PHILADELPHIA — The Clay Studio, an internationally renowned center for the ceramic arts and an anchor of the arts district in Philadelphia’s historic Old City neighborhood, will mark its 40th anniversary in 2014 with a dynamic series of events, exhibitions, and artist talks exploring the past and future of the institution and the field of ceramics, including a 40-hour-long open studio celebration May 9 and 10.
Founded in 1974 by five notable Philadelphia artists, The Clay Studio is a nonprofit educational institution, gallery and studio dedicated to teaching, creating and promoting the ceramic arts. Over the past 40 years, The Clay Studio has hosted guest artists from 45 countries, served over 20,000 schoolchildren through its Claymobile Outreach program, fired more than 1 million pieces of art and functional pottery in its kilns, and welcomed more than 200,000 people to its First Friday gallery openings. Through outreach programs, classes, exhibitions and workshops, The Clay Studio has brought the joy of clay to thousands of children, students, artists and enthusiasts.
As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, the Clay Studio will mount a special exhibition curated by Garth Johnson, newly appointed director of artistic programs, at the 48th annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts held in Milwaukee, WI. The NCEC exhibition, on display March 19-21, will showcase ceramic artists that have been affiliated with the Clay Studio, including Rain Harris, Kathy Butterly and Heather Mae Erickson, and chronicle both the evolution of the organization and of the use of clay as a material for creative expression. The exhibition will be displayed in the Clay Studio’s Philadelphia galleries April 4 through May 31.
“The Clay Studio has always been a springboard for artists to become leaders in the field of ceramics, and a place where established artists found a platform for expression,” says Johnson. “In 2014, craft is experiencing a revival where handmade goods are entering national and global conversations about sustainable lifestyles. We’re celebrating the fact that, 40 years after its founding, The Clay Studio is still at the forefront of these conversations.”
The Clay Studio’s 40th anniversary celebration is made possible by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The Clay Studio is located at 137-139 N. Second St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. For more information, call 215-925-3453 or visit theclaystudio.org.