Pottery Gallery on January 12, 2011, presenting custom pottery pieces
from renowned North Carolina artist Ben Owen. The new retail setting
will be open to the public daily and has been created to feature the
work of an acclaimed contemporary potter whose pieces already
highlight the hotel's extensive contemporary art collection.
Seventy of Ben Owen's original pieces are currently on display
throughout The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, and the opening of his first
gallery in the city will open up new access to hotel guests and local
residents wishing to purchase his work.
The Ben Owen Pottery Gallery at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte will offer
75-100 one-of-a-kind pieces of Ben Owen pottery art, with prices
beginning at $45. Works will range from pots, vases, jars, bowls and
platters to major showpieces and spectacular larger works of art. All
items are hand-created by Ben Owen, who also will make special
appearances at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte for 2011 art weekends and
art demonstrations.
"We are honored to be working with an artist of Ben Owen's stature,"
said David Rothwell, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte.
"Many of our guests have commented on his work in our hotel public
areas, and we are delighted to now make it available on a retail
basis. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Owen to special art events at
the hotel as well."
Born and raised in the legendary Seagrove, NC pottery tradition, Ben
Owen III learned his art from his grandfather, Ben Owen, Sr., the long-
time master potter at North Carolina's Jugtown Pottery. Like his
grandfather and other Seagrove potters, young Ben Owen has made a
special study of Asian ceramics, finding that the Seagrove tradition
has a special affinity for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean forms and
glazing techniques. Owen incorporates these influences into vibrant
glazed pieces which offer simplicity, strikingly smooth shapes and
brilliant colors yielding to earth tones. Owen's works are owned by
some of the world's most high-profile collectors, with his large
installations also seen in Ritz-Carlton hotels and select private
residences worldwide.
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is home to several hundred pieces of fine
art presented in striking locations throughout the hotel, from the
first-floor Lobby and second-floor meeting spaces to guest rooms,
corridors and the penthouse Spa & Wellness Center. The hotel's
commitment to supporting local art and artists is visible as pieces
and artists from the Carolinas are given special prominence in this
curated collection.
