Welcome to the September edition of the Warwick Pottery Studio newsletter! Can you believe it’s September already? It’s amazing how fast these last few weeks have gone by. We’ve been busy this month! In this month’s newsletter we have some quick notes and reminders, a friendly reminder of our upcoming annual Show and Sale, a very special guest article from fellow potter, Beth Kalet, and our new monthly student spotlight.
– Marilyn
September Notes and Reminders
- Please return all tools to the studio. Do not leave bats, paper, or sponges in the kiln room!
- You asked for it, you got it! Hazelnut clay is back! Get yours while it’s available!
- Remember to keep your clay bags closed tightly and keep the lids of the clay storage containers closed! Rubber bands are available in the middle section of the supplies drawers. We cannot replace clay that has dried out.
Annual Holiday Show and Sale Reminder
Our annual Holiday Show and Sale is quickly approaching! Mark your calendars for December 10th and prepare for a day full of fun, laughs, and comradery with your fellow Warwick Potters.
We spend all year together sharing laughs, swapping stories, creating art with one another, and even sharing a few tears. Our annual show is an opportunity to come together, arm-in-arm, and share our art with our incredible community.
Entry is FREE to the public and our doors will be open from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. We gratefully accept Cash/Check/Venmo/Zelle. Major credit cards may be available at the potter’s discretion.
Registration for our Holiday Show is only open to currently registered students of Warwick Pottery Studio. For our students, please click here to sign-up.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for posts leading up to the show!
Facebook: facebook.com/marilynbdale
Instagram: marilynbdale
My Pottery Journey
A guest article by Beth Kalet
I’ve been taking classes with Marilyn and then with Rachel on and off for the better part of 20 years.
While I started with Marilyn in her home-based studio back in the “aughts, I was thrilled to learn the basics of throwing and hand work, over the course of some 5 or 6 years. I am not a natural and I had not really mastered centering, throwing, trimming, or much of anything but I enjoyed myself immensely. We had good class camaraderie and I especially enjoyed exploring decorative styles.
When Marilyn relocated her studio to the Doc Fry Community Center, my daughter Aliza Schiff, who is a great potter, suggested we take the Wednesday night class together. I thought l’d have to start from square one, but surprisingly it all came back to me and I was even able to center more quickly and easily than I remember having done before.
Now, having been in Rachel’s class for several years – through Covid face masking and beyond – my skill sets have grown. Most recently l’ve become better at trimming and making feet, which is something I never thought I’d accomplish. Thanks to my two terrific teachers, I’ve come a long way. Once a week is not enough but that’s the most I can do. I bet others feel this way too.
My work doesn’t always please me. And, I frequently ask myself why I am continuing to take classes when even my best pieces are not great, but the truth is simple: When working in clay, you lose yourself. The process is often a greater satisfaction than the product.
My Pottery Journey by Beth Kalet is our first-ever guest article and the first of a collection of student-written articles we’re aptly naming The Emptiness Inside the Pot: A Collection of Potter’s Reflection. Our biggest thanks to Beth for sharing her story. If you would like to write a guest article, please submit your piece to Marilyn!
September Student Spotlight
Meet Donna Candrilli..
Donna’s pottery journey started with a drop in class in New Mexico and a good group of friends. One of those friends, Lynn, had found a class nearby, and in just two hours, Donna was hooked!
Donna loves to get her hands dirty. She spends her time in the studio giving each piece its own unique story by finishing them in fun patterns using texture tools and tape. Donna’s signature style includes detailed line work, intricate designs, and “off-center” patterns. The contrast between the wonkiness of her designs and the crisp lines from her tape work evokes curiosity and constantly leaves us wanting more!
Do you want to be featured in one of our upcoming Student Spotlights? Please let Marilyn know and forward some photos of your favorite pieces to be featured in a future newsletter!