Clayspace Potters Strike it Rich
When my Asheville potter son, Josh, was a baby he had a shirt that said “Good as Gold” on it. At first I thought it could refer to his towhead blonde hair and his baby innocence. I later came to think of it as a premonition for his infectious enthusiasm, his ability to attract good fortune, and his love of making art out of everything around him. I’ve often described him to others as “a bright light” with a “big presence.” But as the mother of an artist, at times I’ve wondered about him burning his love of art at both ends. I’ve also seen his hard work and passion manifest surprising results and support from unlikely places.
The fourth firing of The Community Temple, the 3 chamber kiln that Josh built last summer, wound down last Friday, March 8. It was documented by an award winning photojournalist, Frank Bott. Frank is an Asheville River Arts District neighbor of the Clayspace Co-op studio that Josh founded, but he could be another one of Josh’s fairy godfathers. The Clayspace warehouse loft room where Josh once lived has been renovated into a gallery, a showcase for the finished pottery of all the Co-op members. During a recent studio tour, Frank showed up at the gallery and was drawn by the play of light in the new room, and maybe by the light that emanates from Josh when he puts his whole heart into what he’s doing. Frank took his first batch of pictures. Others would follow.
Frank’s website describes him as a “visual journalist of the human spirit.” His photos of the recent Community Temple firing show that there’s plenty of human and elemental spirit to be witnessed at a woodfiring. The potters look like gritty miners, earth welders, alchemists spinning straw into gold. With faces illuminated by fire, their captured expressions show the struggle of hard work and the wonder of creation. The Gold? It’s the vein of clay harvested from the earth; the inspiration it takes to spin it into form; the fire it takes to harden it; the finished pots; the photos, and the thread of magic that shines through them.
Post notes: The photos above are of the last Clayspace Studio Tour and were taken by Frank Bott. As Josh’s archivist, I received them from him the last time he was home for a visit. You can watch the slide show photos of last week’s woodfiring that Frank has titled “The Struggle” at his website HERE. Currently Josh is co-teaching a class with other potters on “Wild Clay and Precise Fire” at Penland School of Crafts. The whole class is going out to the kiln in Marshall, NC, on Monday to watch the unloading of the firing that Frank documented.
March 12th, 2008 12:14 pm
pure beauty that’s all I can say – My friends live up that way
March 12th, 2008 1:30 pm
Penland – now that brings back memories of wandering around there and seeing all the artists at work. I used to love going there.
I am so happy for Josh and that the Co-op is doing so well. I love Asheville and the spirit there! I miss my trips there!
March 12th, 2008 2:23 pm
I wish I could enlarge the photos so I could see the pots up close. They look wonderful!
March 12th, 2008 4:39 pm
Another great entry on Josh my nephew.
He certainly is amazing and he does shine. xo
March 12th, 2008 8:01 pm
We will get to see some of Josh’s work when we are back in Atlanta if it stays at Mudfire a while! The Mudfire in Decatur is about 1 mile from my Atlanta home. We always stay in that area of Atlanta at least a night or 2 so we can visit with friends and rest before driving south to see family.
You must be very proud of him. 🙂
March 12th, 2008 8:55 pm
Whenever I read about your dear son Josh, I see what a “TRUE” artist he is. And I understand why you are so very proud of him….He is his own man! And Bless him for that, and YOU for seeing to it that he can and does follow his own “Josh” path…!
March 12th, 2008 10:40 pm
Seeing Josh relate to the lovely ladies and the soft clay rendered hard, after following the story of the clay bank and the efforts brings the saga full circle. It’s easy to Steve in him, interesting to see these kids as adults taking the best and running with it! Bravo for these hard earned experiences.
Wishing all the best.
Jeff W.
March 12th, 2008 11:49 pm
Your son is so talented — and I can tell from the way you write about him that you are so proud. It is so wonderful that his talent is being recognized and that he and the co-op are doing so wonderfully! Congrats to you all!
March 14th, 2008 12:41 pm
Those are gorgeous photos!!
March 19th, 2008 11:40 am
my sister and potter bro-in-law are back in the states and living with my parents for a bit. i need to hook them up with josh since they are in the next county over.
April 9th, 2008 3:53 pm
There is an article about Josh in a magazine called Mountian Homes Southern Style – a very nice piece!
April 9th, 2008 4:33 pm
Thanks, Bonnie. I’ll try to locate it. Is it a new issue?