Out of Our Hands » Clay

Godumski, Sarah

Lauren Beck — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:34:26 +0000

After receiving my degree in English and working in publishing for four years, I decided to return to school to pursue a degree in Art Therapy. I have been attending Marywood University for the past three years, and this is where my love of clay began. There is something powerful about the feeling of the wet clay moving through your fingers, a connection that my work in other media had been lacking. I have been lucky enough to have studied with a number of amazing artists, both as professors as well as fellow students. While working in the MU ceramics studio, I learned a technical side of pottery–mixing and testing glazes, making clay, measuring temperatures, running Raku firings.

The majority of my work is thrown on the wheel, but I have recently been experimenting with hand building methods, and I’m happy with the results. I use both porcelain and stoneware clay and a variety of glazing techniques. The bulk of my work is high-fired and is safe for food, drink, dishwasher, and microwave use.

I have been finding the debate between “fine art” vs. functionality very interesting of late. Why can’t a work be both functional as well as a piece of art? I’m working on making that line between fashion and function all that much finer.

Yura, Joyce

Lauren Beck — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:09:35 +0000

I am a senior at Kutztown University where I study Communication Design with a concentration in Advertising and Graphic Design. My parents are the new owners of Out of Our Hands Gallery, so as a part-time employee I am surrounded by beautiful handcrafted art and passionate artists. As a hobby, I enjoy fashion, so I recently decided to experiment with jewelry design.

My pieces are primarily made with polymer clay which is shaped and then baked in order to solidify. I occasionally add elements to the clay such as paint and found items. The beads or pendants I create are then strung and sometimes complimented with metal beads. I incorporate classic elements into my modern styles so that they might appeal to a broad audience.

I dabble in many forms of art, and I like to incorporate my experience and knowledge into my jewelry and experiment with different techniques. I hope you enjoy wearing my jewelry!

Velazquez, Cymberly

Lauren Beck — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:49:10 +0000

Cymberly received her BFA from the University of Florida and opened her own studio with her partner, Kristina Olson in 1994. She says her main goal is to create functional pottery that is food, dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. She paints red stoneware with colorful, nature-inspired images.

Sommerville, Monica & Ray

Lauren Beck — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:28:41 +0000

Monica Sommerville first came into contact with clay in 1977 during her senior year at Notre Dame Catholic High School. While majoring in Political Science at West Chester University, she was regularly found in the pottery studio. After moving to Allentown, PA in 1988, she continued to develop as a potter while working in the nonprofit sector and raising two daughters with her husband, Ray.

After more than 20 years as a landscaper, Ray Sommerville transitioned into working with clay and glazes helping to launch Sommerville Pottery. Initially in Allentown, Sommerville Pottery is now located in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York.

Sommerville Pottery is wheel-thrown and hand-built stoneware. Using dark and light clay bodies, each piece is fired at approximately 2000 degrees and then glazed in earth-tone browns, tans, greens and blues. It is traditional, practical, well-made pottery. Each piece is functional, dishwasher safe, and very durable.

Olson, Kristina

Lauren Beck — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:37:42 +0000

I received my BFA from West Virginia University in 1988. Then I traveled to Florida and attended the University of Florida where I earned a MFA in ceramics. In 1994, I opened a studio with my partner Cymberly Velazquez. I am currently an art teacher in the Upper Perkiomen School District.

My goal is to create functional pottery that is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye. My work is wheel thrown porcelain with images carved into the pieces and carved directional lines covering the background.