Beverly Norton Walker

Ceramic Artist
2873 N Elizabeth Ave
Fayetteville, AR 72703
Tel: (479) 790-4230

"My work is created in cycles comprised of building, glazing and firing. I am always researching new ideas for my work in order to improve the creative flow and process. These newfound techniques allow me to arrive at a unique interaction with each piece."

THE PROCESS

Forming: Construction begins with a concept drawing; this is especially helpful when beginning a new series or form. Most of my work starts with a flat slab of clay. The slab is then manipulated in a variety of ways.

Over the years, I have accumulated a vast array of tools. They range from tiny hand tools to large-scale metal or wood devices that may be utilized in the work process. These tools are secondary to the human hand in the creation process but are essential to my work.

Each piece is signed and impressed with my personal stamp or “chop”.

Bisque Firing: Following the construction phase and after the pieces have dried, they are loaded into a large computer-controlled kiln. Bisque firing takes 12-14 hours to reach a temperature of 1832 degrees. It takes another 24 hours for the kiln to cool down. The pieces are then prepped for the glazing process.

Slip work and Glazing: The techniques of resist and brush application are used before any glazing can be applied. A palette of oxide colorants are added to a clay base for the slips and glazes. I formulate my own slips and glazes from raw materials. Doing this allows me better control of their properties. Application is by means of precise brushwork, latex resists and spraying. The glazes are applied in several layers to create the look I want for that particular piece.

Glaze Firing: After a piece has been glazed, it is then returned to the kiln to be fired slowly to 2232 degrees. This high temperature firing makes the clay body dense or stone-like, hence the term “stoneware”. The firing takes about 16 hours to complete. The kiln is cooled enough to unload the next day. Each piece is inspected, polished and prepped for the client.

This whole process takes several weeks of work. The results are a combination of various factors, planned and sometimes unplanned.

ARTS EDUCATION

• La Meridiana International School of Ceramic Art Certaldo, Italy


• Kalamazoo Institute of Art Kalamazoo, MI


• Art Institute of Houston Houston, TX

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

• 2008 Arkansas Artists Calendar for 2009 Little Rock, AR By: Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Assoc.


• 2007 Constance Petter Gallery Summer Show Douglas, MI


• 2006 14th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery Lancaster, PA National, “Author’s Choice Award” Juror, Tom Coleman


• 2006 Arkansas Arts Council Selected Artist, Little Rock, AR Governor’s Arts Award


• 2005 Oval Gallery Juried Show Little Rock, AR


• 2004 Originals – Arkansas Woman Artists Touring Exhibition By National Museum of Women in The Arts


• 2000 17th Women’s National Juried Art Exhibition Touring Exhibition By National League of American Pen Women “Contemporary Art Award”


• 1999 Arkansas Artists Breaking Boundaries Fayetteville, AR University of Arkansas Juried Exhibition


• 1981 Grand Rapids Art Museum Grand Rapids, MI Invitational Exhibition


• 1980 Kalamazoo Area Show Juried Exhibition Kalamazoo, MI


• 1980 Southwestern Michigan Women Artists Grand Rapids, MI Juried Exhibition


• 1979 Kingscott Gallery Invitational Exhibition Kalamazoo, MI

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS

• Bank of Fayetteville, Fayetteville, Arkansas


• The Williams' Companies, Tulsa, Oklahoma

CURRENT GALLERY AFFILIATIONS

• Urban Living Designs - St. Charles, MO