First program will feature film, commentary on ceramicist Karen Karnes
Master potter Karen Karnes will be the subject of a free program at Penn State’s Great Valley campus on Feb. 7.
A program designed to celebrate the achievements of gifted contemporary artists working with diverse materials will be presented at Penn State’s Great Valley campus.
The series, hosted by Craig Edelbrock, PSGV’s chancellor, will examine renowned artists and will debut Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. with the film “Don’t Know, We’ll See.” The hour-long film focuses on the life and work of Karen Karnes, a master clay artist, and one of the pioneers of the 20th-century craft movement.
Following the film, Edelbrock will lead a discussion on Karnes, a potter and ceramic artist born in 1925. Karnes’ 80-year career, which began in a Bronx housing community, parallels the blossoming of the studio craft movement in America, the rise of ceramics to a lofty level in the hierarchy of the arts, and the ongoing development of feminism and equality for women.
Karnes’ ties to Pennsylvania and Chester County are significant, having lived and worked in Stroudsburg early in her career and having Mary Caroline Richards of Kimberton as a collaborator, business partner, and lifelong friend.
The event is free, but registration is required at www.sgps.psu.edu/Karnes/.
