Welcome to the very special Holiday edition of the Warwick Pottery Studio newsletter! We’ve been busy bees at the studio over the last 8 weeks preparing for our 3rd Annual Holiday Show and Sale. We are only TWO weeks away from the sale and couldn’t be more excited! In this month’s newsletter, we shine a spotlight on the potters that make up the Warwick Pottery Studio. Each and every one of our students contributes to what makes Warwick Pottery such a success and we can’t wait for you to see what they’ve been up to!
As a reminder, our Holiday Show and Sale will be taking place on Sunday, December 10 at the Warwick Community Center from 10AM – 4PM, admission is FREE! Click here to read the official announcement and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for announcements leading up to the show.
– Marilyn
An Open Letter to Our Valued Community Members
I am thrilled to share with you what I believe is the greatest issue of our newsletter yet, and it’s all thanks to you – our incredible staff and students who are the heart of the Warwick Pottery Studio.
This edition of our newsletter is a special tribute to each of you, including those who have chosen to participate in this year’s annual show and sale, making it an extraordinary celebration of creativity.
Reflecting on Warwick Pottery’s journey since its humble beginnings in 1990 with just one wheel and one eager learner at my door, it’s remarkable to see how we’ve evolved. From facing challenges like managing a family, transitioning from a home studio to the Warwick Community Center, and navigating through unforeseen obstacles like Covid and various other hurdles, every problem has been an opportunity for growth.
The thriving spirit of Warwick Pottery lies in the remarkable people who contribute – the potters who shape this community. Each of you brings a wealth of sensitivity, beauty, understanding, and an abundance of gorgeous energy. Together, you’ve transformed Warwick Pottery into more than just a space for creativity; it’s a place to connect hearts and undergo self-development through the magic of clay by exploring the intense interactions of the natural laws of water, ground rock, and heat when met with glorious imagination.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Warwick Pottery – Howard, Rachel, and Kelsey. Their unwavering commitment keeps Warwick Pottery flourishing. And to you, our students, you are the true driving force. Thank you for nourishing the seed of an idea that started small and has blossomed into a community of the most beautiful souls I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Marilyn B Dale
Warwick Pottery
Student Corner: Pottery Show & Sale – Final Reminder!
We are only a few short weeks away from our Annual Pottery Show & Sale! As we busy ourselves with final touches, we’d like to include to following reminders for our vendors.
Vendor setup will take place on December 9 from 4PM to 7PM. Please ensure to arrive on time to maximize the time window allotted!
Our show will take place on Sunday, December 10 at the Warwick Community Center, located at 11 Hamilton Ave., Warwick, NY 10990. Admission is FREE and our doors will be open from 10AM – 4PM, rain or shine!
NEW ADDITION: The Art Gallary
We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new feature at this year’s eagerly anticipated show and sale – introducing the Art Gallery! This unique space provides a platform for our artists to display pieces that are not for sale, allowing for a broader showcase of creativity.
Located downstairs in the main room, upon entrance, the Art Gallery is a dedicated area for students to exhibit their non-sale art. We encourage each and every student to seize this incredible opportunity to share their creative expressions with the community.
To make your mark, ensure your piece is accompanied by a sign with your name. This simple addition helps viewers appreciate the artist behind the masterpiece. We believe this gallery adds a dynamic element to our event, fostering a deeper connection between artists and their audiences.
Don’t miss out on this chance to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our artistic community. Let’s make the Art Gallery a highlight of this year’s show and sale. Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to seeing the extraordinary pieces that will grace the gallery walls!
Introducing… The Potters of Warwick Pottery Studio
I was in love with making mud pies when I was about 5 years old. Now after so many years those mud pies have refined a bit and turned into wheel-turned and hand-built clay cups, bowls, and trays. And I’m still in love.
Shelley Jaffe
When I first started at the Warwick Pottery Studio I had no prior experience. 2 years later, I am making pots of all sizes and shapes that act as canvases for my paintings.
