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COVER STORY Clayfolk Show & Sale is back for its 40th year Comment By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune Follow @@thewholedish MailTribune.com By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune Follow @@thewholedish Posted Nov. 19, 2015 at 9:00 AM By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune Follow @@thewholedish Posted Nov. 19, 2015 at 9:00 AM » Social News It’s unique, durable, locally made and affordable. It’s the holiday gift purchased at the annual Clayfolk Show & Sale, a Southern Oregon tradition for 40 years. “You can fill a lot of different parts of your Christmas list with pottery,” says Gwen Childs, ceramics artist and Clayfolk member. “Men are really hard to buy for, and you can buy them a mug.” Most priced between $15 and $30, mugs and bowls are the most coveted Clayfolk items, closely followed, Childs says, by “anything that has to do with animals.” Jewelry, sculptures, tiles and garden art also are included in the inventory. “It’s an entry to owning art,” says Childs of ceramic’s appeal, adding that many people are drawn to pottery because, at some point in their lives, they enjoyed handling clay. The wares of 66 ceramics artists will fill the show at the Medford Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Highway. Hours will be 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. Admission is free. See www.clayfolk.org for information. Southern Oregon’s largest display of handmade pottery also will incorporate a gallery of black-and-white photographs and other exhibits chronicling 40 years of the nonprofit organization’s history. With more than 135 members, Clayfolk is one indicator that the region’s relatively small population boasts an impressive number of potters, Childs says. “Some of the people we have are nationally known,” Childs says, a ceramics artist since 1970 and a Clayfolk member for 15 years. The majority of artists hail from Jackson and Josephine counties, but several come from as far as Eugene and Portland, Childs says. Among the group’s founding members, Ray Foster and Phil Fishwick also are perennially popular, she says. Foster is a retired South Medford High School art instructor, and Fishwick teaches ceramic arts at Rogue Community College. Favorite potter and favorite booth contests are featured Friday. “Clayfolk encourages beginning artists,” Childs says. Providing education, scholarships, workshops and demonstrations is Clayfolk’s primary purpose, with the show and sale serving as its main fundraiser. In addition to a $2,000 annual scholarship awarded to a ceramics artist enrolled at a college or art school, Clayfolk donates ceramics books and videos to Jackson and Josephine county libraries. Kids can try their hands at making pottery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Artists also will host demonstrations during those times. Guided tours are available at 1 and 2 p.m. Sunday. Live music and light refreshments are among the opening-night attractions. Black Friday it’s not, but the event’s first few hours are “nutso,” Childs says. “The collectors come early to see what’s new,” she says. “We have everything from a $2 pot — literally $2 — to $1,000.” A collector of platters, Grants Pass resident Sharon Simpson says she has been attending the show for about 15 years. Last year’s prize find was a wall hanging that can be planted with succulents. Simpson, 71, says she’s only encountered one problem with browsing the show for gifts: She wants to keep everything for herself. “Usually, I end up buying something for me, and something for someone else,” Simpson says. “I think the pricing is very reasonable.” Her birthday falling near the show is a bonus for Grants Pass resident Susan Elliott, who includes the event in her celebration. She says she favors plates, bowls, soap dishes, bird feeders and Christmas ornaments. “I purchase for the home and for the garden,” says Elliott, 63. “It’s something that’s handmade and handcrafted.” Shoppers who value supporting the local economy and living sustainably say they appreciate the show and sale, Childs says, adding that many of those consumers bring their own bags and boxes for packaging purchases. “They want to have things that last.” For a full schedule of events, artist list and booth map, see www.clayfolk.org . Individual artist biographies and samples of their work can be viewed on Clayfolk’s website. Group membership is open to anyone interested in the ceramic arts. Annual dues are $15, and meetings are held five times each year. By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune Follow @@thewholedish MailTribune.com By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune Follow @@thewholedish Posted Nov. 19, 2015 at 9:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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