Tweed Museum of Art : Dave Lynas : Ceramics and Drawings

A Handful of Clay

Dave Lynas, Ceramics and Drawings

March 11 – June 15, 2008

Art + Design Lecture Series: Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 6pm

Local arts audiences will recognize Lynas as the ceramics studio manager of the Duluth Art Institute, where over the past 15 years he has introduced hundreds of adults and children to the wonders of clay, and where he has been a founder of Empty Bowl, an annual fundraiser for the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. Lynas is also a talented illustrator, a musician, and a maker of clay musical instruments. His achievements in clay extend to kiln construction and firing, combined hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques, and extensive experimentation with ceramic glazes, all of which he has documented with his own accomplished illustrations.

The exhibition consists of over 100 ceramic works, including functional and decorative vessels of all types, functional and decorative vessels, and clay musical instruments, which Lynas plays fluently. Besides honoring the art of a master ceramic artist and illustrator whose work has touched the lives of thousands, the exhibition demonstrates how one artist has successfully merged ceramics, drawing, and music in his art.

Dave Lynas began his career as a successful illustrator in the corporate advertising world, following in the footsteps of his father, a Twin Cities Art Director. Following a teaching stint in Ohio during the infamous Kent State shootings in 1970, he and his young family "dropped out," and lived off the land in Ohio and later Minnesota, while he continued as a freelance illustrator. Eventually, Lynas’ experimentation with clay, kiln construction and glazing techniques became the central focus of his art, especially following his move to Duluth in 1983.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication exploring Lynas’ technical achievements in clay construction techniques, illustrated by his own drawings, along with color reproductions of his finished works. The book will be available after April 1, at the Tweed Museum of Art store. Lynas’ own books, including “Back to the 40,” Building Merlin-Kiln Construction,” and “Masters in Clay” volumes 1 and 2, will be available throughout the exhibition.


A Handful of Clay Dave Lynas, Ceramics and Drawings March 11 – June 15, 2008 Art + Design Lecture Series: Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 6pm Local arts audiences will recognize Lynas as the ceramics studio manager of the Duluth Art Institute, where over the past 15 years he has introduced hundreds of adults and children to the wonders of clay, and where he has been a founder of Empty Bowl, an annual fundraiser for the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. Lynas is also a talented illustrator, a musician, and a maker of clay musical instruments. His achievements in clay extend to kiln construction and firing, combined hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques, and extensive experimentation with ceramic glazes, all of which he has documented with his own accomplished illustrations. The exhibition consists of over 100 ceramic works, including functional and decorative vessels of all types, functional and decorative vessels, and clay musical instruments, which Lynas plays fluently. Besides honoring the art of a master ceramic artist and illustrator whose work has touched the lives of thousands, the exhibition demonstrates how one artist has successfully merged ceramics, drawing, and music in his art. Dave Lynas began his career as a successful illustrator in the corporate advertising world, following in the footsteps of his father, a Twin Cities Art Director. Following a teaching stint in Ohio during the infamous Kent State shootings in 1970, he and his young family "dropped out," and lived off the land in Ohio and later Minnesota, while he continued as a freelance illustrator. Eventually, Lynas’ experimentation with clay, kiln construction and glazing techniques became the central focus of his art, especially following his move to Duluth in 1983. The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication exploring Lynas’ technical achievements in clay construction techniques, illustrated by his own drawings, along with color reproductions of his finished works. The book will be available after April 1, at the Tweed Museum of Art store. Lynas’ own books, including “Back to the 40,” Building Merlin-Kiln Construction,” and “Masters in Clay” volumes 1 and 2, will be available throughout the exhibition. Dave Lynas, Drawings from Masters in Clay: Don Reitz Workshop, March 2–3, 1999 ink on paper