Gwinnett Daily Post

Vernon Smith said the work on display in "Traditions and Diversions: Georgia Clay Now" is likely some of the best being produced in the nation.

"It is a wide variety of high quality clay work," he said. "I think it's probably some of the best work that being done in the country today, the southeast for sure."

One of the latest exhibitions to open at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, "Traditions and Diversions" features the clay work of 21 Georgia artists, including Smith, who serves as the ceramic studio manager at the center, and Mark Knotts, who teaches there. The two curated the exhibition.

"We picked clay artists that, not only did we like their work, it was something that might show either a tradition (in the medium) or a break from tradition," Smith said. "These are very highly regarded artists ... in the field of either pottery or sculpture using clay."

Work by former University of Georgia professor Ron Meyers and pieces by his former student, Glenn Dair, are on display.

Also at the Hudgens Center is "Process and Transformation: Wet Clay to Finish Work," an exhibition that illustrates the process of creating clay works through photos and samples of pieces at various stages in the process.

"That's to show basic ways of how clay becomes different things," Smith said. "Just to see some of the things you can do with clay is pretty amazing."

SideBar: If You Go

· What: Traditions and Diversions: Georgia Clay Now

· When: Through June 21

· Where: Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, Duluth

· Cost: Free

· For more information: Call 770-623-6002