Guests select a hand-made plate and enjoy a delicious picnic (prepared by the artists) and a relaxing afternoon at Farnsworth Parkin Altadena.
The best part is you get to take the plate you selected home to enjoy for years to come. It can become the perfect serving dish with a story to share with your guests.
The Covert Potters Association proudly presents . . .
Take the Plate Picnic
Saturday, September 26, 2009 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Farnsworth Park in the Wisteria Picnic Area (South/West Side of the Park) 568 East Mount Curve Avenue Altadena, CA 91001
$40.00 (the early bird pricing ended September 12)
$10.00 (children under 12) a paper plate will be provided
Additional plates can be purchased the day of the event for $20.00. The salad bowls will also be for sale, in addition to other functional ware made by the potters.
The Wisteria picnic area is a beautiful wisteria covered pergola that overlooks the children's play ground. In addition, we will have family friendly games.
Space in the picnic area is limited.
Secure your reservation today!
Your reservation includes a wonderful meal and the plate of your choice.
All adult guest get to take the plate of their choice home to enjoy forever from one of the following artist:
The photos are representations of the artist's work and might not be available the day of the picnic.
Why a picnic?
Most of the above artists are "covert" potters. During the week we are mild mannered office coordinators, administrators, IT trainers, etc. We dream of the day when we can be just potters. Add the prevailing economic climate and things don't look too good. Enter the Covert Potters Association (CPA).
The first idea for the "Take the Tea Cup Tea Party" started on a drive back from Phoenix, AZ, after the 2009 National Council for the Education of Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference. Seven hours of driving and a lot of new information in our heads gave us the incentive to take matters into our own hands. We could hold to the idea that the economy is bad and there's no reason to even try, or we could do something. Store sales are down and many stores are not buying new/untried stock. We decided to take our passion for pottery to the people and stage our own events that would, yes, sell our product, but also cultivate a relationship with our customers.
Our first event, the Tea Party was successful and we SOLD OUT one of the two seatings. We wanted to schedule another event before the holiday shopping season, so thus a picnic at a fabulous park. The ceramic artists putting together this event are filled with passion and excitement, believing that the handmade movement and functional art can enrich our daily lives. We're creating an event that takes art off the shelf and puts it in your hands to use. Our hope is that the picnic is filled with good food (see the menu below), laughter and beautiful plates (see photos above) that will creating an impression that will last a lifetime; as well as creating a connection with our customers that goes beyond the buyer/seller relationship.
What was on the menu?
Tortellini Pasta Salad Spinach/Strawberry Salad Chinese Chicken Salad Orange Vingarette Beet Salad Caprese Salad Lentil Rice Salad Extra Green Coleslaw Baby Green Salad Fruit Salad Potato Salad Breads Brownies & Cookies Cold Sodas, Lemonade, Tea and Water
Who are the Covert Potters?
Celeste Iida has been involved with crafts most of her life. In 1994 she discovered clay and has not looked back. When she is not engrossed in creating clay vessels, she is working 9 to 6 in an administrative job.
Heather Morrowhas been throwing pottery for 3 years and has recently discovered the pleasure of making functional ware. She now enjoys drinking tea from tea cups she has made herself. When she is not throwing on the wheel she is busy with her Creative Souls business which creates mixed medium art experiences - www.cr8ivesouls.com.
Sally Anne Stahlbegan her pottery career early in life, at 10, trying to sell mudcakes to her friends. Not finding her market, she didn't discover the true joy of clay till her 30's. Since rediscovering her love of mud, she has crisscrossed the country learning all that she could. Currently her focus is on wood fired functional ware.
Evan Vieserbelieves that ceramics are objects that are for use. When a ceramics object is used, there is an interaction that is made between the user and the maker and the earth.
Philip Hacker returned to the ceramic world after a 20 year absence. He has been amazing those around him with the massive size of the bowls and vases he is creating near his home in Altadena, California. Philip studied ceramics at the University of Florida.
Junzo Mori received his undergraduate degree from USC. A native of Japan, Junzo is an active potter and participates in shows throughout LA. Junzo joined Xiem Pottery Studio in late 2003 as a member and shortly afterwards took on the responsibility of studio technician. With years of firing experience and with the sensitivity and care of an artist, Junzo ensures that work in the studio is properly fired.
Farnsworth Park
This property was purchased in 1921, by the County and first used as nursery for trees and vegetation eventually producing over one million trees for mountain and watershed area rehabilitation.
During the 1930’s General Charles S. Farnsworth, a retired war veteran and local resident for whom the park was later named, encouraged the use of the property as a park and supported its development. In 1931, another distinguished resident, William O. Davies, organized a board to construct and manage the proposed community building.
Board member, Mrs. Thurber, went to Washington D.C. to lobby for government funds for the building and was successful. The depression era community building at Farnsworth Parks is an example of a “Works Progress Administration” (WPA) project.
Completed in 1934, this two story stone facility is dedicated (1943) as the William D. Davies Memorial Building and reveals the influence of the naturalistic trend of the California arts and crafts period and the handmade, careful construction of local artisans. From its perch high in the foothills visitors can see downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
In 1957, the Department took over the operation of the Davies Building. In 1997, Charles F. Farnsworth Park and the William O. Davies Memorial Building were honored by being added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
The Wisteria picnic area is on the South/West side of the park. There is parking along Concha St. If you park in the parking lot on Mt. Curve, you will walk down to the Wisteria picnic area.
If you have any questions about the picnic, please feel free to contact Heather Morrow @ (818) 257-0338.
