Category Archives: ceramics

animals in art, art, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, ceramics, jewelry, landscapes

The Sky’s the Limit

Image Leave a comment

Under Open Sky is the title of the latest exhibition at Edgewood Gallery, 216 Tecumseh Road, Syracuse, New York 13224.  The artwork will be available for sale through April 11, 2025.

I last saw Peter Valenti’s bird-infused  ceramic vessels at Hafner’s.  I told him he should contact Cheryl Chappell to get a show at Edgewood and he said he had already scheduled a show there! I am in love with these pieces, some of which are wood-fired.

Nikolay Mikushkin’s landscape paintings are breathtakingly beautiful,  He paints plein air, which means that he sets up his canvases outside and paints what he sees.  He captures light like an Impressionist but the clarity of the brush stroke in the branches of the trees is laser sharp.  These paintings are highly collectable!  Both his and Valenti’s work had several red stickers on their tags, which means they’ve been sold.  You better head over to the gallery asap before they sell out of these magnificent pieces.

In the jewelry department, Judi Witkin and others who form the Bead Society of Central New York are displaying intricately detailed seed beaded necklaces, bracelets and trompe l’oeil items, many of which display the flora-fauna motifs to complete the outdoorsy theme of the exhibition.

The Edgewood Gallery is small but it is so well-curated and the show is a harmonious  blend of color, texture and a tease of springtime to come (please, god, soon!) to Syracuse.

The gallery is open Tuesday – Friday 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

antiques, ceramics, Karen Tashkovski, pottery, retail, shopping, vintage

Dalton’s

Image 2 Comments

Shopping for Stickley furniture at Dalton’s is a lesson in the history of the early 20th century’s Arts & Crafts movement.  Proprietors David Rudd and Debbie Goldwein have been in the business of selling antique/pre-loved Stickley furniture for over forty years at this establishment.  Their customers include celebrities and other prominent A&C lovers nationwide (and someday, me, and maybe you!).  Their business is both in person and on-line. The furniture sold at this shop is original Gustav Stickley pieces and early works by Leopold and John George Stickley, items that pre-date the Audi family’s tenure at Stickley.

Rudd is a former decades long President of the local Arts & Crafts Society and current President of the Gustav Stickley House Foundation.  It was such a pleasure to chat with him as he shared the provenance of the exquisite pieces displayed in vignettes alongside pottery from the same period, accessories – candlesticks, ashtrays, and books, lamps, clocks, really everything you need to fill the living room of a Craftsman home.

Gustav Stickley owned a factory on what is currently Burnet Avenue in the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse, a hop, skip and jump from this fabulous antique shop located at 1931 James Street, Syracuse, New York 13206.

It is a beautiful thing to see the care that has been taken in keeping the Mission-style spirit alive.  I felt like looking for a portal in the store in order to time-travel my way back to one hundred years ago, especially when I stared at  that photograph of Gustav on the wall, lol, it reminded me of the movie “Somewhere in Time” with Christopher Reeve.  I am in love with this period of furnishings and I am probably the only one in my family to have this passion.  I didn’t grow up with it.  Mom liked a French Provincial living room and Colonial-style bedroom furnishings.

Some of the pieces at Dalton’s are a better bargain than buying new and others costs tens of thousands.  In addition, they have an affinity for Native American textiles and pottery, and the collection is quite impressive.  It’s all for sale even though everything is museum quality.  You can sit on the settles and chairs as you imagine living with them in your own home.

I took so many pictures of this chair (above) – I can’t stop thinking about it!  LOVE!

Currently, there is a selection of wood-block printed designs by Rochester-based artist Laura Wilder.  They are displayed beautifully in oak frames.

If you wish to luxuriate in this experience, Dalton’s is open Monday-Friday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

art, art venue, Arts & Crafts, ceramics, clay, Karen Tashkovski

Greenware in the Greenhouse

Image 2 Comments

Here are a few of my favorite vendors from the Clayscapes Pottery Market. It took place yesterday and today at Hafner’s Garden Center Greenhouse, 7265 Buckley Road, North Syracuse, New York 13212.

