Kettering University's Humanities Art Center will be hosting a new exhibit by local ceramicist and Flint Institute of Arts Instructor Guy Adamec starting February 2, 2015. The exhibit, “Cool Clay,” will feature more than 15 objects that illustrate the talent Adamec has been developing for more than 40 years.

The Humanities Art Center will host an artist reception for Adamec from noon-2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, where students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to meet the artist and view his ceramics. Students will also have the opportunity to win gift cards for Churchill’s Food and Spirits and the White Horse Tavern.

Regina Schreck, Humanities Art Center curator, has known Adamec since her time as the assistant curator at the Flint Institute of Arts. As she was planning an exhibit that showcased three-dimensional artwork, she immediately thought of him and his work.

"He's such a talented ceramicist," Schreck said. "The craft of creating something using a machine—the potter's wheel—and one's hands, in sync with creative ingenuity, produces an object of pure beauty. Some of Guy’s pieces of art are also objects that can be used in a utilitarian fashion like bowls, urns and vases. There is a direct connection to how Guy creates his artwork and how Kettering students engineer objects with their hands, minds and machines to create objects that help us in our everyday life.”

Guy has been a potter and instructor who taught art in public schools, museum schools, colleges and even a G.E.D. program in the county jail.

“My view on making ‘art’ over the years has slowly evolved into something that is finally becoming clear," Adamec said. "As an emerging artist, one is frequently told that fame and fortune is the goal; showing in reputable galleries, shows in big cities, knowing all the right people and dealers. Now, although I hold nothing against successful galleries and dealers, and still use them, I find that the ‘fame and fortune’ part to be the least important factor. Rather, time alone in the studio when ones intuition is in control; that is the moment that we (artists) live for. If one masters his craft and knows in his heart he has done his best, then something good will happen.”

The Cool Clay exhibit runs through April 30, 2015. Gallery hours for students, faculty and staff are Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The public is welcome to visit the reception and exhibition as well. Viewing can be coordinated by contacting Regina Schreck at rschreck@kettering.edu.

Biography of Guy Adamec

Guy Adamec was born in Oak Park, Illinois, and grew up in the Chicago area. He attended Knox College in Galesburg Illinois, and graduated with a B.A. in Ceramics, and a minor in Sculpture. He then moved to Michigan to attend Cranbrook Academy of Art, graduating in 1975 with a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics.

After graduate school, Guy accepted a position with the Flint Community Schools, teaching ceramics and pottery at the DeWaters Art Center. He maintained this position for more than 25 years. He also taught for Mott Adult High School, Mott Community College, and was an Artist in Residence for Kearsley Community Schools. In 2004, he started doing public art for the Ruth Mott Foundation, with pieces made for Applewood, the Flint Farmers Market, the Boys and Girls Club of Flint and the bus station in downtown Flint. He continues to do public art, with newer pieces in Grand Blanc's Rust Park, and the latest piece in Rogers City, Michigan.

Today he works as Firemaster for the Flint Institute of Arts, teaching pottery, sculpture and glaze chemistry.