The Colony Clayers Club celebrated 10 years of sharing artwork with the public at its recent Fall Showcase and Sale at the Colony Cottage Recreation Center.
Many of the attendees are repeat visitors and the word clearly was out to come early because the room was filled as soon as the doors opened. Visitors to the show were buying for themselves and others. And they were enjoying see the many pieces on display – some functional and others just to be admired.
“I come every year,” said Connie Sloan. “It is always fun to see what everybody is doing. It is different every year.”
Sloan’s rule is that whatever she buys has to be functional. She found two decorative bowls she really liked and felt sure she would find something to put in them so she could adhere to her rule.
Whether the attendees were looking for decorative or functional pieces, there was plenty to choose from. The quality of the art was high and the prices were low, with most pieces ranging in price from $5 to $25. Within a half hour of the sale opening, many people already had packages under their arms.
Members of the Colony Clayers Club range in the number of years they have been working with clay and what brought them to it.
Group leader Kathy Mantel was an art major in college and a court reporter by profession. She has been working in clay for 25 years. She said that she tends to get really involved in a certain area and work intently on that and then move onto something else.
Currently, Mantel said, her interest is plates – functional plates that can be used. Proceeds from her sales were going to the art department at Wildwood Middle High School.
Village of Pennecamp resident Marilyn McKay started in clay 15 years ago.
“A friend said to me, ‘You are too stressed out. I have signed you up for a clay class,’” McKay said, adding that it did help with the stress and has turned into something she loves.
“Now when I see something, I wonder if I could make it,” added McKay, primarily a sculptor who makes decorative pieces that are meant to be enjoyed.
Proving that it is never too late to get started, Bob Blumberg began seven years ago at the age of 81.
“I like the feel of the clay and I am drawn to the colors,” said Blumberg, a former commercial designer.
Leon Bryant has been a member of the Colony Clayers Club for eight years. Before that, he was a high school art teacher and says he has been working in clay for a long time.
“I use the clay as a vessel for my drawings,” said Bryant, showing the intricate details of some of his pieces.
Two visitors to his table, Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores neighbors Judy Curbow and Marcia Couch, both have attended the sale before. Curbow already had purchased a small casserole dish that was functional and Couch was on the lookout for unusual flower vases.
The Colony Clayers Club gets together on Wednesday evenings and Friday and Saturday mornings at the Colony Cottage Recreation Center. Although the group has a small waiting list to join, members welcome visitors any time who want to observe the process of going from a slab of clay to a beautiful, finished piece of art.