04/04/14
"Propellere´," a solo Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition in Ceramics by Sharon McCoy, Monte Vista, Colo., graduate student, will open on Friday, April 25, in conjunction with the Hays Arts Council Spring Art Walk with a reception from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Linda Ganstrom, professor of art and design, describes McCoy's art this way:

"Open to the public. Propellere´, a solo MFA Thesis Exhibition in Ceramics by Sharon McCoy, displays a body of ceramic sculptures that are fixed on a portrayal of longing and a passionate desire to journey beyond the restrictive present. McCoy's figures embody the emotions of isolation and captivity tempered with the hope of escape. Her figures appear in a trance-like state of daydream absorbed by fanciful journeys and are propelled into imaginative journeys as well as lives of personal completeness.

"The elongated figures in Propellere´ are symbolic of unmet desires. The clothing varies on each sculpture to become specific with each journey. Vehicles can range from a comfy chair to a high chair or the chair can transform into a flying machine that can resemble an animal or even a moon. In addition to using clay as her primary medium, she incorporates found objects and metal into many of her sculptures.

"Propellere´ is a depiction of fanciful flights taken in creatively propelled chairs and vehicles as an avenue for escape from daily entrapments. McCoy invites the viewer to take a journey with her."

The exhibition will also feature McCoy's recently published children's book, "What If?" The reception will include a book signing as well as a reading of the book.

McCoy is currently an M.F.A. student in ceramics at Fort Hays State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Art in Art from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colo. She has also studied as an Artist in Residence in Shigaraki, Japan.

She has recently represented FHSU in the National Student Juried Exhibition at NCECA in Milwaukee, Wis., where she was honored with the Studio Potter Merit Award

To see McCoy's work, visit www.sharonmccoyarts.com.