P VALENTI STUDIOS

CROPPERALT CERAMICS

FIRE AND BRIMSTONE POTTERY

KIMBERLY DAINO

LIZ STRATTON

KEN NICHOLS ART

SMOKE PAIL STUDIOS

Hafner’s has more events planned including a petting zoo, a hay maze and other fun activities for kids of all ages.  It is also a store that sells garden supplies and produce.  See their website for more details and hours of operation.

art gallery, art museum, art resources, Arts & Crafts, ceramics, clay, family, figurative, heritage, history, Karen Tashkovski, printmaking

Voting with Jen G.

Image 5 Comments

I’ve driven past the Matilda Joslyn Gage house a gazillion times.  You know how it is – you see the sign and say to yourself, one of these days I will investigate what that’s all about.  It is located at 210 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, New York 13066.

I mean, yes, it is about abolishionist Gage, and her connection to the Underground Railroad, friendship with fellow suffragette Susan B. Anthony AND she also happened to be L. Frank Baum’s mother-in-law.

Small world.

My almost thirty year connection with Chittenango, New York and all things Oz should have brought me here sooner,  No matter because today I was invited to an open house and art reception for the fabulous Jen Gandee.

Jen has created an installation of pottery and digital imagery utilizing human silhouettes representing her experience with long lines at the voting booths during the 2020 election.  These figures are stenciled onto ceramic cups glazed in variations on skin color.  They are also superimposed on printed documents from the Library of Congress, papers that have historical significance to our voting system.

The show was made possible through a CNY Arts Initiative grant.  It will be on display until November 24, 2024.  Check the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation web-site for hours of operation.

Other rooms in the house display Gage’s connection to Native American tribes in the area, women’s rights and a historically accurate parlor room, as this house was her childhood home.  They’ve removed the kitchen and replaced it with a gift shop.  They can also accommodate physically handicapped via a small elevator.

P.S. I loved that they served cucumber sandwiches at the event.  I almost felt like I could fall through one of those Land of the Lost time doorways and find myself in 1924, but only because the rooms reminded me of the museum in that Christopher Reeve movie “Somewhere in Time” plus I’ve been falling into too many timey-wimey rabbit holes on YouTube lately.

Thank you, Jen Gandee for giving me a reason to explore this wonderful home and for being an inspiration as both artist and advocate.

ceramics

Claying

Image Leave a comment

For the last two years, Natasha Smoke Santiago, who goes by Smoke, has been involved in a residency with the Everson Museum of Art (401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, New York). This situation has culminated in an art exhibition in the Robineau Gallery.

The clay pottery is paired with artifacts that coordinate with her Haudenosaunee heritage. She is Mohawk.

The pottery is functional, meant to be used in food preparation, as well as ceremonially.

The exhibit continues through August 18th, 2024.

Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00am – 5:00pm (Pay-What-You-Wish all day)
Thursday: 11:00am – 8:00pm (Thursdays from 5:00-8:00pm are Pay-What-You-Wish)
Friday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

art, art gallery, ceramics, Karen Tashkovski

Mugs & More Reasons to Love Gandee

Image Leave a comment

The Gandee Gallery is jam-packed with ceramics created by over thirty local, regional and national artists including the spectacular David McDonald. It is an incredible collection of work for sale, curated by owner Jen Gandee.

The Gandee Gallery is located at 7846 Main Street, Fabius, New York 13063. They are open 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday-Saturday and 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Sundays. Call (315) 416-6339 for more information.

ceramics, dolls, Karen Tashkovski, sculpture

Flatsies with Boobies

Image 4 Comments

The Robineau Gallery at The Everson Museum of Art, adorned with ceramic and mixed-media sculptures, tells the story of Sana Musasama’s artistic journey through a personal and global history of art/architecture and toys.

This is the fourth time I’ve viewed an African-heritage artist use dolls to commemorate their artistic journey. I am feeling inspired to incorporate the idea in my own work. I have already gone the houses route.

These six-inch slab dolls are so unique. I love the way the legs are connected separately. The beads are attached with pipe cleaners. If the dolls didn’t have boobs, they would make a great sample/inspiration for a second grade clay project.

Sana Musasama: Returning to Ourselves will be on display February 3 – April 28, 2024.

art for sale, art gallery, ceramics, cooperative, encaustic, furniture, jewelry, Karen Tashkovski, oil painting, oil pastels, painting

Susan Machamer Jewelry

Image Leave a comment

There are a few ways to sell your artwork at Cazenovia Artisans. The information is on their website:

  1. You can apply to become a member and be juried in. This also requires a monthly fee and you must be available to work as a sales associate in the gallery on occasion.
  2. You can sell via consignment. Again, the other members must vote you in. The gallery takes a portion of your sales as your fee.
  3. There is also a visiting artist program where the artist shows during one month and gets a prominent wall in the gallery. Click here to read more about these opportunities.

