Altrusa International of Gig Harbor is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to enhance the community through leadership and service.
The wonderful Potters and Artists who donate their time and talents in support of children and families in our community. Thank you!
Many thanks to Clay Art Center for the donation of clay.
Wanda Garrity, FireblazePottery
My goal is to ensure each piece has a smooth flow from start to finish…to create beautiful pieces of art – both functional and decorative – in a variety of firing techniques to include Raku, Saggar, Carbon, and High-fired Porcelain.”
http://www.FireblazePottery.com
Craig Richmond
Richmond Clay Works produces functional pottery for daily use in clean, modern tones. Handmade in Olalla, Craig Richmond creates dinnerware sets, including plates, mugs, cups, and other practical items that are art you can use.
Valorie Smith
After a career in finance and the visual arts of Photography and Photojournalism, I craved a more tactile pursuit, so I returned to my love of ceramics. The feel of the clay as it flows through my fingers on the wheel, the artistic choices of shape and size, the aesthetic urges of selecting glaze combinations, the anticipation of the piece when it emerges from the kiln…one of a kind. These are the moments that draw me to my studio each day.
My work is a pursuit of hearth and home, and my pieces are to be touched, used, shared in everyday life.
From my studio in Gig Harbor, Washington, to you and your home. Enjoy in good health.
@Val_Arts_Creations www.Val-Arts.com
Kaaren Brooks, Self Centered Pottery
Kaaren's inspirations include a combination of listening to what people want, looking at and taking pictures of her natural environment, viewing other artists’ work in a variety of media,
and experimenting with processes and designs.
Dan Barnett Pottery
As a ceramic artist, I have navigated the space between art and craft by creating both pottery and sculptures. I find these dual activities complement each other, fueling further investigations in each endeavor.
http://www.danbarnettpottery.net/
Robin Hominiuk
Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, I
moved to the United States in 1998. It was after my son started grade school that I had the opportunity to devote myself full time to the pursuit of excellence in my claywork.
I am fortunate to have a studio at my home which allows me much artistic freedom, and gives me the opportunity to let the clay to communicate with me. I hope that those who encounter my work are able to feel the synergy which takes place between material, process and the human spirit.
Jana Fisher
Clay has been a constant for most of my sixty years. It has given me so many wonderful opportunities. From connecting to different cultures, making wonderful friends, travel, community service, self expression,
and something to lean on when I need an escape.
Connecting to formal learning environments with some of the best teachers and also taking lots of time to self teach has allowed me to gather a wonderful knowledge base of my craft and now share my love of pottery thru teaching in my studio. It absolutely brings me joy to see the love and enthusiasm that come from the people who choose to take classes from me.
Jess Almeida
I love playing with different types of clay and incorporating raw unglazed clay in my finished pieces. I find myself drawn to bright colors in the spring and summer and subtle earth tones as the days shorten, and the rain comes down. I love the idea of bringing a small amount of joy in everyday rituals by adding handmade pottery. My best tasting coffee always comes from the mug made by my favorite potter. Pictured here with me is my studio assistant/quality control manager/and all around goof ball, Corfu.
Rebecca Stansbury
Rebecca has been hooked on clay since she was a child. She majored in studio fine arts at Ohio State and Kent State Universities with a focus on ceramics and painting. Her work is influenced by a childhood rich with story tellers that paved the way for her developing narrative and figurative pieces today.
Kendyl Chasco
I live and create in the Pacific Northwest, a setting that is overwhelmingly inspiring. The inherent beauty of the natural world that surrounds me is what I strive to capture in my finished vessels.
In my work I aim to produce aesthetically unique objects. I am privileged to get to finish my work in
atmospheric soda firings and wood-firings, exciting and dynamic processes that ensure that every
surface is irreplicable.
My hope is that my pieces find their way into homes where they will be adored and admired, used in
ways that elevate the day-to-day rituals of one’s life.
In Memorium
Miles Struxness
Miles Struxness graduated in 1975 from the University of Puget Sound with an MFA in Salt Glaze Ceramics. When the ceramics instructor at Pacific Lutheran University took a sabbatical leave, Miles filled in for a year. The next year he went to Charles Wright Academy where he coached baseball, taught photography, and, most importantly, taught ceramics for 36 years. Miles retired from Charles Wright Academy in 2014. He then built a studio and soda kiln where he worked until his death, November 2nd, 2023. Miles was an enthusiastic contributer to Empty Bowls. His memory lives on in the beauty of his ceramics.
Ethan Green, Woodturner
Ethan Green has been turning wood for around three years under the tutelage of Russell Neyman of Port Orchard. What began as a hobby, a means to productively while away his hours post-retirement, has become an artistic obsession. A maxim of woodturning, “If you want to be a better turner, turn better wood," is quite easy to accomplish here in the Pacific Northwest given the abundance of excellent wood at our disposal. For more information about Russell’s woodturning program please visit The Woodturning Experience” on Facebook.
Lynn Christopher Collins
Lynn Christopher Collins and her husband Brian Collins have lived in the Manchester area since1987, and she has a pottery studio in the barn on their 1920s era farmstead. When she's not building hand-built low-fired functional tableware, she is likely to be found digging in the garden or harvesting in the apple orchard. Contact Lynn at l.s.c.collins@gmail.com
Sallie Nau
Sallie Nau is proud to offer the highest quality, and unique pottery in the beautiful Pacific NW. Her shop
is located at her home in Port Orchard, WA.
Sallie can do anything- from sculptures to dinnerware she uses the finest local materials and enjoys
experimenting. Sallie strives to make each piece unique. "I don't enjoy production work, so what I make only what I love and what I enjoy making. From her table to yours, Sallie puts lots of love and careful attention in each item. "I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy making
it for you."
Ruth Gibbs
Ruth Gibbs is a local potter whose focus is functional pottery for everyday use or a special occasion. Ruth uses a clay mix of porcelain and stoneware and has developed her own glazes to produce warm earth tones with a little blast of color. She believes everyday handmade pottery makes each daybetter for those who use it.
Other participating artists:
Rebecca Aitken
Deb Fredrickson
Karen Mittet
Margie Mittet
Patti Nebel