March 10, 2025
Story by Joe Vinduska
Otherworldly 3D art will be front and center at the Shafer Gallery’s “Sci-Fi Ceramics” event, led by artist John Hamilton April 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ceramics Lab, in the Technical Building, room T-151.
This free workshop will feature discussion, demonstrations, and small hands-on elements that showcase how Hamilton creates his unique artwork. Lunch will be provided from noon to 1 p.m. All skill levels are welcome, but the recommended age is high school or older.
To reserve a spot for the workshop, please contact Shafer Gallery Community Engagement Coordinator Richard Lartz at shafergallery@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9242.
Hamilton said in his artist statement that merging science fiction and clay defines his artistic voice.
“Each piece employs trompe l’oeil, inviting viewers to question materials and engage with intricate details,” he said. “My goal is to create functional art that belongs on counters and shelves, not hidden in cabinets. Beyond utility, my work serves as a conversation-starting focal point, standing apart from everyday aesthetics.”
Hamilton’s journey with clay began in 2005 at Colby Community College, leading to a BFA in Ceramics and a bachelor’s degree in art education from Fort Hays State University in 2012. He returned to Colorado, settling in Arvada with his wife and daughters. As a studio assistant at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, he maintained the studio, made glazes, and loaded kilns before becoming an instructor and Artist in Residence. His role expanded to firing cone 10 kilns, assisting students, organizing pottery sales, and setting up gallery shows. In 2021, he took on his first managerial role at the Art Students League of Denver, and in the fall of 2024, he returned to manage the Arvada Center’s program while continuing to teach and sell his sci-fi-themed pottery.
The workshop will precede the reception for the BartArt exhibit, which will feature pieces from Barton Fine Arts Faculty and Barton students. Hamilton will serve as the guest judge for this exhibit, and the awards ceremony will be part of the reception at 6:30 p.m. that evening. The exhibit will run through May 9. Light refreshments will be served, and admission is free.