Central Connecticut State University hosted a striking pottery art gallery at the Chen Art Gallery in Maloney Hall from Sept. 5 to Oct 4.
The exhibition Transformed By Fire: Feats of Clay was created by retired physician Thomas J. Zaccheo, M.D. The 177 pieces presented in the exhibition are composed of multiple art series, including metal and ceramic birds, cloth ceramics, iron ceramics, Raku ceramics, and more.
Zaccheo said he started making art as a means to relax while working as a physician. He said he took an art class 50 years ago that inspired him to create.
Zaccheo’s work involves mixed media, fiber clay, and the “lost cloth” technique, in his words, where cloth/weaving/crochet are used to make ceramic pieces, according to a CCSU press release about the gallery. The exhibition was organized by the Chen Art Gallery Director Professor Priya Green with gallery staff Courtney Silvia and Kathleen Gauthier and students Olivia Benson and Brayton Price from Spring 2024 ART490 Curatorship, according to the press release.
All of the pieces in the exhibition were made available for purchase, and the proceeds will go to CCSU’s Ceramics/Sculpture Department.