We think that past Artists in Residence are the best people to speak about the International Ceramics Studio. On this page we are posting experiences and comments from artists who have worked here over the years.

If you have worked here in the past and would like to add your experiences please email us at info@icshu.org.

Catherine Schmit-Maybach (USA), 2005
The facilities provided more possibilities than I was able to experiment with and the staff was very friendly, helpful and accomodating. I know they made otherwise involved transactions and events work smoothly for myself and other artists. I particularily appreciated their humor, patience and good naturedness, especially in the face of so many artists coming through the center. The freedom to work in my own way and to make my own decisions about daily details was empowering and challenging at the same time. It allowed me to concentrate on my internal process and participate socially as well. The luxurious simplicity of my time in Kecskemet will continue to unfold bit by bit and I treasure it as a rich creative experience.

Linda Lighton (USA), 2003
I want to thank you for such a fabulous experience this summer at the ICS. Really it was like a prayer having the time to work in such a safe, beautiful and nurturing environment. The wonderful technicians, Jakab and Klara were so helpful. Our accommodations were excellent and the working environment superb. It was also a time for total immersion in the process of clay and expanding thinking about my subject and mythology. You provided a really superb environment. Most importantly was the chance to know Hungary a little bit, meet Hungarians and other artists from Europe in an intimate and nurturing environment that makes my world a little bigger and the wide world a little smaller. You perform a great service in bringing the world together. ICS is a wonderful tool for making the world a smaller place. Kecskemt and Hungary should be proud to have a retreat like ICS. We were so honoured to be a part of your program.

Janet Simpson, Executive Director, Kansas City Artist's Coalition
Thank you for making the Lighton International Exchange Program at the ICS such a memorable and rewarding experience for the artists. The ICS is a unique and valuable resource for artists, who need support to do the work that enriches all our lives and indeed creates our culture. This is the artist's gift for future generations. Your work at ICS cultivates and supports this gift and is like a pebble thrown in a pond that will, in ever widening circles, touch many lives. ICS and your work is truly an asset to your community, country and the world.

Aage and Heidi Birck (Denmark), 2002
It has been a great experience to us to be at the ICS and it even surpassed my expectation based on my memories from 1988. You have created some fantastic frames for working with clay and the equipment is second to none. The place is, in its whole architecture and not least in the small details, a visually inspiring place but most of all - and the really important - is the fantastic spirit of the place.

Nora Gergely (Hungary)
The happiest moments in my work are those when the outside world ceases to be and I can concentrate my physical and mental efforts on expression.

Lynn Smiser Bowers (USA), 2003
Your kindness, guidance and hospitality made my five weeks in Kecskemét one of the most enjoyable, rewarding periods of my ceramic career."
"The excellent technical facilities, comfortable living and studio arrangement in conjunction with the lovely and tranquil environment provided me the perfect opportunity to experiment with new ideas and challenge old habits. The ICS provides an important forum taht allows artists from all over the world to come together and share ideas and friendship. This exchange of information in both social and formal settings develops crucial links taht ie artists and their work together.

Netty van den Heuvel (Netherlands), 2000
The movement or step from a two dimensional drawing to a three-dimensional object has been fascinating me for seventeen years. How a piece comes into this world and takes space. The results are constructions, some related to buildings, some others to minerals and crystals. When a situation changes, energy comes free. This energy can be used for creating. The international studio for ceramics in Kecskemét, created that situation for us and made exchange possible. Thanks for that. Energy never gets lost.

Nemzetközi Kerámia Stúdió / International Ceramics Studio
H-6000 Kecskemét, Kápolna u.11, Hungary
tel: +36 76 486 867
fax: +36 76 482223
email: info@icshu.org
www.icshu.org

Contact Email:
info@icshu.org - Steve Mattison (English, German, Italian, French, Spanish)
icshu@axelero.hu - Ha magyar nyelven kíván emailt küldeni cimezze Kormos Emesének

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