One of my favorite topics of discussion is that about the intersection of “art” and “craft”. Pottery and the ceramic arts represent perhaps the most ancient media that crosses this border; cave paintings were never functional! Let’s go back to the Fertile Crescent and Mesopotamia where 5,000 – 10,000 BCE we saw people making signature scrolls out of clay and using them to mark their signature for personal transactions. Today, ceramic items are totally ingrained in our lives, e.g. plates and bowls in your kitchen. However, as an artistic medium, it has been used for millennia and I am a strong proponent of its inclusion in any collection of “fine art” (although we certainly have more than our fair share of functional items, also!).
Houston has a rather vibrant community of ceramic artists thanks to the Glassell Studio School, where anyone can take classes and have access to equipment and Clay Houston, an organization for ceramic artists that organizes many types of activities. Foelber Pottery, est. 1979, is a little of both of these – they provide many education opportunities to the public, and exhibition space to selected artists. Below are some works from a recent visit of both the “artistic” and “functional” types that I consider good opportunities to expand and strengthen your collection.
Foelber Pottery is located at 706 Richmond Ave., Houston, 77006 and is currently open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Check their website for additional hours and information on classes. You can also find them on Instagram at @FoelberPottery. Be sure to tell them you saw them here at HALT713 when you go!
All photos are by Matt Adams unless designated by an asterisk.
Monti Mayrend, “Special Fingers”, Ceramic & wood, 9″ x 7.5″, $230Monti Mayrend, “Special Fingers”, Ceramic & wood, 9″ x 7.5″, $230, DetailMonti Mayrend, “Green Islands”, Ceramic & wood, 9″ x 7.5″, $340Monti Mayrend, “Green Islands”, Ceramic & wood, 9″ x 7.5″, $340, DetailJudy Adams, “Abstract Sculpture”, Ceramic, 13″ x 12″ x 6″, $700 , View 1*Judy Adams, “Abstract Sculpture”, Ceramic, 13″ x 12″ x 6″, $700 , View 2*Earnest Snell, “Boy & Turtle”, Ceramic, 7″ x 8″ x 6″, $95 1Earnest Snell, “Untitled”, Ceramic, 18″ x 6″ x 6″, $290, View 1Earnest Snell, “Untitled”, Ceramic, 18″ x 6″ x 6″, $290, View 1Earnest Snell, “Untitled”, Ceramic, 18″ x 6″ x 6″, $290, DetailEarnest Snell, “Jazz Vessel #1″, Ceramic, 26″ x 6”, $150, View 1Earnest Snell, “Jazz Vessel #1″, Ceramic, 26″ x 6”, $150, View 2Earnest Snell, “Attitude” , Ceramic, 10″ x 9″ x 7″, $150John Foelber, “Textured Vessel”, Ceramic, 15″ x 7″, $250Earnest Snell, “Tribal Dancer Vessels”, Ceramic, 6″ x 4″, $50 eachJes Dougherty, “Rustic Print Vase 3″, Ceramic, 5.5″ x 4.4″, x 3”, $55Rita Bradberry, “Swirl Vase 5″, Ceramic, 5″ x 5”, $40 (View 1)Rita Bradberry, “Swirl Vase 5″, Ceramic, 5″ x 5”, $40 (View 2)Rita Bradberry, “Swirl Vase 2″, Ceramic, 6.5″ x 4”, $40Rita Bradberry, “Swirl Vase 2″, Ceramic, 6.5″ x 4”, $40, DetailJes Dougherty, “Bowl with Flower”, Ceramic, 2″ x 6″ x 6″, $45John Foelber & Earnest Snell, “Dancer”, Ceramic, 3″ x 14″ x 14″, $250Judy Adams, “Untitled 1″, Ceramic, 19″x 6″ x 5”, $600Judy Adams, “Untitled 2″, Ceramic, 22″ x 6″ x 6”, $700John Foelber, “Black & Red Vase”, Ceramic, 14″ x 6″, $180 (View 1)John Foelber, “Black & Red Vase”, Ceramic, 14″ x 6″, $180 (View 2)Judy Adams, “Black Swoon”, Ceramic, 6.5″ x 17″ x 6″, $225John Foelber, “Red Cups”, Ceramic, 4″ x 3.5″, $25 eachEarnest Snell, “Scenic Mugs”, 5 x 4, $30 eachJohn Foelber, “Teal Faceted Cups”, 2.5″ x 2.5″, $30 setJohn Foelber, “Two-Handled Bowl”, Ceramic, 3.5″ x 10″ x 8″, $60
Thank you Matt for a concise, thoughtful article. Great photos too! In case anyone is interested, we also have an online store https://foelberpottery.com/shop.
Foelber Pottery Gallery is one of my favorite happy places! Plotinus wrote, “To behold beauty is to become beautiful.” And when I visit Foelber Gallery, I feel beautiful. Judy and John are remarkably talented artists who are so generous with their time, their dedication to teaching, and their support of other talented ceramicists —and other artists— in Houston. This gallery is pure sustenance to me! Thank you, Matt, for featuring Foelber Gallery on HALT 713!
Thank you Matt for a concise, thoughtful article. Great photos too! In case anyone is interested, we also have an online store https://foelberpottery.com/shop.
Yes indeed! Best kept secret and hidden gem in Houston. Love Foelber Pottery!
Foelber Pottery Gallery is one of my favorite happy places! Plotinus wrote, “To behold beauty is to become beautiful.” And when I visit Foelber Gallery, I feel beautiful. Judy and John are remarkably talented artists who are so generous with their time, their dedication to teaching, and their support of other talented ceramicists —and other artists— in Houston. This gallery is pure sustenance to me! Thank you, Matt, for featuring Foelber Gallery on HALT 713!