The Art of Giving at Clay Art Center
The Clay Holiday Market at Clay Art Center, Port Chester, features the work of local, regional, and nationally recognized artists. The market is now open in-store and online through December 23rd. Store hours are Mondays, 10am – 3pm, and Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10am – 5pm. This year, consider gifting handmade pottery and ceramic gifts, ornaments, home accents, and sculptures to truly embrace the art of giving!
The holidays are a busy time for everyone, as we travel, cook, and gather together to reflect on the past year and prepare for the new. Here at Clay Art Center the kilns are running overtime, and each firing brings new ceramics, lovingly crafted for the Clay Holiday Market with the hopes that they will make those gatherings a little more beautiful.
Artist Dalia Berman emphasizes the tranquility and serenity of her ceramics: “I make very calm, peaceful work. I find that clay is a place where you can just concentrate on just putting the handle on a cup, and shut everything else out. I find that very peaceful and relaxing, and my hope is that these pieces will go out into the world and bring other people peace, too.” Dalia’s elegant mugs are perfect for warming cups of tea on cold mornings.
The function and beauty of artist Reena Kashyap’s bowls, trays, and platters set the mood for the holiday table. Reena notes that, “My pots bring another aspect to the table, to the food being served. Unique, handmade pieces bring something different to the experience. They’re very personal – there’s a story and a person behind it. There’s a very human factor to it.” Many of Reena’s works are done in Shino glaze, a tricky glaze with shiny white, orange, and gold finishes.
For Westchester Community Foundation Fellow Stephanie Perez, childhood memories are a source of inspiration for her bunny and teddy bear ornaments. “I feel like everybody has that blanket or stuffed animal from their childhood that they love to the point of just being rags. When I was making these ornaments, I was thinking of my own stuffed bear and how well-loved it is.” Their intricate details and tiny, crocheted scarves reflect that love and care.
Join us on Saturday, December 7th from 11am – 3pm for a special shopping day to meet some of the featured artists, enjoy seasonal ornament painting with family and friends, complete with free sweet treats and holiday flavors.
About Clay Art Center
The Clay Art Center, founded in 1957 by Katherine Choy and Henry Okamoto and located in Port Chester, New York, is a nationally recognized non-profit center for the advancement of the ceramic arts. Its facilities are unique by providing artists with studio space, offering year-round clay classes and workshops in wheel throwing, pottery, sculpture and handbuilding for adults and children, thereby serving the Westchester and Connecticut communities. Its gallery is solely dedicated to exhibiting ceramics of emerging and established talents. Clay Art Center also offers outreach programs in the community to reach under served children and adults in Westchester County. Mon-Sat 10am – 4pm and by appt.