TERRY AND
GIEBER
HIS FORMER
STUDENTS
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JUNDT
ART
MUSEUM
MARCH
• GONZAGA
22 - JUNE
7,2014
UNIVERSITY
Ryan t.aaar, Anything Can porcelain, 15"x IT'x 8"
T
flappen,
and Usually
Does, 2010,
Ryan LaBar, Mythic Past, porcelain and stoneware,
resonating
in the
Present.
2010
19" x 16" x 11"
erry Gieber once asked me, I am paraphrasing, "What do you do that gives you such dexterity with your hands?" and stated:
"I have ta ught nearly ten years and you are among the top 3 techn ically capable students I have witnessed." and "You're an anorexic thrower, it's never thin enough ...your insides are practically your outsides."
These comments tickled my ego and helped me realize that there may be something with this material called "clay." Terry guided me towards my passion and I have molded this passion into my livelihood. I graduated with a degree in Biology and planned to attend medical school.
Instead I set up my own
studio, obtained an MFA in ceramics, and now show and work around the world. shifting my direction, and I thank Gieber for shifting my direction!
I blame Gieber for
There isn't a day that goes by that I am
not grateful for the path I have taken. Terry Gieber provided the impetus. Ryan LaBar
Nash Cahhen. Still life, 2008 terra cotta. 5.5" x 20" x 3.5"
P
rofessor Gieber set the foundation of my artistic practice. His passion for his students and openness to let us explore is something that I am truly grateful for. Gieber never let us lose sight
of technique or knowledge but still encouraged us to push the boundaries.
I am very proud of what I
learned in the Jundt Art Center and am truly inspired by the work of the faculty and staff. I am honored to be part of this show and add to the artistic conversation.
I wish Professor Gieber the best in his
upcoming retirement. Nash Calihan
t's been awhile since I was a student studying art at Gonzaga
I
University. Like most, I suppose certain things fade away, but
I will always remember
working
with
Professor Gieber in the
ceramics studio. The laughter! Laughing! Laughing and Professor Gieber's smile are memories that remain forward in my memory. We worked together,
side-by-side in the studio; Gieber was a
perfect mentor and created an environment
where my classmates
and I wanted to be engaged in studio events. I built my first two wood burning kilns at Gonzaga and wood fired ceramics continues to be my focus today. Jerome
Daniel
Pcrcelainous
Murphy,
Wood
stoneware
with
Fired Bottle, clay, natural
2013 ash glaze,
12" x 3" x 16"
He encouraged me to explore and move my ceramics in new directions. If you look at the alumni works represented in this exhibition,
everyone uses the clay in a unique manner. Gieber encouraged me to
discover my own creative process. We discussed my work regularly, but I was really fascinated with his working processes, they were magical and mysterious. When Gieber made his pieces in the studio I studied every move; I watched him select, process and blend clays to a workable consistency, as the initial stages in the creative process. There are always a myriad of components necessary in order to create spectacular ceramic vessels and Professor Gieber created unique and innovative methods particularly in his firing process. I remember it like yesterday; the pieces Professor Gieber created were enormous in scale. Often, a single piece would be loaded and fired one at a time because it was made to barely fit into the kiln. Usually the surfaces revealed dark mysterious hues and he would repeat the process until he was happy with the results.
Professor Gieber has promoted his students and dedicated his career to enhancing ceramics and the art program and Gonzaga University. In his 30+ years of teaching and working as department
chair at GU
he concentrated on improving his skills as a professor and mentor. In innumerable ways great mentors have the ability to create a life-long impression on their students. My professor, Terry Gieber, will forever remain a role model and inspiration to my family and me. We remain close friends after thirty years. J. Daniel Murphy
Michael wood/salt
Janes, Blue Oribe fired
stoneware
Teapot,
2006,
Michael wood/salt
Janes, Celadon
Teabowl,
fired stoneware
2005,
Suzanne
Lussier, Subordination,
ceramic,
adobe,
and concrete
2013,
"I'll give you enough rope to hang yourself"
- Terry Gieber
hile I'll admit that it is not quite fair to reduce
W
Terry's influence on me to one quote -I'm going to
do it anyway. He said, "I'll give you enough rope to hang yourself"
sometime in my junior year. It was terrifying.
It also empowered me. With this statement Terry let me know he had faith in my abilities to make independent decisions and to problem solve effectively.
