Emma Gonzalez
Staff Writer
The Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery in Claremont is currently showcasing “Evolving Ideas: The Ceramics of Ruenell Foy Temps.”
The exhibit shows the artist’s intricate pattern choices. Patterns range from cheetah prints to shades of brown and blue. The exhibit features various cups and furniture of unique shapes and sizes.
“It’s not decorative, it’s not trying to describe something in nature.” said Kirk Delman, collections manager at the Gallery. “It’s just this kind of something organic, and I guess just something quite beautiful.”
Temps fell in love with ceramics and sculpting as a little girl during World War II. She discovered her passion for ceramics when she would build things out of adobe clay in her back yard.
“She had a natural ability to make patterns, she was making patterns for doll clothes when she was 7 or 8 years old sewing,” Clifford Temps, Ruenell Foy Temps’ husband, said. “She went on and did alterations for the Marines in the Marine basement.”
Ruenell Foy Temps died in 2020.
Temps’ inspiration was driven by working long nights and getting lost in her own experience with the art itself. Temps added that she passed away before having a solo show and feels like she deserves to be remembered.
“She lit candles, stood back and looked at six pieces that she created,” Clifford Temps said. “Her first thought was, ‘I wish I made those,’ because she almost didn’t know where they came from.
Along the way of her art career, Temps encountered difficulties along the way and faced sexism.
“As part of our history, you kind of see ways in which the work of men gets kind of championed,” Erin M. Curtis, Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery director, said. “She hasn’t received the recognition of all of these artists that she worked with, she taught alongside, worked alongside, and so on.”
Temps obtained a bachelor of fine arts at the San Francisco Art Institute, and her a MFA at UC Berkeley.
“She had finished her bachelor’s degree at the San Francisco Art Institute and had applied for their master’s program,” Curtis said. “She was accepted to that program, but the admissions committee, upon finding out that she was a woman, revoked her acceptance.”
After being denied admission at San Francisco Art Institute, Temps was connected to artist Peter Voulkos, an instructor there who was fascinated with her work and allowed her into the master’s program.
“I do definitely think there’s still a lot of like discrimination when it comes to women in a lot of fields,” Ava Colleran, Scripps College freshman, said. “When you think of art, it feels very kind of female dominated space, but then also there’s the stereotype of the starving artist.”
Collections manager Kirk Delman emphasized the importance of persevering through any challenges in life. Delman said that one must not take no for an answer and how important it is to be passionate because of the leading possibilities.
“That’s the takeaway for any of us in any position, any job that we have, that it’s not enough to just clock in,” Delman said. “Take every job that you have, every paper that you write, every interest that you have seriously, learn everything about it that might lead you to.”
“I think she wants to be remembered mostly through her work,” Temps said. “She was in the shadow of some of the greats at the time, breaking away from traditional pottery, and not many women broke through that.”
The exhibit runs through Sept. 15.
The Gallery, at 251 E. 11th Street in Claremont, is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Emma Gonzalez can be reached at emma.gonzalez@laverne.edu.
Emma Gonzalez is a junior communications major with a concentration in public relations and a minor in marketing, and a staff writer for the Campus Times. Her interests include community involvement, art, traveling and writing. Emma’s long-term career objective revolves around working for a nonprofit organization that is passionate about helping a target group of individuals. Follow her on Handshake.
Jonas Holt is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print and online journalism. He is sports editor of the Campus Times, a staff writer for La Verne Magazine and staff photographer for both publications. He has previously been a staff writer for the Campus Times.
