The Motlow State Community College art department will present a unique exhibition of work by artist Carolyn Ford, Feb. 14 – Mar. 22 at the Eoff Hall Gallery on the Moore County campus.
Eoff Hall Gallery hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. There will be an opening reception and artist talk on Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. – noon. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the reception and meet the artist.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Carolyn for many years and have watched her evolve as an artist,” said Brian Robinson, professor of art at Motlow. “This body of work is upbeat, fun, and extremely well-crafted. I am sure our students, faculty, staff, and community will enjoy this exhibit.”
Ford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics, drawing, and painting from Middle Tennessee State University. She received her Master of Fine Arts in ceramics and drawing from Washington State University, and she has studied abroad and exhibited in Italy.
Born and raised in Middle Tennessee, Ford was deeply influenced early in life by distinct aspects of Southern culture: oral storytelling involving exaggerations, yarns and colorful “southernisms”.
“I draw inspiration from Southern traditions of storytelling as I embellish experiences, inspirations and reflections in works with images,” Ford explains. “For example, as the clay warps and waves in the kiln to its final position, it is reminiscent of our exaggerated recollections that evolve into tall tales.”4, Ford’s work is equally inspired by her extensive travel experiences. “Travel fills one with ideas as well as appreciation of home,” she states. “As long as I live, I will need to see, taste, experience and go. I will infuse all I learn into teaching my students while continuously spinning my own adventure-filled yarns.”
Ford currently lives in Gaffney, South Carolina, where she has been the Chair of the Art Department at Limestone College since 2010. She enjoys teaching a wide range of courses from drawing and ceramics to crafts and sculpture.
For additional information about the reception or exhibition, please contact Bobbie Underwood at 931-393-1700 or bunderwood@mscc.edu. For Carolyn Ford’s website go to carolynfordart.com.
