LAUREN MUNNS / multimedia artist: roadtrip

Well last weekend was the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference in Tampa. A couple friends from my ceramics class and I decided to take the journey home for some gallery hopping, lots of walking, and my mama's homemade waffles! We left late Thursday night so that we could get a full day in on Friday. And let me tell you, we jam-packed that day! I can honestly say I have never in my life done this much stuff in one weekend of being home.

After some delicious waffles and bacon, we drove to SPC Clearwater to see an Islamic Influence show that Erika was interested in. Then we continued on to Downtown Tampa and went to the Tampa Museum of Art where they were holding the NCECA Biennial as well as Degas' sculptures. Afterwards we were hungry again (we never stopped eating), so we crossed over the bridge to the University of Tampa. After lunch in an un-air conditioned cafeteria and a few laughs, we crossed back over to downtown. We made a quick pit stop at AIA Tampa Bay to see Michelle's favorite ceramists, Jason Briggs and Stephanie Lanter. After that it was over to the Convention Center to see if we could sneak in to take advantage of the vendors! Unfortunately, we had no luck, but did however get to stock up on business cards, grad school info, and gallery info from around the country.

That night, our ceramics teacher, Holly Hanessian, was curating a show, so we had some time to kill. And what better way to kill time in Tampa than to go to good ole Ybor City for some Urban Outfitters shopping, followed by the theme park that is Ikea. Then we headed over to Tempus Projects for the Material Matrix: 30 North by 84 West show. This is a show that had recently been at the MoFA on campus, but it was lovely to see all the pieces again, including Karen Tharp, whose work I saw last semester in the grad show. Plus, this time there was an adobe brick oven and a pizza making area! Nothing like hanging with friends and artsy people and making a pizza pie on the bed of a vintage truck. As if the day hadn't been crazy enough (it was already 9:00), Holly told us that she was in YET ANOTHER show at the Museum of Science and Industry. So obviously we went over there to check it out. Side note: I felt like a kid in a candy store being in MOSI with almost no one there (that was basically every child in the Tampa area's dream, let's be honest).

A little fun in front of the Tampa Museum of Art.

At the NCECA Biennial. Michelle in front of one of my favorites, an untitled piece by Christopher W. Adams.

Stephanie Lanter's Clench at the You Know You Want To... show at AIA Tampa Bay.

Jason Briggs' Peel at AIA Tampa Bay.

The next morning after a quick breakfast, we decided to go to Downtown St. Petersburg to see two more galleries where Holly's stuff was being shown (she is in about ten shows right now, totally legit) and to Mindy Solomon Gallery where my favorite ceramist, Kate MacDowell, was showing a piece. Mama also treated us to a trip to the Chihuly museum! I die every time I go in there.

A few of Holly's pieces at Florida Craftsmen, Inc. in the Hot and Humid show.

Natural Selection by Angela DiCosola at Florida Craftsman, Inc.

Baby Head(s) by Bart Johnson at Mindy Solomon Gallery.

Queen of Denial by Kate MacDowell at Mindy Solomon Gallery.

Night Blooms by David Hicks (another fave) at Mindy Solomon Gallery.

Another one of Holly's pieces at the Gallery @ 620 in the Resonance show. (I totally sanded these when I worked at her studio!)


My man Dale Chihuly.

And on Sunday, to round out a weekend of absolutely gorgeous weather, we went to the beach for a few hours before taking the long trek back to school! What a glorious time it was. Definitely needed for the crazy week I am having now-- BFA review on Friday! Wish me luck!