Kathleen Thompson
Last November, the SaddleBrooke Pottery Club shared their talents and passion for pottery in their first-ever show and sale. The show was well received by the community, and in addition to showing off their art, club members were especially pleased that their charity sale counter raised a sizable sum for the victims of Hurricane Helene.
Since then, club members have continued to learn and create. More experienced members help eager beginners, all united by a shared enthusiasm for the craft. Every member brings their own creative vision to the table, resulting in a vibrant array of pieces from sophisticated sculptures to whimsical outdoor totems, to beautiful mugs and bowls for daily use. The process begins in the studio where members experiment with different clay bodies, glazes, and techniques. Beyond the technical aspects of working with clay, the social dynamics within the club are an essential part of the experience. In addition to formal workshops and demonstrations, members come together in the studio to assist, collaborate, provide feedback, inspire one another—and sometimes to commiserate! This year, special workshops presented by professional clay artists Andree Richmond (Tucson) and Carolyn Bulkley (Oregon) challenged participants to get out of their comfort zones to try new forms and techniques.
Maybe you’ve noticed the club’s contributions to our community as you drive around Ridgeview or dine at the RoadRunner Grill. “Lizzie,” the lizard who adorns the wall at Idlewind and Ridgeview, and the colorful pizzas over the pizza oven at the Grill were both made by teams comprised of SaddleBrooke Pottery Club members. This year, club members have been working hard designing and constructing a large, 7-foot-high by 8-foot-wide roadrunner mosaic to be installed this fall in the grill area of the RoadRunner patio. A six-member design team planned the 215-tile project, while additional club members have worked on the actual construction in concert with the SaddleBrooke One maintenance team who will install the project. Look for it soon! Our members also continue to contribute to the larger Tucson community, donating several hundred bowls last March to the annual Empty Bowls event, an international initiative to fight hunger.
The SaddleBrooke Pottery Club will once again be showcasing a variety of members’ work during what we hope will become an annual event on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. under the portico and inside the clubhouse at SaddleBrooke One. This year’s show will feature several new artists, as well as many of last year’s participants. A special sale table will raise funds for the Art Department at San Manuel High School. We are once again excited to invite you to experience the unique and beautiful handcrafted pottery made by our local SaddleBrooke clay artists.
For more information, contact Show Chairperson Harriet Hason at harrhason@gmail.com.