Former Forest Park Elementary School Art Teacher, Doris Patton will have a booth at the Blue Ridge Potters Guild Show and Sale at Patrick Henry High School on October 14-16.
Mrs. Patton loved teaching the children of Forest Park for more than ten years. Although the children explored many different materials in art classes, a favorite lesson was pottery. Each grade level would create something different such as pinch pots, coiled bowls, knee bowls, candleholders or sculptures. Mrs. Patton related these lessons to classroom studies of science, math or social studies. The children loved working with clay as much as Mrs. Patton and always behaved their best. She wonders how many of these beautiful pottery creations are still found in neighborhood homes.
When Mrs. Patton retired she still loved teaching but decided it was time to follow her own artistic passion of pottery. It has been a joy for her during retirement to have time and a place to create pottery in her home studio.
When teaching, she enjoyed introducing children to different cultures through their art and now incorporates those patterns and ideas in her work. She especially likes the West African Adinkra symbols, which she uses to decorate some of her bowls and mugs. In Africa these designs have special meanings and were used to decorate walls, fabric and pottery.
Mrs. Patton misses and has fond memories of her “Forest Park Kids” and hopes some of them will come by her booth at Patrick Henry High School and say hello during the Show and Sale on October 14-16.
Some 80 potters will be participating in the show that features functional and decorative pieces and offers an incredible range of hand-crafted pottery with a wide range of prices.
Friday’s event runs from 6 – 9 pm and includes a reception giving customers the opportunity to enjoy refreshments while shopping the huge selection of unique and spectacular pottery. The sale and demonstrations continue Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. Several potters will demonstrate various pottery techniques throughout the day including wheel-thrown, hand-built and sculpted clay art. A special gallery exhibit will show works interpreting the theme of “Coming Home.”
This event is free and open to the public and parking is free. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.
For more information, check out the website, www.blueridgepotters.com.
