Santa Fe – an art Mecca – far less touristy and commercial than I expected, is where we spent Todd’s 40th birthday. Our stop right after the Georgia O’Keefe Museum was an art gallery/studio/workshop/classroom called Santa Fe Clay.
Located in the Railyard District, which is something like the 400 W and 200 S area of SLC, still a bit industrial but is quickly being redeveloped and rediscovered, this 10,000 foot warehouse is home to some amazing pieces.
The main dish exhibit we saw was a small sculptures show by the artists Miguel Abugattas, Cynthia Rae Levine, Katherine Taylor and Karen Thuesen Massaro. It was cool, but I preferred the appetizer, a warehouse full of stacks of sculptures and functional ware, and the dessert, a cramped hallway filled with interesting pieces.
I had a few favorite pieces. An egg-shaped functional turquoise cup was my soul mate, possessing the beautiful lines and simplicity I love in pottery. Blue and white as well as gold painted porcelain with weird designs also stole my heart. Osama Bin Laden made a surprise appearance on a tea pot. And, I can’t stop thinking about the lamb-slipper-wearing, bunny-faced, party girl sculpture. Todd stayed true to his classical nature, and loved Orpheus more than all the other pieces put together.
If you go to Santa Fe, this workshop/gallery is a gem. If you’re there for a while, try out the classes and let us know what you think, www.santafeclay.com.
