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Author: La Mano

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unnamedThis month, La Mano's gallery features recent work of ceramic artist Peggy Clarke. The collection includes gas fired functional pieces, as well as decorative sculptures and vessels that have been fired in a pit, a raku kiln or a sagger firing.

Peggy discovered her love of pottery at the same time she discovered La Mano, about 15 years ago. Deciding on a whim to take a basic wheel class, she quickly became immersed in everything related to clay. Along the way, Peggy has studied with many renowned ceramic experts, soaking up innovative techniques and bringing many of them back to the studio and to her own work.

Peggy is a co-owner of La Mano, as well as our lead glaze chemist, chief kiln loader, teacher, and manager of our adult courses and workshops. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and growing expertise with colleagues and students at La Mano.

This collection will be in the gallery through the end of November.

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LM-OaxacaNote: this event is now full. If you want to be placed on the wait list, please email us

FREE Lecture and Demonstration
Friday, November 7th, 6:30-8pm

Register here »

As part of our visiting scholars program, La Mano Pottery is honored to host a lecture and demonstration by talented potters from Oaxaca, Mexico. On Friday, November 7th, Elia Mateo and Dorotea Mateo (pictured above), who are part of the Zapotec potters in San Marcos Tiapazola, a small village in the hills of Oaxaca, will be at La Mano Pottery—giving us a rare look at their masterful techniques in working with clay. Elia and Dorotea will also bring some pieces to La Mano which will be for sale.

These remarkable and talented women have mastered their craft in the tradition of their families, learning from their mothers, who in turn passed down knowledge and techniques from their mothers. They have upheld and upgraded a 4000 year tradition of working with clay against all odds and will be in NYC to demonstrate their craft for us.

This program is made possible by the work of Innovando la Tradicion, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the work of talented artisans from the Oaxaca region. Kythzia Barrera Suarez and Diego Mier y Teran, founders of Innovando la Tradicion, will be on hand to describe the work of their organization and to provide context and translation for the demonstration.

The program will start at 6:30 pm. While La Mano is offering this event FREE of charge, there will be limited space. Reserve your spot now so you will not be turned away at the door. Register »

These two artists have collaborated with Liliana Ovalle, a designer from Mexico City and their work will be on display at the Museum of Art and Design from November 4, 2014- April 6, 2015.

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-1A collection of alternative firings from La Mano's Teachers and Studio Potters

In the gallery September 8th–October 8th
Reception: September 19th at 5:30pm

This is a collection of the finest work from our staff.  See what they did on their summer vacations—at alternative firing staff retreats.  Pit firing, raku, horse hair, obvera firing... They went 'back to the earth' before coming 'back to school' (pottery school, that is, where the homework is very dirty...)

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SummerShow2014From now through the end of August, the gallery will feature work by many of La Mano's studio potters:

Bob Pesce, Bri Johnson, Catharina Goldnau, Dan Halm, Danica Arehart, David Hollingsworth, David Moldover, Heather Smaha, Ivan Samuels, Jesse Pape, Julie Hadley, Marge Lurie, Maryam Mirzaagha, Michelle Sholtis, Nonna Hall, Peggy Clarke, Susan Baker, and Zack Robinson.

 

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50ShadesOfClay2014Ceramics by Nonna Hall, Bri Johnson, Marge Lurie, Susan Baker, and Drew Montgomery

In the gallery May 16–June 22
Reception: May 16th, 5:30–8pm

 

 

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OnTheSurfaceCeramics by Jacob Cannon, Julie Hadley, Bill Tersteeg, and Matthew Ward

In the gallery April 4–May 11
Opening Reception: April 4th, 5:30–8pm

 

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_WedsizedWorkshop with Bill Tersteeg
Saturday, April 19, 2014, 10:30–4:00
Register Now »

Please join us on April 19th for a hand building workshop led by Bill Tersteeg. Bill is an accomplished ceramic artist who will share unique hand building techniques as he demonstrates how to make and decorate a musical dragon. Because of their structure and length, the dragons can be used as musical horns, adding to their charm. (Several of Bill’s recent pieces will be on display in La Mano’s gallery during our April show.)

These dragons — standing as tall as 2 feet high — are sturdy cones of clay made without seams. This unique approach, which we have never seen in any hand building book or other workshop, has many applications that can enhance your own decorative or functional work. Bill will guide you step-by-step in making your own dragon and discuss how to apply these new techniques in other ways. Take home more than the dragon you will make — a new arsenal of hand building tips and techniques to add to your hand building skills.

All materials, including clay and tools, will be provided by La Mano Pottery, but you are welcome to bring along any favorite tools. Space is limited so make your reservation soon. You can sign up on line or call the studio to register or for more information: 212.627.9450

About the artist:

Bill Tersteeg owns Crystal Earth Gallery in Dalton, Pennsylvania. He is Professor Emeritus at Keystone College. His ceramic art — including many of his dragons — are included in numerous private and public collections both nationally and internationally.

To learn more about Bill Tersteeg and to see more of his work, visit www.williamtersteeg.com

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LM-FebMarShow01Richard Stauffacher, Posey Bacopoulos, Jessie Lazar and DV Hirsch

In the gallery February 28–March 29
Opening Reception: Friday, February 28th

We sat down with Jessie, Richard, DV, and Posey. Read below to find out more about each potter...

pbOval Box with Gold Decal
by Posey Bacopoulosf

What is Majolica?

POSEY: Majolica is a glaze tradition that began in the Middle East in the 9th century with a tin-opacified glaze. The majolica glaze is very smooth and white, which makes a good surface for decorating. The various colors are applied usually with a brush to the glazed surface to create the lively decorative patterns. The pots are then fired to cone 04 in an electric kiln.

Why did you choose majolica?

I choose majolica because I love to decorate. And that is what I enjoy most about the process.

What is your favorite tool?

My favorite pottery tool is my dagger brush that I use to make all the thin black lines in my decorations

dvDino Bird Daisy
by DV Hirsch

What do you hope to communicate with your art?

DV: I think that the only thing that I want to communicate and share with my work is a smile. That is their purpose. If someone looks at my creature and it tickles them, then I am thrilled and that is my biggest reward.

From a young child, I was taught and encouraged to work with my hands. I loved sewing, beading and clay and I was very lucky because my mom always made sure that if I had an interest in something then she would make sure that I had the supplies and books. Often, I would take a class to learn a new skill. Play dough was my earliest introduction to clay. Actually, I believe that my mom made a play dough like substance out of corn starch. I think that every child needs the active interest, encouragement and time from an adult to help them develop a passion for crafts because in this day and age it is just too easy for a child to zone on the computer or TV.

jlCeramic Bottles
by Jessie Lazar

Tell us about the pictures on your pots:

JESSIE: My drawings are fun and playful. If people look at my pots and smile, I feel I have succeeded.

What is your favorite pottery tool?

My silicon rib. It does the most things. It can be strong and soft and allows me to smooth the clay in order to become the canvas for my drawings and geometric patterns.

rsClose-up of Narwal Box
by Richard Stauffacher

What other artists inspire you?

RICHARD: As far as hand building is concerned, I really love the work of Shary Boyle and Beth Cavener Stichner, but I draw inspiration from all mediums. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time looking at Max Ernst's collages, Walton Ford's wildlife watercolors, and Luigi Serafini's surreal Codex Seraphinianus, all of which have all crept into my own pieces.

What is your favorite pottery tool?

Rubber-tipped clay shapers . I have a bunch in different shapes and pliability...they're indispensable.