A “Lark,” by definition, is something taken up in the spirit of fun, enjoyment and mischief. When looking at the ceramics on display at the LaRK exhibit in the LSU Student Union, it is clear the exhibition title matches the works.
The exhibit, which will be open for the next month, displays a collaboration between LSU and University of Arkansas students, Bri Ozanne, a ceramics graduate student, is the organizer of LaRK. She said the exhibit’s venue will not just benefit the students, but the artists as well.
“We get to work with people from another school that are doing the exact kind of thing that we are doing over here, and that kind of experience is always beneficial to an artist,” Ozanne said.
Arkansas third year graduate student Chris Drobnock said he has always been fascinated with the process one goes through when working with ceramics.
“At first, I liked ceramics just because of what it was like manipulating the material and the direct response you get when working with it, but that grew over time, and it has brought me here,” he said.
While the LaRK exhibit is ceramics-centered, it won’t be the only art on display. The students used a variety of mediums to prepare for this exhibit.
“We are encouraged to work in whatever area interests us, so a lot of the work you will see is mixed media,” Drobnock said. “But ceramics is usually the main way that we show our work.”
Drobnock will not only be showing small recreations of objects or “salt and pepper shaker” art. He said he prefers to create life size constructions, which will be showcased in the exhibit.
Grace Tessein, a ceramics graduate student, said she felt ceramics offered her something different ever since first coming into contact with it.
“When I was an undergrad, I took a ceramics class and really fell in love with the community aspect of it and also the challenges that I was posed,” Tessein said. “It was very different than any other class that I was taking.”
Most importantly, LaRK represents the coming together of two schools to show the community what they are capable of. Ozanne said.
“Ceramics is all about making bonds and this exhibit solidifies that,” Tessein said.

Gallery • 13 Photos

Nicholas Martino

Graduate student, Chris Drobnock, showcases his ceramic piece “Salt & Pepper Shakers” for the LARK exhibit on Monday, January 25, 2016 in the Student Union Art Gallery.