Terra Madre potters to display their work in art show

Farragut artists will join other local potters in showing their work in a show, Terra Madre: Women in Clay.

The show, which features works of the group, Terra Madre: Women in Clay, will begin with an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19, in The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike, in Bearden.

The show will continue through Saturday, Sept. 10. The District Gallery’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and closed Sundays.

“This is our second show at The District Gallery,” Lisa Kurtz, Terra Madre marketing committee chairwoman, said. The group also had a show in 2014.

“Our openings are always a lot of fun because we all bring food and we will have sangria. People expect that now,” she said.

Terra Madre is a group of about 40 women from Farragut, West Knoxville, North Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Harriman and Seymour who work in clay.

All of the works shown are made of clay. About 30 of its members are participating in the show and participants will show at least one of their pieces, she said.

While some of the pieces would be functional, such as teapots, pots, casseroles and mugs, other pieces in the show would be unique sculptural pieces or whimsical.

“This show is unique because each person has her own style,” Kurtz said. “It’s not just one style.”

More information on the show can be found on the group’s Facebook page.

Kurtz said members have their individual shows but the group has about three or four shows a year when members collectively show their works.

“We do a holiday show and sale, which will be Saturday, Nov. 12, at Bridgewater Place this year,” she said.

Kurtz described the group as more of a guild than a club because some of its members teach the art.

It started in 2000 as a small social gathering and has grown every year until it became a juried group.

“We jury once a year in January,” she said. “Women submit their work and there are criteria.”

The group holds workshops, bringing in well-known potters and inviting non-members to attend.

“There are eight of us who teach. Some teach at schools, some in their own studios or craft centers,” Kurtz, who teaches clay art, said.

“Some members are students of members. It’s a varied group.”

For more information about joining the Terra Madre group, contact Jane Cartwright, its standards chairwoman, at jhcartwright@mac.com