19th Annual Holiday Sale & Show Dec 4th, 2-6pm
It has been almost two years since LSPS-LC has had the opportunity to open its doors to the public. The pandemic has kept our large space empty of crowds looking to purchase ceramic artwork for themselves or as holiday gifts. Luckily, our loyal students went with the flow during the city’s closings, and came back strong after things settled down. It is due to their continued interest in our classes, as well as the craft, that the studio made it through these difficult two years. Let’s celebrate the people who kept us going by buying local!
Each artist has worked hard in anticipation of being able to show and sell their items. Mugs, ornaments, lanterns, knitting bowls, sculpture, plates and Chicago-themed items will all be for sale during the December 4th event. Each piece is unique and hand made by an artist that has worked on their design and perfected it over time. Our usual Buy-A-Cup Benefit will also feature mugs priced between $15-$20. These funds help support the studio.
Featured artists for this event are Alice Huang Hollowed, Lily Zalon, Morgan Bates, Julie Oh, Jessica McCartney, Nancy VanKanegan, Ann Cibulskis, Richard Zeid, Emily Lape and Rebecca Hamlin Green. More than thirty other artists will also have work for sale on the studio’s display shelves and wall spaces.
Alice Huang Hollowed has perfected the ceramic cup after she volunteered to throw 100 of them for a local fundraiser. Now the artist takes a lot of pride in creating both a piece that is utterly unique in design and feels good in the hand. Porcelain clay mixed with stains are some of her favorite ways to create mesmerizing swirls and patterns. She’s been delicately placing underglaze decals on certain pieces, giving them a very special identity that is appealing to many.
Lily Zalon’s work is less tongue-in-cheek and more cheeky! The artist loves to sculpt unusual pieces that make you do a double take. Puckered mouth candle holders, appendage ring holders and vibrator-inspired jewelry are all made in intricate detail. Tuck one of these delightful items into your home decor to surprise your guests, or just get a good chuckle every time you walk by them. Either way, her work is wonderful to own.
Morgan Bates has a wicked sense of humor, and it comes out in the designs he creates for himself and his commissions. The artist has always been known to construct a hardy mug (some would qualify as steins), with a heavy handle to hold or slip your hand into. Lately, he’s been treating his surfaces like a relief; meticulously carving at the wet clay to reveal a bevy of interesting characters. Dragons, sharks and fantastical critters in amusing narratives make most anyone smile and want a big drink!
Julie Oh has a keen sense of color and it shows in her work. The artist isn’t afraid to pair hues, and the results evoke a nostalgic feeling. The designs on her larger pieces are both subtle and beautiful. She’ll be selling large bowls, cups and whimsical decorative spruce trees, just in time to add them into your holiday displays!
Jessica McCartney really enjoys creating small little worlds out of clay. The artist taps into each season for inspiration, creating forest scenes on her vessels in Autumn, and little winter wonderlands for the holidays. McCartney’s ornaments feature tiny towns come to life, begging the viewer to come in just a little bit closer to catch each detail. These items make perfect gifts for yourself or your loved ones!
Nancy VanKanegan has always been known to tap into her love of nature. This year, she’s been creating a drawing a day, and the most graceful little animals have been coming to life under her pencils! She’s taken her designs and seamlessly moved them onto her ceramic wares. Now the whimsical and colorful critters can be displayed on a wall or used in the kitchen!
Ann Cibulskis’ work captures the surfaces of trees and bark so well, that her artwork sometimes looks like it’s come straight out of the woods. The artist creates vases, lidded containers and cups that all echo lichen covered branches right off the tree. Even her sweet little birds and teacups have a natural surface that looks wonderful in any home.
Richard Zeid is a powerhouse when it comes to throwing new shapes on the wheel. He’s often seen creating a dozen pieces in one sitting, each one individually glazed in an unusual (and stunning) color combination. The artist will have knitting bowls, garlic keepers, votive holders, mugs, bowls and olive oil dispensers on display. You’d better believe you can use one or many of his lovely items in your kitchen!
Rebecca Hamlin Green always keeps us on our toes at the studio. When the hot kiln is opened, there can be a bird-headed human sculpture staring up at you, or a colorful alligator with a grin. The artist teaches our Friday hand building class, and gives out her finest ceramic secrets and techniques to her students. An array of her sculptures will be available during the holiday show, and having one in your home will keep you amused for years!
Emily Lape has a delicate touch. Her pinch method cups and bowls leave the hand of the artist on the surface, giving each piece a very personalized and intimate feeling. The artist favors whimsical symbols, rainbows, flowers and twinkling stars. Each piece is unabashedly cute, and holding one in your hand (be it cup or sculpture) leaves you feeling happy!
This year we will be taking precautions to keep artists and visitors safe by limiting the number of people we let through the door at any given time. We will also be asking everyone to put a mask on while inside the space. If you end up waiting outside for a few minutes, we'll have some hot cider and hot chocolate to warm you up.