Fine Craft and Connections at the Annual Lock House Studio Sale

The photos I took a few weeks back of the Mo’Town Studio Tour led to the opportunity to take yet more photos at the annual Lock House Studio holiday sale last weekend.

The first floor of the house next to Lisa’s studio, which they’ve dubbed the Meditation Palace, was packed with the work of multiple potters, as well as Bryn Perrott’s bold wood block prints.

(I got a real kick out of the pink possum shown above in left center.)

All the ceramics pieces were intermingled rather than separated by artist, and it was fun to see how their distinctly different styles complemented one another.

I love how ceramics brings together art and function, elevating basic items that you can use every day.

These pendant lights, for example. So good.

I found these cuties hanging out in a corner eating snacks. Beside them was a display of the (prolific!) work of Lisa’s daughter, Leila Jade (in the red). I was so impressed. She’s clearly been working really hard.

I came for the art, and it had its usual effect. I find others’ creativity both inspiring and uplifting. What I didn’t expect was the crazy number of connections I had with so many people there. It was almost comical.

Here goes: I’ve been working with the husband of the artist who hosted the event, who happens to employ my step-sister. My step-sister’s cousin had her beautiful work on display too, and she and I ran cross-country together in high school. She and some other graduates of the WVU art department were having dinner that night with a retired ceramics professor, who my mom also had when she was in school. One of my best running buddies came over to tell me she loved my boots (she was wearing the same ones) and introduced me to her friend, whose son I recently met at a football game.

This complicated, interwoven network of wonderful people makes me smile. You can’t get that kind of connectivity just anywhere. It’s one of the best things we have to offer here in small town West Virginia, and it’s one of the things I love the most.

Highlights from the Third Annual Mo'town Studio Tour

Last weekend I experienced my first Mo’Town Studio Tour. The self-guided tour featured stops at five local artists’ studios who together hosted a total of 11 guest artists from other places.

The weather was lovely and the event perfectly timed for people like me who hope to get a jump on their Christmas shopping. (Though wouldn’t it be so much easier if everyone could just shop for their own presents? I saw so many things that would be just perfect for me.)

We started at Lisa Giuliani’s Lock House Studio. That stop included Lisa’s handmade jewelry and bright, beautiful pottery (which I totally want for myself) and some amazing hammered metal jewelry by Mary Beth Fazio.

I love Mary Beth’s (aka Vandalia Metal) simple, sophisticated style and couldn’t resist purchasing a ring for myself and a Christmas gift for someone else who shall remain nameless.

Next stop was Quantum Bean Coffee on Kingwood Street in Greenmont, which wasn’t officially part of the tour, but did feature work from several of the artists who were. (We had to stop there so my mom and step-dad could restock their coffee stash and fill their growlers with kombucha from the Neighborhood Kombuchery. I’m pretty sure they are officially addicted.)

Just a few blocks down on Arch Street were two tents featuring four different artists. These amazing bold woodcuts by host Bryn Perrott (aka Deer Jerk) are totally on my list to acquire in the future.

There were also whimsical prints by printmaker Sage Perrott, aka Haypeep, letterpress posters and prints by Laura Baisden of Camp Nevernice, and bold, funky jewelry by April Felipe.

At the top of South Park we visited the home studio of ceramic artist Shalya Marsh. (Where I re-visited memories of the former owners of that house who let more than one squawking pet bird roam free IN THEIR LIVING ROOM.)

On display was beautiful, bold pottery by Lindsay Rogers and delicate plant-inspired paper cuts by Nathalie Singh-Corcoran.

Shalya also hosted the lovely Nellie Rose, who makes unique, hand-printed clothing in Thomas, WV (and once sweetly asked me to help adjust her overalls during a show at the Purple Fiddle).

We then made our way through Sabraton and into the wild west that is the uncoordinated development on and around Summer School Road. Nestled back in the woods behind all that was Jen Allen’s ceramics studio.

I loved getting to walk through the space where she creates her light-weight, subtle pottery and bright, funky ceramic jewelry.

She hosted ceramicist Reiko Yamamoto, whose work I absolutely loved.

Reiko had a combination of bold blue and white designs, subtle grey and black lined pieces that reminded me of pinstripe suits (but in the classiest way), and unique metal jewelry.

Also on display were comic-inspired prints by Mateo Fuentes and some truly original ceramics by Samantha Briegel.

I loved her funky combination of lacy texture with bold solid colors.

Last but not least was the studio of sculptor Jamie Lester and Nadia Caterina, who together operate the Nampara Arts Cooperative.

In addition to their own work, they showcased sculptures by Richard Shrewsbury and some truly beautiful pottery by Donna Polseno.

Handmade wooden utensils, bright, funky ceramic friends, and jewelry (with dog friend) were also on offer.

I can’t believe I missed the first two studio tours but am so glad to have caught this last one. I loved learning not only about local artists I didn’t know but also others they know and think we should too. If you missed it, shop through the links above and put this on your radar for next October.