Oh October!

Oh I love October, and this October was especially lovely as I was asked to participate in a Wood Firing at Salem Art Works with some lovely ladies and fellow clay artists! I had met a couple of them at the last wood firing of Bruno at Monroe/Northeast Ceramic in Troy back in July on the Hottest day of the year - really - it was brutal - like 100 degrees at night and we were firing a 2200 degree kiln! All in the name of Art! Joan and Stephanie were kind enough to think of me and ask me to add in some of my recent work into the Kiln they had set up for Columbus Day Weekend at Salem Art Works (SAW). We had a great time on and off of our firing shifts, an almost full moon, scary creatures in night, lots of fun and laughs and stories. A week later we met up again to unload the kiln, and admire the good results, learn some lessons and cry a bit over some broken pots - it happens! We ended our time together with a great lunch at the Salem Tavern and lots of good conversations! I miss all of you - Joan, Stephanie, Mary Pat & Polly and hope to work with you all again! And we wouldn't have had such a good firing without the ceramics director and awesome teacher and facilitator Jordan Becker. I love the results of my work from the small train kiln at SAW and will be firing again in May 2020!

Other happenings in October:
A visit to Lakota Farm in Cambridge, NY just outside of Greenwich. A beautiful converted dairy and buffalo farm turned into a Wedding & Event Venue. Fantastic craftsmanship in the converted barns, horses on the hill, and incredible views of the rolling hills of Washington County are what it is all about there. They had a small inaugural art/craft & holistic fair that I attended on a Saturday afternoon. There were many local artists and craftspeople selling their finely made wares in this wonderful setting on a gorgeous fall day. I purchased some wonderful work from artist Sara Kelly and a great wool knit hat with pom pom from Mandee of Snug518 who is on etsy www.etsy.com/shop/Snug518. Also saw fellow Saratoga Creative Women artist Sarah Jordan with her fantistic silver jewelry - you can find her on instagram jewelrybysarahjordan, along with etsy and facebook. All worth a look!

And for some Saratoga Clay Arts news - we had our 2nd monthly critique and potluck - reviewed everyones wonderful work - always an inspriration. We are also planning our 2nd annual Holiday Studio Open House and Sale for Saturday December 7th from 10-3 - listed on my events page. You can also find the event listing on Facebook on my Michelle O'Hare Pottery page, and the Saratoga Clay Arts Center page. We hope for a great turnout this year! Please attend!
In addition to that - I received notice that 3 of my works were accepted into the Saratoga Clay Arts Center Juried Member Art Show that opens on Saturday December 14th! Looking forward to that gallery display and event! Details also listed on my events page, and will soon be on facebook events as well.
Need you all to wish me luck as I submitted an entry to the Laffer Gallery's 8th Annual Upstate Artists Juried Group Show. This is definately a step up for me, and a bit out of my comfort zone - but that is how you grow and develop as an artist - so I am putting myself and my work out there! If accepted - I will add the details and info on my Events page.
That's all of the Arts & Travels news I have for this month - thanks for reading! Michelle