Alexandria — For those who give a whisker about all things furry, clay artists have dedicated handmade wares to the animal kingdom at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Through Aug. 26, Scope Gallery features Kiln Club’s "Ode to Animals," a show featuring fuzz-friendly statuettes, chow crocks, water dishes and more. Potters welcome all friends feathery, wooly, wild, domestic and doggy, elevating them to high, functional art.
Artisan piggy banks, handpainted hen tableware and kitty dishes have come out of Kiln Club workshops. Potters have created ceramic birdhouses with natural construction and an organic bamboo front perch. For those who like the wild side, adopt a wolf plate, moose vase or fish platter. Other pieces of functional art include a squirrel food dish or a rabbit appetizer tray, teapot or statuette. Embrace insects with dragonfly and butterfly plates and cups.
Whether it be for birds or bees, Scope Gallery's high-fire tableware is food-safe and can be used in the microwave, dishwasher and oven.
"Ode to Animals," runs from July 30 to Aug. 26. Scope Gallery hours are Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m. The gallery is located at 105 North Union Street, ground floor Studio 19. Call the Scope Gallery at 703-548-6288 , visit www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/scope.htm.
Kiln Club is an organization of more than 90 Washington, D.C. area artists working in the clay medium. Juried members exhibit themed shows every other month at the cooperative artist-run Scope Gallery in Alexandria's Torpedo Factory Art Center. Visit http://www.kilnclubwdc.com/