James Watral | It's about Today

 

 

An exhibition honoring the work of the late James Watral will open at Eastfield College’s Gallery 219 on January 23, 2015 with a reception from 5 – 8 pm. 

The exhibition will feature many of Watral’s signature ceramic pieces spanning two decades of his career as an artist including the famed napkins that preserve his ideas and drawings. Watral was influenced by garden design, architecture, dance, theater, literature, current events and science. He had a specific interest in Egyptian, Etruscan, and Greek art which is evident in the surface treatment and form of his ceramic works as well as his drawings. More than 50 napkins with drawings and writings will be exhibited alongside Watral’s ceramic vessels and sculptures in this exhibition curated by Gallery Director Iris Bechtol and longtime friends and stewards of Watral’s work, Hampton Burwick and Rusty Scruby.

James Watral (1942-2014) received a Masters in Fine Art from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA and a Bachelors in Fine Art from Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, Ohio. James taught at many colleges and universities throughout his career including Texas Women’s University, Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Tyler, University of Texas at Dallas, East Texas State University where he served as Associate Professor of Art and Chair of Ceramics from 1968-1980, and Eastfield College where he served as Professor of Ceramics from 1999-2010. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in many private and public collections including the Dallas Museum of Art and New Orleans Museum of Art. His work has been reviewed in Ceramics Monthly, the Dallas Morning News, Austin American Statesman, and American Crafts.

From I-30 take Exit 54 toward Big Town Blvd. Take Big Town Blvd North which turns into La Prada. From La Prada take a right on Carol Brown Dr. Go right on Eastfield Parkway and park in the W3 parking lot (on your left). Gallery 219 is located on the second floor of the F Bldg. in F219C.

Gallery hours are 9:00AM to 4:00PM Monday through Friday.  Contact Iris Bechtol at 972-860-7329 or irisbechtol@dcccd.edu for additional information.                                                                       Eastfield College. 3737 Motley Drive. Mesquite, TX. 75150