196 Windsor Way in Hillside, my suburban 1950s neighborhood, is very pleasant. If you've been in a well-maintained New Jersey suburb, you've passed houses like mine plenty of times. It's a white-painted brick ranch with dark red shutters and some shrubbery. But unlike most (if not all) of this plain-variety house, it has a pottery gallery downstairs. If you've read my blog before, you may know about it. But have you stopped in? It's worth a visit.
(As you come down into the gallery)
The Gallery Downstairs is almost two years old now. It's an unusual business model. The purpose of a gallery is for people to come and see what's inside, and buy if there is something they love and appreciate. But an ordinary house in the suburbs has no volume of people on foot who may come in on impulse.
(Big vase, small teacup)
It's a beautiful exhibit and sale space, with regular-height ceilings and good lighting. As one of my visitors said, "It doesn't feel like a basement!" I've furnished it with pedestals and wall shelves that are almost minimalist, and filled it with several years of work and a few older pieces I've taken from the archives lately. I put new work into it as it is made.
(Washcups and serving plates)
That it's hidden away is both its problem and its secret charm. It's an art-in-clay surprise, tucked away where you can find it- if you know it's there. Those who do visit are very favorably impressed.
For locals or those who will be traveling nearby, it's worth a drop-in visit. I welcome browsing and, in case you fear pushiness on my part (is it my potter-ly bulging biceps?), I usually enjoy telling you how things are inspired and made, if you want to know about those things, and then let you browse in peace. Think of it as an ongoing pottery craft show with no entry fee. You can come on up and ring the doorbell. I suggest calling 732-492-8558 as well, even if you are already on my front porch, just in case I am absorbed in work down in the studio and do not hear the bell. Unlike other gallery owners, I will likely answer the door in a clay spattered apron.
(23 mugs and a small blue bowl)
Here is what motivated me to create The Gallery Downstairs.
1985, when I started making pots, is long enough ago that my work has really evolved. Inventory has accumulated well beyond the number of pots I like to take to shows. In the last few years I've created a wider range of interesting pots than ever before. I'm in my most productive phase in my pottery life so far. There are many more pieces that I like than I ever liked before. I want people to see them.
But the shows get harder to do. I have been thinking for some time that instead of packing the pieces up for shows, repacking the unsold ones and unpacking them again to put away in my kiln room "archives", I would create a regular display space for them. So I put together a show that would be up not twice a year, but all year round.
Psst- Pass it on! It would be very satisfying to "unhide" my little gallery. If you'd just like to come see the work in person and move on, that would be fine, but do pass on the word! And if you need something one of a kind, or if you are going visiting, it's a great place to pick up a gift. Birthdays come up, housewarmings, and engagements. I would be glad to help you find what you want in my Gallery Downstairs. And if you don't see what you would want, we can talk about a custom order, too!