TERRY GIEBERAND HIS FORMER STUDENTS

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JUNDT ART MUSEUM • GONZAGA UNIVERSITY

MARCH 22 - JUNE 7,2014

Ryan t.aaar, Anything Can flappen, and Usually Does, 2010,porcelain, 15"x IT'x 8"

Ryan LaBar, Mythic Past, resonating in the Present. 2010

porcelain and stoneware, 19" x 16" x 11"

Terry Gieber once asked me, I am paraphrasing,

"What do you do that gives you such dexterity with your hands?" and stated:

"I have ta ught nearly ten years and you are among the top 3 techn ically capable students I have witnessed."

and "You're an anorexic thrower, it's never thin enough ...your insides are practically your outsides."

These comments tickled my ego and helped me realize that there may be something with this material

called "clay." Terry guided me towards my passion and I have molded this passion into my livelihood.

I graduated with a degree in Biology and planned to attend medical school. Instead I set up my own

studio, obtained an MFA in ceramics, and now show and work around the world. I blame Gieber for

shifting my direction, and I thank Gieber for shifting my direction! There isn't a day that goes by that I am

not grateful for the path I have taken. Terry Gieber provided the impetus.Ryan LaBar

Nash Cahhen. Still life, 2008terra cotta. 5.5" x 20" x 3.5"

Professor Gieber set the foundation of my artistic practice. His passion for his students and

openness to let us explore is something that I am truly grateful for. Gieber never let us lose sight

of technique or knowledge but still encouraged us to push the boundaries. I am very proud of what I

learned in the Jundt Art Center and am truly inspired by the work of the faculty and staff. I am honored

to be part of this show and add to the artistic conversation. I wish Professor Gieber the best in his

upcoming retirement.

Nash Calihan

Jerome Daniel Murphy, Wood Fired Bottle, 2013

Pcrcelainous stoneware with clay, natural ash glaze, 12" x 3" x 16"

It's been awhile since I was a student studying art at Gonzaga

University. Like most, I suppose certain things fade away, but

I will always remember working with Professor Gieber in the

ceramics studio. The laughter! Laughing! Laughing and Professor

Gieber's smile are memories that remain forward in my memory.

We worked together, side-by-side in the studio; Gieber was a

perfect mentor and created an environment where my classmates

and I wanted to be engaged in studio events. I built my first two

wood burning kilns at Gonzaga and wood fired ceramics continues

to be my focus today.

He encouraged me to explore and move my ceramics in new directions. If you look at the alumni works

represented in this exhibition, everyone uses the clay in a unique manner. Gieber encouraged me to

discover my own creative process. We discussed my work regularly, but I was really fascinated with his

working processes, they were magical and mysterious. When Gieber made his pieces in the studio I

studied every move; I watched him select, process and blend clays to a workable consistency, as the initial

stages in the creative process. There are always a myriad of components necessary in order to create

spectacular ceramic vessels and Professor Gieber created unique and innovative methods particularly

in his firing process. I remember it like yesterday; the pieces Professor Gieber created were enormous

in scale. Often, a single piece would be loaded and fired one at a time because it was made to barely fit

into the kiln. Usually the surfaces revealed dark mysterious hues and he would repeat the process until

he was happy with the results.

Professor Gieber has promoted his students and dedicated his career to enhancing ceramics and the art

program and Gonzaga University. In his 30+ years of teaching and working as department chair at GU

he concentrated on improving his skills as a professor and mentor. In innumerable ways great mentors

have the ability to create a life-long impression on their students. My professor, Terry Gieber, will forever

remain a role model and inspiration to my family and me. We remain close friends after thirty years.

J. Daniel Murphy

Michael Janes, Blue Oribe Teapot, 2006,

wood/salt fired stoneware

Michael Janes, Celadon Teabowl, 2005,

wood/salt fired stoneware

Suzanne Lussier, Subordination, 2013,

ceramic, adobe, and concrete

"I'll give you enough rope to hang yourself" - Terry Gieber

While I'll admit that it is not quite fair to reduce

Terry's influence on me to one quote -I'm going to

do it anyway. He said, "I'll give you enough rope to hang

yourself" sometime in my junior year. It was terrifying.

It also empowered me. With this statement Terry let me

know he had faith in my abilities to make independent

decisions and to problem solve effectively. It also com-

municated that while it might seem like he was a hands- Sarah Beaty, Cups and Bawls, 2013Stoneware and porcelain

off instructor, he was totally cognizant of all my steps and

missteps, and that he'd catch me before I fell too hard,

I think Terry's teaching legacy, in terms ofthe knowledge he can impart to willing students, is self-evident.

