We asked our teachers what they have been doing during the quarantine
Nan was set to attend a show in Richmond in March that was to coincide with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). Not long after she was finished setting up the conference was cancelled and the gallery was closed.
From Nan: I have been selling a few pots to people who saw photos of that show and wrote to ask about buying them. It's been great! A real relief, given that my normal outlets for selling have shut. If anyone is interested, I am happy to send snapshots, dimensions and prices of the pots here.
For more info on Nan you can visit http://www.nanrothwellpottery.com. You will find resource information and links to several short demos.
Check out Nan's online store https://nan-rothwell-pottery.square.site/ During May Nan will be contributing 30% of online sales to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank https://www.brafb.org/
Nan is also teaching online. Her courses can be seen here https://www.teachinart.com/take-your-throwing-to-the-next-level.html
You can also find Nan on Facebook facebook.com/NanRothwellPottery/
Nan's preferred email contact is nan@nanrothwellpottery.com
On Saturday, February 15, the Bay School Community Arts Center will host its first ever Mug Meet-Up & Market, what Executive Director Pam Doss describes as a “social ceramics” event. Much like the Empty Bowls Fundraiser the Bay School hosts each December, this event will use pottery to bring the community together.
The Meet-Up starts at 10:30 a.m., when guests will be invited to pick their favorite mug, fill it with coffee or tea, and find their mug-mates for some fun conversation. Mugs will be matched by different design characteristics, such as color, motif, and shape. Coffee will be provided by Back In Time Mathews, a café and vintage shop located across Main Street from the Bay School. Bay School volunteers will provide treats to eat and conversation prompts to help you get to know your neighbors.
Members of the Clay by the Bay Ceramics Guild have made the mugs for this event. Each mug costs $30, with proceeds going to the Bay School’s new kiln fund. The school’s large electric kiln needs to be replaced to meet student needs and to fire all the Empty Bowls for this year’s fundraiser for Hands Across Mathews.
Mugs will be for sale all day, and participation in the meet-up is not necessary to purchase a mug. There will also be a raffle to win a set of seaside-themed ceramic canisters, made and donated by guild and studio member Sue Henshaw.
The Mug Meet-Up & Market is Saturday, February 15, starting at 10:30am, in the Art Speaks Gallery.
Bobbie Skerrett has been involved with the Bay School for the past 3 years. Her next class, Clay Relief Tiles, is on Thursdays, March 23 & 30 6pm - 9pm.
Bobbie attended the University of Colorado from 1969 to 1971. After that she spent time at the Feminist Studio Workshop in Los Angeles, CA. She also taken classes at the Penland School of Crafts in Pendland, NC. From 1998 - 2002 Bobbie sold her work at the oldest farmers market in the country in Olde Town Alexandria. Bobbie is currently a member of the Pottery Studio at the Bay School.
A few questions to Bobbie:
What made you start teaching?
I started teaching wheel throwing because I wanted the students to see how fun it was to move the clay.
What do you get out of teaching?
There's an expression that takes place in the class room when people catch on to what they are being told and run with it. It is inspiring to watch students discover something new and find a connection.
Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.
Something people would probably be shocked to learn about me is that I do feminist art.
Doris Hackworth has been teaching pottery classes at the Bay School since 2014. Her next class, Beginner Wheel Throwing, is on Saturday, Jan 28; Feb 4, 11, & 18 from 1pm - 4pm. Register early to secure your spot!
Doris Hackworth discovered the joy of wheel thrown pottery in 1981 through community college ceramics classes in CA. Nearly 30 years later in 2009, she took to the wheel again and has been taking classes ever since at the Bay School, the Visual Arts Center in Richmond, Nan Rothwell Pottery in Charlottesville, The Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen, and the John C. Campbell Folk Art School in NC. Doris’ emphasis is on form and function. She loves making pots that have a job.
A few questions to Doris:
What made you start teaching?
I have always been a teacher in my heart.
What do you get out of teaching?
I take huge satisfaction in promoting the joy of handmade pottery and being a part of adults finding a creative outlet they enjoy.
Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.
You might be surprised to know that I taught community college biology for a while and also worked for a language school teaching English to German speakers.
Empty Bowls! November 25 2014, 0 Comments
The Bay School Community Arts Center is excited to host the Middle Peninsula’s first Empty Bowls Fundraising Event to benefit Hands across Mathews. Local artists have been busy making hand-crafted pottery bowls for several months in preparation for the event. Each ticketed guest will receive one of these unique bowls and a serving of soup, bread, and water, as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger and was created by The Imagine Render Group. Events vary greatly in size and character – some are extravagant soirees while others are relaxed lunch-time gatherings. This event, on Sunday, December 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm., will be informal and reflect Mathews’ small town community. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Bay School in advance or at the door. Ticket sales will be limited to the number of bowls available, and other artwork and pottery will be offered for special sale as well. All proceeds go directly to Hands Across Mathews, so please bring cash or check.
