Ceramics is an ancient and diverse art form, and BKLYN CLAY brings to it a modern and welcoming perspective. As a membership and teaching studio in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, we work to provide a context where local, modern makers can develop and produce work in this time-sensitive medium. We are an elevated creative hub that brings together artists of every skill level to learn, connect, and be inspired by each other within a clean, safe, organized, state-of-the-art facility.
This is a longstanding art form, reimagined for the current context. While ceramics can be an individual pursuit, it benefits from the creative and practical contributions of a community. For everything from clay reclaim, glaze testing, and kiln firing to artistic feedback, constant exploration, and creative connection - work in this medium and the makers who produce it benefit enormously by their inclusion in a diverse and expansive community. BKLYN CLAY appreciates and facilitates the labor and innovation of all makers. Our mission is to reposition and elevate ceramic work while carving out a place for fine, handmade ceramics in the everyday and commonplace.
Saturn Dinnerware by Sarah Allwine and Gustav Hamilton
This is the dinnerware that we want to have in our homes. Every piece in the line has been carefully considered. The Saturn concept was imagined and redrawn until we arrived at the perfect size, proportion, and silhouette to create a coordinated collection unified by a common theme and interlocking functionality. The sturdy double rim of the Saturn concept creates a stronger form while allowing for easy stacking for countertop and fridge storage. We have formulated and reformulated an almost absurd number of glazes to find to the right strength and finish. The forms were then repeatedly tested by scratching the surface with utensils, so no matter how hungrily you attack your dinner, the surface will fare very well. Our initial glaze color is a soft white gloss, and we look forward to adding new colors and finishes in the coming months.
Crater Cup by Anders Hamilton
This cup came out of the precise exploration of glaze application that Anders uses in his own ceramic practice. Anders was first introduced to the craft of spray finishes at his grandfather’s auto body shop as a child. More than two decades later, Anders has incorporated this process into his ceramic work. Inspired by moon craters, this cup is slipcast in stoneware then glazed with a spray technique to create an optical illusion of movement on the cup’s surface. Turn the cup over in your hand and the bumps appear to absorb, reflect, or generate light, bringing the contrasting and complimentary colors to life with the illusion of light and shadow. This series of work is sold as editions.