AKAR is one of the country's premier craft and design showplaces in Eastern Iowa, is currently showing a diverse selection new ceramic works by Ron Meyers, Silvie Granatelli, and Jenny Mendes (May 4 - 23, 2007). The work of Ron Meyers is the focus of this review. The advance card sent out by the gallery in early April says it all: "To give everyone a fair chance, Ron Meyers work will be limited to one piece per household on opening day". AKAR has been featuring Ron's work for the past six years — artist Meyers has loyal devotees and his shows can sellout before the doors open.

As his colleagues, collectors, and many students already know, Ron has devoted half a century to the creative life. His earliest passion, and his professional goal, was to become a cartoonist — something immediately evident in his inscribed and painted animals and figures. Throughout the work, there is an undeniable ambivalence expressed in even the most benign of creatures, say a rabbit. A sort of, "I can't help myself, the Devil has gotten into me!" These humorous animals often bare their teeth and glare at each other with menacing sideways glances. They are at once endearing, comical, and slightly fearsome.

Cats, goats, blackbirds, frogs, canines, fish and female people adorn every imaginable kind of clay object, all very utilitarian. Rough hewn earthenware, with or without simple salt glazes — colored slip comprises his illustration palette — all his pieces have that trademark wobbly, even lumpy, appearance. The artist's hands joyfully unconcerned about refinement of any kind. This particular exhibit displays iconic Meyers; small cups, candlesticks, vases and vessels, bowls, plates, large platters. One of several teapots stands out because the handle is constructed of narrow blond reeds, bound together — the only piece that includes a mixed media component. This viewer especially loved an 18" candlestick with a single mythological satyr, horned and cloven-hoofed, leering expression, tongue lolling out of his mouth, flanked by two voluptuous (cartoonishly so) standing females. The three seem drunk as skunks, with goblets falling all around.

A lifelong ceramics teacher, workshop phenomenon, and world class traveler, Ron Meyers, the artist, is greatly admired for his generosity of spirit and his charismatic personality; FUN seems first and foremost on his mind. As for utility, Ron has said, "Working in clay and making functional pottery has never been a problem for me. I have never felt the need to dismiss or disregard the concept of function because it was something less than art." Meyer's current work at AKAR shares space with many renowned, extraordinary ceramic artists from around the world, Somehow, after all these years, he still manages to stand out.