One such “teacher” among us is Village Potter Bernie Segal. He began his career as a pottery teacher to high school students in California, and continued teaching throughout his career. Even now, while the only formal ‘teaching’ he does is in fencing instruction, we continue to benefit from his experience, his wisdom, his direct and indirect tutelage to each and all of us. He demonstrates for visitors, and offers opinion, critique, and suggestion to those he deems worthy and capable of receiving. And we are quite happy, although not at all surprised, to learn that this is the way Bernie has been from the beginning!

What follows is an article written by Steve Dayton in 2006 about his experiences in the high school pottery class taught by Bernie Segal in the late 1970′s. It’s longer than our usual posts, but worth every word, so don’t skimp! This is not only a glimpse into who Bernie was – this is who Bernie IS. We’re all grateful to have found these well-written words and to know that we’re so fortunate to share in the magnificence that is, and always has been, Bernie.

“Weekdays at Bernie’s: The Wheel and The Pooper” by Steve Dayton

The consummate artist, Bernie Segal could throw huge clay pots that were nearly bigger than his own body, and if you’ve ever done any hard time on the pottery wheel, you will understand that I’m not implying steroid-use OR a Schwarzenegger-type strength at the “caber toss.” Strong and skillful, yes…hurling bad-guys across the room, uh.. no. His bushy black eyebrows furrowing into a mock scowl of belligerence, Mr. Segal’s sharp eyes would scan the peaceful work tables of his domain for mischief or student laziness, just before smacking down a gigantic lump of clay onto the slowly spinning metal plate that was his easel. And when I say “smack-down” I’m not using my poetic lerner’s permit here… I mean he SMACKED that malleable mud-pile vigorously and violently downward in the general direction of his rotating potter’s pizza-pan, the corners of his mouth curving upwards in a self-satisfied smirk — the only hint that he just LOVED this part of the creation process: the Bing Bang of Bernie. if his aim was shoddy that day and the clay landed off-center – wobbling pitifully like an unbalanced bicycle wheel – Segal’s smile would only grow wider, his sinewy Popeye-like forearms flexing in anticipation of the coming death struggle.

Although their full attention was rarely insisted up on, new students usually suspended their own personal struggles with dried-out doorstops, scurrilous sculptures, and lopsided bowls to watch the prolific Proust of pottery at work. I know I did … every single episode of this fascinating show for nearly four years. Along the way, Segal’s stirring lessons bestowed upon me an early fecundity for coffee cups and teapots for Mom, followed later by the skill to produce a Raku vase that won 2nd Prize in the Alameda County Fair, and finally the Fine Arts Award for Granada High seniors in 1979. These achievements and honors were SO much more about Bernie than me, and my enormous, opportunistic Ego apologizes profusely for interrupting this story with such selfish digression. (And if you believe that line of PC horse manure, I have a few ceramic doorstops glazed in a charming, sort-of-brownish color that I’d like to sell you.)

Centering a large ball of clay on the pottery wheel takes experience and patience. Bernie Segal turned this essential and difficult first step into a routine and riveting dsplay of true Macho. My “veteran” friends and I would attempt to imitate his fast and brutally-efficient centering technique fo rour entire high school careers – puberty happens, after all – but we never did match him. His right food coaxing more gas from the spring-pedal below, Segal would squeeze generous rivulets of water from a handy sponge onto the clay until it glistened with wetness, stray drops whizzing outward and pelting the yellow plastic guard rail. Attempting to center clay without adequate lubrication and high centripetal speed is amateurish folly – and Segal was no amateur. gathering his considerable Chi, the force that was Bernie applied itself to the task… his arms, shoulders, and chest muscles strained mightily for just a few seconds before suddenly releasing their grip to reveal a perfectly concentric and obedient cylinder of clay underneath. He simply manhandled it, often grunting loundly ot awaken any napping pupils he may have missed in the earlier cursory inspection.

What happened next was always a mystery… the hallmark of all great artists. Sometimes the cylinder would morph quickly into a volcano and then yawn into an immense bowl shape, the simplest of forms because access to the wall is easy and centrifugal force is your friend and ally. Other times a thin-walled Tower of Pizza would emerge, only this tower never leaned under Segal’s expert and sensitive guidance. Segal’s slender, slowly-spinning tubes would nearly swallow his left arm up to the shoulder joint, and soon the tube would bloom with the elegant curves of a stunning Greek vase, amphora, or decanter. At this point, every eye in the classroom – nerd, jock, and stoner alike — was transfixed by Segal’s amazing, almost casual adroitness with this mercurial mud. Satisfied with the evolution of his offspring, he showed a surgeon’s sill with the scalpel and trimmed the long-ignored and uneven top lip to squareness, deftly flipping the resulting Mobius-strip onto the lap of a favorite student or troublemaker. Clearly pleased with his handiwork, the slip-spattered Master would step back from the wheel, our coos of admiration bringing a sly smile to his face. Many of us prayed openly that someday, somehow, we should be able to produce such beautiful artwork…

