A new exhibition, “The Lighthouse — Safe Passage in a Turbulent Sea,” will be featured at the Rockport Center for the Arts when it reopens Feb. 4 after a three-week closure. 
The exhibit is a ceramic sculpture show that features artist William Tersteeg, RCA’s artist-in-residence for the month of February. His current body of work explores the lighthouse as a symbol of stability and a beacon of safe passage during turbulent times.
“Tersteeg created all of these new works with Rockport in mind,” said Elena Rodriguez, exhibitions curator for Rockport Center for the Arts. “Although he is from Pennsylvania, he has heard of the resilience of the art community of Rockport, which, like a lighthouse, weathers the most turbulent seas.”
Since 2012, an anonymous donor has made possible the artist-in-residence program at RCA in which an artist is provided a temporary studio. Tersteeg will lead workshops at the museum and Rockport-Fulton High School.
Tersteeg is an award-winning ceramic sculptor who sees himself as a visual poet. Through his work made of the earth, he contemplates the relationships we have with our world and the challenges of our stewardship, he said. He owns Crystal Earth Gallery in North Abington Township, Pennsylvania.
“Lighthouses are constructed to withstand powerful, violent storms and turbulent ocean waters, so it is no wonder they are frequently depicted as symbols of strength,” Tersteeg said.
The show will launch on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at the museum, located at 401 S. Austin St., Suite B, in Rockport. It will be held in conjunction with the Rockport Art Loop, a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring RCA and other galleries located in downtown Rockport. 
The exhibit opening also coincides with the Rockport Clay Expo held Feb. 5-6 at various locations across the city, including the art center. Resuming in 2022 for its 19th year, the popular show features numerous clay artists, including Tersteeg, with exhibits, demonstrations, food, and more. 
Part of the Clay Expo is the Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb 5, at Rockport-Fulton High School, 1801 Omohundro St. 
Admission is by donation with a suggested price of $5 per person. Visitors can view and purchase the artwork of 16 potters and observe ceramic demonstrations. The expo is organized by the Aransas County Council on Aging. Proceeds from the pottery fair benefit the Meals on Wheels program.