LOCAL

Ocean Fire Pottery Holiday Extravaganza this weekend

Studio Open House, demos in conjunction with York's Festival of Lights

Staff Writer
Fosters Daily Democrat
Natalie Clark, 12, of Saco, Maine, visited Ocean Fire Pottery's Holiday Extravaganza last year and got a chance to try out the pottery wheel. [Courtesy photo]

Celebrate local arts, try out the pottery wheel, and find meaningful, handmade gifts at the tenth annual Ocean Fire Pottery Holiday Extravaganza on Friday, Nov. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s all happening at the studio and gallery at 23 Woodbridge Road in York, and the public is invited to participate.

Potter and owner Amy Clark will be offering free mini­-lessons on the pottery wheel. Visitors of all ages can get their hands in the clay and make a piece of pottery of their own. Guests can also see a working pottery studio and shop the collection of pieces in the gallery, which includes a huge selection of one­-of­-a­-kind, wood­-fired pottery fresh out of the kiln.

Additional local artists will be on hand, featuring their jewelry, candles, leather goods, and more. Glow, a holistic wellness studio in York, will be offering chair massages and gift certificates.

The event is part of the Festival of Lights in York Village, and is a quick walk around the corner from festivities.

Clark is thrilled to be able to welcome people into her studio with a celebration of the arts in York that complements the Festival.

“There are so many talented, creative people in York, and it’s an incredibly supportive community,” she says. “The Extravaganza is a great chance to bring together this talent and people who appreciate local, handmade gifts. I really enjoy sharing my work and the process in this fun and personal way.”

Clark makes all of the pottery herself in the studio on Woodbridge Road. A couple times a year, a dedicated group gathers there for the weekend, to help fire the wood kiln in the backyard. At those times, smoke billows out of the chimney for 24 hours or more, and people work in shifts overnight to feed the flames in a traditional method that brings dramatic results to the pottery. Visitors are welcome to tour the kiln and learn more aboutthe process at the event.

Other artists at the Extravaganza will include: Sam Goodall of Cape Neddick, with expressive mixed media jewelry creations; Erin Donovan of Kennebunk, with her hand­poured scented candles, note cards and glass luminaries; Cherie Herne and Cheryl Patten of York, with driftwood gifts and ornaments; Lori Dennis of York, with silver jewelry and pet tags; Derek Dunn of Eliot, with handcrafted leather goods; B.J. Glanville of Kittery, with monotype prints, cards and journals; and Becky Louison of Somersworth, with body scrubs and paintings.

There will be art activities, raffles and refreshments, all ages are welcome, and admission and parking are free. For more information, call (207­) 361­-3131 or visit oceanfirepottery.com.