It also com-
municated that while it might seem like he was a hands-
Sarah Beaty, Cups and Bawls, 2013 Stoneware and porcelain
off instructor, he was totally cognizant of all my steps and missteps, and that he'd catch me before I fell too hard, I think Terry's teaching legacy, in terms ofthe knowledge he can impart to willing students, is self-evident. No one comes out of GU Ceramics without a solid foundation
in construction techniques and a grasp of
materials science. What I most value having learned from Gieber lies outside the ins and outs of ceramics as a field. Working with Terry I learned about the importance of paying attention to detail - that cultivating tenacity and patience in myself can payoff. He also taught me about loyalty - he worked hard to help me get into graduate school, and has stayed by me since, troubleshooting
technical problems I've come
across with materials and kiln building, and continuing to actively support my career as an instructor and studio artist. Terry also taught me about courage - to aim high and have enough faith in oneself to take on complex and big projects or opportunities
that seem out of reach. Terry was my professor for 4 years
and has been my mentor and friend for 17 more. I would not be where I am today without his influence and support. Sarah Beaty
Michael Janes, Celadan Shell Battle, 2004, wood fired stoneware
Sarah Beaty, Hexagons, 2013 Porcelain, 23" x 14" x 5"
n September of 1997 Terry Gieber welcomed me to the
I
ceramics studio at Gonzaga University. I recall my first day
of class when he raised his eyebrow and asked to see what ceramics I had produced previous to coming to Gonzaga. Gieber inspected the assortment of vessels I brought in the next day, and I anticipated his reaction for what I considered auditions with the art department.
There is no way Gieber
missed the fact that the bud vase I showed him that day had 3 inch thick walls, a giant crack on the bottom and only enough volume to hold about a tablespoon of water (when not leaking). Regardless, what happened next changed the course of action for the rest of my academic career. Gieber got that sparkle he gets in his eye as he looked past the unaesthetics of my piece and delightfully exclaimed, "This is a wood fired pot!" Fortunately, this was the year ofthe maiden voyage for the new wood kiln Gieber had built. Gieber began
Suzanne Lussier; In This Room, 2013, ceramic,
adobe,
and concrete
calling students over to see this gem of a pot I had produced,
now seemingly worth its weight in gold, and I couldn't have been more proud! It was that passion and excitement Gieber expressed that influenced me to engage in the Art department
at Gonzaga and it was
that sparkle in his eye that helped me to stick with it. Gieber held very high expectations of his students. He guided me in finding the path I was looking for by developing an exceptional foundation
and bringing to light the array of possibilities in ceramics. Some
highlights that stand out are when he brought in Paul Soldner as a visiting artist, encouraged me to take on an internship at Pewabic Pottery and brought us to Quarry Tile to learn more about industrial ceramics. At Gonzaga, Gieber was not only my advisor, but also my advocate. Through the many hats he wore I felt his support throughout
my time at Gonzaga just as much as I did that first day of class. When I
was faced with a surprise transfer credit discrepancy that would prevent me from graduating as planned, he stormed the registrar's office like a bull in a china cabinet advocating for me. Gieber later returned to the studio strategically offering academic options that ensured I graduated on time. It is in his teaching and the relentless efforts he made that I (and so many others) have been able to progress and achieve such great successes at Gonzaga and beyond. I had the pleasure of running into Gieber a few years ago at The Archie Bray Foundation.
Although
numerous students had passed through his studio in the 14 years since graduation, he recognized me in the crowd and gave me a huge hug. When we "talked clay" that day, I shared with him a few of the achievements that had come into fruition with the foundation he provided at Gonzaga. Once again, I saw that proud German professor smile at me with the sparkle in his eyes I remembered from my first day of class. I hope he realized that day that it was because of his acceptance, patience, and dedication along with the academic opportunities
he provided that I pursued a career in ceramics and education, and have
come to be a life long learner, still actively working with clay. Suzanne Lussier
hen I first arrived at Gonzaga University my academic focus was biology. After curiosity pushed
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me to enroll in a ceramics course with Gieber I was hooked. From that point on ceramics would
be a part of my everyday life. Taking part in the building of the Beatty Anagama irrevocably drew me to the process of woodfiring.
Gieber gave us full reign to fire that beast; many mistakes were made and
invaluable lessons learned. Gieber is a master at giving his students the space to create their own works while at the same time providing the tools to push and innovate with new ideas. To me Gieber represents everything I love about pottery: community, inspiration, and process. Mike Janes
Terry Gieber, Mesa, Southwest Series, 2011 saggar fired stoneware, 17" x 15" x 15"
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Jerome Daniel Murphy, Wood Fired Horizontal Bottle, 2012 iron rich clay, natural ash glaze, 35" x 12" x 20"
Jerome Daniel Murphy, Bowl, 2011 porcelain type clay with stone inclusions, natural ash glaze, 3"x 4" x 5"
Sarah Beaty, 2011 porcelain, 8" x 11" x 11"
This publication
is funded
ŠJundt Art Museum,
by the Jundt Art Museum's Annual Campaign, 2012-2013 Gonzaga University,
Spokane, Washington
99258-0001