Ceramic Mural at The Kolter School

Press Release: October 13, 2010
Contact: Ruth Shouval; 832-877-3331 (http://ruthshouval.com/koltermural)

Wouldn’t we all like to revisit our elementary school and find that a piece of us still exists there? A truly permanent record of our growth and maturity? In the future, the children of The Kolter School in Houston I.S.D. will get this chance due to a yearlong collaboration with neighbor and local artist Ruth Shouval. As part of the school’s 50th anniversary celebration the first of two 6´ x 24´ murals will be unveiled on November 4, 2010, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Kolter is located at 9710 Runnymeade Drive, near South Braeswood.

Shouval, an artist trained in ceramics and printmaking, chose clay because of its longevity. She began the murals by tracing a child from each grade. Each of these figures is then composed from a patchwork of individual pieces made by the students of that particular grade. She then fired the hundreds of pieces in the kilns at Kolter and in her Meyerland studio.

Shouval says the children’s work is “imaginative, playful, fresh, and without inhibition.” She feels the mural was “a true collaboration,” a blending of the unique qualities of the child artist with the sophisticated vision and technical expertise of the professional artist. The result is an impressive piece of public art that neither the students of The Kolter School nor Shouval could have accomplished working alone.

The mural was also made possible by the enthusiastic support of principal Peggi Stewart, the PTA, and various parents. The school’s art teacher Louise Brown was indispensible in her support of the project and in helping Shouval instruct the students.

The Kolter School is the only elementary foreign languages and cultures magnet school in Texas, which features a comprehensive language program for kindergarten through fifth grade in Chinese, Japanese, French, and Spanish. In addition students are prepared for success with an outstanding core curriculum (HISD CLEAR Curriculum and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), and with educational experiences that extend beyond language instruction. Their magnet program is designed to deepen curricular integration, cultural discovery, and self and global awareness. You can follow the mural’s progress at http://ruthshouval.com/koltermural.html. Photos suitable for publication are available from the artist.

Kilns for Sale!

These kilns were donated to CAMEO. We know nothing about their usage or how old they are. We were told by the donor that they were working and in use at the time of their donation.

Kiln #1 - Duncan Studio Electronic. DE 1020-2. This kiln looks as if it has never been fired. The computer is inside the kiln as is the instruction manual which is still inside its clear plastic sleeve.

Kiln #2 - Paragon Studio high fire kiln with kiln sitter, P 10. Octagonal shelves fit inside this kiln. Inside looks good.

Kiln #3 - Maker unknown although looks like an old Paragon Kiln. It is the most used although the brick interior is in good condition.

Some kiln furniture goes with it. Kiln sitter LT - 4K.

We are currently investigating their fair market value but if you are interested, give us a call at 713-528-7687.

Houston - July 10, 2008

C.A.M.E.O. Hosts 3nd Annual Emerging Artists Show

Clay Arts Museum and Educational Organization (C.A.M.E.O.), Houston’s newest ceramics non-profit organization, is pleased to announce its third annual Emerging Artists Show, August 1 – 31, 2008 at 2726 White Oak Drive, Houston, Texas 77007.
This is the only show for emerging artists in the clay medium in the state of Texas.
A special opening reception will be held on Friday, August 1st at the Taft Street Coffee House 2115 Taft Street Houston Texas 77006, from 7 to 9 p.m. All entries will be on display and is the public is invited.
August 2 - 31, 2008 the Emerging Artists pieces will be on display at 2726 White Oak Drive, Houston, Texas 77007.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Saturday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
For more information, please contact , 713-528-7687 or email us!

Click to Visit our Emerging Artists Page!

March 19, 2008:
C.A.M.E.O. Member Marsha Landers
conducts a workshop for burn patients
at the Shriner's Hospital in Galveston, Texas.

The program that sponsors these monthly workshops for the burned children is called "The World of Art" and is a Galveston based program with an anonymous benefactor, but volunteers are from different organizations or they are just individual artists.

This successful workshop, had about thirty burned children in attendance. Some having no hands, but they improvised and used chins and forearms. They smiled and laughed, something they rarely do given their misery in recovery. The clay is the non-firing type that air dries. Ms. Landers uses a bisque stain for them to decorate their finished pieces and the patients take the pieces back to their rooms that day. The clay workshop is the most widely attended. Parents come too as they need the therapy too! There were about sixty in all for the fun!