Longtime ceramicist will be guest speaker at meeting

ART LEAGUE

The Leisure World Art League will hold a “Spotlight On The Artist” event on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 1-3:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 4.

The featured artist is ceramics teacher Ramayana Baba. RB, as he is affectionately called by friends and colleagues, is currently the president of LW’s Clay Crafters Club and membership chair of the Art League. He also teaches ceramics at North Orange County Community College.

Baba graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a BFA in art education and received a master’s degree in special education from Florida Atlantic University. He has studied under nationally renowned ceramic artists, Peter Voulkos at UC Berkeley and Ron Nagle at San Francisco State University.

Baba is a working artist who has been teaching ceramics to elementary, high school and college students for 40 years. He helped develop a creative ceramics department for the Indian River Charter High School in Vero Beach, Florida.

Baba’s ceramic pieces use humor, irony, and exaggeration to comment on current social justice and political issues, in the tradition of “Confrontational Ceramics.”

The artwork is made from cone 06 low fire clay, with colored underglazes and lusters. Each piece begins with a phrase or an event, or a casual thought he might hear someone say out loud. He will research the visuals, make collages, and finally make drawings that help determine the details. With each piece, he builds in some obstacle, and new skill, to compliment the piece and develop his ceramic skills.

Most of the pieces that will be showcased have been shipped from Florida. This event is a must see for artists and enthusiasts. Light refreshments and snacks will be served at the event. All are welcome.

—Larry Sioson