LEGACY OF THE KILN: TERRY GIEBER AND HIS FORMER STUDENTS

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"

""o

;;::

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