The first 100 of a nearly 630-piece commission for LaGrange, Georgia, potter Genna Grushevenko.
My pal Genna Gruchevenko has been unbelievably fired up lately. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Potters call forth so many good wordplays. But seriously, the Ukrainian-born potter was recently asked to do a 630-pot job for Kia, the big new employer in Troup County, and he's nearly finished. It's a pretty huge mountain to climb, and, though I haven't yet checked with him, likely a once-in-a-career type gig. Well-deserved, I might add.
Genna and his wife Signe (who I wrote about in the May 2007 Georgia issue) live in my hometown, and, year after lucky year, the duo keeps sparking creativity on South Greenwood. They helped found what's called the Artists in Residence house, a studio space/gallery. They inspire locals to follow their own art callings (my mom can attest). And, they're just plain fun to be around.
Though, if the pics on Signe and Genna's blog are any indicator, no one's seen much of him for a few weeks. Keep going Genna, you're almost free and kiln. I mean clear.
See the killer work of both Georgia artists this and next month in Savannah and Asheville. In Savannah, Signe will be at the Telfair Air Fair on November 14-15. Then, starting on the 21st, they'll have a solo show in Asheville's 16Patton Gallery. See a new painting (oil on linen) by Signe below.