No one comes out of GU Ceramics without a solid foundation in construction techniques and a grasp of

materials science. What I most value having learned from Gieber lies outside the ins and outs of ceramics

as a field. Working with Terry I learned about the importance of paying attention to detail - that cultivat-

ing tenacity and patience in myself can payoff. He also taught me about loyalty - he worked hard to help

me get into graduate school, and has stayed by me since, troubleshooting technical problems I've come

across with materials and kiln building, and continuing to actively support my career as an instructor and

studio artist. Terry also taught me about courage - to aim high and have enough faith in oneself to take

on complex and big projects or opportunities that seem out of reach. Terry was my professor for 4 years

and has been my mentor and friend for 17 more. I would not be where I am today without his influence

and support.

Michael Janes, Celadan Shell Battle, 2004,wood fired stoneware

Sarah Beaty

Sarah Beaty, Hexagons, 2013Porcelain, 23" x 14" x 5"

In September of 1997 Terry Gieber welcomed me to the

ceramics studio at Gonzaga University. I recall my first day

of class when he raised his eyebrow and asked to see what

ceramics I had produced previous to coming to Gonzaga.

Gieber inspected the assortment of vessels I brought in the

next day, and I anticipated his reaction for what I considered

auditions with the art department. There is no way Gieber

missed the fact that the bud vase I showed him that day

had 3 inch thick walls, a giant crack on the bottom and only

enough volume to hold about a tablespoon of water (when

not leaking). Regardless, what happened next changed the

course of action for the rest of my academic career. Gieber

got that sparkle he gets in his eye as he looked past the un-

aesthetics of my piece and delightfully exclaimed, "This is a

wood fired pot!" Fortunately, this was the year ofthe maiden

voyage for the new wood kiln Gieber had built. Gieber began

calling students over to see this gem of a pot I had produced,

now seemingly worth its weight in gold, and I couldn't have been more proud! It was that passion and

excitement Gieber expressed that influenced me to engage in the Art department at Gonzaga and it was

that sparkle in his eye that helped me to stick with it.

Suzanne Lussier; In This Room, 2013,ceramic, adobe, and concrete

Gieber held very high expectations of his students. He guided me in finding the path I was looking for by

developing an exceptional foundation and bringing to light the array of possibilities in ceramics. Some

highlights that stand out are when he brought in Paul Soldner as a visiting artist, encouraged me to

take on an internship at Pewabic Pottery and brought us to Quarry Tile to learn more about industrial

ceramics. At Gonzaga, Gieber was not only my advisor, but also my advocate. Through the many hats he

wore I felt his support throughout my time at Gonzaga just as much as I did that first day of class. When I

was faced with a surprise transfer credit discrepancy that would prevent me from graduating as planned,

he stormed the registrar's office like a bull in a china cabinet advocating for me. Gieber later returned to

the studio strategically offering academic options that ensured I graduated on time. It is in his teaching

and the relentless efforts he made that I (and so many others) have been able to progress and achieve

such great successes at Gonzaga and beyond.

I had the pleasure of running into Gieber a few years ago at The Archie Bray Foundation. Although

numerous students had passed through his studio in the 14 years since graduation, he recognized me

in the crowd and gave me a huge hug. When we "talked clay" that day, I shared with him a few of the

achievements that had come into fruition with the foundation he provided at Gonzaga. Once again, I saw

that proud German professor smile at me with the sparkle in his eyes I remembered from my first day of

class. I hope he realized that day that it was because of his acceptance, patience, and dedication along

with the academic opportunities he provided that I pursued a career in ceramics and education, and have

come to be a life long learner, still actively working with clay.

Suzanne Lussier

When I first arrived at Gonzaga University my academic focus was biology. After curiosity pushed

me to enroll in a ceramics course with Gieber I was hooked. From that point on ceramics would

be a part of my everyday life. Taking part in the building of the Beatty Anagama irrevocably drew me to

the process of woodfiring. Gieber gave us full reign to fire that beast; many mistakes were made and

invaluable lessons learned. Gieber is a master at giving his students the space to create their own works

while at the same time providing the tools to push and innovate with new ideas. To me Gieber represents

everything I love about pottery: community, inspiration, and process.

Mike Janes

Terry Gieber, Mesa, Southwest Series, 2011saggar fired stoneware, 17" x 15" x 15"

Jerome Daniel Murphy, Wood Fired Horizontal Bottle, 2012iron rich clay, natural ash glaze, 35" x 12" x 20"

Sarah Beaty, 2011porcelain, 8" x 11" x 11"

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Jerome Daniel Murphy, Bowl, 2011porcelain type clay with stone inclusions, natural ash glaze, 3"x 4" x 5"

This publication is funded by the Jundt Art Museum's Annual Campaign, 2012-2013©Jundt Art Museum, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington 99258-0001