Handmade for the Holidays: The Seasonal Spark
Handmade for the Holidays has officially begun! Learn more about participating artists Jenn Pal Conte, Sylvia Arakas-Gutierrez, and Mara Gross and what their work means to them.
The holiday bustle has already begun as we prepare to travel, cook, and gather together to reflect on the previous year and look forward to what the next year has in store. Here at Clay Art Center the kilns are firing steadily, and with each firing we have the chance to admire the work of our students and artists alike, much of which is destined for giftwrap or the holiday table. Working with clay and enjoying ceramic pieces offers the perfect opportunity to slow down, notice the little details, and engage with the current moment.
Artist Jenn Pal Conte loves the feeling of the holidays, finding joy in the sparkling lights, beautiful colors, time spent with family and friends sharing food and stories, and all the fond memories. “That sense of connection definitely inspires me,” Jenn shares, “I hope my pieces find their way into those kinds of moments - used and enjoyed everyday. To me, gifting something handmade is like passing along a bit of warmth. It’s thoughtful, personal, and completely unique - something that no one else has! I hope people find joy in using my pieces, noticing the little details, and maybe even discovering something new each time they do.” Jenn’s work features colorful underglaze paint, highlighted by careful carving, inspired by moments in nature and the joy found in small moments of calm: “At the heart of my work is a love for color, nature, and the small moments that make life special.”
The juxtaposition of tough and soft, strength and vulnerability is an essential source of inspiration for artist Sylvia Arakas-Gutierrez’s work. Sylvia noted that the hard moments of her life have shaped the person she is today, and that learning to channel that balance of struggle and grace in her work has been very meaningful. “My hope is that these pieces become part of something deeper,” Sylvia said, “that they spark conversations at the holiday table, especially in spaces where words haven’t always come easily. Art, like music, has a way of bringing people together. It invites connection, laughter, debate, and understanding. If my work can inspire even a small moment of that — a shared glance, a new idea, a softened heart — then I’ve done what I set out to do.” Sylvia’s signature linked chains of clay that adorn her pots exemplify the strength of clay, while still managing supple movement and a changeability that makes her work unique.
Artist Mara Gross’s functional and decorative work invited users to get in touch with their inner selves through scenes of cats in daily life. Mara began depicting cats during the pandemic, when everyone was sheltering in place, and she finds that the cat is a useful vehicle for helping people to see themselves more clearly. “The cat is a representative of us - all our personality quirks.” Mara observed, “We all project our multiple ways of being onto cats - cats are cuddly, nasty, happy, etc. That’s why I depict them, because it helps us to recognize and understand ourselves better.” Whether you pick up a mug decorated with a cat amongst the flowers, or a plate showing a cat with a cup of coffee, Mara shares that, “I hope people really enjoy the playfulness and color of my work, and that it enhances their experiences of gathering with others.”
Handmade for the Holidays, featuring the work of these artists and many others, will be open in-store and online November 13 - December 23. Join us on Saturday, November 22nd from 11am – 3pm and Saturday, December 13th from 11am – 3pm for special family-friendly shopping days. Meet some of the featured artists, enjoy seasonal ornament painting with family and friends, and sample some free sweet treats.