Every time I shop here, I notice they’ve found new and unique ways to merchandise the shop. Two dimensional and three-dimensional art, clothing, soaps, jewelry and furniture are arranged to offer customers that magical discovery experience.

Jewelry designer Susan Machamer was in charge of the shop on Monday. It was such a pleasure to meet this dynamic artist/jewelry designer/metalsmith/business woman/college professor.

Machamer attended Syracuse University and later became a professor there, teaching metalsmith techniques. She owned Syracuse Jewelry where she worked with customers on bespoke design collaborations, as well as repairing damaged rings, necklaces and the like. At Cazenovia Jewelry she did more of the same (and still does on occasion) before venturing out as a creative free-spirit designing and selling limited editions of original semi-precious pieces of silver, gold and cultured pearls.

In addition to her work here at Cazenovia Artisans, you’ll be able to purchase her pieces at Edgewood Gallery in Syracuse. Machamer is planning an exhibition of jewelry alongside two other artists during November 2023 there.

She shared how she takes stones and transforms them into wearable pieces by first drawing out the ideas in a sketchbook. This new series will have a floral vibe. I loved how excited she was about this new work. It is such a delight to see that sparkle of creativity electrifying someone.

Cazenovia Artisans

39 Albany Street, Cazenovia, New York 13035

(315) 655-2225

info@cazenoviaartisans.com

Hours-

Mon10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Tue10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Wed10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Thu10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Fri10:00 am – 06:00 pm
Sat10:00 am – 05:00 pm
Sun10:00 am – 04:00 pm

Daphne Verley is the featured artist this month. at Cazenovia Artisans.

There is also new work by Linda Bigness and Mary Padgett, Karen Burns, Dee Ann Von Hunke, Ede Walker and more.

You can also shop online!

animals in art, art, art for sale, art gallery, Arts & Crafts, bracelets, ceramics, festival, ice cream, Karen Tashkovski, oil painting, oil pastels, restaurant, retail, shopping

Skaneateles Artisans

Image Leave a comment

Retail space is at a premium at Skaneateles Artisans. This is the gallery on the lower level of the Old Stone Mill, located at 3 Fennell Street, Skaneateles, New York 13152.

Teresa Vitale is the owner. She is also a very successful artist who creates faux finishes on furniture and fireplace mantles in homes. Some of her work is on display in the gallery as well as paintings, ceramic and glassware, jewelry and trinkets created by over one hundred local artists and artisans.

It is a gift-giver’s paradise.

There is so much from which to choose. I was telling my friend Janine that I was so overwhelmed by it all that I would have to go through my pictures to really digest everything and I would probably see things in the pictures I didn’t remember seeing in person. In that regard, this gallery is a place one must frequent often. That and the fact that stock gets replaced often. It is a cash and carry business, unlike other galleries where the exhibit must conclude before one can take stuff home.

The Skaneateles Curbstone Festival continues today, July 21, 2023, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. This gallery did not have an outdoor presence but over forty other vendors are sidewalk sale-ing it. In addition, there are magic acts, balloon animal makers, musical guests, sightseeing cruises on the lake and many fine dining restaurants to experience.

We visited yesterday and had such a wonderful adventure of discovery while shopping the numerous stores on Jordan Street and West Genesee Street, as well as Fennell, culminating in a watermelon and feta salad lunch at The Sherwood Inn followed by custard ice cream from Doug’s Fish Fry.

So fun! <3

8th grade art, ceramics, clay, Karen Tashkovski

Something’s Fishy

Image 1 Comment

Some of my Art-8 students created clay fish using slab and hand building.

First day: use a rolling pin to make clay flat. Fill with crumpled paper towels and fold it like a burrito leaving one side open.

Second day: add extra clay to create the head and tail.

Third day: add fins, gills and eyes.

Fourth day: finish the fish. Add any other details and make clay smooth using hands and/or clay tools.

Next let all projects dry for two weeks before bisque firing.

We spent four days glazing. A dozen different glazes were available. Students were asked to use at least six – three coats of each.