Cozy Kilnloads, Festive Firing
Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Photos courtesy of artists
Fire On potter Scott Kaye of Arlington, Va. throws cups at the Torpedo Factory in Studio 22; Cyanotype by Elke Seefeldt of Arlington, Va.; Woodfired cup by Brian Grow of Falls Church, Va.; Crystalline-glazed vase by Bikki Stricker of Falls Church, Va.
Gift heartfelt, handmade work from local artists while presenting a spread laden with creative dishware and decorative vases, candlesticks or whimsical sculpture. Start a tradition of original art associated with the occasion, complete with heirloom treasures.
Looking to jingle someone's bells, delight a Scrooge or stuff those stockings? Our clay creatives know giving to a Grinch is not a cinch! Browse handmade clay creations made by artist elves at the Torpedo Factory Art Center's Fire On in Studio 22 in December.
If imported, mass-produced cheer does not send you dashing through the snow, local artists provide one-of-a kind bowls for jelly, trays for the cheese ball, plates for cookies, milk mugs and sugarplum platters.
Boost the booty under the tree with treasures adorned with gemlike crystalline glaze, contemporary forms in pitfiring to toasty woodfired tea-gear. At this Santa shopping center, find everything from soup tureens to nut dishes. Be merry with berry bowls and snug with sleighfuls of mugs.
Dreidels aren't the only things made out of clay. Artists have fashioned a workshop wonderland adorned with ornaments and decorations. Artists are throwing, carving, sculpting and handpainting many mini creations. Trim a tree with animals from endangered animals, thimble-sized mugs, pitchers and baskets, ethereal wishes of glass and collaged paper mache orbs.
This working studio and sales gallery specializes in pottery and glasswork. A pottery demonstration space, see artists make and embellish pots on-site. Rotating selections of original handmade work from woodfired pottery to crystalline glaze to fused glass are available for purchase. An array of Chinese brushpainting on pottery and paper, cyanotype prints, glass and ceramic jewelry add unique gift items. Dishware is functional and food-safe.
The show will be juried by photographer Claudia Smigrod, a Professor Emeritus of Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, D.C. She is the current the Edwin P. Conquest ’14 Chair at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. Her current work looks to stretch boundaries from the original to the newly invented, a reinterpretation of the photographic truth using photograms.
She is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships and has been featured in museums worldwide including the National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
However you decide to bring a bit of joy to the world, o' come ye to the Gallery.
The “Cozy Kilnloads, Festive Firing” show at Fire On Studio runs Dec 1 to Dec 31; hours are Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with additional extended holiday hours. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan 1, 2024. The gallery is located at 105 North Union Street, ground floor Studio 22 of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, Va. 22314
For further information, call Fire On at 703-836-2585 or email studio.fireon@gmail.com and follow @studio.fireon on Instagram
