ASTORIA — Ceramic artists and married couple Barb Campbell and Javier Cervantes will be at Imogen Gallery for a special afternoon event. A trunk show of their ceramic ware will be on view and available from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. All are invited to attend and enjoy light bites, champagne and learn directly from these well-respected potters about their processes and what makes their work so unique.

Campbell, a self-taught potter, artist and teacher who holds a degree in anthropology from Oregon State University, has over the decades carved out a position of respect in the Northwest ceramic community. Her work, recognizable for its brand of whimsy combined with functionality, is highly regarded and collected.

Known for her bold use of color, texture and pattern, Campbell’s work is a visual treat: a marriage of form and function. Among her many accomplishments, she has taught ceramic hand building techniques as a visiting artist at the University of Oregon and at Juniata College in Huntington, Pennsylvania, in a residency hosted by well-known wood fire potter Jack Troy. Through her interest in anthropology, she has formed a strong connection to the diverse art community of Oaxaca, Mexico, where she and her husband spend their winters working together.

Cervantes, of Oaxaca, Mexico, was born in Mexico City where as a young boy he spent countless hours visiting the National Museum of Anthropology. It was there he began his early studies of Pre-Columbian artifacts, gazing at the varied faces, figures and sculptures — eventually coming to know he was in the presence of the work of his ancestors. Cervantes went on to study ceramics and art at the university level and found that the fascination instilled in him as a child relentlessly informed his work as a mature artist. In his ongoing study of form, color, style and materials, Cervantes makes objects that can be used but are also intended to touch the ritual or spiritual inclination of the viewer.

Accomplished potters, the duo has explored many different types of ceramic firing processes. For this special afternoon event, Campbell and Cervantes bring work recently fired at Pleasant Hill Pottery located just outside of Eugene. There, the couple fired a wood soda kiln, a firing that took over 25 hours. The process reveals nothing less than alchemy, with finished results that could in no way be predicted.

Cervantes will also conduct a ceramic workshop at Clatsop Community College’s art department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The event is free and open to all. Contact Richard Rowland at 503-338-2449 or rrowland@clastopcc.edu for more information.

Imogen Gallery is located at 240 11th St. For more information, call 503-468-0620 or visit www.imogengallery.com