Ceramics artist Sue Tirrell featured at Red Lodge Clay Center

The Red Lodge Clay Center was abuzz last week as staff unpacked and photographed pieces in the upcoming solo exhibition of potter and sculptor Sue Tirrell, a Red Lodge native who lives in Pray.

This is Tirrell’s first solo exhibition at the clay center and her first exhibition in a few years, said Wesley Harvey, curator of exhibition.

The work in the show, which opens March 6, includes ceramics and sculptural works, much of it functional.

Painted images on white porcelain make the pieces pop, Harvey said. A Tirrell piece draws the eye.

“Her colors are so bright, you walk into the gallery and no matter where Sue is at in the showroom, she stands out,” said Harvey.

Much of Tirrell’s work is influenced by local folklore with a tongue-in-cheek, deviant nature.

On one side of a bowl, there might be a rabbit; turn it around and there is a wolf stalking. In a set of two cups, one might have a chicken and a flower, and the other a chicken and an ax and a tree stump.

“You know what’s going to happen. It’s that attention to detail in her work and the way she applies the color in her carving that I think is just fantastic,” Harvey said.

Excitement among art aficionados is high, according to Harvey. Images of the work in the exhibition will be posted on the clay center’s website March 9 for order. Harvey predicted half of the pieces might be sold by then.

“People will come from all over because her work goes so quick,” he said.

The exhibition will stay in place through April 24.

Tirrell is one of many artists represented by Red Lodge Clay center. Harvey said the organization strives not to have two artists whose work is similar so they don’t take away from each other.

“I like that individuality that Sue and all the artists share here. We really do have something for everybody,” he said.

Red Lodge Clay Center is at 123 S. Broadway in Red Lodge. Business hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12-4 p.m. For more, call 446-3993 or go to www.redlodgeclaycenter.com.