Go ahead. Humor yourself.

The Stamp Gallery presents Humor Yourself, an exhibition featuring the illustrations of local artists John Shipman and Rachel Bone, who combine whimsical, dreamlike images and concise, illustrative styles. Curated by University of Maryland students Danielle Brown ’10 and Eldis Sula ’11, Humor Yourself playfully explores the potential of illustrations to enhance our otherwise common perceptions of the world. These undisguised pieces—surreal but concrete, fantastic but minimal—take a rational approach to their irrational subject matter. By engaging viewers with their acute humor and sharp irony, these pieces invite the audience to focus their imaginations on single fanciful moments in order to make connections between illusory subjects and the precise, fastidious manner in which they're portrayed. If you don't believe the disparity between fantasy and reality can be reconciled, these works dare you to fill in the gaps. Opening reception is tomorrow, May 19th from 5-7pm.

Collaborating with Clay at the Baltimore Clayworks.

Baltimore Clayworks hosts the exhibition COUPLETS, curated by Exhibitions Director, Mary Cloonan featuring established and emerging ceramic artists who share a studio. This exhibition runs March 7th- April 17th, 2009 with an opening reception on Saturday, March 7th, from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free.

The exhibition Couplets explores the studio energy between artists who share a space and the artwork from that collaboration. Creating a dynamic show of several pairs of artists that illustrates the talent and enthusiasm in the realm of ceramic art and the synergy of a communal studio.

These partnerships may be domestic or creative; married couples, friends or family. The studio environment may have one person throwing and the other decorating or working separately under one roof. The resulting work may be a singular voice or two diverse styles that are united in dedication and passion for clay.

This show is really worth checking out! I went this weekend for the opening and was blown away! To top it off in the Solo Gallery clayworks artist Ann Hazles has a show of work done with the man of her life combining her ceramics and his photography. Truly worth the drive or walk over next time you make a Whole Foods run.