Clay Portraits by Stella Wissner Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The July/August 2022 Display Gallery exhibit has opened – Clay Portraits by Stella Wissner.  Ms. Wissner’s exhibit is on display through August 30. The Display Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Public Library.

Display Gallery exhibits are organized by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement

Clay fascinates me. I love the feel of it in my hands and its infinite possibilities. It thrills me that I can take a lump of gray mud and create a thing of beauty.  There is no end to the possibilities of what can be created in clay, so many different clays, forms, glazes, firing techniques, ways of working, I never get tired of it.  When I am involved in a project it takes over my life and I am totally absorbed in it.

Artist Biography

Art in all its many forms has always been an important part of my life. My family were interested in the Arts, Music and Theatre and we had many original paintings and beautiful china in our house. I grew up in England and had the opportunity to visit and be inspired by art in some of the finest museums in the world.  However the chemistry of life also fascinated me and I have spent most of my life as a Research Scientist developing new products for the Food, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industries. I retired from this profession in 2000.

I first started working with clay in the late 70’s but was unable to devote much time to it because of my demanding career. Since retiring however, I have been able to spend significant time working with clay and it has become my passion.  Most of my clay experience has been as a student at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center but I have also taken a number of workshops from some of the world’s great potters, including Paul Soldner, Ron Myers, Michael Simon, Don Reitz, Rick Berman, Debra Fritz, Michael Sherrill, Lana Wilson and Susie Duncan.  These potters taught me new techniques and stimulated and inspired me, so that in June 2004 I felt ready to branch out on my own and explore my own ideas and thoughts.

I am a hand builder and most of my work is of a sculptural nature and influenced by the natural world. I am an avid gardener and many of my pieces are designed for a garden setting.