Chelsea's Graduation and BFA Exhibition

My daughter, Chelsea Rose Mahan, graduated Saturday at University of North Carolina in Asheville with a BFA in Art and BA in Spanish (Distinction in Art, Distinction in Spanish, Distinction as a University Research Scholar, CUM LAUDE). That in and of itself was enough to put a lump in my throat as it was announced during commencement late Saturday morning after a fog lifted over Asheville and the sun began to beam down on the crowd of friends and relatives during the 2010 commencement.

But her Senior Exhibition in Highsmith Union Gallery on campus was incredible. It put smiles on the faces of everyone who came by to the opening reception Friday night, especially her parents. Her show remains open through May 25, 9-5 Monday through Friday. If you live near UNCA, go by and see it.

Nearly all the work is wood-fired and functional. Many of the pieces are altered.

I loved her stack of bowls, altered to nestle together like a flower. In her artist's statement she wrote: "The natural forms in this series are inspired by the patterns and interactions found in the rural environment such as the folding of petals of a flower or placement of twigs in a nest."

I loved her altered cups cradled together side by side in trays, kindling "a sense of family." My son Levi helped her set up the exhibition. They did a fantastic job.

Here's a few pictures of her exhibit (last picture is her artist's statement):