NED DAY LOOPAPALOOZA Sculptural Installation Artist Reception

The Mercer Gallery is pleased to host Ned Day and his sculptural installation of multiple giant ceramic bands. His exhibition LOOPAPALOOZA will take place in the Mercer Gallery from Monday, February 21st until March 11th, with a Copper Bracelet Demonstration and workshop happening from 9:30 am to 12 pm in the art and design shop in the Joyce fine arts building. On that same day, Ned will give an artist’s lecture followed by a closing reception from 1 pm until 2 pm and workshop a closing reception. The gallery will then close at 2 pm on Friday, March 11th, for deinstallation.

Ned Day is an Art Professor for the Great Plains Art Institute at Sinte Gleska University, located on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in south-central South Dakota. He has been in that role since he graduated with his MFA from Fort Hays State University in 2013. Originally Ned grew up on a small farm in central Nebraska, where he attended a small rural school from kindergarten through the eighth grade when the school closed its doors due to low enrollment. Ned recalls riding a horse to school on at least one occasion to add a bit of adventure to his life.

He became interested in art and design during high school when he produced the program for a local rodeo. This led Ned to pursue a degree in Graphic Design at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He also realized he was interested in fine arts, particularly ceramics and sculpture. After graduating from UNK in 1999, Ned worked in the publishing field for over ten years as a Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Art Director. During that time, he also honed his skills in ceramics and sculpture with an active regional exhibiting Fine Artist.

While working as an Art Director in Sidney, NE, Ned helped establish the Sidney Fine Art Center. He began teaching ceramics workshops there, leading Ned to pursue art education as a full-time occupation. So in 2010, I left behind his career in publishing and started and started the visual arts adventure that he is still on today.

Whether working in stone, steel, wood, glass, or clay, Ned seeks to create continuous lines with no beginning or end. His lines stretch from sleek and sensuous to purposely precarious; he finds satisfaction when those lines are crossed. Ned also dabbles in form with function, with his exceptionally crafted functional pottery. However, his sculptures have clear, clean lines and slick, smooth surfaces that allow one piece to lead to another.
The Mercer Gallery is open Monday through Wednesday, from 9 AM to 4 PM, Thursdays from 9 AM to 10 PM, and Fridays from 9 am until 4 pm. For information, contact Gallery Director Michael Knutson. [email protected].

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