November 7, 2024
SKY & SEA — Exhibition of Ceramics by Marla Benton
EXHIBITION: Nov. 7th to 27th, 2024.
Gallery hours are by chance or appointment, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
ARTIST TALK & OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, November 7th at 7:00pm.
This is a free event, no registration required.
“Sky & Sea” is a body of work inspired by my experiences in British Columbia, a visit to the picturesque Saguenay River in Quebec, and my everyday life back home in Nova Scotia. At the end of March, I was fortunate to spend five weeks immersed in the beauty of British Columbia, living beside the majestic Pacific Ocean, where I found such beauty in observing the interplay of sky and sea while working with clay.
Upon returning to Nova Scotia and spending a week along the enchanting Saguenay River, I felt compelled to compare the wonders of the west coast with those of the east. These adventures inspired me to create pieces of coastal birds and sea life that reflect the simple joys that delight me.
With this collection, I sought to immortalize the familiar sights of gulls, cormorants and song birds in beautiful art pieces, as well as the magical encounters with porpoises, orcas, and belugas that have left a lasting impression on my being.
Marla Benton is a ceramic artist and educator living and working in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Benton has balanced working in her studio with large scale community projects and teaching ceramic workshops. Both Benton’s gallery work and installation art encourage personal connection through text and surprising elements that challenge expectations, evoke curiosity, and encourage interactions and participation.
Originally from small town Ontario, she attended the Ontario College of Art & Design University, Toronto, where she found clay her preferred medium. After transferring to the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design University, Halifax, Benton completed her degree with a major in ceramics. A few years later, she earned her Bachelor of Education Degree Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario.
She loves to combine her two degrees in larger community and school projects. As well, she continues sharing her love of clay by teaching workshops at the Lunenburg School of the Arts, the Chester Art Centre and at The Ark.
Benton’s work has been published/exhibited in Canada and the USA. She has received Canada Council Grants, Creation Grants from Arts NS, ArtsSmarts Grants from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and participated in Artist Residencies across Canada.