Wednesday, 5 September, 2007

“He encouraged me to attend a summer session on basic throwing,” said Patterson. “I was hooked.”

The pots in display in the Riney Gallery are made of white earthenware clay, which Patterson forms, smoothes and burnishes with a polished river rock. When the pottery is red hot (between 1000 and 1200 degrees), it is taken out of the kiln. The horse hair is applied and carbonizes, forming the dark lines on the surface of the pot. No glaze is used on horse hair pottery.

“I enjoy throwing many different types of pottery, but my specialty is horse hair pottery,” Patterson said. “Although it is extremely labor intensive, the result is extremely gratifying.”

Patterson’s exhibit will be on display in the gallery through September 14. It is open for viewing by the public Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 5p.m. For more information or to schedule a special viewing, contact Marsha Shrack, gallery director, at 620-450-2191.