Georgia's Largest Pottery Exhibit Promotes Education

VALDOSTA - Michael Schmidt, an associate professor in the Department of Art, will join 50 of the state’s finest potters during Georgia’s largest annual pottery exhibition and sale from August 28 to September 16. The 7th Annual Perspectives 2009: Georgia Pottery Invitational at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation in Watkinsville, Ga., raises money to promote cultural art and support craft artists.

More than 6,000 pottery enthusiasts from across the country are expected to attend the fundraising event, which kicks off with a preview sale and opening gala reception from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28. The three-week event, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, will also feature educational exhibitions, workshops, free weekend pottery demonstrations and studio tours.

The OCAF is a non-profit organization established to promote artistic endeavors and to provide art education opportunities for residents of Northeast Georgia. Proceeds from the annual sale will benefit the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, an organization committed to supporting professional artists through career-strengthening programs, emergency relief support and advocacy.

Go to OCAF’s Web site at http://www.perspectives09.myocaf.com/ for directions and other details. To schedule a group tour, call 707-769-4565 or e-mail info@ocaf.com. Locally, Schmidt may be reached at 229-249-4913 or mschmidt@valdosta.edu .