By Jim Bloch
If you’re interested in learning some of the ins-and-outs of contemporary pottery, the place to be on Saturday, Aug. 31 is the Alice W. Moore Center for the Arts in Riverview Plaza in downtown St. Clair.
The center is the home of the St. Clair Art Association, which is welcoming potter Brian Westrick to talk about his work and to share some of his techniques. The event takes place 2-4 p.m.
“Come and be amazed,” said Carolyn Szymanski, who is organizing the talk. “Brian is the recipient of a Masters of Fine Art from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. He will be the featured artist at the SCAA’s 2024 Potters’ Market in October.”
The Potters’ Market will be held in War Water Brewery, Oct. 11-13.
A ceramic piece that Westrick showed at the St. Clair Art Fair in June.
Westrick, who earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Art at Grand Valley State University, considers himself a functional potter. He “feels that his work is complete when his wares have been integrated within domestic cycles of daily use.”
Think cups, bowls, mugs, jars, cooking spoons, chop sticks, noodle bowls, planters, bonsai niches, urns and dinner plates, all thrown or hand-built and glazed with panache and more than a nod to the natural world.
He showed a varied series of bud vases at the Ruthmere Ceramics Showcase at the Ruthmere Museum in Elkhart, Indiana in mid-July.
“Theodore Bolger’s teapots served as inspiration for the openings of these vases,” said Westrick, who grew up in Marine City, on Facebook. “Slightly sunken and with a small lip around the perimeter of the vase, water is funneled directly into the cavity with little fear of spillage. In essence, these are very user friendly pots. A little grouping of these is a great way to liven up a window ledge.”
In late July, he produced a vase that looks like a swollen cutting from a stalk of bamboo.
“Who else is ready for the fall?” he asked. “A new vase with some dried flowers (weeds) from the fields. Bring on the cold weather and fall colors!”
This month, Westrick is firing vessels of all sorts in preparation for the Michiana Pottery Tour.
“Potters from all across the Michiana area will be showing their work at 10 stops along the tour,” said Westrick. “The event runs the last weekend of September.” The dates are Sept. 28-29.
The 10 stops are scattered throughout northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
But before the pottery tour, catch Westrick and his work in St. Clair.
The event is free of charge. For details, call the art association at 810-329-9576.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