Shannon Sforza
My favorite part about creating ceramics is watching a ball of wet dirt turn into a piece that’s both functional and beautiful! When I create pots that I then paint on, it is rewarding because the whole thing is made by hand!
I truly enjoy the whole process of creating – from throwing and trimming to painting with underglaze and firing! The process is even more fun than seeing the gorgeous and useful product.
Making pottery is an extremely personal experience. Even when we are in a roomful of colleagues, where the air hums with our collective creative vibe, we are at work alone.
Beth Kalet
In our immersion with, our connection to clay – of all things! Mud, dirt! – we are in fact connecting with the essential element of earth and, recognize it or not, we are re-creating what makes us human.
Whether we shape an elegant vase, a crude bowl, or anything in between, we are the vessels for our vessels.
We want you to touch them, lift them to your lips, drink, eat from them, and perhaps, also, admire them. We hope you can see in our work, the current that runs through to our hands bringing us closer to the shared essences of craft, of art, of life.
Using clay as an expressive element I create one-of-a-kind faces. I love how you can manipulate clay with your fingers to bring out features and expressions. Oh, the endless possibilities.
Ginger Schmidt
When I am immersed in the “making” of pots it is often a spiritual experience. I cannot center the clay until I have centered myself.
Rachel D Durland
What is more beautiful than that??
Working with clay, for me, is an extension of my love and connection to nature, to gardening, and to the earth. I love making pots for my plants, especially the form pictured here. I call these my finial pots. They are challenging to make, which means my hands have to be in clay longer, such joy!!
Marilyn Figueroa
I have been doing pottery with Marilyn since 2007.
Neva Muehlbauer
I love getting my hands messy, coming up with new ideas, and trying to put them in motion.
Pottery is my time to be creative and not worry about anything else going on. It’s the best outlet!
I recently retired from work that focused on words, took up pottery, and now I express myself with clay. I enjoy decorating small pots and pieces with lots of color and a bit of a story.
Dixie Comeau
I love the creative process of taking a lump of clay and making something brand new in the world.
Lesley Pearl
When I am at the pottery wheel, the rest of the world disappears and I immerse myself in the thoughts, feelings, and the tangible experience of moving clay through my fingers – very peaceful.
To me, pottery is a satisfying mix of engineering, artistic expression, chemistry, and design.
Carol McKay
It’s magical problem-solving. I love it!
When I was a little girl, I loved playing in the mud, making mud pies, and getting dirty.
Patricia Gaston Bayne
Today I still enjoy it, especially making funky pots to share with friends and family.
With a passion for art since childhood, Simara embarked on her pottery journey three years ago. Allured by the reward of a new challenge, she delved into the art of throwing pots.
Simara Bruhim
Throughout her clay journey, Simara discovered a synergy between her love for painting and the medium of pottery. Through the strokes of her brush, Simara breathes life into her creations, altering each vessel into a beautiful canvas adorned with paintings straight from the soul. The fusion of her two passions has elevated Simara’s pottery, resulting in a body of work that inspires all!
Whether it’s a carefully thought-out piece or a form that emerges on a whim, there’s nothing more therapeutic than throwing some clay on the wheel and crafting something from nothing.
Kelsey Martin
With each form, I work on elevating my skills and satiating the wanderlust that lies deep within. I find joy in perfecting my skills and creating complex forms finished with fun poppy celadons reminiscent of gummy candy, inflatable chairs, and a feeling of nostalgia you can’t quite put your finger on.
With a specialty in ceramics, sculpture, and 3D art, Dan’s a multi-talented artist who’s not afraid to dabble in anything that piques his interest. Dan creates thought-provoking pieces that shine a light on mental health awareness and the beauty of the human form.
Dan McQuade
Dan’s background in practical makeup effects for film has equipped him with the expertise and will to master various sculpting techniques and materials, making his work truly exceptional. His passion for the complexity of the human form is evident in every piece he creates.
Dan’s motto is “If it exists, I can learn and do it,” demonstrating his fearless approach to exploring all art forms, knowing that each technique has something unique to offer. To see more of Dan’s work, visit his website.