"Comrades in Clay"

CEBU, Philippines - As its first exhibit for 2016, the Globe Art Gallery is featuring "Comrades in Clay," which highlights the ceramics creation of husband and wife Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, along with their potter friends.

The Pettyjohns have been teaching pottery since the late 70s. Through their commitment they have converted many pottery enthusiasts into serious potters, long after their pottery school closed. Their workshop continues to welcome those interested in working with clay.

In recent years, many Pettyjohns' students meet at least once a month in Pansol to get their "clay fix." During these "pot sessions," they get high from kneading, slabbing, throwing and trimming the clay, as well as in glazing their bisque pots.  Each month, they come back with eager anticipation almost akin to a parent-to-be's anxieties on how their glazed pots will finally come out of the kiln. Every Christmas season, they try to get together for Raku firing and have their "exchanging pots." 

Jon studied pottery and ceramics in Spain, in a school called Escuela Masana, while the former Tessy San Juan is a product of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.

Aside from the Jon and Tessy, "Comrades in Clay" also draws attention to the works of the Pettyjohns' potter friends and mentor friends, who come from varied backgrounds: Rita Gudino, Head of Ceramics Studio of the UP College of Fine Arts; contemporary pottery artist and UP teacher Joey de Castro; noted painter Tensie Bello; Dr. Peppon Rondain, Head of Makati Medical Center's Nuclear Medicine; Finance Assistant Secretary Didith Tan; Ging Pajaro, founder/owner of Via Venetto; freelance TV commercial producer Sonny Cruz; investment banker Dedette Bautista of ING Bank; ceramics engineer EJ Espiritu; Japanese restaurateur Ritsuku Kikuchi; Kiko Demetillo of St. Luke's Medical Center's International Patient Care; entrepreneur Johann Gohoc and retired public servant Rescy Bhagwani.

Aside from "Comrades in Clay," the Globe Art Gallery has also featured a photo exhibit by Paolo Rondain. (FREEMAN)