(Posted April 18, 2016)

"Measured Relationships: Ceramics by Robert Boryk and Kirsten Olson," runs from Thursday, April 21, through Sept. 10.
"Measured Relationships: Ceramics by Robert Boryk and Kirsten Olson," runs from Thursday, April 21, through Sept. 10.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Two ceramics artists, Rob Boryk and Kirsten Olson, explore relationships between art and the viewer, and how the objects on display relate to each other in a new show "Measured Relationships: Ceramics by Robert Boryk and Kirsten Olson," opening Thursday, April 21, and running through Sept. 10.

There will be an opening reception for the exhibit at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 21. The reception and museum exhibition are free and open to the public.

Both artists are connected through not only their art, but also their relationship with Juniata College. Boryk has taught Juniata's studio art ceramics course, as well as sculpture and design courses, for the past two years. Olson, a 2011 Juniata graduate, returned to campus in 2015 to begin her teaching career in ceramics.

Boryk's work explores the contrasts of form, surface and material in a way that encourages viewers to consider how the various elements of his sculptures interact and relate. He often creates compositions that reveal the inherent and unique qualities of clay and glaze, while also incorporating aspects of industrialism. "I enjoy questions more than answers," Boryk says. "Questions leave room for exploration and a continuation of thought, whereas answers are a mental dead end."

Olson's approach to her art is more invested in exploring the anthropology of an object and its human relationships. She tries to create works that reflect the customs, ceremonies, and rituals of a particular culture. She bases much of her work on vessels inspired by Northern Native cultures.

"The vessels I create not only contain the food and drink that nourish, but also contain the ideas of culture and community."

Kirsten Olson

"The vessels I create not only contain the food and drink that nourish, but also contain the ideas of culture and community," she explains. "It is important to me that my work reflects this idea and that it is rich in form and inviting to use."

Olson earned a bachelor's degree in anthropological thought, and went on to earn a master's of fine arts degree in 2014 from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She has exhibited work in shows at the Phoenix Fired Art Gallery, in Joplin, Mo., the 18 Hands Gallery, in Houston, Texas, and America Center Gallery in Panama City, Fla. Olson is a Huntingdon resident whose work is available at local galleries and from her website kolsonceramics.com.

Boryk earned two bachelor's degrees, in fine art and in art education, in 2010 from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He went on to earn a master's of fine arts degree in 2014 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.

He started teaching at Juniata in 2014. Previously he was a teaching assistant at Southern Illinois University from 2011 to 2014.
Boryk's work has been exhibited at River Campus Art Gallery at Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, Mo.; The Clay Studio, in Philadelphia, Pa.; San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, in San Angelo, Texas; Kirkland Arts Center, in Kirkland, Wash.; and Terra Incognito Studio and Gallery, in Oak Park, Ill.


Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. through May 6. The museum will be closed from May 6 to May 20. On May 21, the museum's summer hours, Wednesday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m., will begin. For more information, please call the museum at (814) 641-3505, or visit the Juniata College Web site at http://www.juniata.edu/museum.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.