BORN TO CREATE

Artist's work to be displayed at Clark County Government Center

Sara Tramiel/ViewYaffa Cary, a ceramic artist, shows off one of her favorite pieces in her Sun City Summerlin home. The hand-painted fish was inspired by a fish Cary saw in Eilat, her native country of Israel?s southernmost city. Cary?s work will be on display in an exhibit called Earth Endurance at the Clark County Government Center Rotunda Gallery, 500 Grand Central Parkway, Monday through May 11. An artist reception is planned for April 6 and May 4. Advertisement

Her name seems perfect for an artist. Yaffa Cary of Sun City Summerlin is to have artwork on display at the Clark County Government Center Rotunda Gallery, 500 Grand Central Parkway, Monday through May 11.

The exhibit is called Earth Endurance.

Cary's high-fired stoneware, sometimes mixed with other media, derives from shapes found in nature and the environment. Her strong background in architectural drafting and graphic arts training lends itself to her three-dimensional art and textured treatment of clay.

Cary was born and raised in Israel and she came to the United States in 1982, using her fine arts degree to teach. She and her husband, Greg, moved to Las Vegas four years ago. Since retiring, the 51-year-old has immersed herself in her art and is a perpetual student at CCSN.

"I have a kiln in my garage, but I prefer to fire at the college because I like to be surrounded by other artists," she said. "If I worked at home, I'm not sure I'd be as productive."

The claying wheel in her home studio gets little use. She said she prefers to feel the clay being molded in her hands and often uses coiled clay in her creations.

It was last year's juried competition at the college that led to Cary being asked to exhibit at the Government Center. Out of approximately 400 entrants, Cary received an Outstanding Student Achievement award for her ceramics entry.

Carlos Campo, CCSN dean of arts and letters, sent Cary a congratulatory letter, stating "this recognition reveals that your hard work ... has placed you in select company, indeed. As a recipient of the award you become a model for other students and a leader in the academic community."

The exact pieces on display at the Government Center had not yet been determined as of press time. But photos of her work had been sent to the exhibit coordinator.

"When I saw her work, I thought it was just wonderful," said Patrick Gaffey, a cultural program supervisor for the county. "It's obvious she has a deep knowledge of her craft and a strong design sense."

Carey's house is filled with her varied artwork. The outside entry greets visitors with an Egyptian cat god, a metal rooster she made in a welding class and a plaster piece whose divots are filled with colorful stones. Inside, her ceramic pieces hold court, flanked by sculpture and art in various media and using subjects such as birds, fish and madonnas. Much of her work is done in series of three.

"I like doing sets because they're harmonious," she said.

An artist reception is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on April 6 and May 4 at the gallery as part of the monthly First Friday arts celebration in downtown Las Vegas.

Call 455-8239 for more information.