Sunday, November 26, 2023

Pottery Sale, Evening Pottery class in Winter, and last class week at YVC

Last class week: Raku, firings and Pottery Sale


This week is the last full week of winter quarter and a busy week in the clay studio. Tomorrow we will be running a raku firing for both classes and Tuesday is our pottery sale.


pottery sale poster for this fall

Pottery Sale Tuesday

The Pottery Sale features pottery and sculpture made by myself and Yakima Valley College clay students and employees over the past year or years. All work is for sale and very moderately priced, so it’s a great opportunity to pick up some handmade gifts for the holidays.

The clay sale features lots of bowls, mugs and vases and many one of a kind items

All proceeds from the clay sale go to support YVC clay studio operations, including paying our hourly worker and allowing us to purchase equipment and supplies not covered by studio fees. 

Palmer Martin Hall at YVC

The sale will be Tuesday, November 28 from 11-6pm in the lobby of Palmer Martin Hall (building 20) on the south side of the Yakima campus. We take cash, check, card, and even Apple pay, so put us on your schedule for Tuesday and stop by and see us.

Some tumblers from my home kiln that might end up in the clay sale

Evening Pottery Class in Winter

I’m also hoping to talk to visitors about the evening pottery class that I will be offering in the winter this year. I hear from students and community members who work during the day that they’d like to see an pottery evening class, but this is the first quarter in a long time when I’ve been able to offer it. I am hoping to reach those who don’t already know about it.

My work at Larson gallery (sold)

Last weeks of Central Washington Artists Exhibition at Larson Gallery

While on campus, please consider stopping by the Larson Gallery to check out the Central Washington Artists Exhibition, which is open 10-5 on Tuesday. I have two pieces in the show, including an award winner. I also have some pottery for sale in the front gallery at Larson.


Raku Firings Monday

Hot pot being put in a combustion bucket

Tomorrow is our raku firing for both clay classes. This firing process is lots of fun, as well as lots of work. Tomorrow we’ll be unloading three kilns we fired last week and loading up three more firings to make sure everything can get finished in time for their final critique next Monday. Those who choose to participate will load and unload the raku kiln throughout the day.

Hot pots ready to come out of the raku kiln

Western style raku is a fast firing where we take the work out of the kiln while it is hot (the glaze is literally molten when we first open the kiln) and put it into a bucket of combustibles. Alternatively, we take it out when it is hot and burn horsehair onto the surface. It’s a fun process to watch, but I’ll smell like a campfire when I get home.



I hope to see lots of folks at the Pottery Sale on Tuesday!
 

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Central Washington Art Exhibition 2023

The award winning (and sold) Opuntia Verde, 2023


The 68th Annual Central Washington Artist Exhibition opened this past Saturday at Larson Gallery. The show runs through December 9, 2023


Orange Cactae, 2023, also in the CWAE show


I have two pieces in the show, and I won an award on Saturday for the green one. The award is the Lilian Adamns and Muriel Adams Memorial Award, sponsored by Leo Adams


my award from Saturday


The Larson Gallery is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturdays 1-5pm. Admission is always free and open to the public. Larson Gallery is located on the southwest corner of 16th Avenue an Nob Hill Boulevard in the newest set of Yakima Valley College buildings, behind Taco Bell.


Another view of the green one


Besides my two artworks in the Central Washington show, I also have functional pottery for sale in the front sales gallery section of Larson Gallery. And if you're in town looking for fun activities, don't forget about the Yakima Valley Vintner's Tasting Room right next to Larson Gallery. Besides wine brewed by the award winning YVC Viticulture program, they also have non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.


another view of the orange one