Fri 7/5 & Fri 7/12 @ noon-5PM
Fri 7/19 @ 5-9PM
Ceramicist David Batz lived in Cleveland for two decades where he taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art and later ran the Fiori Gallery in Little Italy with his life partner, artist Robert Jursinski. He worked, which included functional ceramics such as vases and bowls, as well as porcelain totem structures and paintings on handmade paper, appeared in 17 Cleveland Museum of Art May shows. Batz died suddenly of a heart attack in Mexico in 1994; Jursinski, whose own practice encompasses paper making and pulp painting with nature as his theme, has preserved Batz’s art work.
In recognition of the 30th anniversary of the untimely death of ceramicist David Batz, Context Gallery is offering the chance to buy his work before it enters into a permanent collection of the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve. This special exhibition will include ceramics by David Batz and pulp paintings by his life partner, Robert Jursinski.
Two years ago, Jursinki, who stopped his practice after Batz’s death, donated his dormant papermaking studio to Morgan Conservatory and in the process discovered forgotten work by both himself and Batz. Prior to donating it to Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, it’s being offered for sale in an exhibit called Raiders of the Lost Art, taking place at 78th Street Studio’s Context Gallery. It will be open July 5, 12 and 19 or by appointment at 216-282-4368 or email Joseph J. Garry Jr at garfra22@aol.com.