WHUMP! Freshly thrown pottery makes a very distinctive sound when struck rudely by a careless human fist. Were our eyes deceiving us, or had Mr. Segal just punched his masterpiece? We stared in wide-eyed disbelief at the now crippled vase, its once perfect form caved in like a discarded Pepsi can. Shocked silence reigned supreme in the studio, as Segal stood next to his aborted creation grinning like a psychotic child who has just skinned his first cat. “We need more fresh clay. Would someone please go start up the Pooper?” His calm voice betraying no hint of anything being amiss, Segal would use a piano wire to separate the now-wrecked renoir from the motionless steel platen. Wadding up the lifeless clay and walking nonchalantly past his murmuring students, Bernie would unceremoniously dump his handiwork straight into the depths of the “Pooper” – his nickname for the clay-recycling machine. Returning peacefully to his office, the moment his door closed we would hurry over to the scene of the crime to do post-mortems on his twisted abortions, continually amazed by the texture and thinness of the walls and the leather-like flexibility produced by a near-perfect balance of moisture, powder, and grog: the spoor of a master sculptor.

In the beginning I was very attached to my first “successess” on the potter’s wheel, and there are still shelves in my Mother’s home that bear painful witness to this now-embarrassing chutzpah. Bernie taught me to stay detached from my creations, because great art rarely – if ever – goes according to plan. Art is a process, not just a reslut, and if we attache ourselves too strongly to our works we can often stifle new growth hidden just under the surface. Iteration is very important in design… which is just a fancy way of saying that “practice makes perfect.” Some great artists believe that practice IS the only true form of art.

Bernie, his beautiful wife Jeannie, and their beloved Zena.

During my short stay at Granada, Bernie Segal’s valuable lessons fell on many deaf and distracted young ears; in their defense, I’m fully aware that some students attend art classes merely to socialize and perhaps carry off a thick-walled trinket or two. Occasionally, much to the glee of us ever-present veterans, a naive young freshman – her clothes and hair caked with the mud of her first battle — would make the mistake of asking the graying Master himself to protect and “preserve” her precious Mona Lisa on one of the classrooms few and coveted kickwheels. “I’ll come back tomorrow afternoon to finish it, OK?” Mr. Segal would reward these kinds of questions with hilarious, earnest looks of mock-concern, and as soon as the grateful co-ed frolicked happily away to her next class, the Pooper would inevitably whir into life and hungrily consume more fresh meat… an eternally grinding gristmill of artistic improvement.

Sarah Wells Rolland and Cat Jarosz

Sarah Wells Rolland and Catherine Jarosz have both been using all these techniques each in their own way.

Cat Jarosz makes work that, first and foremost celebrates function and fun. Her work is designed to perfection for its purpose but she doesn’t stop there. Cat takes the pot and designs it into a surprise and a conversation piece.

Her Deviled Egg Tray is designed with specific homes for each egg but the piece celebrates the eggs origins with playful chickens dancing around the rim. Her love of animals is evident in her joyful ‘weiner dog’ chip bowl, and the Candle Pagoda is an architectural delight, a home from which light emanates creating a sense of ceremony and atmosphere.

Her focus on every detail to each piece she makes is what makes Cat’s work masterful. When Cat has her hands on clay she transports to a place of solitude and purpose that brings forth work that has a story of its own to tell. Her hands conjure the story from within. Cat says “My work is primarily in the kitchen, but what a wonderful kitchen it is.” The Kitchen is the hub of any home and Cat’s pots share in the daily lives of their owners.

Sarah Wells Rolland uses these same techniques, but her approach to clay is almost the opposite. The majority of Sarah’s work begins on the wheel. This is her home, and the place she loves, and consequently she has developed an ability to accomplish a lot of her beginnings there. From her quiet place where creativity takes flight, Sarah works in rhythms that bring forth work that celebrate simplicity and form.

From that home base of the wheel she stretches and darts the clay to create movement and motion. The finished piece invites the eye to follow the path of this process, over planes, around curves, then resting. Although they imply function, Sarah has moved away from function being a primary focus of most of her work. In those pieces where the function is important, the lines, curves, and motion are ever present to give a fluid and eye-stopping sense of beauty while still fulfilling their functional purpose. The primary focus of Sarah’s work is to create inspiring environments. Her hope is that the visual experience of her work is one that continues through a lifetime to bring peace and harmony to a home or a workplace.

