Events
Robin told us a little bit about her history at 43rd Street. Read below:
The start
I had never seen anyone work in clay or throw on the wheel until I was in Graduate school. The wife of my main professor was a potter. I found the world of clay in a small basement in Ohio far more interesting than the Sociology studies that I was pursuing. After completing my degree, I moved to Richmond to apprentice with John Freimarck, a production potter whose work I admired. I followed that with a one year apprenticeship with Malcolm Wright in Vermont. Then I returned to Richmond and rented space in the Manchester district, before the flood wall and gentrification that exists today. For 5 years I hustled shows to make enough to buy supplies and make pots.
Finding 43rd Street
A friend found this run down building on 43 rd Street in 1985. You could see through the roof and step through the floor on one side of the building. But the price was right and the space amazing. I borrowed the money for a down payment and, with the help of Lee Hazelgrove, Diana Cole, and other friends, began renovations to create a studio and gallery. We built a kiln, set up shop and started making pots. The building was zoned retail and had many prior incarnations as Gill’s Market, an antique store, barber shop, and Uncle Earl’s Trash and Treasures. The retail designation prompted the Gallery angle right from the start. It also provided a place for us to market our pottery without being on the road all the time. It evolved and expanded over time to include other media and work by more local artisans. Fortunately, it became a destination spot for shopping for gifts and fine crafts.
The craft markets were pretty strong in the 80’s, but like most aspiring potters, it was never easy to make and sell enough pottery to make a living wage. But I did a combination of wholesale to other galleries, craft shows, selling out of our store front here, and renting out space in the back to get by. Eventually I was able to transition to just selling from the Gallery and doing some wholesale.
The reason behind the work
My work has always involved stoneware clay and firing in gas kilns. I love the colors and tones of reduction firing and the strength of the clay at the higher temperatures. I began mostly doing functional pottery with brushwork designs.
Eventually, other glazes and combinations emerged that also sold well. I have been incredibly fortunate to have a following of customers who have supported me over the years. I know that staying in one place has given me a sense of home and security that allowed my work to evolve and my business to thrive.
Moving into the future
Now that I no longer have the responsibilities of running a gallery and filling orders for other galleries, I have the opportunity to explore what it feels like to make pots just for the fun of it, instead of making a living from it. That has freed me up to try my hand at porcelain and I am enjoying the challenge of the qualities of this new clay body. The fine texture, purity and whiteness provides a whole new palate of possibilities for forms and glazes. It is also like throwing with cream cheese, so it can be a humbling experience to try and create the pots that I am striving for. I am enjoying the challenge and we shall see where this endeavor takes me next.