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Chris Longwell, Art Professor at Elmira College, enjoys using local materials to create his ceramic art as a way to show the richness and value of the natural materials found in the Southern Tier region of New York.
To support Longwell’s efforts, the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes awarded him a $3,000 2025 New York State Council on the Arts Statewide Community Regrant program Round 2 Individual Artist Grant.
Entitled “Ceramic Works From Clay Dug at Tanglewood Nature Center,” the grant will help Longwell source clay from the grounds at Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum. He’ll then use a series of processes to remove impurities from the clay before creating pottery and sculptures from the material.
Longwell also wants to use the area clay, which is high in iron content, to develop high-temperature glazes for use on porcelain and stoneware, two different types of ceramic products. The high iron content gives the clay a relatively low melting point of 1,800-1,900 degrees. This makes it well-suited for use as a glaze.
“This experimental approach highlights the potential of local resources to inspire new aesthetic possibilities while promoting sustainable practices within the ceramic arts,” explained Longwell.
"We are so grateful to Chris Longwell for choosing Tanglewood for this project,” shared Ryan Donnelly, Educator and Amphibian Curator at Tanglewood Nature Center. “It aligns perfectly with our mission of fostering environmental education in our community and beyond. Earlier this summer, Chris shared his expertise with our summer campers, teaching them how to create sustainable ceramics. By creating ceramics with clay sourced from Tanglewood, Chris is showing how our local natural resources can inspire creativity while giving back to support environmental education.”
When complete, Longwell’s work will be exhibited in local venues, and proceeds from sales will benefit Tanglewood Nature Center.
“We’re excited to see Chris continue his amazing work, and proceeds from his project will greatly help support Tanglewood," added Donnelly.
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.