Carolina Alumni Review - January/February 2009

ART

Art for Ashes

ELIZABETH BULL

funny because Cindric is very into the sculpture end of things. He is

very abstract, and I am very concrete.”

Making raku ceramics is That taste for utility recently not for the timid. took Franklin to an unusual special-

“You take the piece out ty: creating unique funeral urns. Last with tongs when you have fall several of his pieces were reached [the right] tempera- accepted in an international juried ture,” Ronald Reed Franklin show, Ashes to Art, at the Gallery at ’ 77 begins as he explains the Funeria in California.

technique he learned 30 years Franklin’s work already had been
Ronald Reed Franklin ’ 77
ago at the Penland School in says making raku funeral seen in international exhibitions
urns blends art and utility.

western North Carolina. and won awards. So why did he “Then you put it in a combustible material, move in this direction? “A close friend’s moth-like sawdust or shavings. That creates flames. er-in-law came to a show at my house, and Next you smother it. The combustion needs she saw a piece she liked and asked me if I oxygen, so it sucks the oxygen out of the would make a funeral urn for her because she glaze. This creates unique effects.” wanted to plan her own funeral,” Franklin says.

Franklin relishes the complexity and the “I thought it was a neat idea that she was unpredictability of the Japanese-inspired art. At interested in doing this.” the same time, he describes himself as a practical Pursuing the idea, Franklin stumbled upon a potter who makes useful things. “I took an casket company catalog offering urns. independent-study course at UNC with Mike “Everything was gaudy, shiny, made of chrome,” Cindric,” Franklin says. “He has been very he says. “There was nothing imaginative.” It influential, and we are lifelong friends, but it’s was a perfect challenge for a potter bent on

POLITICS

Insider’s Guide
for Outsiders

OFFICE OF REP. RALPH HALL

magazine about the Ford agency making videos of models talking about style. Standing up on a bus full of small-business CEOs who had been flown in by their trade

While big-time lobbying is a organizations to lobby, game for pros, Michael Chadd Oxley found himself “Elvis” Oxley ’ 95 likes to point sounding like a video on out that going to a congressional or style tips — not for fash-senate office to put your case to ion but for lobbying. He

Lobbyist Elvis Oxley ’ 95, seated,
your elected officials is a First visits the office of Texas decided to find a way to
Congressman Ralph Hall, right,
Amendment right. The problem is offer these “lobbyists-for-

with Bill Butts of Forever Resorts.

not whether you should be there a-day” an online resource but what you do with the precious time allot- based on the Ford video model. ted. Teaming with the Villanova University

“I want to demystify lobbying,” Oxley says. School of Business, the video chats became
“We need to train people to understand the www.insidelobbying.com. At the site, free for
real Civics 101. What should be the talking a click, citizens can find tips for planning a
points? How do you make it clear who you visit and help in finding the people to see, the
represent and what you want?” members of Congress who have not decided
Oxley, a registered lobbyist, is president of about an issue and want to know what voters
Oxley Consulting LLC. He believes what he think. It also provides guidance on putting
sells to his clients is honest work for a fair together a clear request for the member.
price, but he chafes at people who, through Oxley thinks the timing is right because
no fault of their own, don’t know what they the 2008 election set a new high for opti-
are doing and, consequently, contribute to an mism about participating in the political
atmosphere in which lawmakers, who should process. “I was out campaigning in Columbus,
welcome input from constituents, resent the Ohio,” Oxley says. “It was daunting to see the
time lost from rambling encounters. number of people who were really enthusias-
What got him started was an article in Inc. tic, who feel that this is a means to an end.”

blending utility and beauty.

Franklin also found that raku lent itself to the synergy between ceremony and art involved in making urns. “Raku is almost like a ritual, so the result is well-suited for emotional expression and ceremony,” Franklin says. “You get involved with people in the midst of grief. It is quite a compliment to me for people to want to use my work as a memorial. I take it very seriously, and I really want to send out the best work I can.”

FESTIVITIES

Band Leader

When he was a student at Carolina, Harvey Gwyn ’ 35 was a three-year varsity wrestler. He’s still a big fan of Tar Heel sports. So he was particularly thrilled when he got to lead the UNC Marching Band in the annual Ayden Collard Festival.

Friends Alex ’ 62 and Faye Warren and Ayden Mayor Steve Tripp ’ 80 arranged the surprise for Gwyn, who rode ahead of the band in a convertible with Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy in the September 2007 parade.

“This was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life, to lead the UNC Marching Band through my hometown,” Gwyn told family and friends.

Since retiring from DuPont after a 41- year career, Gwyn settled in Ayden with his wife, Gen. They spend their time enjoying community activities, going to the beach and following Carolina athletics.