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A sample of work by Steven Summerville, of Virginia’s Dream studio in Bumpass (Photo by: Taylor Dabney)
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A design by Lee Hazelgrove (Photo courtesy Clayworks Supplies)
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Work by John Bryant of Old Tavern Kiln Collective (Photo courtesy Clayworks Supplies)
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Work by Grace Eunmi Lee of Shockoe Bottom Clay. (Photo by: Grace Eunmi Lee)
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Pieces by Susan Gaible of Shockoe Bottom Clay (Photo by: Jeremy Koslow)
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Work by Jeff Vick of the Old Tavern Kiln Collective (Photo by: Jeff Vick)
Scott Campbell of Clayworks Supplies wondered why nobody had thought of putting together a Richmond clay studio tour — so he arranged one. “There’s a huge number of clay [artists] here,” he says. “And they’re working in a variety of styles — more than enough to arrange a metro Richmond showing.”
The Clay Studio Tour, on June 4 and 5, includes 20 studios and more than 75 artists. Many of the locations are offering free demonstrations and refreshments — and it’s all free and open to the public. “One studio home may have a group of people going in together,” Campbell says.
Virginia Commonwealth University is participating with its graduate student crafters, and other institutions include the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen, a number of pottery stores and studios as far as Quinton, east of Richmond.
Clayworks, at 2277 Dabney Road, is hosting five artists including Campbell’s wife, ceramicist Nancy Sowder. Shockoe Bottom Clay, which opened seven months ago in a grandly revived, long-dormant hardware store at 1714 E. Main St., is presenting six artists.
The makers’ specialties range from tableware to sculpture fired in electric, gas, wood, Raku and pit-fired kilns. Campbell reflects, “When we pitched the idea to the community, we were uncertain how they’d go for it; but they’ve been just crazy supportive.”
Free. 10 a.m to 5 p.m. 918-7722 or rvaclay.com.
