North Carolina artist, Siglinda Scarpa’s fragile, sculptural ceramics and functional cookware were on display during the opening of her exhibition at the Gregg Art Museum Thursday. 

And with this Shell, the Sea: The Ceramic Art of Siglinda Scarpa will be on display until Jan. 31, 2014 at the Historic Chancellor’s Residence, the Gregg Museum’s new location. 

“I thought her pottery was terrific and playful with hidden surprises,” said Roger Manley, director of the museum. “It is extremely well made and very unlike Seagrove pottery. I thought this was a good way to introduce different kind of pottery to this area.” 

Scarpa was born in northwestern Italy during World War II. In her mid-teens, she left school to work with a ceramist. She worked in Rome and New York, but is now working in Pittsboro, N.C., in her own studio.

Scarpa said, “Many things inspire me including nature, the ocean and shapes and forms that repeat.” 

She creates some purely sculptural works, but also  any pieces that are functional as well, for things such as cooking. She said her works in the exhibit are wheel-thrown pieces that she altered.

“I like how the work looks organic, like it’s supposed to be out of nature,” said Alex Bonner, a sophomore in graphic design. “There’s a lot of materiality and authenticity about it.” 

Scarpa said art is her way of communicating with people, but she said she also wants to give people something they can enjoy. 

Amy Sawyers, the new coordinator of arts outreach for Arts N.C. State, said this is the first time she’s seen a pottery show and it made her appreciate the intricacy and time spent on the work in the exhibit. 

“The fact that she came to this space prior to the event and made an Italian dinner using her pottery really makes me excited for the possibilities of arts and community,” Sawyers said. 

This is the second exhibit at the new location for the Gregg Museum, which will eventually add four times more space for artwork, according to Manley. 

“We are currently at an in-between situation for the museum, since the addition has not been built,” Manley said. “We wanted to introduce people to this bigger and better space that we think is a terrific location.”

Alex Miller, vice provost for Arts N.C. State, said the museum is the perfect gateway from downtown and the adjourning community for people to visit. 

“I am ecstatic about this new location and the rich, comprehensive experience in the arts the museum provides,” Miller said. 

Proceeds from Scarpa’s work will go toward the cat rescue she started, called the Goathouse Refuge. The mission of the refuge is to provide ongoing, unconditional care for animals that have been abandoned and are in need. Cats are up for adoption, but those that are not adopted are kept at the shelter for the rest of their life. 

Scarpa said she started the refuge seven years ago with the belief that every cat has the right to live a life free of indifference and danger. 

According to Scarpa, the refuge currently has about 200 cats that have been abandoned or taken from shelters that euthanize animals. It gains about 20 to 25 more each month. The shelter gives plenty of room for them to roam around in rooms. She said high-quality food and medical care is also provided for them. 

“Please don’t take animals to shelters,” Scarpa said. “It is terrible how people treat their animals and many old cats are just dumped in the woods like old toys. Be sure to take care of your pet like it is part of your family.”