Norm Schulman, "Fantasy and Daydream", ca.1998, engobe painted, glazed stoneware, 52 x 21 x 19 inches.  Courtesy of the Artist.

Norm Schulman, "Starman and Nymph: Celebrating Spring’s Arrival", 1982, engobe painted, salt glazed porcelain, ash glazed neck, 13.25 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches. Courtesy of the Artist.

Norm Schulman, "Fantasy and Daydream", ca.1998, engobe painted, glazed stoneware, 52 x 21 x 19 inches.  Courtesy of the Artist.

“Norm Schulman: A Life in Clay,” which opens Friday, Aug. 24, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 6, is a touring exhibition organized by the Asheville Art Museum featuring 22 works from throughout Schulman’s long career. In addition, the Fine Art Museum concurrently will offer a rare look at several works from Schulman’s personal collection of ceramics by such noted clay artists as Rudy Autio, Wayne Higby, Peter Voulkos and others.

A free public reception for Schulman is planned for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, prior to a concert by television and stage actress Linda Lavin in the Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Schulman’s work ranges from the purely functional to the purely sculptural, art critics say. Among the examples of his constantly evolving style are his intricate double-walled vessels, salt-glazed porcelain pieces, and what he calls “three-dimensional paintings,” which are more sculptural works.

The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog that traces Schulman’s career as a ceramic artist, teacher and mentor. Joan Byrd, professor of art and chair of the ceramics area in the School of Art and Design at WCU, has written an essay and conducted an interview with Schulman for the exhibition catalog.

“Whether in functional ceramics or in his sculptures, Schulman confronts the central mysteries of existence,” Byrd said. “His life’s work admits no easy answers. Unsparing in his vision, he conveys a profound humanity.”

Since 1978, Schulman has operated Norman Schulman Studio in Penland. His works have been included in numerous exhibitions, including those of the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, the Southeast Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem and the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. His works are in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the American Craft Museum in New York City, the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte. The Fine Art Museum at Western will unveil a newly acquired Schulman ceramic work for the museum’s growing permanent collection, an acquisition made possible through the financial contribution of an anonymous donor.

Born in New York City in 1924, Schulman attended Parsons School of Design there and earned a bachelor’s degree in art from New York University. He received a master of fine arts degree in ceramic design from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 1958. Schulman taught ceramics at the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio, and later became an instructor and head of the ceramics and glass area at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. He has been a visiting artist at the New York State College of Ceramics, and State University of Iowa in Iowa City. Between 1982 and 1984, he was head of the ceramics area at the Ohio State University.

“We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate the important work of Norm Schulman to the university, community and the Western North Carolina region, which is incredibly significant,” said Martin DeWitt, director of the Fine Art Museum at Western. “Norm is a truly a master in our midst whose influence continues to be far reaching. This is an exhibit not to miss.”

The “Norm Schulman: A Life in Clay” exhibition, catalog and tour of the exhibition are made possible by the Asheville Art Museum through support of the Windgate Charitable Foundation, with additional support provided by Highwater Clays Inc. and Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts. The exhibition catalog will be available in the museum shop. The exhibition was curated by Frank Thomson, Asheville Art Museum curator.

Other Fine Art Museum exhibitions during 2007-08 schedule include:

Aug. 24-Oct. 6 – “Tri-State Sculptors: MicroMonumentals.”

Oct. 18-Dec. 1 – “Faces of Change: Migrant Workers in Western North Carolina”; “Nexus Press: Artist-Made Books Large and Small”; and the School of Art and Design student portfolio exhibition.

Jan. 23-March 15 – Biennial exhibition by faculty from the School of Art and Design.

March 27-May 1 – School of Art and Design’s annual juried student exhibition; “Erwin Eisch: Kristallnacht – Night of the Crystal Death,” artists respond to the Holocaust.

May 29-June 28 – “Furniture Design: New Trends from Appalachian Traditions.”

Ongoing – “WORLDVIEWS: Selections from the Permanent Collection and New Acquisitions,” featuring regional, national and international artist works in all media.

During the new exhibition season, the Fine Art Museum is offering special “Museum Friends” membership opportunities beginning at the $25 level, which includes recognition on a donor wall plaque in the atrium lobby. Contributors also will receive invitations to member-exclusive exhibit previews, guest artist talks, volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and discounts on selected exhibition catalog sales and planned museum trips.

“We will continue to highlight the finest contemporary art by emerging and noted local, regional, national and international artists throughout this new exhibition season,” said DeWitt. “Gallery visitors will again be challenged this year with exhibitions that offer a provocative look at our complex contemporary culture through the visual arts and all its forms and processes.”

For more information about the 2007-08 season and membership benefit programs, call the museum office at (828) 227-3591, or visit the Fine Art Museum at the Fine and Performing Arts Center Web site, www.wcu.edu/fapac.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Tours are available for groups.