Capshaw ceramics exhibit at Pellissippi State 

Lesli Bales-SherrodKarns/Hardin Valley, Our Town Arts

The works of local legend and ceramic artist Bill Capshaw kick off The Arts at Pellissippi State series for spring 2023.

“With his tremendous skill, talent and warm and generous personality, Bill is a fixture in East Tennessee, giving lectures and demos to generations of budding and experienced ceramic artists,” said Professor Herb Rieth. “Bill has been recognized on both the state and national levels, and his work is in numerous public and private collections.”

The Bill Capshaw exhibit is open now through Feb. 3 in the Bagwell Center for Media and Art Gallery on Pellissippi State Community College’s Hardin Valley Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays or by special appointment. All exhibits in the Bagwell Gallery are free and open to the public.

“The heart of each piece comes from deep within the soul with the intent to pierce the mind with probing thoughts of the creative process,” Capshaw said in an artist statement. “Classic forms are conceived using simple line work with basic shapes and design elements. Embellished surfaces and glaze decoration work together for contrast and emphasizing the compositional message.”

Capshaw earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts from East Tennessee State University and has worked at the Oak Ridge Art Center as a ceramic artist and instructor since 1977. Named Artist of the Year in 1998 by the Arts Council of Greater Knoxville, Capshaw is widely known for his expertise in the raku process and the unique designed ceramic forms and textural finishes on his works.

The Arts at Pellissippi State includes visual arts exhibits as well as theatre and music performances. The series highlights the talents of Pellissippi State students and faculty and provides venues for other artists and musicians to bring their works to East Tennessee.

Lesli Bales-Sherrod does marketing and writing for Pellissippi State Community College.

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