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New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art at University of Southern Indiana, in partnership with New Harmony Clay Project, is proud to present Filled Up 4: A Ceramic Cup Show. Filled Up 4 features ceramic cups by contributing artists around the United States, juried by noted ceramic artist Pattie Chalmers. Filled Up 4 opens at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11 with a juror’s talk and award announcements, followed by a public reception from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT. An additional public reception for Filled Up 4 will be held December 2 in conjunction with Christmas in New Harmony, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT, where visitors can remove purchased works from the gallery. Gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT, Tuesday – Saturday.

The cup, one of ceramics more iconic images, has been used as a metaphor, a sculptural element, a sculptural foundation and a functional daily piece of dinnerware. Partnering with New Harmony Clay Project, we received over 80 submissions, 57 of which were accepted by the juror. Two awards will be given. Best in show will be given the “Overflowing” award of $150. Five honorable mentions will receive the “To the Brim” award of $50 each. Whether you choose to fill your cups with beverages, food, pencils, or ideology, this exhibition will feature a multitude of handmade creations from artists across the country.
Pattie Chalmers grew up and went to art school in Winnipeg, Canada. She received her BFA in printmaking from the University of Manitoba in 1994, and her MFA in ceramics from the University of Minnesota in 2001. Since graduating she has exhibited in group exhibitions on five continents, in six countries and in thirty-four states. She has had six solo exhibitions in the past five years, most recently the exhibitions The Mudmaid Museum at the Sheldon Art Center in St. Louis and Imperfect Ramblings at Merwin Gallery at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. Chalmers has taught at the University of Minnesota, Ohio University and at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where she is currently a full professor. (Chalmers admits she might be a little compulsive, and she definitely likes to laugh at her own jokes).


New Harmony Clay Project (NHCP) is an artist residency and educational center located in historic New Harmony, IN. The Project fosters an environment that supports the investigation of new ideas and work in the ceramic arts. It was established in 2015 by Lenny Dowhie, an internationally known ceramic sculptor and Professor Emeritus at University of Southern Indiana. NHCP is supported by the Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation, Efroymson Family Fund, Greater Houston Community Foundation and Lenny and Anne Dowhie Trusts. Its goal is to encourage emerging and professional visual artists/ educators in ceramics by giving them quiet space and the time to develop a new body of work. The Clay Project is located within the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Ceramic Studio in New Harmony, next to the Roofless Church.

New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art at University of Southern Indiana promotes discourse about and access to contemporary art in the southern Indiana region. New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is a proud outreach partner of the University of Southern Indiana.

Photo Credit: Ahmed Ozsever, River, Red, 2022. Archival Inkjet Print. 30 x 40 in.

This exhibition is made possible in part by the Efroymson Family Fund, Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.


Inquires: NewHarmony.Gallery@usi.edu