Featured Artist

Ah, it’s October! ‘Tis the season of cider donuts, leaves displaying their autumn finery … and of ClayWay … the pottery studio tour that winds its way through western Litchfield County, CT and eastern Dutchess County, NY. Nine potters’ studios hosting 19 clay artists will welcome guests on Saturday and Sunday, October 16th and 17th as ClayWay celebrates its fifth year of presenting a bountiful range of pottery on a self-guided tour that reaches from Will Talbot’s Bell Hill Pottery in Washington, CT to Ann Heywood’s gallery and studio in Wingdale, NY.

Studios with guest artists offer the viewer the rare opportunity of seeing different styles, different techniques and altogether fascinating results. Each host potter will display a bountiful selection of their own work and provide space for their guests to offer theirs, as well.

Joy Brown, well known for her engaging figures that have charmed New York City residents and continue to welcome travelers through Kent, CT will host Deb Lecce and Naoko Ojio at her Segar Mountain, South Kent studio. Close by, Alison Palmer’s studio will host Missy Stevens and Kathy Wismar.

Travelers moving toward Cornwall, CT can visit Todd Piker’s Cornwall Bridge Pottery on Route 7 and see his work as well as pieces by Sanah Petersen and Kelly Potter while Christine Owen in nearby Warren will share her studio with Jessica Dubin. The furthest pottery to the north is home to Jane Herold who was featured in the October issue of Main Street Magazine. Jane will welcome Alexandra FitzGerald and Steve Johnson to her West Cornwall, CT ceramic showroom.

The New York contingent of pottery studios includes Drew Montgomery on Dog Tail Corners Road, Amy Brenner, nearby on Old Branch Road with guest Kathleen Heidemann and Ann Heywood on Askins Road, all in Wingdale.

The hours from which the artists will welcome visitors are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Printed brochures that include a driving map have been placed at many stores and locations around the area and an easily downloadable map is available on the Clay Way website …clayway.net.

Visiting the website will afford the viewer the chance to preview a sampling of the various artists’ work, which enhances the experience. There is color to match the turning leaves, forms to amuse and delight, functional pieces to find a place in any home … all in full view during ClayWay, a highly anticipated regional celebration of October.