One of my pottery epiphanies occurred when we lived in Charlotte, NC. I lucked into a clay studio within walking distance of our Uptown home. I took classes and rented a small studio space there. I quickly discovered that Charlotte is an art-friendly town. I met many talented artists and enjoyed an abundance of public art installations throughout the city.
The classes I took, sparked many of the hand-building techniques I still use today and opened my eyes to a wider range of making and selling opportunities. In particular, I became educated on the idea of clay as public art. It really hadn’t occurred to me before. Charlotte is good at providing opportunities for artists to make and permanently display art in the local community.
These sample tiles of a local school logo will be used to promote a special project I'm helping create and then used on the finished totems.
I am in the beginning stages of a public art project here in Maryland. I’m teaming with a local school to create 3 outdoor totems covered with the artwork of the children and school supporters. Sold as a fundraising opportunity for the school, participants will purchase the chance to decorate a tile with a bright under glaze image. I will finish the tiles with clear glaze and a firing in my kiln. Then, I’ll help install the project at the entry of the school.
I see this as a win-win situation. I’ll be exposing my clay expertise to a new group of people. The school will raise some money and benefit from a unique art installation at the school’s entryway. And, I think everyone will have fun in the process. Art can bring people together. This is one more way to accomplish that on a larger scale. Got an idea for a public project we can partner on? Click the photo above to send me a message and we'll start the conversation!