CraftForms 2009, the 15th International Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Craft at the Wayne Art Center, Wayne PA from Dec 4, 2009 - Jan 23, 2010.  The exhibition which was curated by Bruce Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections at the Racine Art Museum included more than 100 works in all media.  Loretta comments about her piece: Continue Reading »

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Dan Adams and Cynthia Toops, Sleepless in Seattle Necklace detail, 2010
glass, polymer, silver

Dan Adams and Cynthia Toops have new work in the upcoming exhibit called Glass Quake Again 2010.  The show opens on March 12th and runs thru April 24th at Mobilia Gallery in Cambridge MA.

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Elise Winters, Denim Cascade RUFFLE Neckpiece, 2010

as seen on models during Cynthia Rowley’s Fall 2010 runway show last Friday during NY Fashion Week. Continue Reading »

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If you are in the Philadelphia area this month, don’t miss the Ford/Forlano show at Snyderman-Works Gallery.  Continue Reading »

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Cynthia Toops, Beetlerama, 2009, neckpiece, polymer, upholstery cord

While I’m hibernating for the rest of January and February… here’s some new images to keep you amused.  These two works by Cynthia Toops are Continue Reading »

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Ford/Forlano neckpiece detail

Here’s another sign that polymer continues to gain prominence in the established craft arena. Continue Reading »

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Louise Fischer Cozzi, Necklace Belt II, 2008

Niche Magazine has announced the finalists for their 2010 Niche Awards. In addition to 4 in the polymer category, 6 other polymer works are among this year’s finalist.

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Bruce W. Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections at the Racine Art Museum.

I’ve witnessed Philippe de Montebello trying to weave his magic on a potential major donor to his Metropolitan Museum of New York. Philippe’s pitch, smooth and seductive, had a well rehearsed air to it. Across an antique dining room table in New Jersey, with works by Miró, de Chirico and Edvard Munch adorning the walls, he glided through a presentation that had obviously worked so effectively for him with countless other donors. Although the man’s skills were impressive, the hosts this evening didn’t sign over the painting and sculpture collection that he was after, which went instead to the Portland Museum in Maine. Continue Reading »

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Before this tax year ends, please don’t forget to make your contribution to the RAM Polymer Collection.

Cynthia Toops, Dust If You Must, 2008

Lark Books is adding to its Masters series with a new title called Masters: Polymer Clay due out in late 2010.  Currently in production, this volume will celebrate masterful artistic innovation and imagination in the ever expanding field of artists who are drawn to the enormous creative potential of polymer. The collection, presenting approximately 40 artists, will bring together some of the best examples of early work in polymer, current art by well recognized artists, and an array of lesser known artists who are making their mark with the material. Continue Reading »

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