Sarah says, “I make the work knowing that it doesn’t belong to me, so I have a focus on what the piece will be giving to others. Beauty, inspiration, and peace are just some of the things I hope the work continues to bring forth. When a collector shares how the work continues to interest them and please them over the years, I know that I have succeeded. ”

Two different potters, two different approaches, two different outcomes but what these two women have in common is boundless too. They love their Creator, they love to create, they are at home in their studio, they seek excellence in their work and their personal lives, they love people, and they love to make beautiful pots.

Cat and Sarah have been friends for over 20 years, sharing in their creative process, helping each other problem solve, and sharing their lives. Their work is vastly different from each other’s, but if you look closely you will discover the influence they have had on each other throughout the years of a loving friendship. This love is translated to their pots, and in choosing their work, you develop your own relationship with each piece and in turn celebrate that friendship.

Sarah Wells Rolland and Cat Jarosz
Pushing the Limit: Beautiful Pots from Two Perspectives

*Please Note: Online registration is not available at this time. For more information, please see the Fees & Registration link for details.

  Sarah and Cat love to make pots and share. They have each been in business for 30 years and love to share their experiences in developing their markets. They both attended the same ceramics program and have been friends ever since. And that’s where the similarities end!

In this two-day, demonstration workshop, Sarah and Cat will show you very different approaches to making beautiful pots. In split sessions each day, you will experience different languages, different techniques, and you will learn about two very different approaches to a viable ceramics market.

Whether you’re an experienced potter looking for inspiration, or an avid collector who wants to know more about where exquisite pieces originate, this weekend workshop will provide new perspectives on making and selling from two potters who have been mastering their craft for decades.

Both day will be split into two sessions. On Day 1, both Sarah and Cat will take you through the process of making, and on Day 2 they will show the finishing of their work and discuss their approaches to a lifetime of successful art marketing. This workshop is designed to inspire!

March 8-9, 2013
Friday and Saturday 9am-4pm

Location: The Village Potters Teaching Center
191 Lyman Street, #18-0, Asheville, NC 28801
828-253-2424

Workshop Fee: 175.00      Capacity: 24
Payment available via cash, check, Visa, MC, Discover
Information: www.thevillagepotters.com or by emailing info@thevillagepotters.com

Adult Classes • Children’s Classes & Workshops • Master’s Series •
Workshops •  Fees & Registration

We’d just finished a lavish group breakfast and Christmas fun gift exchange when a giant box of luscious chocolates arrived from two of our favorite collectors and friends (thank you SO much Rick & Mary Webb!), so it could be the slightly elevated sugar levels that have us so sentimental. But as we prepare to take a much deserved break (we’re open through Saturday, 10am-6pm for your holiday shopping needs!) we look back at this year, and we look at each other, and we are in awe.

Brenda Seright Williams recently wrote a beautiful article in Sophie Magazine entitled “Soul Medicine“. We paraphrase with gratitude from her article because it resonated so strongly with us that we read it aloud to each other today as a part of our holiday gathering:

“…the potential for connection is in every moment of every day. …our tribe offers encouragement and support of all kinds, and yes, even medicine in the form of connection. With turmoil in our outer world, it is more important that we have peace, and those who support that, in our inner world.”

We are certainly aware of and extremely grateful for the tribe that we have created at The Village Potters, but it extends beyond the seven of us within these walls. Our tribe includes our families, our friends, our students, our patrons and collectors, our extended families in faith, and many we have not met yet connect with daily in various ways, including in posts like this.

As we head toward our lovely break, time with family and friends, we send out to each and every one of you a warm wish for a holiday filled with love and laughter, and a New Year brimming with possibility and potential!

With so much beautiful new work coming out of the kilns, we felt it was time to freshen the Gallery. There was much moving, cleaning, painting, and re-arranging, and just in time for Studio Stroll we have a bright, shiny Gallery to share with you. Here’s a glimpse:

Studio Stroll kicks off several events we have planned over the coming weeks, and it’s going to be a beautiful weekend in Asheville to visit the River Arts District!

When you come, you’ll be able to enjoy free Trolley service both Saturday and Sunday, so you can park and enjoy all the studios at your own pace. Join us for ongoing demonstrations in the Studio, stop by and get some information about classes and workshops, and browse beautiful works in our Gallery.

We’ll also be raffling off a beautiful piece of pottery by one of The Village Potters in support of CERF and fellow artists along the East Coast who are still reeling and recovering from Hurricane Sandy and the ensuing storms. The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) is a national artists’ service organization whose mission is to safeguard and sustain the careers of craft artists and provide emergency resources that benefit all artists. All proceeds from each $10 donation raffle ticket will go to CERF.

And just in time for holiday shopping, we introduce our Wish List! Record any item or items you like, and when your friends or family make a purchase off your Wish List December 2-23, they’ll receive a nice discount. Use the Wish List for the coming holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or just to keep track of pieces you’d like to collect. Call the Gallery at 828-253-2424 or visit us Monday – Saturday, 10am-6pm, for more details.

