"Yankee Clay: Ceramic Artists of the Northeast," an exhibition curated by John Gill, professor of ceramic art in the School of Art and Design, Alfred University, features the work of several Alfred University faculty and alumni.

"Yankee Clay," sponsored by the Katherine Forest Crafts Foundation, Inc., may be seen at the Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT, through Aug. 25. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Gill was asked to assemble a group of clay artists from the northeastern U.S. "whose work he admired and which reflected the multifaceted approach to clay characteristic of our times: traditional, functional pottery; ceramic sculpture; vessels as form; installation works; and ceramics as design.

"The result," according to a museum spokesperson, "is not only a veritable who’s who in this field and a unique assembly of artists whose work is seldom seen together in one place, but also an important opportunity for craftsmen, crafts enthusiasts and collectors of this region to view the current state of contemporary clay artistry.

"Ranging from such American icons as Wayne Higby, the first contemporary ceramist to have his work acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Val Cushing, who has exhibited in over 200 shows during his long career, to emerging artists like Michael Jones McKean, who is fresh out of graduate school, the show includes a wealth of diversity, beauty and remarkable innovation," the museum spokesperson said. "If there appears to be an overemphasis on Alfred University’s School of Art and Design, its current faculty and graduates, that is because it is not only the most important center of ceramic instruction and clay design in North America, but it is where John Gill hangs his rather large hat."

Among the Alfred ceramic art division faculty whose work is included in "Yankee Clay" are Higby, Anne Currier, Andrea Gill, John Gill, Walter McConnell, and Linda Sikora. Andrea Gill, John Gill and Walter McConnell are also AU alumni.

Other AU alumni are: Andy Brayman, Lawrence Bush, Michael Connelly, Julia Galloway, Jason Green, Chris Gustin, Linda Huey, James Klein, McKean, Denise Pellitier, Aysha Peltz, Dirk Staschke, Matthew Towers and Todd Wahlstrom.