Now in its 18th year, the Hilltown 6 Pottery Tour and Sale on July 27 and 28 will offer its visitors an inside look at the world of pottery with open studio tours from nationally recognized potters.
“All these years later, Hilltown 6 Pottery Tour is a well-known tour with attendees coming from the New England area as well as from some impressive distances to attend the weekend’s offerings,” explained Jesse Massaro, the tour’s press contact. “The tour features eight host studios, as well as 20 invited guest potters, and represents a vast variety of approaches to both clay working and firing approaches. Having this large of a collection of master potters at one event is really quite special.”
New this year will be a virtual discussion the weekend before the tour on Sunday, July 21 from 4 to 5 p.m. Several potters will discuss how and why they make their pieces, with each discussing one of their new pieces, and then opening it up to questions and comments.
“Our emcee will be potter-pal Michael Kline with Hilltown 6 Host Potters Robbie Heidinger, Christy Knox, Maya Machin, Michael McCarthy, Mark Shapiro, Connie Talbot, and Sam Taylor,” said Massaro.
The group began with founding potters Christy Knox, Hiroshi Nakayama, Michael McCarthy, Connie Talbot, Mark Shapiro and Sam Taylor and has added several potters to its group over the years.
Maya Machin, the youngest of the group, has learned much from the others in the group.
“I studied ceramics in college and after college did a three-year apprenticeship with Mark Shapiro who is also part of the tour. From him, I learned the art of wood firing, which is how I have fired since,” recalled Machin. “My work is all utilitarian, although some forms are more fanciful than others. My goal is to make work that has a quiet beauty and strength that functions effortlessly. I love making pieces with multiple parts like teapots, stacking canister sets, decanter sets, etc.”
Machin, who grew up on a rural Vermont homestead, has a natural appreciation and knowledge of handmade items and did a high school apprenticeship with nationally known potters Ikuzi Teraki and Jeanne Bisson in Washington, Vermont. She finds that the tour allows visitors to really see the inner workings of potters.
“It’s such an honor to work with so many talented people in the small geographic area. I think the experience for customers is unlike anything you can find in another setting,” explained Machin. “Being able to see where potters work and live adds dimension to the work that you can never gain by buying it online or through a gallery. I love seeing old faces and new, and I especially enjoy seeing so many students and beginning potters come to see the demonstrations and work from all over the country. It’s part of our mission to help educate the next generation.”
Fellow potter Michael McCarthy, who focuses on functional wood-fired pottery, began his career on Cape Cod working for local potters and as the studio manager of an art center. He moved to western Massachusetts to do an apprenticeship with Shapiro as well.
“That was when I learned what it meant to be a studio potter and the discipline it took to work full-time in a pottery studio,” remembered McCarthy. “Most of the work I make is meant to be used in your everyday life. I tend to focus on making cups, mugs, bowls, vases and covered jars. I also like to make larger pots.”
McCarthy has enjoyed the close-knit nature of the local ceramics community that grew the Hilltown 6, its tour and the knowledge the local community has of pottery and potters.
“I always look forward to the Tour. It’s a great way to showcase the art that is made and in the studio where it’s created,” said McCarty. “The tour also gives us an opportunity to invite guest potters as well. Our hope is to give the public a greater opportunity to view and appreciate ceramic art that is being made both in the area and in the nation as a whole. The tour is free and open to everyone and it’s our hope people are able to get a greater appreciation for what we do.”
Machin encourages people to take their time on the tour, using the entire two days to get the full experience.
“There are so many amazing local attractions and places to eat and stay that making a weekend out of the tour is satisfying for a lot of our customers,” said Machin.
“During the weekend there will be 14 different demonstrations to choose from, including building approaches such as throwing on the wheel, altered crocks, stacking canisters, and making artifacts, as well as surface decoration including slip decorating, storytelling through imagery, and porcelain decoration,” said Massaro. “What makes this event so special is the wonderful sense of community it holds. Potters are a kind, caring and generous bunch, and we look forward to welcoming everyone into our worlds.”
For more information, including a map of the sites, visit www.hilltown6.com.
