Potters Market Features Work of OCC Students

Looking for a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift? You won’t have to look far this weekend.

Just check out The Potters Market, where more than 130 potters will sell their wares – everything from ceramic sculptures and ornaments to teapots, lamps and jewelry. This 36^th annual event runs Friday through Sunday.

The event, which takes place at the UFCW Hall in Madison Heights, features artists ranging from professional potters to advanced students from the Ceramic Technology program at Oakland Community College in Royal Oak.

Beth Robertson, of Wolverine Lake, is one of the full-time potters whose work will be featured for sale. She worked as an automotive designer until three years ago when she was laid off.

“I had always enjoyed doing pottery as a hobby and now I do it full time,” she said.

Robertson, who is participating in the sale for the third time and volunteered with the event for 10 years prior to that, makes wine and cheese plates and other items with a Tuscan feel.

“It’s just a very cool event to see everything come together and all the people come back year after year,” she said. “There is such a variety of pottery for every taste and budget.”

The largest sale of its type in the country, the Potters Market features stoneware, porcelain, raku and smoke-fired functional and nonfunctional items including tiles, cooking and serving vessels, mugs, vases, mirrors, shelves and more.

John Tata, lab technician at the ceramics department at OCC, has been involved in the event for several years and has sold his pottery work at the event in previous years.

“I think people really look forward to it,” he said. “A lot of people like to give something that’s handmade as a gift. They’re supporting a potter who works here in Michigan or in the U.S. They’re really supporting the arts as well as supporting the potter making a living. That’s kind of what makes it special.”

If you go

What: The Potters Market
When: Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Where: UFCW Hall in Madison Heights, 876 Horace Brown Dr.
Cost: Admission is free.
What else: Visa and Mastercard are accepted and purchases will be wrapped for the ride home. 
For more information: Call 248-246-2686 or visit www.thepottersmarket.com.