PHOTO COURTESY THE WORCESTER COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
More than a dozen artists from the Clay Guild of the Eastern Shore currently have work on display inside the Worcester County Arts Council building on Jefferson Street in Berlin.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Oct. 11, 2018) The Worcester County Arts Council this month is featuring clay, ceramics, and stoneware artwork created by more than a dozen members of the Clay Guild of the Eastern Shore.

Work will remain on display all month and a public reception is scheduled on Friday from 5-8 p.m.

The exhibit features work by Clay Guild members Mary Back, Karen Bearman, Marie Cavallaro, Sarah Halcott, Robert Johnson, Florence Kasden, Joy Maxwell, Vicki Noonan, Patricia Rose, Ernie Satchell, Paula Smith, and Dott and Bob Truitt.

The Clay Guild of the Eastern Shore was founded in September 2005 to bring together ceramic artists and hobbyists throughout the lower Eastern Shore.

“We are honored to have been given the chance to show as a group at the Worcester County Arts Council,” guild President Robert Johnson said. “Our goal is to give artists opportunities to connect with the community. The Clay Guild has been organizing exhibitions around the Eastern Shore to give its members space to show off their talents and support themselves through sales of their work.

“Each artist has different inspiration and expresses their vision in clay in a wide variety of ways,” he continued. “Clay is a very diverse medium [and] the exhibit features everything from whimsical chickens, sea horses, large urns and delicate bottles, to functional mugs and bowls.”

Johnson said many of the artists have studios in their homes or work “right at their kitchen tables.”

“Shows at galleries like the Worcester County Arts Council create public space for the vital connections artists need,” he said. “Come meet some of the artists Friday, Oct. 12 from 5-8 p.m. and learn about their work.”

Arts Council Executive Director Anna Mullis said the nonprofit offers opportunities for many local artists to showcase work in a variety of mediums – including clay and ceramics.

“I hope that the exhibit of the Eastern Shore Clay Guild will allow the viewer to experience greater awareness and appreciation of the amazing talent in the clay and ceramic sculpture field,” she said. “A variety of techniques, glazes, and firing methods are represented amongst the selected pieces of artwork that range from whimsical and functional stoneware, to more contemporary in shape and structure.

“For me, personally, this exhibit creates a sense of peace and mindfulness. It brings me a special feeling of being connected to the earth,” Mullis added.

For more information on the Clay Guild, visit www.clayguildeasternshore.com.

Visit the Worcester County Arts Council on 6 Jefferson Street, on online at www.worcestercountyartscouncil.org. For more information, call 410-641-0809.