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All smiles at Clayfolk Show & Sale By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Nov 19, 2022 02:08 PM A A 10 View all photos Bonnie Morgan, right, a member of the Southern Oregon Potters’ Association, chats with John Pierce, of Medford, during the Clayfolk Show & Sale at the Medford Armory on Saturday. The show was held in-person this weekend for the first time since the start of the pandemic. [Kevin Opsahl/Mail Tribune] Handmade Raku Fish by Nina Fernstrom-Duong are on display during the Clayfolk Show & Sale at the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] The Clayfolk Show & Sale is held at the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Pottery by Bonnie Morgan is on display during the Clayfolk Show & Sale at the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Pottery by Nancy Adams is on display during the Clayfolk Show & Sale at the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Handmade Raku Fish by Nina Fernstrom-Duong are on display during the Clayfolk Show & Sale at the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Handmade Raku Fish by Nina Fernstrom-Duong are on display during the Clayfolk Show & Sale at the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Pottery from Benjamin Wood is on display during the Clayfolk Show & Sale at the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Pottery by Dave Parry is on display during the Clayfolk Show & Saleat the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Pottery by Dave Parry is on display during the Clayfolk Show & Sale at the Medford Armory in Medford on Friday. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Annual show brings local pottery enthusiasts together in-person for first time since start of pandemic Whenever Bonnie Morgan sits down at the pottery wheel, she tries to put love into every piece she makes. “I hope people feel that when they pour their morning coffee in a mug,” said Morgan as she sat at her own booth in the Medford Armory during this year’s Clayfolk Show & Sale. The show began Friday and continues Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Highway. Admission is free. Describing herself as a “purple girl,” Morgan showed off her bowls and mugs, some of which were thrown on the wheel this fall and fired in the kiln last week. But she also likes tan, the color of her horse hair raku, which is headed to France next month when a family delivers it as a Christmas gift. “You never know where your pottery is going to end up,” Morgan said with a laugh. “There’s something about picking up one of my pieces, you go, ‘Oh wow, this bowl — even though it’s big, it’s really well-balanced or lightweight.’ Of course, the color is really a signature, too.” For Morgan, who helped found Clayfolk more than 40 years ago, this weekend marked her first in-person Clayfolk event since the start of the pandemic. Michael McKinney, president of the Southern Oregon Potters’ Association, said the setting brings him smiles. “We’re thrilled,” McKinney said. “The smiles I saw yesterday from both the artists and customers were over-the-top from what I could have hoped for.” In 2020 and ’21, Clayfolk was held virtually. But the way Morgan sees it, there are so many upsides to holding Clayfolk in-person. That includes being able to have professional potters work the wheel in real time and giving kids an area to make their own artwork. “We want to hook ’em,” Morgan said. “It’s so important for kids to have that passion.” Another segment of the population Clayfolk hopes to hook is young adults, such as Megan Suess and Jack Krzeminski. Suess has been to the show before, but not Krzeminski. “It’s really nice to see all the pottery,” Krzeminski said. “A lot of nice pieces.” Suess chimed in that it is fun to see local art instead of “buying on Amazon.” “It’s also fun to see things in person and see what they feel like,” said Suess, who draws in her spare time. “I appreciate the artistry and the time they spent on it.” She contemplated buying a mug and ended up walking out with one. But Clayfolk is also a good opportunity to buy Christmas gifts, added Krzeminski “My family really likes unique pieces,” he said. “(My family) lives in Michigan, so it’s fun to bring things from Oregon.” Suess believes a passion for unique artwork stems not just from an older generation, but a new one like her’s. “I think we like eclectic things,” she said. Krzeminski added, “Mass manufactured is a little boring. It’s nice to have one-offs.” Morgan, who admits she likes to “people-watch” at Clayfolk, said it’s intriguing to see what kinds of pottery people are attracted to. “What speaks to them, what are they going to take home,” she said. “(A customer) was holding that (clay) dragon like it was real. She was just embracing it, and you could already tell she had already fallen in love with it.” Not surprisingly, Clayfolk brings out not just professionals like Morgan, but hobbyists like John Pribyl of Talent. “I like to see what all the potters in the valley are doing,” he said. “It’s a great society of artists. They’re very friendly and share ideas. That’s very nice.” Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.