Posts Tagged ‘handmade tile’
Watershed: Adding to the Magic
The collected works of art at Watershed, left behind by former residents as gifts, is almost a living thing unto itself. This assemblage of interesting art is a constant work in progress…new pieces are added, patinas of age and time begin to develop, works become partially hidden by forest growth, and things are slightly moved and shifted with the touch of each group of residents.
During my session at Watershed, fellow resident Ginger Lukas spent her entire two weeks in the studio creating a large wall sculpture from Watershed’s Earthenware Clay. This piece, which consists of a set of interlocking, high relief tiles, depicts invasive species of the Great Lakes, and is a social commentary on the damage these animals can do as well as the lengths to which we as humans are willing to go, in order to contain them.
However, after all her hard work, Ginger simply ran out of time. She was able to finish sculpting the piece, and fire it to temperature. But the tiles still needed to be fixed to a board and installed somewhere on the Watershed Grounds. Not wanting to see Ginger’s effort, and such a beautiful piece, go to waste, my husband Scott took on the project of mounting and installing the tiles himself. The result, pictured below, is a lovely addition to a previously bare wall in the factory studio; and a great example of the serendiptous opportunities for collaboration that constantly present themselves at Watershed.
Public Art at Portland Pottery
Portland Pottery, located at 118 Washington Avenue, Portland Maine, is the supplier for the majority of potters in the Northern New England area. Besides carrying a comprehensive selection of prepared clays, dry goods, tools, and more, Portland Pottery is home to a community clay studio and school.
A couple of years ago, the folks at Portland Pottery began a project which would create a work of art for the front of their building. The idea was that a number of students and friends of the organization would each hand-carve and sculpt a 12″ tile based on the theme “what Portland means to me.” The resulting tiles, which range from depictions of popular Portland landmarks to sea-life to sports teams, would then be placed together near the Washington Avenue entrance of the facility. This project, which turned out to be quite an undertaking, is finally finished, and the resulting work of art is wonderful!
This is a view of the entire completed project.
A close-up of my tile!




