This weekend kicks off our local autumn art season. In addition to the Brooklyn Clay Tour providing an array of ceramics-related events (check their calendar for a full listing), art opening receptions of all mediums abound—stay in the ‘hood for sculpture, embroidery, immersive installations, surreal sculptures, and paintings that suspend disbelief.
As part of the Brooklyn Clay Tour, Calico presents a pop-up exhibit of commemorative plates, in conjunction with art collective FPOAFM Studios. “PLATE PARTY will feature over 20 artists whom have chosen their favorite artist or inspirational figure to commemorate on a porcelain plate. Images have been drawn, collaged, painted, illustrated, or etched, then permanently transferred onto a plate through a ceramic decal process or laser etching process.”Continue reading →
Modern ceramics are having a moment. North Brooklyn boutiques are fully stocked with cheeky (Group Partner‘s kitschy butt planters at Homecoming), spiritual (ivyivyivy‘s incense burners at M Carter) and primitive-chic (Matthew Ward‘s vessels at Home of the Brave) hand-crafted local ceramics. But there’s something truly timeless about the craft. Earth, fire, air and water: these elements are our world’s most ancient foundations, and ceramics is the only art form that makes use of all them. The Brooklyn Clay Tour is three days of exhibitions and events shining a spotlight on Brooklyn’s diverse and growing ceramics community. More than 200 clay artists are participating across Brooklyn in exhibits, demonstrations, artist talks, workshops, art sales, and culinary events. They’re also hosting a Finders Keepers ceramic treasure huntof 100 ceramic objects hidden across Brooklyn for the finder to keep.
Some of the North Brooklyn events happening over the weekend include:
Dusty Rose Vintage (251 Greenpoint Ave) is having their 3rd annual sidewalk sale this Sunday (8/13) from 12-5pm. At last year’s sale, we not only sipped on gratis booze while we shopped, but we also walked away with some killer deals on jewelry and ceramics from local makers, and we’re sure this year will be no different. Dusty Rose promises: “Some of NYCs favorite brands and tastemakers will be cleaning out their studios, offices and closets to bring you deeply discounted one-offs, seconds and overstock in ceramics, jewelry, clothing, beauty products and other household items. Plus Dusty Rose will be offering 20% off all retail priced items at the front of the warehouse.” Count us in.
Group Partner, the Instagram darling of the pottery world, has certainly come a long way since their early days at their studio studio on Norman and Lorimer. Headed by Isaac Nichols, the studio has become known for their quirky, iconic boob pots and other equally alluring containers. The pots, designed by Nichols, started out as a hobby that bloomed into a successful ceramics studio business. Continue reading →
Our homes are sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle of city life. Greenpoint is an especially fun and relaxing respite from the daily grind for many of us with Transmitter Park, cozy bars, and zen coffee houses and blissful yoga and meditation spaces. But, what about your own place?
Enter Light + Ladder. This airy design studio based in Greenpoint crafts pieces that will make your home feel both relaxing and cool. Check out these 10 picks to transform your house into an oasis. Continue reading →
This Sunday, December 11th from 1-6pm, the local artisans at Grand Street Ceramics are bringing us a holiday pop-up shop hosted by their friendly neighbors at Interboro Spirits & Ales (942 Grand Street). And if you’re a beer fan and you haven’t been to Interboro yet, what are you waiting for? This is a good chance to check out both the polished work of neighborhood ceramists and try some of Interboro’s delicious beers brewed on-site. Continue reading →
Ivy Weinglass met me at Charlotte Patisserie for coffee and quiche on Tuesday morning and I had no trouble recognizing her from her emailed description, “I’m wearing a grey coat and have long brown hair!” But sitting down to meet her, it was the 11:11 timestamp stick-n-poke tattoo on her ankle that caught my eye.
“It was following me everywhere and it was a really good year,” Ivy says. “So that’s my number.”
You may recognize IIIVVVYYY Ceramics from some of her local stockists like Homecoming and M. Carter. Ivy Weinglass has been living in Greenpoint for 7 years.
“Canyon bowl” by IIIVVVYYY aka Ivy Weinglass
“Greenpoint is just so special,” she says. “It’s a community, it’s a small town within a big city. There are families who have lived here for generations, and it shows. There are new restaurants and coffee shops for sure, but there are also stores and store fronts and businesses who have been here for years and years and continue to thrive! Being welcomed into that community has been so awesome.”
Humans have been making pottery objects for at least 27,000 thousand years—let that sink in for a moment—and the earliest ceramics were either made simply from clay or from a mixture of clay and other materials, like silica. They were then hardened and heated at relatively low temperatures in a fire. Now, flash forward an astounding number of millennia, and we can produce a variety of ceramic products, from bricks to tableware to nuclear fuel uranium oxide pellets.
Recently, we tracked down eight artists based right in our neighborhood who have been making some ceramic magic in their studios.
Jessica Matson believes in flowers. She’s the driving force behind Ruusu, a floral design and ceramics company in Greenpoint. Picture handmade ceramics, dreamy wreaths with folklore connections, and vivid flowers in delicate-but-not-dainty bunches. You can have that little piece of beauty in your own home, with florals and ceramics starting at $20. In conversation with Jessica, I discovered the beauty of florals and her creative process all while being inspired by this entrepreneur taking North Brooklyn by storm. Continue reading →
We raised $526 for The Greenpoint Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry, a local organization that feeds hundreds of hungry Greenpointers. Today they are busy making over 30 turkeys for homeless and hungry neighbors.
If you couldn’t make it out to the fundraiser on Sunday, why not make a donation in any amount to this important organization at this very special time of year.
This Sunday, December 11th from 1-6pm, the local artisans at Grand Street Ceramics are bringing us a holiday pop-up shop hosted by their friendly neighbors at 
