Luba at Mudfire Pottery sends along an announcement about the 2nd Annual Rail Arts District Art Studio Cruise next Saturday, February 7th.

With 12  studios between Decatur and Avondale along the four-stop route…

“Visitors will be able to create their own jewelry with casting processes or shop the elegant displays just in time for Valentine’s Day. Lumps of clay will magically transform on the potters wheel into elegant forms. Just down the tracks a tightly coordinated team of glass blowers will work in the high heat with liquid glass. Canvases will come to life with color and movement, and sparks will fly as raw metal is worked into whimsical sculptures. Magicians and improve actors will circulate amidst a temporary artists market.

At each stop of the cruise there will be music and conversation, food and drink, amusement and information, wonder and awe. Alongside the artists in action will be finished works for viewing and sale, with artwork in all media and many styles and price points. The makers will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate their techniques.

According to the release, over 1,000 people attended last year’s event.  Click the map below for locations and times.

And for lots more examples of featured artwork and activities, jump over to the official Rail Arts District “Studio Cruise” webpage.

Luba over at Mudfire Gallery alerts us to this really cool-sounding exhibit of local pottery at their Laredo Drive location next month, cleverly titled Clay-TL.

Here’s the gist straight from the release…

“CLAY-TL”, an exhibit honoring a dozen top-notch ceramic artists from the Atlanta metro area, opens at MudFire Gallery in Decatur on August 9, 2008. The show continues through September 6, 2008. CLAY-TL is a showcase of the diversely fine functional and decorative things that a skilled artist can make from clay.

All of the work in the CLAY-TL exhibit is created locally in Decatur and Atlanta. As environmental concerns rise to the forefront of our culture, locally-made, consciously-produced, and aesthetically-considered articles for daily use and decoration become an essential part of life. The deliberate act of supporting local art is rewarding on multiple levels. All the more so when such a profusion of captivating work is available right at your doorstep.

CLAY-TL will include a broad range of functional pottery in all sizes and flavors, with a bit of sculpture thrown in for good measure. Luscious swirling cups with rich atmospheric surfaces, tiny rattle heads with wild colors, sublime salt-fired teapots, intensely textured and carved surfaces, and so much more.

The work of Barry Gregg, Michele Smith, John Roberts, Marissa Hudson, Brian Gialloreto, Adrina Richard, Yoshimi Hosoda, Stacey Pearson, Luba Sharapan, Chase Folsom, Carol Brull, and Vernon Smith will be on display.

Details about the exhibit, artist information and representative images are available at http://www.mudfire.com/clay-tl.htm.

The studio is open Weekdays from Noon to 10pm, and Saturday-Sunday from Noon to 8pm, but closed Wednesdays. The gallery is open Thursday – Sunday from Noon to 8pm and by appointment.

Sounds really awesome. Clay pottery is not only a beautiful medium, but Atlanta/North Georgia heritage at its finest! A must see! (in my not-so humble opinion)

[photo of Chase Folsom pottery courtesy of Mudfire]