Dear Potters and Community Members,
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of you for your participation in our recent fine art show. The event was truly beautiful and played a significant role in elevating the status of three-dimensional art.
On the first morning of the show, we experienced an overwhelming response, with numerous attendees eager to purchase ceramics—similar to the excitement surrounding our December wholesale show. Unfortunately, many were disappointed to find that there were no tables set up upstairs for their viewing. Some even arrived early, directly at opening time, to ensure they didn’t miss out on the opportunity.
This response not only underscores the strong reputation we have built but also highlights the exceptional quality of your work. It is a testament to your dedication and creativity. I understand that showcasing our pieces can sometimes be challenging, yet we bravely put ourselves out there, demonstrating our commitment to our art. This courage is exceptionally commendable, and I want to acknowledge each of you for your contributions.
Thank you to everyone who helped to set up before the show, keep things going during the show, and clean up after the show. From the bottom of my heart… I am so very touched by your generosity.
I would like to remind everyone to mark their calendars for our upcoming wholesale show on December 14!! We all look forward to seeing the incredible creations from our students and teachers!
Thank you once again for your remarkable efforts and for being such an integral part of Warwick Pottery… where you just might find wheel love!
– Marilyn
Starting This Fall… NEW Thursday Evening Class: Pottery As Experience
We are happy and excited to announce a new type of class starting this fall! This class will be led by our zen master and studio manager extrodinare, Howard Steng. Pottery As Experience will combine mindfulness exercises and pottery techniques! Full class schedule coming soon, stay tuned!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Kile Use – Clay and Glazes
Warwick Pottery offers 4 different clay bodies for our student body to use. However, it’s perfectly understandable if you want to try something new. Perhaps you’ve seen a different clay body online, in a magazine, or perhaps in a catalog.
When it comes to choosing clay, it really depends on what you’re planning to create. If you’re feeling adventurous, go ahead and purchase one of the options available and play around a bit! Experimenting with clay can be super fun, and you might discover something awesome!
Just an important heads up, though – if you’re hoping to get that piece fired in our community kiln, we won’t be able to help out. We’ve had a few too many mishaps, so we’re keeping it chill for now. Many people truly know what they’re doing, and come to the studio with foreign clay bodies, knowing that they will fire perfectly well in our kiln. From now on… I’m so sorry but we will not be firing any foreign clay bodies. Please do not ask for an exception. It is very uncomfortable to say no to friends. I’m sure you all understand as this rule will extend to everyone who is involved with Warwick Pottery.
Another important item about kiln use… If you are doing any glaze experiments, please remember that you must share your results with the entire community. It’s what keeps Warwick Pottery students turned in and turned on!
Thank you for your understanding,
– Marilyn
Being a Potter versus Making Pottery by Rachel D
Making beautiful items out of clay is more than a hobby; it’s an age-old craft that reflects our history and connects us with the earth beneath our feet. Pottery isn’t just cups, bowls, and plates; it’s an art form that melds utility with beauty, showcasing human creativity in its purest form.
A Brief History of Clay in Ancient Civilizations
The legacy of pottery dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians crafted exquisite pots adorned with intricate designs for storage and ceremonial purposes. The Greeks, with their iconic amphorae and vases, celebrated mythology and daily life. Israel, too, boasts a rich history, with pottery central to everyday life and ritual. These cultures used clay as both canvas and utility to narrate their stories, beliefs, and lifestyles. Today, we continue that narrative, breathing our essence into this ancient craft.
The Transformation Process
Pottery is a magical process shaped by clay, water, and heat. We breathe life into raw material, transforming it into functional, beautiful art. At Warwick Pottery, becoming a potter goes beyond mastering technique; it’s an internal journey that lets creativity flow.
Becoming a Potter
Being a potter isn’t just throwing clay on a wheel; it’s becoming an open channel for creative energy. We connect with the clay, understand its nuances, and embrace our artistic instincts. We watch and learn—not only from clay but from the pots and potters around us. Each piece holds a spark, a story to uncover. In our classes, we often say clay is like skin wrapped around an empty inside. But is it truly empty, or simply obscured from view? Perhaps it’s rich with dreams, full of potential to serve those we care about. Each creation isn’t just a vessel; it brings joy, connection, and nourishment. Picture someone sipping from a mug you crafted, or a family sharing a meal from a bowl you shaped—those moments fill your work with meaning.
The True Completeness of Creation
Completeness comes through use. A vessel gains significance through interaction, filled with laughter, stories, and shared experiences. A mug or sculpture comes alive in the presence of others. Even noticing shadows cast by the sun, the moon, or light changes how we see our work.
We weave intentions into what we make, creating objects worthy of the highest value. A vase is not complete until filled with flowers. A mug is not complete until sipped from. A clay ocarina only becomes whole when played and heard, just as pottery becomes whole when engaged with.
Embracing Universal Energy
Through pottery, we tap into sacred creative energy- a vibration connecting ancient artisans and modern makers. Making pottery and becoming a potter are intertwined, both about connection and honoring the dance between clay, craftsmanship, community, and ourselves.
Whether you’re just exploring or on a transformative path, being a potter is about reveling in the messy, beautiful process of creation. Grab some clay, let your hands get dirty, and dive into pottery—you never know what stories you’ll uncover!