NEW CANAAN — Newtown artist Joan Zagrobelny, a new member of Silvermine Guild of Artists, has work on exhibit in the annual New Members Show at Silvermine Arts Center.

Ms Zagrobelny’s ceramic sculptures “twist and move as if to push past obstacles that block their growth. The pieces explore harmony and balance,” according to gallery publicist Gwen North Reiss.

Ms Zagrobelny is inspired by natural objects that maintain their beauty — because of or in spite of the patina of age, erosion or weathering. Like the work of Ken Price, Mas Zagrobelny’s ceramic sculpture is layered, rubbed and abraded, each stage of the making revealing itself.  In her recent work, she sees opposing forces as part of a larger unity.

Ms Zagrobelny lives and maintains a studio in Newtown. She was educated in the arts in California, where she studied independently with a number of studio artists. Her work has been exhibited in Los Angeles, New York and Boston.

Criteria for new members for the Silvermine Guild of Artists include excellence of technique, cultural or social relevance, clarity and continuity of style, and professional accomplishment. Work by 11 artists is bring presented in this year’s new members show. In addition to pieces by Ms Zabrobelny, gallery visitors are being introduced to pieces by Moshe Bursuker, Robert Calafiore, Susan Cox, Edhu Nascimento & Cris Xavier, Kiyoshi Otsuka, Gina Piccirilli-Hayden, Ronnie Rysz, Michele Shibley, and Dora Tomulic.

These artists have exhibited their work regionally and nationally, some internationally. All are exploring new territory in their particular disciplines or media. They join a distinguished group of professional artists comprised of over 300 members who work in a wide array of media and are represented in prestigious museums and private and corporate collections. The exhibition is on view until February 15.

Silvermine Arts Center is one of the oldest artist communities in the United States. Its five­acre campus in New Canaan consists of a nationally renowned artist guild, an award­winning school of art offering classes for all ages, an arts and fine crafts shop, and a gallery offering over 20 contemporary and historic exhibitions annually.

Silvermine is a non-­profit organization that also offers an educational outreach program, Art Partners, and hosts lectures, performances, film screenings, and special events.

Silvermine Galleries are open Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 pm; and Sunday, 1-5 pm. The arts center is at 1037 Silvermine Road.

For more information, call 203-966­9700 or visit www.silvermineart.org.