Celebrate Local Ceramics!

6th annual sophia street pottery throwdown June 10th

Our final four ceramic spotlights this month celebrate the works of Ana Brugos, Beth Sperlazza, Deb Balestreri and Kevin Rodrigue.

Ana Brugos has a studio at Libertytown Arts Workshop in Fredericksburg and does functional work with handpainted local themes. "I enjoy drawing images on my pots. Eventually I discovered the Mishima technique and it gave me the ability to play with colors

By annie harpe

flowers and animals from the back yard, the landscape, experiences. I specially like to celebrate our town by drawing the skyline of Fredericksburg, the Chatham bridge, and so on."

You can see more of Ana's work at Libertytown, or online on Instagram at: annabrugos_pottery.

The 6th annual Sophia Street Pottery Throwdown to showcase local ceramic art will be happening Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the Sophia Street Studios at 1104 Sophia Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Shop for work from more than 25 local artists, watch pottery demos, enjoy live country and bluegrass music from local favorite the Wellbillies, and buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind collaborative piece by Trista Chapman, Dan Finnegan and Neal Reed Raffle proceeds are donated to Empowerhouse to support victims of domestic violence.

and have painterly images on the pots. I find inspiration in our surroundings,

Deb Balestreri is based in Stafford, Virginia and makes one-of-a-kind, textural, earthy-colored functional ceramics from durable stoneware clay. She calls her work Corgi Clay after her favorite breed of fascinating, playful, and super smart dogs. See more of Debs work at: www.debrabalestreri-corgiclay.com/.

Deb also teaches pottery and recently opened the Corgi Clay Art Center in Stafford. Learn more and register for a class at: https://corgiclayartcenter.com/.

Beth Sperlazza is another Fredericksburg pottery favorite with a studio at Libertytown. Beth describes her

Arts Workshop, or online at: www.etsy.com/shop/SperlazzaPottery.

Kevin Rodrigue also has a studio at Libertytown in Fredericksburg. Kevin uses his interpretations of form and function to alter clay to define, enhance and meld with the user's environment. It is the interpretation that allows Kevin to connect with the viewer's everyday lives. Check out Kevin's work in-person at Libertytown, or online at: www.rodriguestudios.com/.

The Sophia Street Pottery ceramic work as "funky utilitarian pottery for your home, kitchen and life." You can see Beth's work in-person at Libertytown

Throwdown was started by longtime local ceramic artist and Fredericksburg resident Trista Chapman, owner of the Sophia Street Studios. Trista has been making pottery for over 30 years and is known for her festively colorful "Tristaware." You can see Trista's work and other fun furniture, jewelry and more at the Sophia Street Studios, 1104 Sophia Street, open Wednesday through Saturday from 10-5.

So stroll on down to Sophia Street, Saturday June 10 10 a m to 5 p m in front of the Sophia Street Studios at 1104 Sophia Street and celebrate local ceramic arts!