Current Exhibition
Sarah Baker and Coastal Clay
“Woven and Thrown”
Featuring alumni from Florida Gulf Coast University and Palm Beach Atlantic University
Co-curated with John Loscuito, Wasmer Gallery of Art, Florida Gulf Coast University.
February 20 – April 18, 2025
Reception: February 20, 6-7:30 pm
Curator Statement
John Loscuito, Art Galleries Director at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Heather Couch, Assistant Professor of Art at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) are proud to present this co-curated exhibition of alumni from both universities.
In choosing alumni, Loscuito and Couch sought to connect artists whose work related well, but that had never exhibited together before, connecting their work in a meaningful way. Couch and Loscuito believed the work of Sarah Baker and Sam and Sarah Costanzo (Coastal Clay) would offer a beautiful and meditative opportunity, featuring works of art grounded in their materials and the tradition of craft. Baker’s use of fiber and Coastal Clay’s focus on ceramics feature natural materials with age old traditions, used for centuries for utilitarian and fine art purposes. Civilizations from around the world have imbued items such as clothing and dishware with incredible patterns and designs that have inspired artists and artisans for generations.
Loscuito and Couch introduced the artists and asked them to consider the dynamic of a joint installation at PBA. As the curators and artists imagined the possibilities, more connections became apparent between the artworks. The artists all find inspiration from the natural world, a connection to the land and a fascination with its wonders from the micro to the macro. The experience of walking the beach is an inspiration for Coastal Clay as is gazing down from an airplane at the patterns of the earth for Baker. This longing to connect to and communicate the wonder of the earth and our place in it is a common thread for the artists and one that we wish to share with those who experience the exhibition.
We offer a special thank you to these artists for their thoughtfulness, creation of beauty, and consistent dedication to their craft.
Coastal Clay
Sam and Sarah Costanzo are a husband and wife production pottery team from West Palm Beach, Florida.
Growing up in coastal New England, then spending over a decade on the Florida coast, some of their most beautiful life moments were spent on the sand, looking out at the endless blue waves. So many morning sunrises, after work swims, and lazy strolls looking for seashells-the coast became a part of who they are, and their ultimate definition of natural beauty.
Now, as Coastal Clay, that natural beauty inspires their art. They aim to add beauty into the everyday utility of their pieces, and to add joy to everyday life, even the slightest bit, by quiet, yet beautiful artistry.
Sarah Baker
Historically, textiles were created from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and hemp using century-old farming practices that supported the environment; however, modern industrial agriculture methods have displaced small-scale growing techniques linked to traditional cultures, climates, and ecosystems. Textiles made of polyester, nylon, and acrylic are now used to produce most apparel and fibers. Because so much of the energy required for their production originates from the oil industry, the use of synthetic fibers is a concern. “Fast Fashion” – quickly available, low-cost, on-trend clothing – has democratized fashion, but the human and environmental health concerns connected with low-cost apparel are ubiquitous. Furthermore, growing food and establishing homes were once rooted in our personal relationships with the surrounding wildlife. Successful methods were based on generations of accumulated knowledge, but there has been a radical shift to corporate control over our environment during the last century. My intention with this series is to unravel this progression from natural to artificial, as together, these woven forms document our contemporary relationship with the land through a nonrepresentational lens.
I grew up traveling the world, and when I look at my map with red pins and string, I recall the memories associated with a city called Baku. I was eleven, but I still clearly remember becoming entranced by the communities of elderly women unveiling stories of a strenuous past, with every knot creating symmetrical patterns on their looms. I used to joke that I was half-raised on a plane and had the most frequent flyer miles of any other kid I knew. I have always loved looking out the window because the world transforms into simplified shapes and patterns from 36,000 ft that tell a generational story of family, industry, control, and growth. These themes are woven into the clothes we wear, the places we inhabit, and the food we consume. Based on my life experiences, I’ve chosen to work with fibers as an homage to all the women who have inspired me to explore this medium and whom I respect so dearly.
