Gabriel Kline
Born and raised in the hills of Pennsylvania, Gabriel studied pottery in Australia, the Caribbean and Maine before settling in
Asheville, NC, to start Red Moon Rising Studios with his wife and creative partner,
fashion designer Rachel Stack. As an Instructor at the prestigious Odyssey
Center for the Ceramic Arts, Gabriel teaches regular classes to both children
and adults. He is deeply committed to the creation of safe, supportive
environments for people to explore their creativity. In his spare time, Gabriel
enjoys walking his dog, Django, playing volleyball, and dancing in the woods. Artist’s Statement
I seek to create pieces that are functional in three senses of the word. The first function of my work is to fulfill a spiritual search for physical and mental calm. As a student of the ancient Taoist teachings found in the primary texts Nei-Yeh (Inward Training), Yuan Dao (Tracing the Way to Its Source), Tao-Te Ching (The Way and Its Power), and the inner chapters of the Chuang-Tzu, I conceive my daily life in terms of harmony achieved (or lacking) between my surroundings and myself. When working at the wheel I achieve this harmony perhaps more comprehensively than in any other aspect of my life.
Recent experiments with guided breathing techniques and meditation while working have yielded pieces functional in a second sense. These “calm” pots are intended to function as a “meditation bell” for the beholder. I take the work of Toshiko Takaezu, Lucie Rie, and Kevin Crowe as exemplary in this respect. Ideally, to look at and interact with my pieces will be to bear witness and engage the physical and mental calm necessary for their creation. I hope that to view my work will be to be calmed yourself.
Finally, my work is functional in a third, more traditional sense. The work is intended for use both in everyday activities, and for special occasions. In particular, my work is made to encourage harmonious interaction and mindful, conscious movement while preparing tea, serving food, drinking spirits, or arranging flowers and herbs. Very often, the work encourages one to serve others, be they family, friends, or new faces.
While I find this style of work personally fulfilling, I also enjoy collaborations with other ceramists and artists in other fields. In the future, I hope to work with graffiti artists by bringing a third dimension to their work, with fashion designers to create uniquely wearable pieces, and with musicians, whose rhythmic creations resonate with the timing and rhythm of the throwing process.
I am thankful for the opportunities I have had in the field of ceramics so far. I wish to continue to experiment and to make available to others all that I have learned.
Gabriel Rylander Kline
77 Montview Drive
Asheville NC 28801
828 253 2092
redmoonrisingstudios@hotmail.com
Objectives:
To create masterful works in clay. To passionately teach. To stun with large and small scale work. To provide opportunity to others. To foster community. To shine light. To continually advance. To bring art to the forefront.
Education:
Brown University, BA, Religious Studies and Visual Art, 1999
Additionally studied at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 1998 and The Rhode Island School of Design 1996-99
Ceramics Workshops with Don Reitz, 2004, Nick Joerling and Linda McFarlane, 2006, Kevin Crowe, 2007
Ceramics Experience:
Studio Potter, Red Moon Rising Studios, Asheville, NC, 2005- present
Formal Apprentice to Hank Goodman, Hank Goodman Stoneware, Arden, NC, 2005
Show Coordinator, Jim Shirk Retrospective, Carlisle, PA, 2004
Production Assistant, Wayne Village Pottery, Wayne, ME, 2004
Studio Manager, Dragonfly Studio, Tybee Island GA, 2001-03
Studio Assistant, Sunset Ceramics, St John, USVI, 2000
Shipping Coordinator, Jonathan Adler, NYC, 1999
Summer Program Coordinator, Lily and the People, Seattle WA,1998
Awards:
Best in Show, Tybee Island Festival of the Arts, 2004
Best in Show, Tybee Island Festival of the Arts, 2005
Teaching Experience:
Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC 2005-2008
Ceramics Instructor: Extremely popular with kids, adults, and special needs students
Kids Classes: Gabe’s Groovalicious Clay Games Vol 1-20
Captain Gabe’s Clay AdventureVol 1-4
Gabe’s Pottery and Potluck
Young Potter’s Wheel Workshop Vol 1-4
Gabe and Ted’s Excellent Clay Adventure
Special Needs Clay Class
Adult Classes: Setting The Table,
Pots for Peace Vol 1 and 2
The Ultimate Beginner’s Wheel Class Vol 1-4
Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Workshops Taught:
North Carolina K-12 Educators Conference, 2006, “Creating Large Scale Coil Projects in Groups”, 2006
North Carolina Art Education Association Conference Super Session, “ Expanding Creative Opportunities”
Camp Wekeela, Canton, ME, 1999-2003, Creative Arts Department Head
Baldwin Community Schools, Baldwin, MI, 2003, Substitute teacher
Publications:
2 images in Lark Books’ 500 Pitchers, 2006
Laurel of Asheville feature on "Setting the Table”, 2007
Gallery Representation:
Wickwire Fine Art, Hendersonville, NC , 828 692 6222
Pura Vida, Asheville, NC
Salon Blue Ridge, Hendersonville, NC
Zambras, Asheville, NC
Greenlife, Asheville, NC
SOS, Woodfin, NC
Dragonfly Studio, Tybee Island, GA
Gallery 516, Savannah, GA
My Father’s Garden, Carlisle, PA
Gallery Of the Mountains, Asheville NC
Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC
Solo Shows:
“The Appalasian Aesthetic”, The Window Gallery, West Asheville, 2007
“100 Plates”, The Grace and Cameron West Art Gallery, Pfeiffer University, Meisenheimer, NC, 2008
Inclusions in Major Juried Shows and Festivals:
The Big Crafty, Asheville NC, 2008
Loki Festival, Horseshoe, NC, 2008
Trinumeral Festival, Horseshoe, NC, 2008
AMJAM, Horseshoe, NC, 2008
Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN, 2003-2007
Lexington Avenue Art and Fun Festival, Asheville. NC, 2005-2008
River District Studio Stroll, Asheville, 2005-2008
Regeneration, Horseshoe, NC 2007
One World, Horseshoe, NC 2007
Ashefest, Horseshoe, NC 2007
Canton Mountain Fest, Canton, NC, 2007
Tybee Island Festival of the Arts, Tybee Island, GA, 2000-2005
Spring Fling, Tybee Island, GA, 2000-2005
Other Experience:
Koala, Wilderness Society, Sydney, Australia, 1998
Catering Staff, Dickinson College Catering, Carlisle, PA1995-97
Waitstaff, Tony Roma’s, Savannah GA, 2000-02
Carver, Riodisio, Manhattan, NYC 1999
Deli Help, Tropicale, St John, USVI, 2000
Autoclave Specialist, Brown University, 1996
General Industrialist, Factories around South Central PA, 1995
Office Assistant, The Northeast Conference, Carlisle, PA, Various
Helper, Nationwide Transmissions, Hilton Head, SC, 2002