Pottery Show

	“The Art of Clay” Pottery Show Opens at Visual Arts Center
	Works by 16 potters are on exhibit at the Rutherford County Visual Arts Center as part of “The Art of Clay: Functional and Art Pottery.” Judge for the show was Andrew Stephenson of Rutherfordton. Stephenson has been resident potter at the Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts in Asheville and has taught at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. “The Art of Clay” is open 10 to 3 Tuesday through Saturday until August 27 at the Visual Arts Center, 160 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton.
	First place winner was Veryle Lynn Cox of Lake Lure for her icon of St. Michael the Archangel. Cox said she was inspired to try an icon on clay instead of the traditional wood substrate by a wall-height mosaic of St. Michael she saw on a visit to Istanbul, Turkey. Cox said applying the layers of glazes to get the three-dimensional effect on the robes and feathers was a challenge.
	Second Prize was won by Deurlene (DJ) Toney of Sunshine community. Deurlene Toney’s winning piece was a black raku platter with red-glazed details.
	Third prize was Patsy Hope Mitchell of Rutherfordton. Mitchell’s life-like pileated woodpecker was one of several whimsical clay animals that she has on display.