Ceramic mural joint effort by Potters Guild of NJ and students of Evergreen Elementary School

June 22, 2011 - PRLog -- A parent of a student at Evergreen Elementary School asked DeBorah Goletz, a member of the PGNJ and veteran muralist, if she would consider creating a mosaic for Evergreen Elementary School.

DeBorah has created ceramic mosaics for the NY Transit Subway System, the NJ Transit System, and the Trailside Museum, Watchung NJ.  She agreed to spearhead the project once approved by the Potters Guild.  The Guild is devoted to educating the public about ceramic arts, and therefore felt that it was important to involve the school’s students in the creation of the mosaic artwork.

Goletz disseminated it into two basic ideas:  Handprint tiles made by the students and leaf shaped tiles made by the members of the Potters’ Guild of New Jersey.  Both students and potters could interpret the exact look and shape of their tiles.  Goletz would arrange the handprints to “climb up and around the arch like flowers surrounded by tile leaves”.

Over twenty members of the Potters Guild made a wide variety of leaf-shaped tiles, and provided clay for the students to make handprint tiles.  The tiles were glazed and fired at DeBorah’s ceramic studio “For Love of Mud” in West Milford, NJ (http://www.forloveofmud.com/). Guild members transported the mural to Evergreen Elementary school, where Goletz supervised the installation.

“The positive reaction of the Principal, Mr. Aponte, and the students of Evergreen Elementary was phenomenal” exclaimed Goletz upon the completion of the project.  “The kids were so excited to see something they created become a permanent work of art.  The best part was is that they have made a real impact on their environment.”  

The Potters’ Guild of New Jersey (http://www.pottersguildnj.org/index.aspx) will host its annual sale of functional and sculptural ceramics at the Community Presbyterian Church, at 1459 Deer Path in Mountainside (corner of Deer Path and Meeting House Lane) on Saturday, Nov 12, 2011 from 11 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, Nov 13, 2011 from 12 PM to 5 PM.  Admission is free and credit cards are accepted for all sales.  This increasingly popular event draws hundreds of customers from throughout New Jersey and even out of state.  The show is the perfect place to find a unique holiday gift or a special item or present for any occasion.

Available for sale will be a fabulous selection of vases, wall pieces, pitchers, teapots, platters, casseroles, raku and pit-fired vessels in varying colors and styles, and one-of-a-kind sculptures and decorative objects of art.

For directions to the show, go to website http://www.pottersguildnj.org/index.aspx  or call Judy Musicant at 908-233-1633.

The Potters Guild of New Jersey is open to potters of all skill levels living in New Jersey.  We were formed to share ideas, solve problems, sponsor workshops, help market our work and educate our communities on the value of handmade ceramics.