Henderson State University Professor Aaron Calvert’s art exhibit, titled “What Remains,” opened at Ouachita this week, an indication that the two universities support each other academically, even during Battle of the Ravine week.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kent State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, art plays a vital role in Calvert’s life.
“Art is important to me because it is something I feel as though I need to do. I’m at my happiest when I can be creative. Being an artist goes beyond a career that you might retire from. It is a lifestyle. Because there is no one correct answer to an art problem, practicing art has trained me to see situations, issues, or problems in unique ways,” Calvert said.
Although he does enjoy many types of art such as “brush and ink drawings and printmaking,” Calvert’s specialty is ceramics, and they are what will be featured.
“Originally I was working toward an art education degree at Kent State University and ceramics was a required course. I had put off taking a ceramics course because I had limited exposure to it in high school. During my first course in clay, I really connected with others in the class, and we would spend countless hours hanging out and making art in the studio.
The community fostered within that studio is what first drew me to ceramics,” Calvert said.
This change in majors ultimately paid off with Calvert’s work being featured around the world. In fact, some of his art is a part of the permanent collection in Jingdezhen, China at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute.
When it comes to this specific gallery, Calvert feels that these ceramics have a completely different tone than some of his others in the past. These differences have allowed Calvert to realize that his art is truly an expression of himself.
“This particular body of work is an attempt to get back to what I enjoy about clay. In ma[n]y ways it documents the important to the mundane in my life,” Calvert said.
Besides the changes in his ceramics, the audience will also have the opportunity to see a piece that helped Calvert through a very busy time in his life.
“Da Rabbit was the last piece I finished for this show, so it is probably my favorite. Life is a bit hectic right now, so that piece offered me some much needed creative quite time,” Calvert said.
All in all, this art exhibit will display the different techniques and styles Calvert used when making these ceramics. Whoever comes will not only see works by an internationally renowned artist, they’ll also get a special look into Calvert’s unique perspective of the world.
“Viewers may appreciate the functional pieces, sculptural forms, bright colors or even some of the images. Many of the drawings are from current events, popular culture and personal experiences. My hope is that viewers find interest in the work even when the meaning might not be apparent,” Calvert said.
Calvert’s exhibit is on display now through December 2 in the Rosemary Gosset Adams Gallery in Moses-Provine, open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
By Ethan Dial, staff writer
