“Together in Clay” Functional Pottery by John Macomber and Pat Burke

August 23 through September 24, 2017
Opening Reception Saturday August 26, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
“Together in Artful Clay” celebrates the work of husband and wife potters, John Macomber and Pat Burke, showing their work together for the first time. Their earth-toned, stoneware pieces complement each other in form, function, color, and design.

John Macomber specializes in functional pottery—lamp bases, bowls, casseroles, soup tureens, and other everyday items. He frequently incorporates words into his clay, such as “All the wonders you seek are within yourself,” which, he says, he often reflects on “. . . to help myself remain in my heart and not in my head.” A potter since 1975, Macomber owns and operates Greenleaf Pottery in South Windsor, CT. There, he offers classes and features a gallery and an outdoor kiln. His skilled craftsmanship and expertise in the firing process produce light-weight, durable vessels that are lead-free and dishwasher-safe for use in daily life. Macomber and Greenleaf Pottery were featured in the WFSB Better Connecticut Show, “Better at Home” segment, and can be viewed on the Greenleaf Pottery website, www.greenleafpottery.net. He has the honor of having one of his pieces in the collection of The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford.

A pottery-making demonstration at Old Sturbridge Village when she was 10 launched Pat Burke on her lifelong interest in clay. She began taking classes at Wesleyan Potters in 1980, and now creates her work in her home studio in East Hampton, CT, glazing and firing it at her husband’s studio. Pat’s functional and textural pieces are impervious to water and are safe for heating and serving food. Her work has been especially influenced by three potters: Ron Myers, Makoto Yabe, and her husband John, all of whom leave their marks of hand creation blended with grace and fluidity, as does Pat.

The aptly named show, “Together in Clay,” may be seen in the Wesleyan Potters Gallery/Shop from August 23 through September 24. Shop hours are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10:00-5:00; Thursday 10:00-6:00; and Sunday Noon-4:00. The show is free and open to the public.

Wesleyan Potters is a nonprofit craft school and artist cooperative. For more information, contact Wesleyan Potters at 860/347-5925, or visit the website at http://www.wesleyanpotters.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Wesleyan Potters:
Wesleyan Potters’ mission is to provide high-quality artistic educational programs that will lead the artisanal craft movement and visual art world. It is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) craft school and artist cooperative that teaches and preserves handcrafted arts. Wesleyan Potters offers year-round classes for adults and children in well-equipped studios and maintains a year-round gallery and shop.

Contact:
Mary Ruth Shields
wesleyanpotterst.@snet
Ph: 860/347-5925