"Bowl of Truth" by Richard Flores, post firing luster glazed earthenware. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ventura County.
Ritual Vessels of the Maya Brought Into the Present Day
VENTURA — The Maya culture of yesterday enlightens us today in Richard Flores’ exhibition of contemporary ceramic vessels at the Museum of Ventura County. Social Resurrection: Ceramics by Richard Flores opens Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 25, the museum reported in a media release.
Flores, an artist and studio arts professor, brings the ritual vessels of the Maya into the present day. The recently completed exhibit pieces are based upon the teachings and spiritual messages that guided life for the ancient Maya.
Flores works in ceramics, glass, and sculpture, and divides his time between Ojai and the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, where he is the three-dimensional studio arts professor. He has exhibited nationally in ceramics, sculpture and glass, and his pieces are in numerous collections, including that of the Forrest L. Merril and Kamm Foundation. Flores also worked with the late Beatrice Wood, is a juried member of Ojai Studio Artists, and is involved in the education and development of earth art and ceramic architecture at Cal Earth Institute in Hesperia. He earned his master’s degree from California State University, Northridge.
The Museum of Ventura County is at 100 E. Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission to the exhibitions is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. The first Sundays of every month are free general admission for the public. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.