Palouse Potters at Mud and Spirits

Two members of the Palouse Studio Potters Guild traveled to Coeur d'Alne, ID to participate in Mud and Spirits, the annual Christmas Pottery display and Sale sponsored by our friends at C.A.G.N.I. There were about 25 different potters this year.

Carolyn Guy's large bowls are featured above.

A variety of Carolyn's ware, mugs, covered jars and pitchers. Click on the picture to see a larger view.

Jeanne Wood's Display

Another view of Jeanne's Display

ArtShare

Last Friday at the home of Ryan and Joe Law the Palouse Potters held an evening get together at Art Share. Attendees were invited to bring some of their art to show others, get feedback from other artists, and a few new ideas. We also discussed the possibility of starting an additional organization to include artists of a wide variety of mediums.

Carolyn and Judith appreciate Ann's painting and her discussion.

Ryan took us out to see her sculptures. Her entire studio was full of a wonderful variety of her work. Here is "The Fawn", one of her most recent art pieces.

Bruce displays his still life watercolor while Liz looks on with interest.

Carolyn asks a question about Judith's salt glazed vessel.

Meeting More People

October 19th, the Palouse Studio Potters Guild is inviting everyone who has an interest in clay to a get together on October 19th, 2008. This will take place from 3:00-5:00pm at the home of Cindy Jette.



Then close on the heels of the Meet and Greet's, we are holding an "ArtShare" October 24th, 2008 from 7:00-9:00pm. This event will be a time for everyone interested to bring a piece of their art work for sharing with other artists. All media is welcome. Getting and giving feedback is our goal. Our host is Ryan Law.

Palouse Potters raku firing

On August 16th, 2008 the Palouse Studio Potters Guild added to the 104 degree heat in Lewiston with our raku firing.

Michael carefully places the pottery in the raku kiln.

Once the kiln has reached sufficient temperature, the pots are removed when red hot. Michael is doing the honors here, Carolyn is standing by with an air hose which will make the molten glaze crackle. Barb watches.

After the pot has been taken out of the kiln it's placed in a can with newspaper, here it has caught fire and Carolyn is putting the lid on it to force a reduction.

Judith is doing a variation on the raku technique. After the pot is taken out of the kiln she carefully places horse hair on the hot surface, which had been polished with terra sigilatta before raku firing. The horse hair immediately burns and leaves a curly trail of carbon, which is permanent. The pot on the right has already been designed with horse hair.

The Minnesota Flat Top Kiln

At this point it is close to completion, but still needs some work

Among our projects that we were raising money for is the Minnesota Flat Top Kiln. The Kiln was donated to the Guild and we have spent many hours putting it together at the property of Ryan and Joe Law, and lots of problem-solving to get it up and running. We have our fingers crossed that we may be able to fire the MFT in a few weeks.
A big Shout Out goes to Michael Wendt for all the work and planning he has done on the kiln. Other hard workers were Carolyn and Steven Guy, Ryan and Joe Law, Judith and Gary Marvin, Val Boydo, Lorena Pope, Barb Wendt, and Jeanne Wood.

Lorena, Carolyn, and Val apply a layer of kaowool. This kiln will be tight!

Ryan, Joe, and Carolyn fit the outer layer of metal on the kiln front. They are being careful to fit to the the openings of the peep holes.

Potters Guild Fundraiser at the Farmer's Market

Customers at the Guild Fundraising Sale can't believe their luck!

Judith's hands are busy making change.

The Palouse Studio Potters Guild set up a booth at the Moscow Farmer’s Market on July 22nd, 2008 for our first annual “Pottery for Fundraising” sale. We priced orphan pots, discontinued styles, and pots that were collecting dust on shelves, at very low prices to be sold as a donation to the Guild. We were careful to emphasize that this would be only a once a year sale. Market-goers quickly recognized the bargains available and we came close to selling everything we had on display. Among our projects that we were raising money for is the Minnesota Flat Top Kiln.

Empty Bowls 2008, a Great Success

The Palouse Studio Potters Guild raised over $1500.00 for hunger organizations with our most recent Empty Bowls project. It was held on April 19th, in the 1912 Center in Moscow, Idaho. The Moscow Food Co-op provided their delicious homemade chili and bread. Handmade bowls were donated by the Palouse Potters Guild, C.A.G.N.I., Michael Wendt, and others who wanted to help with this cause. There was a lot of positive energy put into this project.

A wide variety of bowls were available for the public.

We often heard people say: "But it's so hard to choose!"

These young art patrons show off their choices.

Palouse Potters Guild Brush Workshop

On March 22nd. 2008, the Palouse Studio Potters Guild attended a workshop taught by guild member Judith Marvin at her studio. We learned how to make beautiful bamboo brushes for applying glazes using techniques Judith learned from noted brushmaker and ceramicist Glen Grishkoff.

A variety of the creative, yet functional, brushes made by Guild members

Judith is a patient and well-organized teacher, everyone had the opportunity to make several brushes, we all had a great time, and plan to do it again.

These brushes are examples of the wide variety of styles possible

A view of some brush details

Empty Bowls

Examples of maiolica bowls, a style in which Guild member Lizette Fife excells.


The Palouse Studio Potters Guild is holding an "Empty Bowls" donation for Hunger April 19th, 2008. For this The Palouse Potters make and handmade bowls.

http://www.emptybowls.com/ The website says: "The basic idea for Empty Bowls is simple. Participants create ceramic bowls, then serve a simple meal of soup and bread. Guests choose a bowl to use that day and to keep as a reminder that there are always Empty Bowls in the world. In exchange for a meal and the bowl, the guest gives a suggested minimum donation of ten dollars. The meal sponsors and /or guests choose a hunger-fighting organization to receive the money collected".

We are asking $15.00 for a bowl, which is still a great bargain. The funds we generate will be donated to Oxfam and a regional small town food bank that is in dire need of food.

This isn't a soup bowl, but it gives you an idea of the elegance of Guild Member Carolyn Guy's bowls.

Empty Bowls is the most wonderful activity. The Moscow Food Co-op provides 2 homemade soups and bread. We have offers of about 200 bowls from potters. People get a simple meal of delicious soup enjoyed in a friendly atmosphere, donate to a worthy cause, and walk home with a handmade ceramic bowl to remember the occasion.