David McBeth is the Deer Isle Artists Association’s Artist-in-Residence in March

The Deer Isle Artists Association announces the March Artist-in-Residence Program on March 4 with artist David McBeth.

McBeth is a potter, working primarily with porcelain that is high-fired and ready for the dining table. Additionally, he is a knitter, whose preferred material is wool yarn.

A true renaissance man, lately McBeth is also a writer, working on poetry, short essays and personal narratives. His work is influenced through dialogue with others, by the wind through the trees, the coming and going of the tides. 

McBeth began making pots as a college student in 1975. Being an art professor offered him a small abundance of time as a working artist/potter. Walker Pond Pottery, his studio in Brooksville, opened in the summer of 2015. McBeth began knitting with a passion in the winter of 2006. He was also drawn to poetry, and the manner in which a few words can say so much, so interestingly. Since retiring, he has spent more time working on the craft of writing.

As a member of the DIAA since 2009, he did gallery sitting, exhibit installation and curating. That summer he was elected president of the organization. He led the transition from the old gallery space on Dow Road to the current DIAA location at 15 Main St. in Deer Isle.

During McBeth’s month-long residency, he will be focusing on three primary aspects of creativity. Using porcelain, he will be making a series of lunch plate/ shallow bowl forms, and cups that will serve as the surfaces on which he will be exploring storytelling through drawing. He will spend a portion of the day writing personal narrative essays and epistolary poems. He will be building on work from past residencies with a focus on surface design on dinnerware. Each day will be filled with writing, drawing, pot making and some knitting.

He invites you to join him as he soaks in the winter world around the Blue Hill Peninsula. How can the collective of work on the dining table tell stories, inspire memories — through plate, bowl, cup and platter?

McBeth will be in the gallery working from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Let’s Draw and Create program will take place March 10 and 17. This is a time when all are welcome to come and work on their own drawing skills, knit, write — however you create. If the gallery flag is flying, he will be there welcoming visitors.

There will always be coffee, tea and cookies.

McBeth will be offering two hands-on workshops on March 15 and 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. All are welcome and participation is free. Participants will explore the magic of drawing on clay. Bring a pencil and sketchbook or paper. Specific project materials will be provided. Advanced registration is preferred for the workshops, but walk-ins are welcome. To register, email McBeth at dmcbethme@gmail.com.

A closing reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. March 29 with a brief artist talk at 4 p.m.

The DIAA Gallery is at 15 Main St., Deer Isle Village. Go to www.deerisleartists.com, or call 207-348-2330 for additional information.