HARRISBURG - Artist Margaret Seidenberg-Ellis will present her box-shaped ceramic containers stamped with the shapes and textures of nature during August at Radius, HACC Gallery and Museum Shop.

An open house with the artist will be held from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Lebanon resident uses slabs of wet clay that are stamped with different textures then assembles them into a box shape. The stamps themselves are made of clay that are impressed with natural objects that Seidenberg-Ellis finds such as twigs, leaf stems, poppy seed hull, or tree bark, then fired once to make a permanent tool.

Seidenberg-Ellis has also been influenced by her overall interest in ceramics and professional workshops she has attended. She studied biology at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., and later returned to school and studied ceramics, photography and art education. While at Earlham College she lived and studied in Japan - an experience that is a continuing source of inspiration.

A part-time technician in a research lab at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Seidenberg-Ellis has discovered a good balance with her artistry. "I’ve been given the freedom to pursue my artistic endeavors," she said. "Working has also complemented the scientific aspects of ceramics. Being a good technician can help when you are making a complicated glaze."

Radius, HACC Gallery and Museum Shop, Third and North streets in Harrisburg in The State Museum of Pennsylvania, is a partnership of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College and the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-4:30 p.m. on Sunday. All the items on display are for sale. For more information, call 787-5590 or send an e-mail to Jessica Lantz.

Ceramicist Margaret Seidenberg-Ellis is the August Featured Craftsman at Radius, HACC Gallery and Museum Shop. Click on the photo for a high resolution image.