The Art Studio, Inc. (TASI) will host Gumbo Clayfest, a celebration of ceramic arts, July 6-8 at its facility, located at 720 Franklin St in downtown Beaumont. The ClayFest is a public event involving demonstrations and workshops for those interested in making ceramics, admiring completed works, or just interested in watching the fascinating process.

Gumbo ClayFest will feature nine nationally-recognized ceramists who will demonstrate the different techniques for which they are known.

“Clay is one of the oldest arts there is,” said Greg Busceme, TASI’s Executive Director. “It’s an art that is 20,000 years old. From cooking pots to drinking vessels to sculptures, it’s one of the first things human beings did once they harnessed fire and figured out how clay reacted with it. It was one of the things that made us human.”

Gumbo ClayFest kicks off with an opening reception on First Thursday, July 6, 5-8pm with complimentary homemade gumbo provided by supporters of The Art Studio. Attendees will have a chance to meet and talk to the visiting artists. The festivities continue all day Friday and Saturday when the public is invited to sit in the Studio as the artists continue working on their projects.

Activities during the three-day event will include live demonstrations by the artists working on projects in the clay studio, the construction and firing of kilns, an exhibition of unique artwork in the gallery, local food trucks such as Cracklin’ Kings and BIG Empanadas on site to serve food, presentations of the featured artists’ past works and experience in the clay world, and plenty of opportunities to learn first-hand and ask questions about ceramics from the masters.

There is no registration needed. Admission is by donation only, in any amount.

“We’ll stop letting people in when we reach the fire code limit!” said Busceme.

“This festival is all about the clay and the people who love it. Highly knowledgeable ceramists from across the nation will descend on Southeast Texas and will share their ideas and special techniques to participants along with clay activities, panel discussions, presentations, and parties! Great for anyone who has an interest in clay and for artists from other disciplines. For any young or beginning aspirant it is a must do! De rigueur! You will advance your knowledge years ahead of where you are! Some of these artists I have known for many years and others are more recent friends; all are eager to come to our community and I hope hope hope you want to meet them too. It will mean a lot to me to have everyone come meet and learn from these generous ceramists and friends.”

Meet the artists of Gumbo Clayfest 2023!

• Gary “Greeny” Greenberg
• Tom Belden
• Patsy Cox
• Constant Albertson
• Stephen Wolochowicz
• Danielle Weigandt
• John Eden
• Steven Erickson
• Chris Leonard
• Greg Busceme, Sr.

Why Gumbo Clay?

as explained by TASI executive Director, Greg Busceme:

         A little history of TASI may be in order to explain the significance of the name “Gumbo ClayFest”. To begin with, most of “the locals” are familiar with gumbo but for those who are not, it is a creole roux-based soup with onions, celery, and green peppers also known as the Trinity which is the basis for many soups. Roux is flour and oil browned in a skillet or pot that is the heart and soul of the gumbo. There are vast variations on roux depending on the cook. In that mix goes some form of meat such as sausage, chicken, seafood, or any wild game you might enjoy killing.

         Now, why is gumbo tied to clay? The clay just below the soil layer is a black, thick clay that has been dubbed by geologists Beaumont Gumbo Clay for the resemblance to the creole concoction.

         I like plays on words so combining clay with fest indicates a festival of ceramic artists presenting their skills and ideas with the community and gumbo, to me, is a term that is indigenous to our local culture which implies large gatherings of people indicative of how gumbo is served.  

         Yes, gumbo will be served to demonstrate the unity we have as artists in the spirit of gathering to share a meal.

          When it all started in 1999, we hosted a group of ceramic artists to do clay workshops. The artists were Tom Belden, Gary “Greeny” Greenberg, Connie Albertson, who I knew from grad school, John Eden, Joyce Jablonski, and Chuck Wisinger. Joyce and I met during the clay conference (NCECA) and she led me to meet Eden, Belden and Greeny.  All have worked in clay for a major part of their lives and travelled the country doing workshops. TASI added students as participants which was a new wrinkle in the program that later was adopted in their future activities that included me as a presenter. I traveled to Greeny at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, Jablonski in Kansas City, KS and a trip to UCLA, Northridge with Patsy Cox.

           After this program we hosted Victor Spinski and Verne Funk, two very noted ceramic artists who created work that we have still have today. Spinski has since passed on but his legacy as a mold maker is legend.

         After that we were not able to produce a workshop because of economic restraints. It was a tough several years for TASI and myself. I lost track of the group until 2021 when I re-engaged for the kiln build project and attended NCECA again after a 20 year absence.

            I’ve learned some things through this: friends are always friends no matter what and patience, determination and perseverance will always prevail over failure.