Assemblage, an exhibit featuring works by Michael Hamlin, Allison McGowan, Jennifer Mecca, Ron Philbeck, Amy Sanders and Julie Wiggins, opens Friday night, March 20, at Pottery 101.

Michael Hamlin creates vessels on the wheel and by hand building. He uses a high iron bearing clay body and applies multiple crater or matt glazes. Many of his pieces are fired multiple times in order to obtain his unique surfaces. He has a passion for gardening and says it provides much inspiration for his work. He is also inspired by Scandinavian and Mid-Century design and 12-15^th century Persian and East Asian ceramic forms.

Allison McGowan clay work is inspired by nature, Art Nouveau architecture and the sewing process. From Allison: “Combining various patterns, volume and structures guide my hand and eye in my current work. Balancing these while still creating useful functional hand built pottery is an achievement nature teaches, me observing every small gumball or lily flower.”

Jennifer Mecca creates utilitarian pots that are unique and visually appealing, but also functional for use in everyday life. Jennifer says she creates pots that “reflect the enjoyment I have for throwing, embellishing, creating and using.” Inspirations for her surfaces include fabric pattern, paintings, nature, and historic dishware.

Ron Philbeck’s soda glazed stoneware is strongly influenced by potters of the Leach/Hamada lineage. He says he thinks that using handmade pottery enriches our daily lives and that everyone should at least own a handmade mug and dinner plate.

Textile patterns, quilting, architecture and nature inspire the pottery of Amy Sanders. Through these influences she feels inspired to create works that she says “invite touch and evoke a sense of nostalgic comfort.” According to Amy, working with clay satisfies her desire to “play, construct, experiment and get dirty.”
Julie Wiggins’ work is informed by her travels to China, Morocco, Mexico and Europe. It is additionally influenced by her study of traditional studio pottery techniques. Julie says that “together, these influences help me create a body of work that reflects memories, movement, and love of life. Julie loves contemporary architecture, the repeated patterns found in nature, and “the simple power of an intuitively drawn, fluid line.”

The opening reception is Friday, March 20, from 6-9 p.m. The work will be on display until April 17.

Pottery 101, 101 S. Main St., Salisbury, Telephone: 704-209-1632 pottery-101.com