2010 - A year of firsts

Hi friends and fans,

With record snowfall in the Washington D.C. region, I have now lived through not one, but two blizzards. This year is also the first year my pottery is being published. First, one of my wood-fired pitchers is featured in the Potter's Council wood-fired calendar (August). Then in March, I will have an article "Finding Your Artistic Voice: One Potter's Brief Journey", published in Ceramic Industry/ Production Pottery Practices magazine.

All this snow has kept me out of the Art League studio. But don't fret, I have been busy at my home wheel getting ready for more exciting events this year. Here are a few of note: selection for the Gallery West national juried show, Claytastic's first home sale, and candle sticks to benefit MS research.

Gallery West 13th Annual National Juried Show

This vase (to the left) has been selected for my first, local/national juried show. The show runs from February 3 through the 28th at Gallery West. The gallery is located at 1213 King Street, Alexandria, VA.

The opening reception is Saturday, February 13th (rescheduled because of last week's storm) from 5 to 8 p.m. I hope you can all join me. For more information and snow dates, see: www.gallery-west.info.

First Annual Cherry Blossom Home Sale

Trying to predict the date the cherry trees will be in full bloom in Washington is like trying to predict how wood ash will melt on a pot - futile. Nevertheless, I will be hosting my first ever Claytastic home sale to (hopefully) coincide with the blooming of our very own 14+ year old cherry tree.

This sale will come on the heels of two major firings: one in the Art League's gas kiln and one in Baltimore Claywork's wood/salt kiln. Since the tree will bloom just before the spring craft fairs, this will be a great opportunity to get first pick of some new work out of these two very special firings.

First Annual Claytastic Cherry Blossom Home Sale
April 3, 2-5 pm
April 4, 1-4 pm
3616 7th St. South * Arlington, VA 22204
(202) 321-6037

Candles to Benefit Multiple Sclerosis Research

When getting ready for the holiday sales last year, I began to experiment with making candle sticks. Not long thereafter, multiple sclerosis touched my life. As I have been refining this form, it seemed appropriate that candle sticks which are about warmth, light, spirit and celebration are the perfect form to help me raise funds for and awareness about this disease. I will donate half of the proceeds from every candle stick to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

As always, thank you for your interest in my work.

Best wishes and stay centered in 2010,
Laurie Erdman
www.claytastic.net
http://claytastic.wordpress.com
www.claytastic.etsy.com
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