Stay tuned for more information on other upcoming events, including our Holiday Open House, and a wonderful opportunity to make or decorate your own festive, holiday ornaments! Until then, we hope to see you this weekend at Studio Stroll!

photo by Kristin Fuchs

One year ago this October, this wonderful collective of artists opened the doors of The Village Potters Gallery, Studio and Teaching Center. In this year God has so exponentially blessed us and we have grown at a rate that all seven of us have been challenged in managing. This is a good thing!

We began many years ago as a vision, an abstract idea of community, collaboration, and a pursuit of excellence in every area of our lives in a shared and supportive environment. Our first year has been nothing short of an exciting wild ride. 

George and Sarah, in an unusual moment of rest.

In many ways, it seems this first year has gone by in the blink of an eye, but when we look back on everything that’s happened, it’s almost surprising that it’s only been a year! Here’s a condensed look back at our first year:

We had many great gatherings and events, including our Grand Opening, Holiday Studio Sale, a Launch Party for Cara Mae Skin Care, and hosting the Clay Club and an event for some Furry Friends, among others. And some events were so nice, we did them twice, like two of our Masters Series Workshops, two Southern Highland Craft Fairs, two Riverview Station Pot Lucks, two Studio Strolls, and two events for Empty Bowls . Add to that seven Second Saturday events, and Multiple Demonstrations for Touring Groups. And meanwhile, we were installing six kilns, pouring wedging tables, acquiring eight pottery wheels, developing marketing plans, and adding classes and workshops for children and adults. Oh, and while we occasionally stepped out for a birthday celebration, we were also making beautiful pots and sculptures to fill our gallery and for collectors and clients around the region and across the country.

one of many birthday celebrations.

We have received and continue to receive the support of so many people without whom none of this would have been possible, including our spouses and extended families, dear friends, Fleta Monaghan of 310 Art, Artists of The River Arts District, The Southern Highland Craft Guild, Riverview Station owners Helaine Green and Trudy Gould, our church families, pastors, many prayer partners, and our wonderful collectors who so believe in what we do they purchase our work and honor us in doing so.

We want to thank everyone, so we are throwing down a party and we want you to come! On Saturday, October 6 at 6:30pm we will have chocolate flowing, fire spinning, music playing, and kilns opening. In other words we want to take this first year out with a rejoicing sound! Read more about the party HERE.

L-R: Melanie Robertson, Bernie Segal, Karen Dubois, Cat Jarosz,
Sarah Wells Rolland, Lori Theriault, Judi Harwood

Photographer Kirsten Fuchs was also kind enough to share her images from the shoot when we realized it was one of the first times all seven members of The Village Potters were in one place with someone else available to take a picture!

There’s no escaping the “Back to School” campaigns, but even if you’re not still a student yourself, don’t you have that twinge of nostalgia for this time of year? It’s time to get some new outfits, update your ‘school’ (office) supplies, and maybe even get a new haircut!

Here at The Village Potters, we’re thrilled to be teaming up with our friends and neighbors at River’s Edge Studio next week for a back-to-school special, grown-up style! We invite all our friends to drop by and see our teaching studios and galleries, Monday – Friday, August 27th – 31st from 11-3. We will be glad to share with you information about our new classes, some refreshments and some art talk. You might just see some artists in action creating painted and ceramic masterpieces!

At our Teaching Center at Riverview Station, you can learn pottery from the beginning or add to your already growing skills as you learn from talented and experienced professional potters. Next door with our neighbors at River’s Edge Studio, you can learn painting, drawing, and many new painting techniques with some incredible teachers.

We are a destination point for art and art education in WNC, and we are offering a special Early Bird Discount from now though the end of August at The Village Potters and River’s Edge Studios. Here at The Village Potters, you can take a 10% discount off any of our current and upcoming classes for adults & kids, as well as our Masters Series Workshops, Clinics, and hands-on Workshops. Click HERE for more information on the full roster offered through our Teaching Center, and follow the drop-down menus for more class or workshop information. You’re also welcome to call us at 828-253-2424 for more information.

For more information about the classes and discounts offered at River’s Edge Studio, click HERE for their workshop page, or call Fleta Monaghan at 828-776-2716. All tuitions received or postmarked by August 31st are eligible for this discount.

]]> http://thevillagepotters.com/back-to-school-is-not-just-for-kids/feed/ 0 http://thevillagepotters.com/save-the-date-october-6/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=save-the-date-october-6 http://thevillagepotters.com/save-the-date-october-6/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:02:03 +0000 admin http://thevillagepotters.com/?p=1061

We can hardly believe it’s been almost a year since we opened, and what a year it’s been! We hope you’ll join us for a birthday celebration on Saturday, October 6, at 6:30pm. Stay tuned for more details!!