21st Annual Holiday Sale & Show
Lincoln Square Pottery Studio - Learning Center specializes in beginner to advanced pottery classes. The Non-Profit’s secondary focus is promoting its artists in their creative journey.
Founder and head instructor, Meg Biddle, has always centered the space’s events around the sale of student artwork, as well as a celebration of the vibrant community the studio fosters. In the early 2000’s the annual Holiday Sale & Show, as well as the yearly Anniversary Sale & Show were cemented on the calendar. The event was a way to bring new people into the space while simultaneously inspiring its students to make and sell new work.
The shows, along with festival events (Chicago’s Glenwood Ave Arts Fest and the Holly Jolly Market) give new and seasoned artist a chance to put their work out in the world.. Some students use the opportunity to test out new designs- the large show crowds are the perfect bellwether to gauge interest in specific pieces. Then the artists hone in on what their customers liked, which in turn helps them produce more salable objects.
A few of the shelves full of student made artwork
The 21st Annual Holiday Sale and Show on December 2nd, 2023, will be the culmination of artwork created over the past year by students and staff. Dozens of display shelves will be filled with vignettes featuring one-of-a-kind ceramic artwork. The selection spans the creative spectrum from subtly-colored teacups to wild sculptures that amuse. More than 40 artists are putting their best foot forward by offering their unique work for this sale and show. Eight lucky artists won large spaces on our work tables, giving them even more of an opportunity to showcase their wonderful artwork.
The studio’s production potters spend months spinning perfectly matching tumblers and cups (Melissa Meigides) and dough bowls with surface treatment inspired by the Bee Gee quilt collective (Chris Edwards). Hand builders have been scratching designs into porcelain plates (Nancy VanKanegan) and building sweet chickens and whimsically odd keepsake boxes (Lorena Montera and Kris Magnuson). Jessica McCartney really gets into the spirit of the holidays by offering ornaments and nativity scenes so small that they become worlds within themselves. Each artist has a unique take on both traditional and non-traditional forms, creating objects with unique perspectives found no where else.
Artist Melissa Meigides with a few of her warm, specked red stoneware pieces
There is also an opportunity to take home an original piece while doing a good seasonal deed. Students donate their mugs and drinking vessels for the annual Buy-A-Cup Benefit. Each original cup is offered for sale at the door of the studio, giving attendees the chance to pick out one that speaks to their tastes. After donating $20, the mug can be filled with a delicious hot beverage as a thank-you to the patrons. One hundred percent of the cup sale goes to the the Chicago Common Pantry again this year. The non-profit helps provide healthy food to those in need this season, including providing turkey and ham holiday dinners along with gift cards for families. The organization recently moved into their new facility at 3908 N. Lincoln Ave., just a few blocks from the studio!
Image from the Common Pantry Website
Please join us for the Holiday Sale & Show this year, which gives our artists the confidence and pride to continue their ceramic practices. Supporting these local artists not only elevates the studio, but is a great way to support local creatives that look to make the world a little bit more beautiful, one ceramic artwork at a time!
The 21st Annual Holiday Sale & Show is on December 2nd from 1-6pm at LSPS-LC, 4150 N. Lincoln Ave., in Chicago, IL. Please be mindful of our community and wear a mask if you’re feeling under the weather. Message info@comeplaywithclay.com for any additional event inquiries.