The Wheel Deal: Sarasota Potters Host Autumn Open Studio

Sarasota studio potters Anja Palombo and Joan Libby Hawk announce Sarasota Green Pottery’s Autumn Open Studio of unique, handmade clay pieces on Sunday, November 17th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at 2429 Burlington Lane, Sarasota.

The artists welcome the community to a working ceramics studio where the public can meet the artists, watch a demonstration, mingle with friends. This family-friendly event highlights Autumn’s emphasis on harvest and hospitality, showcasing functional pieces that are artful and artful pieces that are functional, each one individually crafted from start to finish.

“Our work enhances the season’s focus on cooking, serving and welcoming friends and family,” commented Anja Palombo, operator of Sarasota Green Pottery. Artist Joan Libby Hawk said, “The Autumn Open Studio, a festive and informal gathering, is an opportunity to interact with the public as they interact with our work – it’s a special event.”

The artists remain committed to spreading the word about Sarasota’s creative ceramics community, encouraging people to engage with clay and raising the understanding of this demanding, but rewarding, medium. Both women teach ceramics at Suncoast Technical College. Anja reflects that over her four years there, she’s seen an increase in the numbers of people coming through the Adult Community Enrichment program (ACE). “It’s so much fun—there are, actually, lots of young people taking on ceramics, the diversity really enriches the classes.” Agreeing with her, Joan adds, “Many students bring really distinguished experience in other fields and other arts, but now, just want to dive into clay.”

Ms. Palombo, who studied painting and art history in Germany and the US, explains that her work is influenced by the styles and cultures of the places she has lived, from the Bauhaus tradition of her native country, to the Mediterranean light of Turkey and Italy, to the patterns of India, where she taught and exhibited for many years. Today, Florida’s Gulf Coast light, color and natural beauty strongly affect her work.

Ms. Libby Hawk studied at the Ruskin School of Art in Oxford, England and subsequently earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from the City University of New York. Living abroad in Bangkok, Thailand and Phnom Penh, Cambodia provided a singular opportunity to study Asian art, ceramics, history and the region’s wonderful cuisine. She exhibited and taught in New York City and worked at the United Nations, UN WOMEN, until resuming her art career in Sarasota in 2015, opening her own studio in 2017.

Ms. Palombo’s work can be seen at the Ringling Museum Shop, the Clever Cup Coffee Shop and the Artful Giraffe in Sarasota. She provides vases for William’s Wildflowers for their amazing floral arrangements. Her Sarasota Green Pottery has been featured in SRQ Magazine. She ships pieces through her online Etsy Shop and studio visits are possible by appointment.

Ms. Libby Hawk is a member of Sarasota’s esteemed Art Uptown Gallery on Main Street and has exhibited at local art centers and ClayArt in St. Petersburg.

Photos from Sarasota Green Pottery FB