A Pot of Gold
“Sometimes, at art openings, the people that come to them are more interesting to look at than the actual art,” Josh Copus whispered to me at Emily Kasinecz’s September 16th opening reception at Harvest Records. “Interesting art brings out interesting people. Hopefully the people at the New American Arts Collective show will be just as fun to look at as the art too.” ~ The Asheville Disclaimer
My eldest son, Josh – the Asheville potter who loves the Red Sox – is a mad artist and has been experimenting with art mediums since he could first hold a crayon…or scissors…or paintbrush…or a hole-puncher. Fortunately, because I was a day-care teacher, whose job it was to set up art projects, before having my own kids, I knew what to expose him to.
Today, he’s primarily a ceramic artist, but he also does collage journaling, drawing, print-making and super-hero costume making. Not only that, but he can write. Back in the early 80s, when MTV was good and Josh was only about 3 years old, I had some writing published in “Mothering Magazine” and was a regular contributor to another “attachment parenting” publication called “Nurturing.” During that time, I also submitted Josh’s art, poems, recipes, stories, and quotes, many of which were also published.
Recently, on our way home from Colorado, my husband and I stopped off in Asheville to surprise Josh at an art opening. The photo above shows some of his pottery that was featured at the opening, which was the result of a grant he received to explore the use of locally harvested clay. After some visiting and hobnobbing, after some after-show sushi, and decaf at a wireless café, we picked up a copy of “The Asheville Disclaimer,” and who did we find on the front cover side-bar…Josh.
The paper is mostly a spoof on the news, but their entertainment columns are for real, as was the one Josh appeared in… Visual Arts Rummage Sale: Caravanning around Asheville with the New American Arts Collective… “I got shivers,” said Copus as we headed to Emily Kasinecz’s show at Harvest Records, where we were greeted with frozen pizza, wine and a series of deceptively minimalist black and white photos. ~ The Asheville Disclaimer
Josh is a member of the newly formed New American Arts Collective. …Josh Copus, predominately a ceramic artist, made his screen-printing debut at the show, which seemed to be well received. “Josh is really spontaneous with his printing style and I think that gives them more impact,” said Lisa Nance. ~ The Asheville Disclaimer
Last week, when we first met up with him, he had just come from a kiln building under the direction of a renowned potter visiting from Japan. This week he’s hosting a studio potter from England who he met this past summer while visiting master potters in that country.
The boy came in with a mission. It’s fun to see how richly he’s manifesting it.
Post note: To read more about Josh’s work click HERE and scroll down.
October 14th, 2005 10:39 am
I love pottery. Whenever I vacation, I always find a gallery, and buy a piece of pottery to bring home. Your’s son’s work is marvelous! And so is Asheville.
visiting from michele’s this morning.
October 14th, 2005 11:19 am
How wonderful to be able to do what you love, and have it so well received! The pottery in your picture is beautiful.
October 14th, 2005 12:31 pm
That’s very cool. The next time I’m in Asheville I’ll have to see if he’s showing anywhere.
I’m back via Michele this time.
October 14th, 2005 1:44 pm
You must be so proud of him. His pottery is beautiful. How great that he is doing what he loves and is such a big part of the art community in Asheville.
October 14th, 2005 5:11 pm
Josh is an amazement!!!!
October 14th, 2005 5:15 pm
Sounds like you did a fabulous job facilitating such wonderful talent!! I can only hope the same for my boys!
October 14th, 2005 5:15 pm
Sounds like you did a fabulous job facilitating such wonderful talent!! I can only hope the same for my boys!
October 14th, 2005 6:55 pm
His pottery looks so beautiful. It is wonderful to be able to see our children live their passions.
October 14th, 2005 7:59 pm
Colleen, the pot on the left looks similar to some that I have, made by the Rosenblooms (in the 80’s) here in our area. They have pottery in the Smithsonian I am told.
Josh is so talented!
October 14th, 2005 8:30 pm
Right now one of Josh’s golden yellow pots is on my coffee table, full of fall flowers. I love it (and him!).
October 14th, 2005 9:19 pm
His work is amazing!!! Another thing we have in common…I worked for 10 years in childcare before having Whitney.:) Good to see you had such a wonderful trip. I enjoyed looking back at your blogs.:)
October 14th, 2005 11:08 pm
Beautiful pieces! The creative nature of his life proves that you did a good job as a mother. He believed he could do anything. He found what he loved and then found a way to get paid for it.
October 14th, 2005 11:20 pm
Tammy, did you notice that Josh gets the shivers too? Must be in the DNA. Thanks everyone for all your encouraging comments!
October 14th, 2005 11:50 pm
Your son has a beautiful creative talent. He’s an artist with something unique to share with the world. You must be very proud.
October 15th, 2005 9:18 am
Yes, I did notice. I’m still looking forward to getting together one weekend…once everyone starts to slow down! xoxo
October 17th, 2005 7:27 pm
Beautiful pieces! And what a joy. I love your last paragraph.
October 17th, 2005 8:50 pm
thanks to everyone for caring, because without any of the support it really wouldn’t matter. It made me very gratefull to hear all the positive comments that people posted and i just wanted to let that be known. Especially to you mom, and i’ll definately say this to you in the flesh, but for the record i really appreciate all that you do and have done. Having you suprise me at that show was awesome. it got me high, even after the dead tiring amount of work i did that whole week. cheers, JCOPE
November 14th, 2005 11:58 pm
I went to college with Josh. He is a fantastic individual. I spent an evening at your home on a road trip home for the holidays. I am glad that I randomly came across your blog. I currently work for a children’s book publishing company where we focus on attachment parenting. Perhaps we could communicate further about this topic.
May peace be with you.
Megan Rowe
Class 2000 WWC
January 8th, 2007 8:56 am
had the pleasure of photographing Josh at work yesterday in his studio … what a great and talented guy! photographs are for a story I’m writing for The Laurel of Asheville magazine (Feb 2007 issue)