Gavin Clark, 4, of Saco, makes a piece of pottery using a potter’s wheel during last year’s Holiday Extravaganza at Ocean Fire Pottery in York. This year’s event is free and runs from Dec. 2-4 at the Ocean Fire Studio on Woodbridge Road in York. Courtesy photo
The event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.
It’s all happening at the Ocean Fire studio and gallery at 23 Woodbridge Road in York, and the public is invited to participate.
Ocean Fire potter and owner Amy Clark will be offering free mini-lessons on the pottery wheel. Visitors of all ages can get their hands in the clay and make pottery of their own.
Guests can also see a working pottery studio and shop the collection of pieces in the gallery, which includes a huge selection of one-of-a-kind, wood-fired pottery fresh out of the kiln.
Additional local artists will be on hand, featuring their jewelry, candles, note cards, signs, body scrubs and more.
Glow, a holistic wellness studio in York, will be offering chair massages and gift certificates.
The event is part of the Festival of Lights in York Village, and is a quick walk around the corner from festivities.
Clark said that she is thrilled to be able to welcome people into her studio with a celebration of the arts in York that complements the festival.
“York is an incredibly supportive community, and there are so many talented, creative people here,” she says. “The Extravaganza is a great chance to bring together this talent and people who appreciate local, handmade gifts. I really enjoy sharing my work and the process, and this is a fun and personal way to do it.”
Clark makes all of the pottery herself in the studio on Woodbridge Road. A couple times a year, a dedicated group gathers there for the weekend, to help fire the wood kiln in the backyard. At those times, smoke billows out of the chimney for 24 hours or more and people work in shifts overnight to feed the flames in a traditional method that brings dramatic results to the pottery.
Visitors are welcome to tour the kiln and learn more about the process at the event.
Artists joining the Extravaganza and selling their wares this year include: Cherie Herne and Cheryl Patten of York, with driftwood gifts and signs; Ellen Lamoureaux of York, with handmade jewelry; Sam Goodall of Cape Neddick, with expressive mixed media jewelry creations; Erin Donovan of Gardiner, with her hand-poured scented candles, note cards and glass luminaries; Lori Dennis of York, with silver jewelry and pet tags; Ellen Braley of Greenland, New Hampshire, with original watercolor cards, calendars and maps; Becky Louison of Somersworth, New Hampshire, with handcrafted body scrubs.
There will be art activities, raffles and refreshments, all ages are welcome, and admission and parking are free.
For more information, call 361-3131 or visit oceanfirepottery.com.
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