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Artists open their studios Pair of potters in King George part of driving tour of artists' studios open to public this weekend Date published: 12/3/2009 By Rob Hedelt SHIRLEY Buckler and Julie Moore Both became full-time potters after getting the bug while taking courses at community centers in cities where they used to live. Both love the process of turning clay into functional and lasting pieces of art. This weekend, the pair will join four other King George artists in opening the places where they create their art to the public as part of the King George Studio Tour. It's an idea the potters and other artists started last year and are continuing this holiday season. "We were talking about how we'd like to get more local people to see our work, and it made sense to do a tour where we'd open our studios," said Buckler, who's been firing pottery thrown on a wheel for 35 years. In addition to Buckler and Moore, the tour includes well-known wildlife artist John Shaw (Saturday only), fine-art photographer Christopher Rok (Saturday only), photographer and acrylic artist James A. Morris of Nanzatico Designs and woodworker Curtis Gore, who constructs swings, plant stands and hand-turned bowls. Moore and Buckler said the tour makes sense because the county has a collection of artists who do amazing work. "Giving people a chance to see and purchase these works seems well-timed with the holidays," said Moore. I joined the pair recently at Buckler's beautiful home on the shore of the Potomac River near the U.S. 301 bridge. Both shared their artistic backgrounds, kicked off by introductory classes. For Buckler, that happened in Waldorf, Md. "Right after I took the class, the community center was set to be renovated, so the teacher gave me the pottery wheel to use for a year or so," she said. "I was hooked." Early work with basic mugs, bowls and functional pieces expanded into elaborate and brightly colored artistic pieces for clients ranging from the Annapolis Pottery to the National Zoo. Her Noah's Ark bowls that sold at the latter have influenced many of the pieces she sold for years at trade shows and still makes today.
Date published: 12/3/2009
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