By CATHERINE LEGG / Community Columnist

The very unusual ceramics exhibit now in the art gallery at Parnell Memorial Library is the work of Melissa Moody, an Artist in Residence at the University of Montevallo.

The public is invited to a reception for the artist following the regular meeting of the Montevallo Arts Council, on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. in the gallery.

Moody is an accomplished ceramic artist from Rochester, N.Y., who earned her MFA in Ceramics from the School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology. She came to Montevallo to work with UM Professor Scott Meyer with whom she had become acquainted when he visited Rick Hirsch, a well- known ceramic artist in Rochester.

Describing her own work, Moody said, “The body of work consists of sculptural forms which suggest growth, change, and the accumulation and passage of time. Of particular inspiration are geological and natural forms that exhibit similar characteristics: sedimentary rocks, tree rings, shells, wasp nests and cocoons, for example. The forms are created with a combination of slab-building, mold-making, and wheel-throwing techniques.”

The artist revealed though she has always been interested in art, she had had little experience with ceramics until she was in college. She loved it immediately and has continued to work with clay ever since. “I am constantly surprised by what clay can do,” she said. “Clay is an ancient material with humble origins, but it is also an incredibly versatile and expressive medium with which to express contemporary issues”

Moody expects to eventually teach ceramics at the college level while continuing to develop and exhibit her own work.

As an added note, Melissa reported that Scott Meyer has recently published a book entitled “With Fire, The Uncommon Journey of Richard Hirsch.” Hirsch will be in Montevallo for the firing of the anagama kiln in November. For information email meyer@montevallo.edu.

The art gallery at the library is sponsored by the Montevallo Arts Council. To learn more about the Arts Council and upcoming events, please go to MontevalloArtsCouncil.org.

Catherine Legg can be reached by email at clegg2@bellsouth.net.