Jacksonville Review – November 2026

MEET AMANDA ANDERSON, a clay artist who lives on a small farm in the Applegate Valley, with her husband and a mixed-species herd of alpacas and emus. Talking with her, you will detect the lilt of a mid-Western accent from the Scandinavian-based culture of her childhood in Minnesota, which explains the animal and plant motifs found on much of her pottery—images reminiscent of the designs found in Scandinavian folk art.

Amanda is also among a coterie of new Clayfolk members who have brought new ideas and new energy into the ancient art of ceramics. One of her specialties is a technique called frozen pond, which sandwiches a highly reactive glaze—known as Running Hot Chowder (no joke!)—between two other glaze layers. In the kiln at 2100+ degrees, this creates a glaze effect akin to ice crystals forming on water. (In Amanda’s mind, it’s reminiscent of the ice on a lake in the Minnesota of her childhood.) Stop by her booth at the upcoming Clayfolk Show, and she will show you many examples of this crystalline effect, frozen into the glassy glazes on her mugs, bowls, and platters.

Amanda is but one of seventy-some clay artists whose work will be on display and for holiday purchases at the Clayfolk Show and Sale, November 20-22 at the Medford Armory—the weekend before Thanksgiving.

In addition to Amanda’s Nordic-inspired work, you will find colorful raku and earthenware creations, along with stolid stoneware mugs, bowls, and plates; porcelain earrings and baubles; delicate sculptures; and much more! Moreover, the artists will be there in person and eager to talk with you about their craft.

The Show will feature crowd-pleasing demonstrations of “throwing” on the potter’s wheel and other clay-fabrication techniques. Plus, a “throw-down” series on Saturday and Sunday will pit some of Clayfolk’s best and bravest potters in head-to-head competition and under pressure from the clock, to see who can make the tallest and widest pots.

Also on Saturday and Sunday, children (of any age) can test their talents in making things with clay in the Kids Area!

And remember, admission to the Clayfolk Show and Sale is free!

So, mark your calendar for November 20th, 21st, and 22nd—the weekend before Thanksgiving. And set your GPS for the Medford Armory located at 1701 S Pacific Hwy, Medford—just a few blocks west of the South Medford exit from I-5.

Show hours:

  • Friday, November 20, 10am-7pm
  • Saturday, November 21, 10am-7pm
  • Sunday, November 22, 10am-3pm

Want to see more of Amanda Anderson’s work? Go to her Pickleberry Pottery page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pickleberry.pottery.by.amanda.anderson.