Ceramics Featured In March Ocean City Arts Center Exhibit

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ceramics are the focus of the March Gallery exhibit at the Ocean City Arts Center.

"Centering" features the work of Elizabeth Ohlson, known regionally for her art quilts, which were featured at the Arts Center in 2019. But before art quilting, Ohlson was a potter for more than 30 years, receiving a BFA in ceramics from the University of Kansas.

Ohlson became competent in the world of functional pottery such as teapots and plates, but a workshop at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in 1980 opened her eyes to a new world of pottery.

In her first week at the workshop, Ohlson learned to throw the unusual plate forms on display in the exhibit. She also learned about air-brushing techniques, and each flat plate became a canvas for experimentation.

The plates on display in this show were wheel thrown, bisque fired, decorated and fired a second time. Ohlson's technique in building the plates is, after centering the clay, she makes an opening with her thumbs as the wheel turns and raises the clay to be cylinder. Next, she presses a straight edge (ruler) against the sides from the inside, carefully lowering the sides as the wheel turns until the sides are as horizontal as possible.

The show opens March 2 and runs through March 28, with a "Meet the Artist" reception on March 10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Ocean City Arts Center is located on the second floor in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Arts Center is closed on Sunday. For further information, call (609) 399-7628.