Experimentation & Self-Expression: Meet Hand In Hand Honorees
Join us for Hand in Hand 2025, as we celebrate some of the passionate and dedicated students who have been part of our Clay Art Center community for more than 15 years. Meet some of our honorees: Kyoko Takasaki, Vicky Sweet, Sally Spielvogel, and Noriko Tanikawa.
Kyoko Takasaki grew up in Tokyo, Japan and began working with clay in 2006. Kyoko got her start at Clay Art Center in Keiko’s Cone 10 Guided Study, and she has been a student in that class ever since, which has become a tightly-knit group. This blend of camaraderie and dedicated instruction is what has made Clay Art Center so special for Kyoko. “For me, it is a place where I get to express my imagination and creativity,” Kyoko shared, “and at the same time, a place where I get to make and spend time with dear friends.” Some of Kyoko’s fondest memories include outings with friends from Keiko’s class, including lunches and visits to art museums and pottery galleries in New York City.
As Kyoko’s practice has evolved, everyday life and the people around her have inspired her to create, and to create boldly. Kyoko noted that the greatest lesson that has shaped her life and work has been the importance of creating with boldness and momentum. As that momentum continues to carry her forward, Kyoko hopes to continue to improve her wheel-throwing skills in the future.
“I have realized that many things in everyday life, which I once overlooked, often inspire my pottery. Since then, I have begun to live with this perspective, looking for the beauty and art in ordinary things around me.” - Kyoko Takasaki
Vicky Sweet grew up in White Plains, NY and, after moving away for a period, came back to the area in the early 90s. She had her very first experiences with clay at Clay Art Center when she took a Saturday morning beginners class with Mari Ogihara. Over the years, Vicky has managed to get to the studio about once a week (she is looking forward to retirement, when she plans to come in to make much more often), and that time spent with clay has helped her to grow as an artist in many ways: “I'm always challenged with throwing and glazing in particular and it's such fun to experiment. I used to be a perfectionist and pottery has certainly cured me of that! Something else I've noticed is that everywhere I go, whether a museum, restaurant, someone's home... I always notice (and often examine when possible), the ceramics I see.” Vicky said that she has also learned how to stay fully present, quiet her mind, and focus - which she shared is also great practice for daily life.
Like many of the other students who have been taking classes for more than 15 years, Vicky has come to love working alongside a core group of classmates. Some of Vicky’s favorite times at Clay Art Center have included long days in the studio with friends, transitioning from class time to Open Studio, punctuated by lunchtime pizza parties. Over the years, they have delighted in one another’s progress and successes, and enjoyed the guidance of wonderful teachers like Jeanne Carreau and Cory Brown. With all the love and warmth of the Clay Art Center Community, Vicky said it has come to feel like a second home.
“My creativity has blossomed and I love coming up with new things to make out of clay.” - Vicky Sweet
Sally Spielvogel began taking classes at Clay Art Center before she retired, roughly 30 years ago, although the exact date of the first class has yet to be discovered. After beginning her clay journey at the Westchester Art Workshop while she was still working full time, Sally found that she needed more instruction and found Clay Art Center. Sally has been taking Keiko’s Cone 10 Guided Study for many years now, and has formed close friendships within the class. This past May, the class held a birthday party for her, complete with a cake baked in a massive ceramic dish. At the party, Sally was declared not just 96 years old, but also the oldest student taking classes here at Clay Art Center, a badge of honor Sally wears with pride. Sally hopes to continue making pots for years to come, with the help and support of her classmates and staff, and we hope she continues to pass on her wisdom.
“Have a lot of patience. It’s a complicated process, and you have to learn step by step. Have the patience to center the clay, to let it dry, to glaze it. Patience is necessary.” - Sally Spielvogel
Noriko Tanikawa grew up in Tokyo, Japan before coming to the United States. She got her start with clay in 1991 at Silvermine Arts Center in New Canaan, CT and eventually joined Keiko’s Cone 10 Guided Study here at Clay Art Center, a class she has taken ever since. Noriko credited Keiko’s teaching and technique as having one of the greatest impacts on her work, as well as the creativity and imagination of those working around her. “Every time I go to Clay Art Center, I see wonderful, sometimes striking pieces,” Noriko said, “They may not reflect my pieces directly, but they form my taste.” Noriko also shared that the sheer variety of work that she sees here is one reason why Clay Art Center is so special to her, in addition to the friendly people and energetic atmosphere.
When Noriko thought back to one of her favorite memories in the studio, she recalled one of those friendly people taking the time to work with her grandson. “Once I brought my 5 year old grandson, who was visiting from Japan,” Noriko remembered, “and Mrs. Marion Cohen, who was 86 at the time, made a small snake with him, while teaching him how to pronounce blueberries again and again. Unfortunately his snakes were too fragile to be fired, but he still remembered the lesson more than 10 years later.” Noriko hopes to continue to enjoy making pieces surrounded by friends for years to come.
