Guest Artists
Pottery by Pat Newton
Pat grew up in the small Indiana town of Logansport, attended Logansport High School, and graduated from Northwestern University. Afterwards, he worked in Chicago for a number of years with the computer industry. After many trips to Colorado and Utah, he moved to the Denver area in 1989.
In the early 1990’s, inspired by the landscape of Southern Utah, where he would often camp and hike, he began creating pottery. His formal training has been at Red Rocks Community College where he continues to take classes.
The firing techniques he uses are – raku, horsehair, saggar, burnishing - are low fire methods so the pieces remain somewhat porous, will not easily retain water, and are not food safe. He will occasionally do soda and wood firings as well. His pottery is meant to be decorative rather than utilitarian as this allows him to experiment with shape, color, and design.
He’s been greatly influenced by the colors of the Southwest, geometric designs, Anasazi pottery, the burnished pottery of Maria Martinez, and the pottery of Bob Smith. Generally, he does not like a blank pot so he will embellish it by carving into it or adding horsehair and terra sigillata (a smooth reflective clay coating).
Pottery by Gail Johnston
Gail is a studio potter working with stoneware, porcelain, and raku clays that require a multitude of decoration and firing approaches. Her pottery is unique and distinctive with special attention given to design, texture and form. Her work reveals a desire to reflect the beauty of creation. Representational sculpture is incorporated in many pieces that may develop into a thematic series. Gail’s present work is moving from the more functional dinnerware, fountains, sinks and vases to utilizing nature objects, such as seed pods, flowers, and shells for her inspiration in creating vases and wall hangings.
Wood Boxes by Jim Harper
We are pleased to have Jim Harper exclusivly join us as our "wood guy" at the Gallery. After Phil Conlon had to stop creating his high quality boxes, he recommended Jim to take his place here at the Opera House Gallery. Jim produces the most beautiful jewelry boxes that we have seen. His jewelry boxes come with 5 lined removable shelves to carefully place ones valuable pieces. Each unique box comes with a label describing the species used in its construction.
He also creates other boxes that may be used for a variety of purposes or just to have on display. One does not develop a full appreciation of Jim's work until you touch and feel the quality of his workmanship.
Sculptures by Richard Gorden