The Tarble Arts Center and local area schools came together in the name of art this month under the teachings of Illinois ceramic sculptor, Suzanne Berkes.

Berkes is the Tarble Arts Center’s 2010 Artist in the Schools Residency Artist.

Berkes’ personal work can be found in the Brainard Gallery in the Tarble Arts Center until Dec 19.

As an Illinois Arts Council Roster artist, Berkes is currently hosting an Arts-In-Education program at Charleston High School. There, she hosts a Core Group of students ranging from sixth grade to seniors in high school that are in the process of learning about her unique artistry. In turn, they are creating their own ceramic sculptures.

There will be a closing reception and exhibition of those students’ pieces from 5-6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Tarble Arts Center.

Curator of Education at the Tarble Arts Center, Kit Morice, said her work focuses around “basic elements.”

“The focus is on cultures around the world and their views of these basic elements,” Morice said. “Her work is well researched and it’s interesting to see the interconnectedness of cultures, it’s universal.”

Berkes has four main bodies of work on display currently. Ceramic tiles, freestanding clay, Brick Island Heads, and brick pieces done for corporate or private entities.

Katie Black, Tarble Arts Center student staff worker and sophomore art education major, helped Berkes with the current exhibition.

She found that art majors and non-art majors alike can appreciate the work.

“If people try to understand the culture behind the material, it really pushes (art) in a new direction,” Black said. “The bricks and ceramic tiles used are purely an artistic medium to create art.”

Morice said to become this years’ residency artist, Berkes had to go through a rigorous application process. The Tarble Arts Center Fund, the EIU Foundation, an arts grant, the Coles County Arts Council, and area schools funded it.

The Tarble Arts Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1-4 p.m. on Sundays. It is closed on Mondays and holidays.

Sarah Harcharik can be reached at 581-2812 or smharcharik@eiu.edu