Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — This weekend, while you shop for holiday presents, be sure to stop by the Depot Art Center. Even if you aren't shopping for holiday presents, stop by the Depot Art Center. The scene is something to behold.

Every year, potters from across Routt County set out their latest artwork, along with cookies and brownies and something to drink. Music is playing, and the Depot baggage room is full of people sorting through every aesthetic from Raku to high fire.

The third annual Steamboat Clay Artisans Holiday Pottery Sale is today and Sunday.

At least 10 local potters will have booths, and the group will have a table full of pottery by artisans who have only a handful of pieces to sell.

This year's sale will feature work by Mo Valenta and Patti Retz, who do Raku work, fired outdoors. Raku is an ancient Japanese form of low temperature fired pottery. The surface has a rough texture and an almost burnt look.

Valenta and Retz use horsehair, salt and pine needles to create different designs and color effects during firing.

Potter Bill Sanders' work, which also will be for sale this weekend, uses a similar pit firing technique. He will have several large, decorative vessels available, as well as several square plates, "gorgeous in someone's table setting," sale organizer Deb Babcock said.

Babcock, who sells work from her studio, Blue Sky Pottery, has been creating a line of whimsical teapots, she said. The pots have an "Alice in Wonderland" feel, using bright orange, red and green glazes.

"They're very animated and fun," she said. "It's a little different from my usual work, and most people haven't seen them before."

Some proceeds from the sale will go toward the Steamboat Clay Artisans to purchase clay and glazes for the Soup Bowl Supper fundraiser, but most of the money goes to the artists.

-- To reach Autumn Phillips, call 871-4210 or e-mail aphillips@steamboatpilot.com