Art gallery holds artist reception

The Art on the Divide Gallery, 6295 Main St. in Georgetown, invites the public you to meet the featured artist for October, Kay de Lange, at a reception on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. Have some refreshments and browse through the gallery enjoying the fine art of more than 12 local artists.

De Lange’s art education started in 1956 when she majored in art education at Miami University of Ohio. She later transferred to Cleveland Institute of Art. For two years she worked hard at learning her craft under an internationally acclaimed Japanese American potter, Toshiko Takaezu. Her work is influenced by Toshiko.

In 1960, de Lange left for the Philippines to marry Al, a Filipino industrial designer. They founded a furniture factory and raised a family.

While in the Philippines, she was involved with the Potters’ Guild and Craft Council.

Nearly 28 years later, the de Langes moved to the house they built in Garden Valley.

She continued her art education taking workshops at Cosumnes River College, graduated with a BA in ceramics and sculpture from California State University, Sacramento and then a double master in counseling and art therapy in 1994. She worked in the schools, at El Dorado County Mental Health and private practice, using art as a modality to help her clients.

Now, her focus is on hand building vessel forms that are more sculptural than utilitarian. She uses pinch, coil, and paddle to shape the pots, and then tries to finish them in ways that will enhance rather than detract from the form.

She said, “working with clay is a combination of technique, technology, and artistic talent. However, the final product is always a result of the fire Gods. This is what makes the art form so challenging.”

Additional information is available at artonthedivide.com or 530-333-2787.