Here at The Village Potters, having completed our second year together as a collective and now standing at the cusp of a new year, we reflect and look ahead.
A wise writer once said, ‘See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.’ In other words, if we want to use wisdom, and not be counted as fools, we need to pay attention, be alert, and look at all the possibilities. For each of us, making the transition from one year into the next has traditionally been a time to reflect, re-evaluate, and resolve to do better in both business and personal relationships. The many, sometimes overwhelming aspects of business strategies aside, relationship is central to all of it.
So I look back and look ahead at the relationships that The Village Potters represent, and not just the current six ‘Villagers’. We started as seven, plus spouses and other family members, including precious pets, Larry, Curly, Zena and Gable. My memory may not be what it used to be, but still clear are multiple gatherings, planning, strategizing, and dreaming long before Riverview Station became the fabulous place it is for us.
Forever with fondness I recall:
* Sarah and I – wearing large black trash bags schlepping power washers and shop vacs until arms and shoulders complained,
* George and Harry and the 11,000 pounds of steel in the elevator they had to remove,
* John H. and John J. with paint brushes, rollers and ladders,
* Bill’s amazing skills and Joy’s supervision,
* John F. and Jessie with ladders and hammers and nails,
* Cat and Melanie both doing their part in keeping us laughing while we all worked so hard, and
* Permanent marker leaving our favorite words of wisdom inside the walls of the gallery.
But that was just the beginning of the work, and the relationships.
We started as a group of four potters with a vision. Lori joined us shortly before we opened, quickly followed by Bernie and then Karen (and the rest of the Dubois crew). This year saw the addition of our wonderful studio assistant, Dearing. This group is the core of The Village Potters.
In the 2 years that have passed since black trash bags and magic markers, I think about all the beautiful people who have passed through that front door. Some have come through only once or twice, and many have become students, or collectors, and truly friends. Our gallery and teaching center have brought us increasing numbers of precious ones who have genuinely become part of ‘The Village Family’. The small core of who we are is six potters, but the real collective includes all of you.
So as we move into 2014, and look toward more growth, expansion, and dreaming of what is ahead we raise our ceramic tumblers to each of you who is part of the larger collective that is The Village Potters family. Dream with us! What is shared and done by the group of people here at The Village Potters is about people more than pots. We appreciate each of you and pray God’s care and blessing over your holiday season and every day that is ahead.
Judi Harwood
Village Potter