Ceramics show and open studio at SJCC

To highlight its new state-of-the-art ceramics facility, San Jose City College will host a holiday open house and ceramics show Dec. 9 - 11. Professional and student artists will exhibit a wide range of hand-crafted porcelain and stoneware pieces, and hundreds of reasonably-priced items will be offered for sale. Proceeds will benefit the college arts program.

Attendees will find decorative and functional pottery, including dinnerware, teapots, Ikebana-style vases, and sculptures. In addition, attendees will be able to tour the public areas of the new ceramics studio, which houses electric pottery wheels, hand-building equipment, open work spaces, several gas and electric kilns, a glaze materials room, a spray booth, display cases, and more. Instructors will be on hand to answer questions about the ceramics program and discuss educational opportunities.

The event will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 9, noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 10, and noon - 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the San Jose City College ceramics center, Room A118, 2100 Moorpark Ave in San Jose. Admission is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available on campus on Dec. 9. On Dec. 10-11, on-campus parking will be available in student lots for a $3 daily fee payable at nearby kiosks. In addition, attendees may park for free on nearby streets in non-permit areas on all days.

Artists from Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Alameda counties are expected to participate in the open house and show. Featured artists will include current and former SJCC ceramic instructors, such as Michelle Gregor (http://gregorsculptor.net), John McGinley (http://www.johnmcginleyceramics.com/), Steve Salisian (http://www.mpaf.org/artwork/salisian/index.html), and Jim Wayne (http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/16613917/jim-waynes-saggar-fired-shino-teaware).

Cash or checks are accepted for payment (no credit or debit cards), and attendees are encouraged to bring shopping bags for their purchases. For more information, contact ceramics instructors Michelle Gregor or John McGinley at (408) 298-2181, extension 3816 or visit http://tinyurl.com/sjccpottery2012