Lincoln Square Pottery Studio

Take ceramics/pottery classes in Chicago at Lincoln Square Pottery

News

Lincoln Square Welcomes New Pottery Studio;

May 2 Opening Allows Adults to "Come Play With Clay"

     Chicago, April 22, 2003 - For many people, pottery making conjures up images from the 1990 movie "Ghost." In the movie's best-known scene, Demi Moore's character, a sculptor, sits down at the pottery wheel late one night. Shortly thereafter her on-screen partner, Patrick Swayze, squeezes in behind her and places his hands over hers as they mold and shape the clay together.

     Though the setting won't be nearly as steamy, Lincoln Square Pottery Studio, 4150 N. Lincoln Ave., invites adults who are interested in ceramics to get their hands dirty at its grand opening, May 2 from 7 p.m. to midnight, and open house, May 3-4 from 1 to 6 p.m.

     The opening-night party will offer wheel-throwing and hand-building demonstrations throughout the evening. Artists Sara Brennan, Karen Carlson, Ann Cibulakis, Paul Lee, Fred MacDonald, Carl Mankert, Sheila Schaefer, Doug Seymore and Norbert White will display their pottery in addition to answering questions about ceramics.

     The pottery studio represents a labor of love for studio owner Margaret Biddle, an art teacher and longtime volunteer at the Jane Addams Hull House Association ceramic studio.

     "I decided that there was a need for a ceramics studio that catered to artists who needed work space in the Lincoln Square/North Center neighborhood," Biddle says.

     After working for more than a year to create a space suited for both professionals and beginners, Biddle will open Lincoln Square Pottery Studio on May 2, with classes starting May 5. Eight wheel-throwing workstations, with two rows of four stations facing each other, form the hub of the studio. Two high-fire electric kilns will allow students to transform their clay creations into finished pieces such as bowls and plates. Lincoln Square Pottery Studio also will offer a full line of ceramic art supplies, including brushes, kits and glazes. In addition, the studio will supply space for students to display and sell their artwork in return for a commission and minimal fee.

     Classes for the beginning wheel thrower will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Intermediate and advanced classes will take place on Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Both classes cost $200 each and include 100 lbs. of clay. An independent study session that does not include clay supplies will be available Monday through Friday from 12:30 through 6 p.m. for $100. Future offerings may include visiting artists; hand-building workshops; and firing, glazing and decorative techniques. Students can sign up for classes by calling (773) 248-4430 or visiting http://www.comeplaywithclay.com/.

     Margaret Biddle is certified as an art teacher by the State of Illinois and has taught in the Chicago Public Schools for seven years, as well as instructing classes at Daley College. She volunteered at the Jane Addams Hull House Association ceramic studio as a workshop leader for six years before opening Lincoln Square Pottery Studio. Biddle earned a bachelor's degree in art education from the University of Southern Maine and a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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