Get an insider’s look into the lives and work of nationally-recognized ceramic artists during slide talks at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle this summer. Every year, Watershed hosts more than 100 artists from around the country and world for two or three week residencies. They come to collaborate, create in Watershed’s studio, and connect with fellow clay enthusiasts during their sessions at the Center.

The public slide talks will be held in Watershed’s Thompson Hall at 7:30 p.m. on June 19, July 10 and 31, and Aug. 14. During each event, about ten artists-in-residence will spend five to seven minutes apiece sharing images and discussing their work during these informal presentations.

The June 19 talk will feature New York City-based artists Emily Weiner and Fawn Krieger, who have organized a residency for artists who work across media. Amy Pleasant, Molly Surno, Barbara Smith, Keiko Narahashi, and Leah Raintree will also discuss ways they have incorporated clay into their multidisciplinary practices.

On July 10, members of the Kansas City Urban Potters (KCUP) collective will speak about their independent and collaborative work. The artists formed KCUP in order to expand the visibility of contemporary studio pottery through invitational exhibitions, public lectures and community-based events.

For those interested in an in-depth opportunity to learn from KCUP members, Watershed will offer a daylong demonstration workshop led by Meredith Host, Paul Donnelly, Chandra DeBuse, Rain Harris and Alex Watson on Thursday July 12.

Veteran ceramists Liz Quackenbush, Mary Barringer, and many other talented artists will share their work during a slide talk on July 29. The group plans to reflect on their experiences as women working in the ceramics field during their Watershed session.

The final summer artist talk on Aug. 14 will feature guest artist Mariko Paterson from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Paterson’s pieces incorporate her personal iconography, which often references historical or contemporary cultural figures. She joins a group of artists interested in developing the surfaces of their forms through a variety of techniques.

Watershed is located at 19 Brick Hill Road in Newcastle. For more information on all of the Center’s summer programs and events, visit watershedceramics.org or call 882-6075.