Greek mythology tells the tale of the phoenix, a magnificent bird that would build a nest in which to set itself on fire, whereupon a new phoenix would arise from the flames and ashes. It’s an apt metaphor for Clayfolk, a group of clay artists whose “nest” is in Southern Oregon and who have put on a magnificent show and sale every year for nearly a half-century…until COVID.

But now—after a two-year hiatus—Clayfolk is back! The group is figuratively arising out of its own fire and the ashes of its kilns to appear once again in the Clayfolk Show and Sale at the Medford Armory on the weekend before Thanksgiving, November 18-20. Please note that the hours for the show are slightly different this year:

  • Friday, November 18, 10am-7pm
  • Saturday, November 19, 10am-7pm
  • Sunday, November 20, 10am-3pm
  • Admission is free!

There you will see work by your favorite clay artists from Jacksonville and surrounding areas: Ray Foster, Nancy Adams, Ray Noppa, Jane Anderson, Jim Nordal, Kris Schumacher, and Nancy Stewart—as well as others from all over Southern Oregon, Northern California, the Willamette Valley, and beyond. To preview some of the work at the Clayfolk Show and Sale, please visit the gallery on the Clayfolk website at https://www.clayfolk.org/member-gallery/.

The Show will feature raku pots that have been plunged into a cauldron of fire burning at over a thousand degrees, stoneware mugs and plates that have endured hellish heat soaring to over 2100 degrees, and exquisite porcelain pieces that vitrified at temperatures comparable to the stars. You will, of course, see functional pieces and whimsical ones, amazing sculpture, flowery majolica, scraffito, “thrown” pots, slab-built pots, and among the artists themselves, the occasional crackpot.

What’s new? The downtime during COVID allowed many Clayfolk members to experiment with new techniques and build their inventories. The science underlying ceramics has also leaped forward, with chemists developing new and brighter colors that have attracted the interest of many local ceramists. Others continue to explore the cutting-edge possibilities of creating new glaze surfaces in computer-controlled kilns. Still others, however, lean toward the subtle, earthy hues produced by the flame-induced vapors of salt, soda, and—yes—ashes.

As always, there will be demonstrations of “throwing” on the potter’s wheel and other clay-fabrication techniques. All the artists in the show will be there in person with their wares, eager to talk with you about their craft. Kids can get clay on their hands at the Children’s Demonstration Station, and if you are there on Sunday, you will have a chance to win the periodic drawing.

So, set your GPS on November 18, 19, or 20 for the Medford Armory at 1701 S Pacific Hwy, Medford, OR 97501. The Armory is just off the South Medford exit from I-5.

Featured image: “Bluebird and Morning Glory Tea,” Ceramic art by Nancy Adams of Applegate