In-Town Gallery's 45th Holiday Show opens Friday

In-Town Gallery Contributed Image / Jan Lamoreaux's painted silk ruana.
In-Town Gallery Contributed Image / Jan Lamoreaux's painted silk ruana.

The seasons are changing and so is In-Town Gallery's artwork. A reception on Friday, Nov. 1, will open In-Town's 45th Holiday Show featuring the work of more than 30 gallery members in painting, photography, jewelry, textiles, sculpting and woodworking.

The show will also spotlight the work of the gallery's newest members: potter Jonathan Clardy and fabric artist Jan Lamoreaux.

The reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the gallery, 26-A Frazier Ave. The exhibit will remain on display through Nov. 30.

Clardy was bitten by the pottery bug over 25 years ago while taking a class at Chattanooga State Community College. His delight in its challenges has never faded.

"My work consists of wheel-thrown and hand-altered pieces," he says. "I begin each creation with its useful function in mind, but the shape and details evolve as I work the clay, letting my wares develop in an organic process that merges my intentions with the natural elements in the clay body."

photo In-Town Contributed Image / Jonathan Clardy vessel with lid.

While working on his BFA, the potter gained experience with gas, wood and soda firing, as well as gas-reduction firing and raku. He has taught at Chattanooga State as well as in workshops and private lessons. He also began a co-op studio for professional ceramic artists called The 423 Pottery Studio.

Lamoreaux moved to Chattanooga in 2018 with 40 years experience in sewing and 15 years experience in dyeing and painting silk.

"I like to have a sense of movement in my designs," says Lamoreaux. "I begin with white silk stretched on a wood frame and use special dyes necessary for a protein-based fabric such as silk. I sketch a freehand design on the fabric and apply various substances to attract or resist the dye. I paint with a brush, bottle, feather and leaf, using various additional materials such as salt, alcohol, hairspray or wax to bring life to the design.

"Once the piece is taken off the frame, the painted silk is processed so heat and moisture can cure the dye to make the color permanent and hand-washable. I then cut the fabric into the garment components before sewing them into their final form."

Lamoreaux was a founding member of The Lemonade Art Gallery in Washington, N.C.

Gallery hours are 11 am.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information: 423-267-9214.

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