Mayco Artists' Ceramic Installation at OSU

Details: Last Updated: Monday, 21 December 2015 20:53

Nate Klein, Natalie Spiert, Grace Cooper
(Photo Credit: J. Tiggs)

Going back to the company’s beginning in 1954, Mayco Colors has always been more than just a manufacturer. Our passion for ceramics is strong and supporting the community is another opportunity for us to give a little back.

Recently, two Mayco team members and OSU Alum, Nathan Klein (Staff Designer & Sales Representative) and Grace Cooper (Marketing Coordinator) were commissioned by the Office of Student Life at the Ohio State University to create a large scale ceramic tile installation for Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

The Coordinators within the Office of Student Life collected over 1000 responses on Post-It Notes from OSU students about consent and why it is necessary. These responses were then transferred onto ceramic tiles which were created to resemble yellow Post-It Notes, installed linking to hang collectively. On the reverse side of each tile, Elements™ Black Ice was used to have a mirror finish for viewers to have a closer connection with the art piece as well as the topic of consent. This piece was then revealed at the Sexual Violence Survivor Gala at the Ohio State University during the April 23rd event. Attendees were able to closely view and read each of the messages, ranging from “awkward” or “I don’t know how” to the surprisingly clever “When it’s mutual, it’s magical”.

“I hope this starts a conversation. That’s very important to me. I don’t want this to be a scary topic – I know it is scary. If we are able to communicate our fears, it will shirt the culture around it. This [installation piece] goes into the idea that it could be anyone’s experience.” Natalie Spiert, Sexual Violence Support Coordinator at the Ohio State University.

With this relevant topic in today’s day and age, Mayco embraced the role to elevate awareness by supporting Nathan and Grace and donating materials to bring this project to fruition.

“The glazes used during the creation of this installation were critical. Resembling a Post-It Note was the main focus to have the connection with the student’s response and interaction with the overall piece. Foundations® allowed us to achieve the perfect yellow Post-It Note color with ease while producing reliable results throughout many kiln firings. Wanting a mirror finish on the back side of the tiles, we chose Elements™ Black Ice glaze because it produces a very high quality reflective surface during a low-temperature firing.” Grace Cooper

From OSU to the Gala attendees, this ceramic tile installation was very well received. The Ohio State University President, Michael Drake, and Vice President for Student Life, Javaune Adams-Gaston were in attendance and Vice President Adams-Gaston announced that this piece will travel around the university on display then become a permanent art installation within the Student Union (Ohio Union) on campus indefinitely.