Bussing Mary Cay in front of her porcelain wall pieces in her new studio

My good friend and former ceramic’s instructor, Mary Cay, has just moved into a new studio in the East End Arts District in Aurora, CO.  This makes me happy on so many fronts because this means she’s going to start making work again after a bit of a hiatus due to change in her life and she’s showing her work again.  On Friday, I had the opportunity to visit her studio as part of First Fridays Art Walk and had a blast.

There are several studios in the East End Applied Arts Gallery and Studios where she has her work space now including a jeweler, painters and potters.  The owner of the building is a potter, Walt Weinberg, which is pretty cool if you ask me.  He happened to be firing the gas kiln while the opening was going on and I took a peek at the kiln yard and the back end of the studios.  While the gallery is open Thursday – Saturday, it sounds like the artist’s studios will be open to the public on First Fridays.

Look closely...

I laughed so hard when I saw one of Mary Cay’s bowls on display!  It’s so subtle, yet disarming.  I told her I coveted this, and before I knew it, Mary Cay and I struck up a trade and I walked out the door with this gem.  No, I’m not feeling the urge to have a baby or anything – I just think it’s funny.

Jules and Janet

While Mary Cay hasn’t been making any new work in awhile, she has been teaching some clay classes part time.  Jules and Janet are former classmates of mine at the Art Student’s League of Denver – we took classes together a few years back.  Janet recently built a studio at her home where she and Jules work and have continued taking classes privately with Mary Cay.  They’ve been playing around with crystalline glazes and their new work is rockin’!

Pottery Party Posse

Meanwhile, the secretary at my daughter’s school begged me to teach a “pottery party” at her home after I allowed her to participate in one of my after school clay classes a month ago.  She had so much fun making a mug and thought she could round up a few of her friends for a party.  I’ve never done anything like this before nor have I ever considered it and wasn’t sure how to price an event like this.  I cut her a deal since she does so much for the school and helps make sure my after school class runs smoothly – not to mention being one of my biggest cheerleaders.  Many of the participants were interested in doing something like this again – I suppose I should decide if I want to pursue this and post something about pricing, min. & max participants etc. on my website.

There’s a fascination with wet clay that you just can’t get from a paint your own pottery shop – and many don’t have the time to sign up for a class.  They made a variety of different kinds of cups, mugs and tumblers – along with some clay jewelry.  The ladies had fun and also have a much better appreciation for handmade pottery after last night.

Meanwhile, I’m substitute teaching the next 2 days and won’t get back in my studio till Wed.  I am going to work a couple of hours this afternoon – more of a getting ready for the next extended studio session.

Have a great week,

~Cynthia