And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Opening Monday, October 31 at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts is my first solo show in a looooong time. I've included an array of my usual handmade functional ceramic work - a few mugs, some tumblers, a new wine chiller with stemless wine glasses, and several serving pieces. I also have 144 prints arranged in three large repeat pattern wall coverings hanging in the gallery. Pretty excited about these because one, I've been itching to put the Vandercook at KHN to work and two, these prints have been swimming around in my head for awhile now so it was good to finally get them out on paper!! I'll be posting shots of the installation soon but sincerely hope you'll have the chance to see it in person. The show is up through Friday, December 9.

Exhibition dates: October 31 - December 9

Reception date: Thursday, December 1 from 5 - 7 p.m.

Gallery location: 801 3rd Corso, Nebraska City, NE 68410

Gallery website: www.khncenterforthearts.org

Small Works Group Show at Artisan

A few recent pieces fresh from my studio are included in the Small Works Group Show at Artisan Gallery now through December 31. The show includes work from a number of Artisan's artists, demonstrating the variety and craftsmanship that this gallery is known for supporting. A reception for the show is happening November 4 from 5 - 9 p.m. and I've heard they throw a pretty delicious event so stop on in if you are in the area!!

Exhibition dates: September 16 - October 30

Gallery location: 6858 Paoli Rd, Belleville, WI

Gallery website: www.artisangal.com

New Work at Artisan Gallery 8th Annual Ceramics Invitational

A box filled with new work just arrived at the Artisan Gallery in Belleville, Wisconsin for their 8th Annual Ceramics Invitational today. I sent them some of the new wine tumblers and chillers so stop by and check them out! The show runs from September 16 until October 30 with a reception on the opening day from 5 - 9 p.m. My work will be hanging on with that of many respected artist friends such as Jeff Campana and Karl Borgeson.

Exhibition dates: September 16 - October 30

Gallery location: 6858 Paoli Rd, Belleville, WI

Gallery website: www.artisangal.com

Inaugural Neb City Studio Sale, Sept. 17 & 18

Join me and special guest artist, Eric Petersen, during AppleJack weekend for an art sale at my home studio!! This will be the first time of opening up my space to the public since relocating to Nebraska City. Help me in celebrating my new studio and the new pots being made in it! Look forward to seeing you there!

We'll be open from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 17 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. If you can't make it to the sale, visit my Etsy shop following to see what is left http://www.etsy.com/shop/JenniBrantCeramics

While you're in town for this sale, be sure to take in some of the great events planned for Nebraska City's 43rd AppleJack Festival. There is going to be a carnival, a HUGE parade, a classic car show, a quilt show, a fun run/walk, and more!

Some Recent or Upcoming Fundraisers I'm Excited to be a Part of

I know how artists get asked left and right to give work to art auctions to benefit this charity and that non-profit. We are often asked to fully donate work that we have spent money and time to lovingly create, a request that often left me feeling that I was being taken advantage of or that people didn't respect the work of an artist. However, I've changed my tune. I recently had an ephiphany that by donating my work to causes I believed in I could do my part to help. I don't have cash to hand out and I don't have time to volunteer. What I do have are objects that I make by hand with love and care. Those objects can be given to auctions and fundraisers in which they will act as a catalysis for someone else to open their wallet. These events are also a great way to get your work in front of new audiences in new venues. So this year, I've given work to what I consider to be some worthy causes:

Tastes in the Tallgrass, Saturday, September 26 @ Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center to benefit Spring Creek Prairie

A deLUX Gala, Saturday, September 19 @ Grand Manse, Lincoln, Nebraska to benefit LUX Center for the Arts