This thesis supports the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled A Blending of Purpose at East Tennessee State University, Carroll Reece Museum, Johnson City, Tennessee, November 4 – 22, 2004. It discusses the artist’s desire to create exceptionally crafted functional work which focuses on both compelling aesthetics and strong utilitarian considerations. Topics include the artistic validity of functional works, aesthetic and functional qualities, tactile sensation as a consideration, machine-made works versus hand-made works, a characteristic described as the Life Quality, and the piece’s completion in use.
The artist examines her influences including work ceramists Dan Finnegan, Nick Joerling and Ken Sedberry, as well as form and design elements found in the art and architecture of India.
Practical application in form and process of these ideas and influences is discussed.
","abstract_html":"<p>This thesis supports the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled <em>A Blending of Purpose</em> at East Tennessee State University, Carroll Reece Museum, Johnson City, Tennessee, November 4 – 22, 2004. It discusses the artist’s desire to create exceptionally crafted functional work which focuses on both compelling aesthetics and strong utilitarian considerations. Topics include the artistic validity of functional works, aesthetic and functional qualities, tactile sensation as a consideration, machine-made works versus hand-made works, a characteristic described as the <em>Life Quality</em>, and the piece’s completion in use.</p> <p>The artist examines her influences including work ceramists Dan Finnegan, Nick Joerling and Ken Sedberry, as well as form and design elements found in the art and architecture of India.</p> <p>Practical application in form and process of these ideas and influences is discussed.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Decker-Smith, Jessica Lindsay"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"MFA (Master of Fine Arts)","degree_level":"Thesis - unrestricted","degree_discipline":"Art","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2004,"date_issued":"2004-12-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2004-12-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:19:35Z","subjects":["Ceramics","Functional Pottery","Aesthetics","Utilitarian","Life Quality","Indian Architecture","Dan Finnegan","Ken Sedberry","Nick Joerling","Art and Design","Arts and Humanities"],"languages":[],"rights":["Copyright by the authors."],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/964","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Decker-Smith, Jessica Lindsay"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["1995-01-01T08:00:00Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2004-12-01T08:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Art"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis - unrestricted"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["MFA (Master of Fine Arts)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Ceramics","Functional Pottery","Aesthetics","Utilitarian","Life Quality","Indian Architecture","Dan Finnegan","Ken Sedberry","Nick Joerling","Art and Design","Arts and Humanities"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["Copyright by the authors."]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://dc.etsu.edu/context/etd/article/2121/viewcontent/DeckerSmithJ112904f.pdf","https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/964"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This thesis supports the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled A Blending of Purpose at East Tennessee State University, Carroll Reece Museum, Johnson City, Tennessee, November 4 – 22, 2004. It discusses the artist’s desire to create exceptionally crafted functional work which focuses on both compelling aesthetics and strong utilitarian considerations. Topics include the artistic validity of functional works, aesthetic and functional qualities, tactile sensation as a consideration, machine-made works versus hand-made works, a characteristic described as the Life Quality, and the piece’s completion in use.
The artist examines her influences including work ceramists Dan Finnegan, Nick Joerling and Ken Sedberry, as well as form and design elements found in the art and architecture of India.
Practical application in form and process of these ideas and influences is discussed.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["A Blending of Purpose: The Juxtaposition of Functional and Aesthetic Qualities in Pots of Use."]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:creator":["Decker-Smith, Jessica Lindsay"],"dc:date.available":["1995-01-01T08:00:00Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2004-12-01T08:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["This thesis supports the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled A Blending of Purpose at East Tennessee State University, Carroll Reece Museum, Johnson City, Tennessee, November 4 – 22, 2004. It discusses the artist’s desire to create exceptionally crafted functional work which focuses on both compelling aesthetics and strong utilitarian considerations. Topics include the artistic validity of functional works, aesthetic and functional qualities, tactile sensation as a consideration, machine-made works versus hand-made works, a characteristic described as the Life Quality, and the piece’s completion in use.
The artist examines her influences including work ceramists Dan Finnegan, Nick Joerling and Ken Sedberry, as well as form and design elements found in the art and architecture of India.
Practical application in form and process of these ideas and influences is discussed.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://dc.etsu.edu/context/etd/article/2121/viewcontent/DeckerSmithJ112904f.pdf","https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/964"],"dc:rights":["Copyright by the authors."],"dc:subject":["Ceramics","Functional Pottery","Aesthetics","Utilitarian","Life Quality","Indian Architecture","Dan Finnegan","Ken Sedberry","Nick Joerling","Art and Design","Arts and Humanities"],"dc:title":["A Blending of Purpose: The Juxtaposition of Functional and Aesthetic Qualities in Pots of Use."],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Art"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis - unrestricted"],"thesis:degree_name":["MFA (Master of Fine Arts)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:19:35Z"}