Editor's pick: Talent times two

Kathy Jeffers and Buff McAllister show off whimsy and invention in ‘Twice Woven/Twice Fired’

WHEN: Saturday, May 31 through Sunday, July 13, with an opening reception from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on May 31. Gallery hours Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Catskill Artists Gallery, Livingston Manor, NY.

COST: Free.

CONTACT: catskillartistsgallery.com or 845/292-0310.

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The upcoming show at the Catskill Artists Gallery in Livingston Manor, “Twice Woven/Twice Fired,” exemplifies the power of craftsmanship to enter into the realm of art when wielded by talents such as potter Kathy Jeffers and weaver Buff McAllister. Both artists are founding members of the co-op gallery, which also has work by other members and consignors, representing about 40 artists, always on display.

Jeffers writes, “I’ve had a love affair with clay for most of my life, starting as a young girl playing, first, with mud I found at the bottom of the driveway, then with colored modeling clay that I talked my mother into buying. In college, an elective class in pottery reminded me how much I love and am good at working with clay. I love its pliancy and immediacy. I love to push it to its limits, which I achieve with a very delicate touch combined with a thorough understanding of how this wonderful medium behaves. I also love its surprises, such as sitting down to create one thing and ending up with something totally different. There are also surprises in the results of firing the pieces. ‘Twice-fired’ refers to the two firings of each piece: once at low temperature to make the work rigid enough to glaze, and one at high temperature to adhere the glaze to the work.”

Buff McAllister writes: “I have been a weaver for many years, and have created collaged fabric wall hangings for almost as long. In this exhibit, I combine these two passions. The works in this exhibit are all woven, not of yarn or thread, but of already woven fabric. Hence, the name ‘twice-woven.’ Although I do use regular commercial fabric, I particularly enjoy re-using fabric. I get yardage and old clothes from thrift shops and friends, and cut them up for re-use in my work. I know very well the labor involved in weaving fabric, and it pleases me to give new life to old scraps.”

The next exhibit planned for the Catskill Artists Gallery is “Catskill Impressions,” an unjuried show, open to all, of impressions of the Catskill area, people or scenery, in any medium. That show will open on July 19 and run through August 31.