The Clay Way Studio Tour
Linda Marston-Reid, Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson for The Poughkeepsie Journal
The Clay Way Studio Tour is on again for the 5th year giving us a glimpse into the studios where artists produce ceramic works ranging from functional ware and sculpture, to décor items. The tour meanders through Eastern Dutchess County and into Litchfield County, featuring 18 ceramic artists and an opportunity for a lovely drive in peak fall foliage season.
Wingdale resident Amy Brenner has participated in the Clay Way Tour every year since its inception. She commented, “During the open studio weekend I can see through others' eyes, hear comments and see which pieces sell. Answering questions and talking about my work often clarifies things for me.” Brenner’s functional wares are both useful and decorative, featuring lively colors on her wheel-thrown, stoneware clay pots. Kathleen Heidemann joins the tour at Amy Brenner’s studio with her hand-built ceramic pieces finished with delicate painted illustrations. Turn a Heidemann piece over and you will see that the artist continues the embellishments on the underside.
Not far from Brenner’s studio, stop in to see Drew Montgomery’s ceramics. He commented, “My work of late has been to rethink utilitarian objects and bring a more pleasing form and refined shape. The hope is to make these objects more aesthetically pleasing to both the eye and touch. Even a spoon rest should bring joy to the cook.” A few miles down the road is the studio of Ann Heywood: She wrote, “I enjoy experimenting with different clay bodies, glazes, and firing techniques and I am especially enamored with the interaction of light glazes with a dark clay body.” Heywood’s elegantly simple shapes and glazes can be seen as vases, mugs, and vessels that feel like precious artifacts.
Joy Brown’s work is both simple and fantastical. Sculpture fans may recall the 2017 exhibit of her works in New York City, when nine larger-than-life-size bronze figures were exhibited along Broadway. Smaller ceramic pieces will be on display during the tour. Brown’s studio has a 30-foot long Japanese style wood-firing tunnel kiln (anagama), where she fires her work. Joy Brown is hosting Naoko Ojio and Deb Lecce at her studio location that also utilize the anagama kiln in their production of work. Most recently, Lecce has been creating animal sculptures; she stated, “The animals are fired in a variety of kilns, but I especially love the anagama firing for the depth and beauty it imparts on the animals. The pieces you see have been fired for seven days with wood and a team of people; the patina is a kiss of fire and ash. The wood firing also helps shift me from working solo to building a community with other potters.”
Christine Owen makes pottery and sculpture informed by historic tin ware and Japanese functional pottery. Her pottery has elegant lines burnished by the glazing from anagama kiln firing. Guest artist Jessica Dubin displays her stoneware with designs that seem to be inspired by marks found in nature; shapes from windblown sand, or water ripples may come to mind.
Artists on the tour:
Amy Brenner, Joy Brown, Jessica Dubin, Kathleen Heidemann, Jane Herold, Ann Heywood, Steve Johnson, Deb Lecce, Drew Montgomery, Naoko Ojio, Christine Owen, Alison Palmer, Sanah Petersen, Todd Piker, Kelly Potter, Missy Stevens, Will Talbot, Kathy Wismar
If you go:
5th Annual Clay Way Studio Tour 2021
Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, 2021
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day.
Online printable map: https://www.clayway.net/
Current COVID precautions will be observed