The Pottery Invitational will be open on May 5 with a benefit Whiskey Tasting Preview from 5:30-7pm and public visitation from 7-8:30pm; on Saturday, May 6 from 10-5; and on Sunday, May 7 from 11-4. Admission is free except for the benefit preview.
Work by the 20 artists and one working team will be on display accompanied by the artists themselves, a nod to bringing pottery in all of its forms to the public with the makers who can talk about it.
“We were looking for diversity,” said Aysha Peltz and Todd Wahlstrom, curators of the show. “Clay is so malleable that it gives the potter an opportunity to create a seemingly endless variety of forms and then the surface design—well, the sky is the limit!”
This diversity is evident in the list of potters invited to exhibit as well as to where they work. Potters included in the show include Normandy Alden (West Winfield NY), Hayne Bayless (Ivoryton, CT), Bruce Gholson & Samantha Henneke aka Bulldog Pottery (Seagrove, NC), Sarah Heimann (Lebanon, NH), Jody Johnstone (Swanville, ME), Robbie Lobell (Coupeville, WA), Maya Machin (Ashfield, MA), Colleen McCall (Elmira, NY), Hannah Niswonger (Winchester, MA), Tom O’Malley (Forestdale, RI), Jeremy Randall (Tully, NY), Nicholas Seidner (Middletown Spring, VT), Willi Singleton (Kempton, PA), Stacey Snyder (Arlington, VA), Brian Taylor (Brewster, MA), Kyla Toomey (Waltham, MA), Holly Walker (Randolph, VT), Adero Willard (Northampton, MA), and curators Aysha Peltz and Todd Wahlstrom, both of Whitingham, VT.
“The mix of potters and pottery gives the Craft Center an opportunity to celebrate ceramics,” said Candace Casey, Director of the WCC Krikorian Gallery. “We invite people to come and see its diversity, but also see how beautiful and aesthetic pots are functional and can have an important place in everyday living.” Everything in the Pottery Invitational is for sale. “It’s a great place to buy gifts!” she added.
The Pottery Invitational takes over the Worcester Center for Crafts. Invitational artists in the gallery with their work for the duration of the show, allowing attendees to approach the makers without intimidation. Resident Artists from the Crafts Center will be demonstrating in the Center’s highly regarded Ceramics Studio on Saturday and Sunday, showing the public many techniques for creating with clay. Demonstrations are at 11 am, 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Demonstrating will be Ian Petrie, Jessikah Ann, Jon Glabus, and Joshua Primmer.
WHISKEY TASTING PREVIEW
 |
| Whiskey Cups by Maya Machin |
 |
| Whiskey Cups by Hayne Bayless |
“We challenged our artists to make whiskey cups for the preview,” said Casey, “so we’re excited to see the wonderful assortment that will be available.”
MORE ABOUT THE WORCESTER CENTER FOR CRAFTS & THE INVITATIONAL
The Pottery Invitational was started at the Worcester Center for Crafts in 2003 as a way to expose the community to the work of regional and national ceramic artists, and to assist artists in creating a new market for their work. Based loosely on an event held at the renowned Art School at Old Church in Demarest, NJ, the Worcester Center for Crafts Pottery Invitational has grown into the Center’s premiere large-scale educational event for the public around the work of clay artists.
“The Pottery Invitational is part of Worcester’s creative economy,” said Honee Hess, executive director of the Crafts Center. “It markets the work of artists who sell their work. People come from far and wide, stay in hotels and eat in local restaurants, and we move closer to our mission -- sustaining crafts as an important part of our community and society.” An appreciation of all things hand-made is good for artist, business, and the community.
The Worcester Center for Crafts (WCC) is one of the oldest non-profit institutions for craft study in the United States. Founded in 1856 as the Worcester Employment Society to help immigrant women produce and sell handcrafted wares to support their families, the Center evolved into New England is leading center for craft education, exhibition, and entrepreneurship. In 2004, the organization expanded and opened the New Street Glass Studio – an off-campus, 8,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, multi-studio glass facility. The WCC offers the only comprehensive glass studio program in New England available to the public. Through an affiliation begun in 2009, the WCC is home to the Worcester State visual arts studios.
The Craft Center’s mission is “to sustain craft as a vital part of our community” by providing high-quality craft education and training, by supporting craft artists in their professions, and through
advocacy and public education initiatives including adult education classes and workshops, youth education and outreach programs, exhibitions showcasing the work of established and emerging artists, artist residencies, lectures, family events, studio rentals, Gallery Store, and major events. The WCC is a member of the Worcester Cultural Coalition and it’s WOO card program, and receive funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For more information or to arrange a photo opportunity, please contact Honee A. Hess, Executive Director of the Crafts Center at hhess@worcester.edu.
SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, May 5
5:30 Show opens with Benefit Preview celebration. $35.00 pp. Mingle with the curators and artisans while enjoying a “Whiskey Tasting” and receive a $15 coupon to purchase anything (maybe a whiskey cup) from the Pottery Invitational that night; enjoy handcrafted cheeses by Westfield Farms of Hubbardston MA and chocolates by Stewarts of Jefferson, MA. Sponsored by Austin Liquors of Worcester and Shrewsbury.
7:00 Show opens, free to the public
8:30 Show closes
SATURDAY, May 6
10:00am show opens, free to the public
11-12:30 Artist-in-Residence demos in ceramic studio
2:00-3:30pm AIR demos in ceramic studio
5:00pm Show closes
SUNDAY, May 7
11:00 Show opens, free to the public
11:00-12:30 AIR demos in ceramics studio
2:00 -3:30 AIR demos in ceramics studio
4:00 Show closes
