Ceramics & Metals: Selections

Brackett Clark / Amy Ernst / Ginger Heath / Sydney Murphy / Denise Ostlund / Cody Redinger / Jessica Sassmannshausen / Emeline Wolff

Brackett Clark

Artist Statement: I seek to notice the details in our daily world: minute impermanent details that many of us overlook. In both photography as well as metalworking, I enjoy using geometric patterns because that is the way I see the world. Line and shape; light and dark. 

Bio: Chance is an artist with several focuses. Primarily, he is a photographer. He also dabbles in other avenues such as drawing and jewelry making. 

Amy Ernst

Artist Statement: Through the medium of ceramics, I like to create pieces that resonate with, and tell the story of my soul. By letting my intuition and emotions guide my practice, I tend to make pots along the theme of family, journey, and life. I also love to use many bright colors to express joy, exuberance, and vibrance which are all qualities I see in my personality. As I am still experimenting with different techniques, the way these themes are executed will change and evolve with my practice.

Bio: After graduating university in the midst of the pandemic, like many, she was at a loss of what to do. Thankfully she was able to take a year off to discover what she wanted to pursue in life. During that time, she took classes at Clark College and was able to remember her passion for art through rediscovering her creativity which was neglected for so long. Now she is working as a full time artist and pursuing a career in ceramics.

Ginger Heath

Artist Statement: I enjoy making art reflecting the beauty of the more macabre aspects of nature. Something most people would shy away from, like the details of a mummified rat's tail, are exciting to me. I think living things retain a sense of wonder even after death, so I try to draw other people into that mindset too.

Bio: Ginger Heath is a 2022 High School graduate who attended Clark College as a Running Start student. They love animals, nature, and amateur taxidermy.

Sydney Murphy

Artist Statement: I'm often driven by textures and layering in a piece. I enjoy making things that I would like to see as art in my home.

Bio: Sydney Murphy has been creating her whole life. She loves painting in watercolor and gouache, as well as, sketching with pen, oil pastels, and colored pencil. Recently, after taking ceramics in the fall, she has found a new love for sculpting.

Denise Ostlund

Artist Statement: In my art, I gravitate toward natural, organic shapes and colors. I am drawn to the sea, be it the shapes of sea life, the colors of the coastline, or silhouettes on the water. I prefer hand building ceramics and especially enjoy how clay can be manipulated with various techniques. Printmaking is new to me and can be tricky, so I really appreciate the reward of that "keeper" print.

Bio: Looking to revive her rusty artistic skills, Denise Ostlund, found herself back at the Frosts Art Center at Clark College after twenty years - a time when she had been shifting from design & graphic arts, to oil painting, and also ceramics. After waiting for ceramics to be in person, she embraced both ceramics and printmaking in the Winter quarter of this year and is hooked. She is looking forward to expanding upon those skills in future classes.

Cody Redinger

Artist Statement: Creating art for me is releasing thoughts and feelings in a way that words just don't do justice. Common themes in my work include the human figure, surrealism, spirituality, and mortality. Often enough though, I'm just having fun with it and making something interesting to look at. 

Bio: One of Cody's aspirations is to master as many art forms as he can. Most recently he has ventured into metal working in Clark's Metal Arts program.

Jessica Sassmannshausen

Artist Statement: I crafted these rings from scratch using sheets of copper, brass, 925 silver. Stone is a Blue Topaz incased in 925 sterling silver.

Emeline Wolff

Artist Statement: I enjoy pushing myself to make detailed, intricate work. Most of my pieces include a central animal character that  helps to tell a story, which can be anywhere from realistic to dreamlike.

Bio: Emeline Wolff is a 19 year old artist who's work mostly focuses on animals. She uses a wide variety of media and is constantly exploring more.