Christopher Malec Ceramic Art Comes To Honeywell Center
January 2, 2007
What began as a middle school art student's addiction to peeling and pulling clay, has now turned into a native Hoosier's way of life, not to mention his livelihood.
Works by Christopher Malec – a self-taught clay potter – will be on display in the Honeywell Center's Clark Gallery Jan. 5 – Feb. 4. The Clark Gallery is open all week from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Artwork may be purchased through the Box Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Although he is a now a resident of Minnesota, Malec's roots are in Indiana. He went to high school in Valparaiso and earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana in 2001. He moved to Minneapolis in 2003.
"We are proud to showcase the works of Hoosiers and former Hoosiers," said Bonnie McKee, executive assistant and gallery manager for the Honeywell Center. "Christopher is a talented artist whose name and artwork continues to spread throughout the Midwest."
Indiana's Clayfest 2006 recently exhibited his work, "A Pair of Shino Vases", at the University of Indianapolis. He has also had showings at the 2006 Powderhorn Art Fair in Minneapolis and the Honeywell Center's 2005 Craft Show.
Malec opened his own studio in 2004, where he has begun to hone his throwing skills and personal style. It's a far cry from his work as a "kiln monkey" at Grey Fox Pottery – a St. Paul-based company that specializes in mugs and pottery pieces used in places such as U.S. Presidential retreat Camp David and Renaissance Fairs nationwide. He became a production potter in 2005. Malec's artwork includes ceramics and functional pottery – pottery that can be used in and for everyday life, such as plates, bowls, mugs and pots.
"The Honeywell Center is dedicated to promoting cultural opportunities for the residents of northeast Indiana," McKee said. "That includes bringing in artists from around the country to exhibit their work."
The Honeywell Center is north central Indiana's premier entertainment facility with more than 3,000 events and 200,000 visitors annually. Concerts, conferences, charity galas, art exhibits, and educational outreach programs are among the diverse events held at the Honeywell Center. All programs are provided with support from Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For a complete show listing, visit the Honeywell Center website at www.honeywellcenter.org.