Kay Franz found a connection to clay in college. The Virginia artist hopes that, through her work, she can connect with you, too.
Artist: Born and raised in Halifax County, VA, in a small rural community called Turbeville. She attended the University of Georgia (UGA), where she earned a BFA in ceramics.
Company/studio: Clay & Green Tea, based in Richmond, VA, started in 1976. The artist works in her home studio, which is open by appointment.
Company name: Clay & Green Tea ties together many interests for Franz. It started with pottery when one of her instructors mentioned the role pottery played in the Japanese tea ceremony, Chanoyu.
Her interest in the tea ceremony led Franz to interests in teas, tea bowls, Japanese pottery and Buddhism. It is now her preferred beverage, which she enjoys year-round.
In the beginning: Franz headed to UGA with plans to major in commercial art. But in her freshman year, she took a ceramic course as a fun elective. And her plans changed.
“Clay as a medium spoke to me strongly,” said Franz. “I could visually see my energy imprinted into the first clay vessel I worked on and that created a powerful emotional response. I never have wavered in my love of clay.”
Art & materials: Largely non-functional work using a red or white clay sculpture mix and low-fired to cone 05. All work is hand built using coil, pinch, slab or slump molds ($35 for small bowls to $800 for larger, more sculptural work).
“I have recently fallen in love with terra sigillata (a very fine slip),” said Franz. “That is my main method of adding color.”
What’s popular: Currently, hanging domes (see two images, below right)..
Favorite tools: Her hands, of course. Also needle tools and anything that creates texture.
Inspirations:
- Forms and textures found in nature.
- Primitive pottery and Mingei pottery.
- Unknown as well as well-known potters past and present.
“I am grateful I went to college at the height of a very strong resurgence of interest in American craft,” said Franz. “There were notable potters, like Peter Voulkos and Paul Soldner, stretching the limits of the medium.”
“Potters were challenging the old concept of the medium belonging only to the world of craft and having no place in the art world,” she added.
Recent awards/honors:
- Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center, “2024 VA Artists Exhibition” Award of Distinction. Hampton, VA.
- Art Works, “Manic Ceramic”/NCECA Honorable Mention, March 2024. Richmond, VA.
- Crossroads Art Center, “Coalescence”/NCECA, Third Place Award. 2024. Richmond, VA.
- Bay Arts School, Art Speaks Award for Ceramics Excellence, April 2024. Matthews, NC.
Recent project: Working on a series “Moon Disk” vessel forms.
What’s next: 8th Annual RVA Clay Tour featuring 18 local studios, including Clay & Green Tea, rvaclay.com
What’s new: A series of “Earth Pods” using her current clay, but utilizing pit or barrel firing techniques for the final finish.
Where to buy:
- Clayandgreentea.com and at the studio by appointment.
- Shockoe Bottom Clay Studios and Crossroads Art Center, Richmond, VA.
- Dare Arts Center, Manteo, NC.
Connect:
- Instagram: @clayandgreentea
- Facebook: clayandgreentea
