New art exhibit at AMSET

The Art Museum of Southeast Texas is presenting their newest exhibit, “James C. Watkins: Reflections Made of Memories,” on view Jan. 7-March 19.

Watkins, a ceramicist living in Lubbock, Texas, has a career that spans over 40 years and is well-known for his unique and pioneering firing techniques, as well as his mastery of building large double-walled vessels. His ceramic pieces are inspired by his experiences growing up in the rural south. It was here, he assisted his mother and grandmother in their cleaning and food-making endeavors by keeping the fire burning under their cast-iron pots. Lubbock’s agricultural industries, particularly in cotton-growing, also inspire Watkins.

This retrospective will include new artwork, demonstrating many of Watkins’ innovative and pioneering firing techniques and processes.

Watkins graduated from Kansas City Art Institute with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Ceramics and Drawing. He went on to earn a Master’s in Ceramics from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1977. He is currently the Paul Whitfield Horn Professor Emeritus in the College of Architecture at Texas Tech University, where he taught Architectural Ceramics and Architectural Drawing for over 30 years.

His work has been exhibited in 40 solo exhibitions and 164 group exhibitions. In 2019, he received the Texas Master Award from the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

An opening reception will be held Friday, Jan. 13, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public. AMSET is located at 500 Main St. in downtown Beaumont. For more information, view amset.org or call (409) 832-3432.