Vertical Visions, or Garden Totems, created by Greenbelt Potters were displayed on the Community Center front lawn on the beautiful afternoon of Sunday, October 1 with the Third Annual Ukulele Concert playing in the background.
Eleven-year-old sculptor Lucy Bindel said, “I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Greenbelt pottery community because everyone I’ve met has been kind and uplifting. My Vertical Vision is supposed to embody emotions and to show that emotions can be layered.”
While viewing all the garden totems, Greenbelt resident Jayne DeVane said, “It’s such a beautiful testimony to each individual for what is moving through their soul and spirit, manifesting in these exquisite art forms that are totally personal to each of the artists.”
“It’s so nice to see the creative and artistic side of what people are doing. I was able to meet an artist and ask her what she was thinking when she created her Vertical Vision,” reflected Greenbelter Greg Evans.
Christine Fortin, one of the creators, said that she was thinking of shapes and forms when she went to Paint Branch Creek, collected and piled rocks multiple times to get inspiration for her Vertical Vision.
“Each artist’s vision for their Garden Totem is so different and creative and they are so much fun!” Pat Scully remarked. Anne Oudemans, assistant director of Recreation-Programs exclaimed, “It’s magical!” Chris Corson, resident artist and sculpture teacher gushed, “This is the Greenbelt Ceramic Program at its best. They need to go on the road!”
Nadette Boughton, visionary and ceramic hand-building teacher, brought the artists’ imagination to life with the concept of creating their own Vertical Vision. Potters Lorraine Aldridge-Ey, Lucy Bindel, Nadette Boughton, Judith Cayo-Cotter, Christine Fortin, Judy Goldberg-Strassler, Jan Morrow, Nancy Newton, Lola Skolnik and Cynthia Swann created individual Garden Totems. A Community Vertical Vision with an ocean theme was created by potters Madeleine Golde, Gina Mai Denn, Heidi Olson, Ivy Schram, Zeehee Scott, Lola Skolnik and Rebecca Squire.
In addition to the outdoor exhibition, the community was invited to create their own miniature Vertical Visions. Many children and adults had fun creating vertical art. Also, in the spirit of the Vertical Visions theme, a reception including vertical snacks on skewers rounded out a fun and art-filled Greenbelt afternoon.
For those who missed the event, Vertical Visions will be on display at the Community Center art gallery starting in December.
Potter Jan Morrow with her Vertical Vision
Five-year-old Harvey Canavan builds a table-size Vertical Vision.
Lucy Borg and Maggie McCullough with their completed Vertical Vision Artful Afternoon Art Projects
Five-year-old Chen-Shih Lee with her completed personal Vertical Vision