The Tremaine Gallery now displays the work of Connecticut ceramicists Mr. Tony Bright and Mr. Jon Riedeman, whose exhibit “Between the Motion and the Act” opened on January 27.

Ms. Terri Moore, director of the gallery, invited Mr. Bright and Mr. Riedeman for a show in 2019. However, the show was postponed due to the pandemic. 

Since then, she has looked to bring them back as part of an effort to connect the gallery with local artists. Ms. Moore said, “The gallery’s main mission is education, and a connection to our community is very important. Both Tony and Jon are integral members of the local community. In fact, Tony is a Tremaine Gallery volunteer.” 

The exhibit highlights both the contrast between and complementarity of the artists’ work. Ms. Christine Owen, instructor in ceramics, said, “Bright and Riedeman are two very disparate artists in terms of their content, concept, and technique. Bright makes large, colored platters. Riedeman is a naturalist who creates animal sculptures. You have a slick juxtaposition between functional ceramics and realistic sculpture in this exhibit. But both artists have a fun spirit.” 

Studio art teachers are working to integrate the show into their curricula. Prep ceramic students are seeking inspiration from Mr. Riedeman’s work in their unit on the natural world. Studio art and ceramics students will study Mr. Riedeman’s bird sculptures alongside real birds from the Sharon Audubon Society. Arvaan Motwane ’26, a second-year ceramic student, said, “It’s a great opportunity for ceramics students to see a professional’s work.” 

As always, the gallery is open to the local community as well as students and faculty members. Ms. Owens said, “The exhibit offers something for everyone. I hope that students will learn about the practical use of ceramics, as well as the natural world in Connecticut and how we can exhibit it through art.” 

Ms. Moore said, “I hope visitors come to experience the two bodies of work that both explore a relationship with the natural world and find their place in it.”

The exhibit will run through March 2.