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Thomas Kilian, a Tyrrell County resident, is currently in an art exhibition entitled "2017 HANDCRAFTED Juried Exhibition" hosted by the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

 

"Since I last showcased my work on July 11, 2015, I have been on tour. Going to university in Missouri allowed me to travel to surrounding events and conferences to showcase, demonstrate, and even auction off work. Currently, with my attendance at a university in NC, I have been able to draft up new designs for my functional-minded product line and commence on developing new glazes," said Kilian.

 

The Imperial Centre's exhibition is a wide-ranging fine craft exhibition that premiered last October. "Out of 130 entries, my ceramic work entitled Isaiah 40:28 (two heritage ring-jugs which are fused together to create a tall and wide vessel [reflecting the same nature of a vase or pitcher]) was selected with 38 other artists' works to be displayed. The works shown are just as exclusive and varied as their mediums and the craftsmen who have made them," said Kilian

 

Works from artists from 9 different states in the mediums of clay, glass, wood, fiber, metal, found objects, etc., are exhibited this year. Wiedrich has been the Art Curator for the City of Rocky Mount for three years. Wiedrich said that the 17th Handcrafted Juried Exhibition marked 2017. "This year's show was juried by Mi-Sook Hur. Her focus was on innovation and craftsmanship, which is a very apparent theme as you explore the exhibition. All of the pieces selected for the show exemplify mastery of craft and unique methods to achieve innovative twists on classics. Some are styles I've never seen before, which is really exciting. Thomas Kilian's work fits in beautifully with the exhibit. His clay piece is of unique (and surprising) shape. We are thrilled to have him included in this year's Handcrafted Exhibition," said Wiedrich

 

Kilian is known for his work in art and his efforts in ministry with the Church of Christ/Christian Church. He has worked alongside Mercy Partners®, a Christian-based humanitarian aid organization working in North and East Africa, as an advisor.

"In the near future, I plan on participating as a vendor for Somerset Place State Historic Site's (Creswell, NC) 2017 summer events. In the next year, I will graduate twice from the university. I am looking into possible art opportunities with which I could display my craft while I teach," said Kilian

 

The exhibit where Kilian's work is featured debuted on January 29 and will continue to be open to the public until its closing on May 14, 2017

 

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The article was originally published on May 17, 2017, in The Scuppernong Reminder, a Washington Daily News newspaper.